Global depletion of groundwater resources
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Material Information

Title:
Global depletion of groundwater resources
Series Title:
Geophysical Research Letters Volume 37 Issue 20
Creator:
Yoshihide Wada
Ludovicus P.H. van Beek
Cheryl M. van Kempen
Josef W.T.M. Reckman
Slavek Vasak
Marc F.P. Bierkens
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union
Publication Date:
Language:
English

Notes

Abstract:
In regions with frequent water stress and large aquifer systems groundwater is often used as an additional water source. If groundwater abstraction exceeds the natural groundwater recharge for extensive areas and long times, overexploitation or persistent groundwater depletion occurs. Here we provide a global overview of groundwater depletion (here defined as abstraction in excess of recharge) by assessing groundwater recharge with a global hydrological model and subtracting estimates of groundwater abstraction. Restricting our analysis to sub-humid to arid areas we estimate the total global groundwater depletion to have increased from 126 (±32) km3 a-1 in 1960 to 283 (±40) km3 a-1 in 2000. The latter equals 39 (±10)% of the global yearly groundwater abstraction, 2 (±0.6)% of the global yearly groundwater recharge, 0.8 (±0.1)% of the global yearly continental runoff and 0.4 (±0.06)% of the global yearly evaporation, contributing a considerable amount of 0.8 (±0.1) mm a-1 to current sea-level rise. § Corresponding author: m.bierkens@geo.uu.nl 1 ( English )

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Source Institution:
Florida International University
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Aggregations:
Sea Level Rise