Groundwater Importance and Vulnerability

Questions and Answers

What percentage of the rural population in the U.S. relies on groundwater for its needs?

99% (correct)

100%

75%

50%

Why is groundwater more vulnerable to environmental issues?

Because it's underground and we can't easily access it for testing, regulating, and cleaning (correct)

Because it's easily accessible for testing and regulation

Because it's not connected to surface water bodies

Because it's only used for drinking water

What is a major source of groundwater pollution in agriculture?

Irrigation systems

Plowing techniques

Farm animal waste

Fertilizers and pesticides (correct)

What is a health risk associated with nitrates in drinking water?

Various cancers, miscarriages, and birth defects Signup and view all the answers

What can happen to aquifers if groundwater is pumped out too quickly?

They can be depleted much faster than surface water Signup and view all the answers

What is another way groundwater can be polluted?

Leakage from underground storage tanks Signup and view all the answers

What is a large-scale use of groundwater besides drinking water?

Agricultural irrigation Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the groundwater that is withdrawn from the aquifer?

It is moved to another location to water large areas of crops. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why we should not overdraw groundwater?

Because it may lead to saltwater intrusion into aquifers. Signup and view all the answers

What can happen to an aquifer when saltwater intrudes into it?

The water becomes undrinkable. Signup and view all the answers

What is subsidence caused by?

The rapid removal of groundwater from an aquifer. Signup and view all the answers

What can be the effects of subsidence on a city?

The city will experience buckled streets, tilted buildings, and broken underground pipes. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to refill aquifers?

To maintain a healthy balance of water in the aquifer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the best way to ensure that we do not run out of groundwater?

Conserve water and reduce our withdrawal rates. Signup and view all the answers

What is the comparison made between the world's aquifers and?

A bank account. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Groundwater Vulnerability

Groundwater is a vital natural resource, providing drinking water, household uses, crop irrigation, and more to over 1/3 of Earth's population, including 99% of the rural population in the U.S.
Despite its importance, groundwater is vulnerable to environmental issues due to its underground location, making it difficult to access for testing, regulating, and cleaning.

Groundwater Pollution

Groundwater pollution occurs when harmful substances enter the soil and are carried into aquifers by rainfall.
Agriculture is a significant contributor to groundwater pollution through the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
Nitrates from fertilizers have been linked to various cancers, miscarriages, and birth defects in drinking water.
Manufacturing industries also pollute groundwater through the improper disposal of toxic chemicals.
Underground storage tanks, such as septic tanks, can leak sewage waste, oil, and toxic chemicals into the ground.

Overdrawing Groundwater

Groundwater can be depleted faster than surface water because aquifers take a long time to refill.
The rapid removal of groundwater for drinking water and agricultural irrigation can lead to depletion.
Overdrawing groundwater can cause saltwater intrusion into aquifers along coastal areas, making them undrinkable.
The concept of groundwater depletion can be likened to a bank account, where withdrawals exceed deposits, leading to a dwindling balance.

Subsidence

Overdrawing groundwater leads to subsidence, or the sinking of the ground, as the space below is left unfilled.
Subsidence can occur suddenly, creating sinkholes, or over a large area, such as a city.
Mexico City, for example, has sunk over 33 feet due to subsidence, resulting in buckled streets, tilting buildings, and broken underground pipes.