: As people pump water out of the ground, the water table can lower. Which of the following are possible consequences of a lower water table? Select the two correct answers.

Question

Answer Options:

saltwater intrusion
rising sea levels
larger aquifers
cleaner water
land subsidence

Answer 1

The two correct answers regarding the possible consequences of a lower water table are:

1. Saltwater intrusion - As the water table lowers, especially in coastal areas, saltwater can move into freshwater aquifers, leading to contamination of drinking water supplies.

2. Land subsidence - When water is removed from the ground, the support that the water provides to soil and rock layers can decrease, causing the land to sink or collapse.

So the correct answers are saltwater intrusion and land subsidence.