Chapter 57, Problem 1U

Which of the statements about groundwater is NOT accurate?

a. In the United States, groundwater provides 50% of the population with drinking water.

b. Groundwaters are being depleted faster than they can be recharged.

c. Groundwaters are becoming increasingly polluted.

d. Removal of pollutants from groundwaters is easily achieved.

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

The water cycle is the biogeochemical cycle that is involved in the transfer of water from the atmosphere to the Earth and back to the atmosphere. Water is present in three different forms on the Earth. The first form is a visible form of water as surface water. The second form of water is present below the ground and is known as groundwater. The third form of water is present as water vapor. Around$95\%$of freshwater in the United States is from groundwater.

Answer to Problem 1U

Correct answer:

It is very difficult to remove the pollutants from groundwater, as groundwater is generally out of reach. Therefore, option d. is correct.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for the correct statement:

Groundwater comprises two parts. The water table constitutes the upper layer of the groundwater and is not confined. The water table is accessible to the plants through the roots and it also flows into the streams. The lower levels of water are confined as are not directly accessible. As the groundwater is present below the ground and is inaccessible, the removal of the impurities and pollutants is not achievable.

Option d. is given as “removal of pollutants from groundwaters is easily achieved”.

As “the groundwater is not accessible and is present below the ground, the removal of pollutant is a difficult task”, it is the right answer.

Hence, the option d. is correct.

Reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option a. is given as “in the United States, groundwater provides$50\%$ of the populations with drinking water”.

Groundwater in the United States provides around$25\%$water for all the purposes and $50\%$ of the population drinks groundwater. Thus, it is a wrong answer.

Option b. is given as “groundwaters are being depleted faster than they can be recharged”.

Groundwater is being used more than it can be recharged and this is the reason behind the depletion of the aquifers. Thus, it is a wrong answer.

Option c. is given as “groundwaters are becoming increasingly polluted”.

The water percolating down toward the groundwater carried some of the molecules with them. Along with the molecules, the water carries the pollutants. Thus, it is a wrong answer.

Hence, options a., b., and c. are incorrect.

Conclusion

Conclusion:

Groundwater is replenished through the percolation of water. Groundwater gets more polluted because of the soil pollution and it is difficult to remove pollutants from groundwater. Groundwater is the source of drinking water ($50\%$) of the population of the United States.