Removal of water from water bodies from a surface or underground source.

• A. Surface storage
• B. Groundwater storage
• C. Altitude
• D. Abstraction

Answer: (D)

Abstraction refers to removing water from natural water bodies, whether drawing from a surface source like a river or lake, or from underground via wells. This is exactly what the statement describes—the act of taking water out for use. It’s different from surface storage or groundwater storage, which are about where water is kept, and from altitude, which is simply elevation and not about removing water. Abstraction covers domestic, agricultural, and industrial withdrawals and is a key concept in understanding how water resources are used and managed.