What is recharge, and how can it be accomplished by human action? ...

[folubunmi]

What is recharge, and how can it be accomplished by human action? What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What causes water to become hard, other than freezing? What will be an ideal response?

[jjorrostieta]

Answer to Question 1

Recharge is the replacement of groundwater by natural inflow from adjacent areas. This happens, for
example, around water wells wherein pumping may temporarily draw down the water table creating a
cone of depression. Inflow from adjacent areas should ideally cause the water table to return to its
original shape, in the absence of overdraft. Artificial recharge can add water to a groundwater body
through infiltration from the surface. This is accomplished by creating holding ponds or reservoirs
located over permeable ground.

Answer to Question 2

Calcium and magnesium ions cause water to be hard. These originate in limestone and dolomite rock,
otherwise known as carbonate rock. They are liberated into solution by dilute carbonic acid, which
forms by the reaction of atmospheric carbon dioxide with rainwater. Dissolving of carbonate rock in
this manner hardens groundwater and also produces caverns and their spectacular features.