Question

The chart below indicates the levels of three aquifers in a local community.

Level of Input and Output in Three Aquifers

Aquifer Input and Output
Aquifer 1 Input: 360 gallons
Output: 600 gallons
Aquifer 2 Input: 521 gallons
Output: 500 gallons
Aquifer 3 Input: 200 gallons
Output: 300 gallons

Which best describes the aquifers?
Aquifers 1 and 3 may result in a reduced river flow.
Aquifer 2 may result in reduced surface water levels.
Aquifers 2 and 3 may result in decreased wetland and spring discharge.
Aquifer 3 may result in an increase in productivity.

Answer 1

Aquifers 1 and 3 — their outputs (600 and 300) exceed their inputs (360 and 200), so they are being depleted. Depleted aquifers can reduce groundwater contribution to streams, so aquifers 1 and 3 may result in reduced river flow.