Groundwater sustainability strategies

Gleeson, Tom; VanderSteen, Jonathan; Sophocleous, Marios; Taniguchi, Makoto; Alley, William M.; Allen, Diana M.; Zhou, Yangxiao

doi:10.1038/ngeo881

Cited by 240 publications

(136 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Groundwater storage change is controlled by the balance between recharge (i.e., inflow into the groundwater body, or aquifer, from the soil or surface water reservoirs) and discharge (i.e., outflow from the groundwater to surface water systems) or groundwater abstractions (Freeze and Cherry 1979). Extended drought and/or excessive groundwater abstractions can lead to groundwater depletion and regional water resource scarcity and pose significant impacts on the ecosystem and economic and social developments (Foster and Loucks 2006;Rodell et al 2009;Gleeson et al 2010;Famiglietti 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater Storage Changes: Present Status from GRACE Observations

et al. 2015

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Satellite gravity measurements from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) provide quantitative measurement of terrestrial water storage (TWS) changes with unprecedented accuracy. Combining GRACE-observed TWS changes and independent estimates of water change in soil and snow and surface reservoirs offers a means for estimating groundwater storage change. Since its launch in March 2002, GRACE time-variable gravity data have been successfully used to quantify long-term groundwater storage changes in different regions over the world, including northwest India, the High Plains Aquifer and the Central Valley in the USA, the North China Plain, Middle East, and southern Murray-Darling Basin in Australia, where groundwater storage has been significantly depleted in recent years (or decades). It is difficult to rely on in situ groundwater measurements for accurate quantification of large, regional-scale groundwater storage changes, especially at long timescales due to inadequate spatial and temporal coverage of in situ data and uncertainties in storage coefficients. The now nearly 13 years of GRACE gravity data provide a successful and unique complementary tool for monitoring and measuring groundwater changes on a global and regional basis. Despite the successful applications of GRACE in studying global groundwater storage change, there are still some major challenges limiting the application and interpretation of GRACE data. In this paper, we present an overview of GRACE applications in groundwater studies and discuss if and how the main challenges to using GRACE data can be addressed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater Storage Changes: Present Status from GRACE Observations

et al. 2015

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“…Much of this irrigation water has been drawn from groundwater as people realised the advantages to increased productivity of timely irrigation and security of application (Morris et al 2003;Gleeson et al 2010). Most agricultural land uses have provided major sources of diffuse groundwater contamination since the introduction of mechanisation and use of fertilisers (Capri et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of groundwater contamination in an agricultural peri-urban area (NW Portugal): an integrated approach

et al. 2014

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The excessive use of pesticides and fertilisers in agriculture has generated a decrease in groundwater and surface water quality in many regions of the EU, consti-tuting a hazard for human health and the environment. Besides, on-site sewage disposal is an important source of groundwater contamination in urban and peri-urban areas. The assessment of groundwater vulnerability to contami-nation is an important tool to fulfil the demands of EU Directives. The purpose of this study is to assess the groundwater vulnerability to contamination related mainly to agricultural activities in a peri-urban area (Vila do Conde, NW Portugal). The hydrogeological framework is characterised mainly by fissured granitic basement and sedimentary cover. Water samples were collected and analysed for temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, chloride, phosphate, nitrate and nitrite. An evaluation of groundwater vulnerability to contamination was applied (GOD-S, Pesticide DRASTIC-Fm, SINTACS and SI) and the potential nitrate contamination risk was assessed, both on a hydrogeological GIS-based mapping. A principal component analysis was performed to characterised pat-terns of relationship among groundwater contamination, vulnerability, and the hydrogeological setting assessed. Levels of nitrate above legislation limits were detected in 75 % of the samples analysed. Alluvia units showed the highest nitrate concentrations and also the highest vulner-ability and risk. Nitrate contamination is a serious problem affecting groundwater, particularly shallow aquifers, especially due to agriculture activities, livestock and cesspools. GIS-based cartography provided an accurate way to improve knowledge on water circulation models and global functioning of local aquifer systems. Finally, this study highlights the adequacy of an integrated approach, combining hydrogeochemical data, vulnerability assessments and multivariate analysis, to understand groundwater processes in peri-urban areas.

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“…Worldwide, groundwater is an increasingly vital and limited resource (Gleeson et al, 2010;Wada et al, 2010Wada et al, , 2012Richey et al, 2015). In California, water demand consistently exceeds available surface supplies, increasing reliance on groundwater (California Department of Water Resources, 1998a.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%