Question

When groundwater is overdeveloped, subsidence of the land may occur. In areas with unconsolidated sediments, compaction occurs, whereas in areas of solid bedrock, in the rock develop in order to accommodate the change in surface elevation.

Answer 1

Groundwater overdevelopment can lead to land subsidence due to compaction of sediments or fracture development in bedrock. This can cause significant ecological and environmental problems, stressing the importance of sustainable water management.

Step-by-step explanation:

When groundwater is overextracted, the land above can experience subsidence, which is the downward motion of the surface. In regions with unconsolidated sediments, overuse of groundwater leads to compaction of these sediments. Compaction occurs because the removal of groundwater from the pore spaces causes the grains to settle and pack more closely together, much like pushing trash down in a garbage can reduces space.

Groundwater is replenished by infiltration from precipitation and other sources, such as seepage from surface waters and artificial recharge. Overdevelopment of groundwater resources can result in a water supply crisis, with impacts like lowered water tables, increased pumping costs, saltwater intrusion, and environmental damage due to the dewatering of lakes and streams.