15 Questions
What percentage of the Earth's population relies on groundwater for its needs?
33%
Why is groundwater more vulnerable to environmental issues?
Because it is difficult to access and regulate
What is the primary source of groundwater pollution?
Agricultural runoff
What is the effect of nitrates in drinking water?
They've been linked to various cancers, miscarriages, and birth defects
How does pollution from the ground get into groundwater?
When it rains and water washes over the substances
What is another way that groundwater can move?
As a source of discharge into Earth's streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans
What percentage of the rural population in the U.S. relies on groundwater for its needs?
99%
What happens to the groundwater when it's pumped out for agricultural irrigation?
It slowly sinks back down into the soil, but doesn't go directly back into the aquifer
What is the consequence of over-drawing groundwater along coastal areas?
Saltwater intrudes into aquifers
What is the process called when the ground sinks down to fill the space below?
Subsidence
What is the best way to describe the relationship between groundwater withdrawal and deposition?
We're withdrawing more water than we're depositing
What is the result of the ground sinking down to fill the space below in Mexico City?
The city has slowly sunk by 33 feet
What is the consequence of underground storage tanks leaking into the ground?
Toxic chemicals, sewage waste, and oil leak into the groundwater
Why is it a problem to overdraw groundwater?
It may cause the groundwater to run out and allow saltwater to intrude
What can happen to the land around the groundwater when it's removed too quickly?
It sinks down to fill the space below
Study Notes
Groundwater Vulnerability
- Groundwater is a vital natural resource, providing over 1/3 of the Earth's population with water for drinking, household uses, irrigation, and more.
- 99% of the rural population in the U.S. relies on groundwater for their needs.
Pollution of Groundwater
- Groundwater pollution occurs when harmful substances enter the soil and are carried into aquifers by rainwater.
- Agriculture is a major contributor to groundwater pollution, with fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides contaminating the soil.
- Nitrates from fertilizers are particularly dangerous in drinking water, linked to cancers, miscarriages, and birth defects.
- Manufacturing industries also pollute groundwater, releasing toxic chemicals into the soil.
- Underground storage tanks can leak sewage waste, oil, and toxic chemicals into the ground.
Overdrawing Groundwater
- Groundwater can be depleted faster than surface water, as aquifers take a long time to refill.
- Groundwater is pumped from wells for drinking water and large-scale uses like agricultural irrigation.
- The rapid removal of groundwater without adequate replenishment can lead to depletion.
- Overdrawing groundwater can cause saltwater to intrude into aquifers along coastal areas, making them unsuitable for drinking water.
Consequences of Overdrawing Groundwater
- Subsidence occurs when the ground sinks to fill the space created by the removal of groundwater.
- Subsidence can cause sudden small holes or sinkholes, or affect large areas like cities.
- Mexico City has sunk over 33 feet due to subsidence, resulting in buckled streets, tilted buildings, and broken underground pipes.
Learn about the importance of groundwater as a natural resource, its uses, and the environmental issues that affect it. Discover how it provides drinking water, supports agriculture, and meets other needs.
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