Question
Why might the Ogallala Aquifer disappear in the next 100 years?
A. Too much water is being taken out and not enough is being added to the aquifer through recharge.
B. Too much rainfall in this area of the country will cause the aquifer to disappear.
A. Too much water is being taken out and not enough is being added to the aquifer through recharge.
B. Too much rainfall in this area of the country will cause the aquifer to disappear.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
A. Too much water is being taken out and not enough is being added to the aquifer through recharge.
The Ogallala Aquifer is being depleted due to extensive water extraction for agricultural, municipal, and industrial uses, while the natural recharge rate is significantly lower due to factors like drought, land use practices, and climate change. B is incorrect because excessive rainfall would not cause the aquifer to disappear; while it might enhance recharge under certain conditions, the primary threat is the imbalance between water removal and recharge.
The Ogallala Aquifer is being depleted due to extensive water extraction for agricultural, municipal, and industrial uses, while the natural recharge rate is significantly lower due to factors like drought, land use practices, and climate change. B is incorrect because excessive rainfall would not cause the aquifer to disappear; while it might enhance recharge under certain conditions, the primary threat is the imbalance between water removal and recharge.