Groundwater is rapidly depleting in many of the world's aquifers Nature | Nature wallet

Analysis of measurement data from nearly 170,000 groundwater monitoring wells reveals that groundwater levels stored in aquifers around the world could decline at a rate of more than 0.5 meters per year in the 21st century. The paper reporting this isnaturePublished in However, these aquifers can be restored through efforts such as policy change and improved aquifer management.

Aquifers are important sources of fresh water for farms, homes, industries and cities around the world. However, due to global climate change and overuse of water, groundwater reserves in aquifers around the world may be decreasing, threatening economies and ecosystems. Groundwater maps created based on satellite data can provide some insights into trends in groundwater storage, but on-site measurements and analyzes of groundwater monitoring wells around the world can provide scientists and governments with a more comprehensive understanding of aquifer depletion trends.

In this study, Scott Jaschko and his colleagues analyzed measurement data from about 170,000 groundwater monitoring wells in more than 40 countries to forecast aquifer trends through the end of the 21st century. After examining the scope of 1,693 aquifer systems around the world, we found that 36% of aquifers are experiencing a decline in the water table of more than 0.1 m per year, and 12% of aquifers are experiencing declines of more than 0.5 m per year. It was decreasing at a rapid pace. By comparing this result with groundwater depletion data from 1980 to 2000, we found that 30% of the aquifers included in this study have witnessed accelerated depletion since the beginning of the twenty-first century, especially in arid regions. It became clear that this phenomenon was noticeable in the water layer.

At the same time, groundwater levels were rising at a rate of more than 0.1 meters per year in 6% of aquifers according to measured data, and in 1% at a rate of more than 0.5 meters per year. This trend in groundwater levels is likely the result of declining groundwater consumption, implementation of groundwater consumption policies, surface water movement, land cover changes, and management of groundwater recharge projects, Jaschko et al.

Jaschko et al point out that the samples analyzed in the current study are not a random sample of groundwater monitoring wells around the world, and by combining the results of different field measurements, he points out that it is possible to obtain a clearer trend.

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Springer Nature is committed to raising awareness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and relevant information and evidence published in academic journals and books. The research described in this press release relates to SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG 13 (climate action). See here for more information. (https://press.springernature.com/sdgs/24645444 )

doi:10.1038/s41586-023-06879-8

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