Using Satellite-Based Terrestrial Water Storage Data: A Review

Abstract

Land water storage plays a key role for the Earth’s climate, natural ecosystems, and human activities. Since the launch of the first Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission in 2002, spaceborne observations of changes in terrestrial water storage (TWS) have provided a unique, global perspective on natural and human-induced changes in freshwater resources. Even though they have become much used within the broader Earth system science community, space-based TWS datasets still incorporate important and case-specific limitations which may not always be clear to users not familiar with the underlying processing algorithms. Here, we provide an accessible and illustrated overview of the measurement concept, of the main available data products, and of some frequently encountered technical terms and concepts. We summarize concrete recommendations on how to use TWS data in combination with other hydrological or climatological datasets, and guidance on how to avoid possible pitfalls. Finally, we provide an overview of some of the main applications of GRACE TWS data in the fields of hydrology and climate science. This review is written with the intention of supporting future research and facilitating the use of satellite-based terrestrial water storage datasets in interdisciplinary contexts.

Optimizing Parameters in the Common Land Model by Using Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Satellite Observations

“…Figure 5 illustrates the correlation coefficients defined in (12) without parameter optimization. The correlation coefficients between the simulated TWS changes and observations are greater than 0.5 for more than half of the global land grid points (depicted in red and yellow).…”

“…Combining observational data with land surface models holds promise for enhancing the estimates of TWS, runoff, and simulations of water cycle processes [12]. Most land surface models lack descriptions of deeper groundwater and do not account for changes in lake and river water storage, necessitating calibration or validation with observational data [13].…”

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Groundwater Storage in Pakistan from Gravimetric Observations

“…The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and GRACE Follow On (GRACE-FO) satellites, together referred to as GRACE thereafter, are the main source of data for this study. The GRACE satellite mission measures the total water storage anomalies (TWSA; i.e., deviation from long-term (2004-2009) mean), which are inferred from changes in Earth's gravitational eld (Humphrey et al, 2023). Different data centres, including CSR (Centre for Space Research), GFZ (German Research Centre for Geosciences), and JPL, have processed satellite observations of gravity changes to derive total water storage anomalies (TWSA) (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) (Arshad et al, 2022) in the units of equivalent water thickness.…”

Reinterpreting Global GRACE Trends Based on Century‐Long GRACE‐REC Data

“…Terrestrial water storage (TWS) encompasses various components of water near the Earth's surface, including groundwater, soil moisture, surface waters, and snow water equivalent (Humphrey et al., 2023; Tapley et al., 2019). Accurate assessment of TWS is essential for food security, human and ecosystem health, energy supply, and socioeconomic development (Huggins et al., 2022; Pokhrel et al., 2021; Shen et al., 2022).…”