Aquifer Depletion and Subsidence: A Growing Environmental Concern
Aquifers, underground layers of water-bearing rock or sediment, are crucial for maintaining the water supply in many regions around the world. They serve as a vital source of fresh water for drinking, irrigation, and industrial use, especially in areas where surface water is scarce. However, rapid urbanization, industrial development, and unsustainable water extraction practices have led to aquifer depletion in many parts of the world. The depletion of aquifers, in turn, leads to a phenomenon called subsidence , where the ground sinks or collapses due to the loss of underground water. 1. Understanding Aquifer Depletion Aquifer depletion refers to the excessive withdrawal of water from an aquifer that surpasses the rate of natural replenishment or recharge. Recharge happens when water from rainfall, rivers, or other surface sources infiltrates the ground and refills the aquifer. In many regions, however, human demand for groundwater has led to the extraction of water faster t...