Groundwater depletion, a term often defined as longterm waterlevel declines caused by sustained groundwater pumping, is a key issue associated with groundwater use. Groundwater depletion in the united states 19002008 scientific investigations report 205079 cover. Some causes and impacts of groundwater depletion are neither obvious nor easy to assess. Geological surveys usgs map of groundwater depletion shows the cumulative depletion of groundwater for 40 aquifer systems across the u. Groundwater flows into and out of aquifer systems in the subsurface. Groundwater is the largest source of usable, fresh water in the world. Groundwater accounts for around 30% of all freshwater. Sustainable allocation of groundwater resources and protection of aquatic habitats requires an understanding of the hydraulic connectivity between water wells and surface water resources. Groundwater resources around the world could be depleted. A time series of global irrigation and groundwater depletion maps reveals geographical patterns in the use of fresh water for agriculture. Examine the causes and effects of depletion in the groundwater. Groundwater depletion in the united states 19002008. Grace can see the depletion of groundwater from large aquifers due to drought and human activities.
Many areas of the united states are experiencing groundwater depletion. Using grace data, scientists found that groundwater levels in northern india declined by as much as 33 centimeters 1 foot over this region between 2002 and 2008. Groundwater depletion in the irrigated high plains and california central valley accounts for 50% of groundwater depletion in the united states since 1900. Groundwater investigations and numerical modeling were. I hope the research scholars and managers engaged in river. An analytical method was proposed to estimate depletion of groundwater in the confining layers through their entire exploitation history and also for limited periods, especially when data on the drawdown history of the pumped aquifer were sparse. Continuously changing climate also underscores the importance of adaptive management of groundwater resources megdal, 2018. This article describes how the alluvial aquifer in kuchlagh was exhausted after three decades of intensive use from more than three hundred agricultural wells and how the water users gradually adapted to it. The top five countriesindia, united states, iran, saudi arabia, and china in decreasing orderaccount for a total groundwater depletion more than threequarters of the global total, with. An analytical method to estimate groundwater depletion. Groundwater depletion could be significant source of atmospheric carbon dioxide 16 november 2017 washington d. Thus, we estimate the total global groundwater depletion to be 283 40 km3yr in the year 2000 which equals 39 10% of the global yearly groundwater abstraction, 2 0.
Deforestation read more in detail means to clear the forest land by cutting the trees and shrubs and converting it into a commercial or a residential land. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. Nonrenewable groundwater use and groundwater depletion. The volume of groundwater in storage is decreasing in. Groundwater levels in india are plunging at an alarming rate where some states experience water levels dwindling to criticality. Excessive groundwater removal has created depletion problems in california and india. Depleting ground water levels is cause of big worry especially to life in rural areas. Pumping water out of the ground faster than it is replenished over the longterm causes similar problems. In many parts of the world, especially where surface water supplies are not available, domestic, agricultural, and industrial water needs can only be met by using the water beneath the ground.
Click here to go to the usgs groundwater depletion webpage source. We might each drink only a few liters quarts of water per day, but the food we eat can require depletion in the united states 19002008 scientific investigations report 205079 cover. To verify that groundwater is suited for its purpose, its quality can be evaluated i. The growing use of groundwater and the resultant increased demand on limited groundwater supplies have led to more complex problems of sharing and. For instance, when groundwater depletion occurs, alternative water sources should be utilized instead of allowing overexploitation that causes irreversible damage to nature systems. The method was based on the solution for drawdown distribution in the confining layer under the condition that the water level was not under. Northwest india the indus and ganga basin regions of northwest india experience a combination of high levels of groundwater dependency, aquifer stress and agricultural output. Pdf groundwater depletion embedded in international food. Groundwater is used for a variety of purposes, including irrigation, drinking, and manufacturing. New modeling of the worlds groundwater levels finds aquifersthe soil or porous rocks that hold groundwaterin the upper ganges basin area. Depletion,contamination and the prevention ground water depletion is one of the greatest fears that has arisen in the modern day world. Worldwide, the irrigation of farmland accounts for about 70% of the fresh water diverted by human activity. Its human nature, human understand the importance of something when it is far away from him, and one day that something will be underground water. Groundwater is also the source of a large percentage of surface water.
A newly developed high plains recharge map shows that high recharge in the northern high plains. Groundwater is the largest liquid freshwater resource of the earth. Global change and groundwater the international association of. As the demand for water increases with the rising population, there is also a threat regarding the draining of the socalled ground water too. Groundwater pumping causes depletion of groundwater storage.
Groundwater depletion, as a result, has severe consequences on indias water security, food security, health and the livelihoods of its population. The depletion of groundwater is a specter presented for many parts of the world that rely on the unmanaged use of groundwater. It plays a crucial role in human sustenance and global food security by supporting irrigated agriculture 1. A case of groundwater depletion in balochistan, pakistan.
Decisions to pump groundwater are motivated by peoples need for domestic water. Modelling tools for estimating effects of groundwater. Groundwater depletion could be significant source of. A natural consequence of groundwater withdrawals is the removal of water from subsurface storage, but the overall rates and magnitude of groundwater depletion in the united states are not well characterized. Groundwater is a valuable resource both in the united states and throughout the world. The map depicts depletion over the time period of 1900 to 2008 and is measured in cubic kilometers. Some causes and impacts of groundwater depletion are neither. Groundwater depletion embedded in international food trade article pdf available in nature 5437647.
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