A thorough investigation has revealed an alarming acceleration in the depletion of global groundwater reserves, with nearly a third of the world’s aquifers experiencing an increase in water loss since the turn of the millennium. This trend, published in the journal Nature, has been attributed to unsustainable water extraction practices and climate change, which together have led to a variety of environmental issues, including water scarcity and land subsidence.
Groundwater Study Utilizes On-Site Data
Marking a departure from prior research that primarily relied on satellite data, this new study is the first to synthesize on-site groundwater measurements. The analysis included data from approximately 170,000 monitoring wells around the world, providing a more nuanced understanding of regional aquifers’ conditions.
Regional Aquifers Facing Rapid Declines
The research team, led by hydrologist Scott Jasechko from the University of California, Santa Barbara, noted that in 12% of the studied aquifers, water levels are decreasing by more than half a meter annually. The most significant drops were observed in arid regions such as central Chile, Iran, and the western United States, where the situation is particularly dire.
However, the study also provides a glimmer of hope, demonstrating that groundwater levels can recover with improved water management. Instances of such recovery are evident in Thailand’s Bangkok basin and Iran’s Abbas-e Sharghi basin, where regulatory reforms and water diversion strategies have led to positive changes in aquifer levels.
The study’s findings underscore the possibility of reversing long-term groundwater depletion through strategic interventions. Additionally, the research assists in reconciling disparities between local observations and GRACE satellite data, contributing to the establishment of a global baseline for sustainable groundwater management.
The identification of at-risk regions is crucial, as water scarcity can trigger involuntary human migration, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Timely policy measures could mitigate the risks, including those related to potential armed conflicts over cross-border aquifers, according to Li Xu of the University of Saskatchewan’s Global Institute for Water Security.
