10 Questions
What is the largest natural source of freshwater?
Groundwater
What percentage of Earth's population relies on groundwater for its needs?
over 1/3
Why is groundwater more vulnerable to environmental issues compared to surface water?
being underground makes it more vulnerable because it is not easily accessible for testing, regulating, and cleaning
In addition to being underground, where else does groundwater move?
as a source of discharge into Earth's streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans
What problem are many cities facing that can cause damage to buildings, roads, and underground pipe systems?
Land subsidence
What are some sources of groundwater pollution?
Agriculture, manufacturing, and underground storage tanks are some sources of groundwater pollution.
Why are nitrates from fertilizers dangerous in drinking water?
Nitrates from fertilizers have been linked to various cancers, miscarriages, and birth defects.
How does groundwater depletion differ from surface water depletion?
Groundwater can be depleted much faster than surface water because aquifers take a very long time to refill.
What happens when groundwater is overdrafted?
Overdrawing groundwater not only means that we may run out of water to pump, but it also allows saltwater to intrude into aquifers along coastal areas.
What is subsidence and how does it occur?
Subsidence is when the ground sinks down to fill the space below. It occurs when water is removed too quickly from groundwater.
Test your knowledge on groundwater and its environmental challenges in this quiz! Explore the importance of underground aquifers as our largest natural source of freshwater and discover the various environmental problems that pose a threat to their sustainability.
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