Which one of the following factors does not affect the distribution of groundwater ?

The distribution and availability of groundwater are primarily governed by hydrological and geological factors. Precipitation is the fundamental source of recharge, with high rainfall ensuring significant groundwater potential while scanty rainfall leads to negligible recharge [1][2]. Evaporation directly impacts the water budget, as high rates in dry climates cause moisture to evaporate before it can percolate into the ground [2]. The ground surface's ability to allow infiltration, determined by soil porosity, vegetation cover, and the presence of impermeable concrete surfaces, dictates how much water reaches the aquifers [2][3]. While coastal regions face specific risks like saline water intrusion and sea-level rise [1], the 'distance from the sea' itself is not a primary factor affecting the general distribution of groundwater systems compared to the intrinsic geological properties and climatic recharge-evaporation cycles that define aquifer storage and potential [2].

Sources

1. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Ground Water Aquifer System of India > p. 33
2. [2] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: Weathering, Mass Movement and Groundwater > Groundwater > p. 41
3. [3] Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 7: Heat Transfer in Nature > Table 7.5: Seepage of water > p. 100