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What can lead to groundwater shortages

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Final answer:

Groundwater shortages can be caused by overpumping, excessive use of surface water, and climate change.

Step-by-step explanation:

Groundwater shortages can be caused by various factors. One of the main reasons is overpumping of groundwater from wells, which leads to a drop in the water table. This is known as groundwater mining and can result in the depletion of regional water tables. Additionally, excessive use of water from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs can also contribute to groundwater shortages. Climate change and melting glaciers associated with global warming further aggravate the problem. Saltwater intrusion, subsidence, and sinkholes are other issues that can arise due to groundwater shortages.

User Almaron
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- 1.) Groundwater depletion most commonly occurs because of the frequent pumping of water from the ground.

- 2.) We continuously pump groundwater from aquifers and it does not have enough time to replenish itself.

- 3.) Agricultural needs require a large amount of groundwater.

- 4.) The activities that lead to groundwater depletion come mostly from humans, but a portion of it also comes from changes in our climate and can speed up the process.

User Moyo
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