Rapid Fire
Groundwater Recharge Challenges
- 26 Apr 2024
- 2 min read
A recent study estimated groundwater recharge rates in Australia using the Chloride Mass Balance (CMB) method, indicating that climate and vegetation significantly influence recharge rates.
- The CMB is a tracer technique that is used to quantify the recharge rates for groundwater wells in a dry environment using the chloride content of both precipitation and groundwater.
- Researchers state that the groundwater recharge rate is influenced by climate and vegetation factors.
- Climate-related variables include rainfall distribution and evapotranspiration, while vegetation-related factors include the health and density of vegetation.
- Soil properties and geographic variation also influence the rate of groundwater recharge.
- The study emphasised the importance of considering changes in land-use patterns, especially in rapidly urbanising areas, to increase groundwater recharge rates.
- In India’s context, Bengaluru's rapid urbanisation has led to a drastic reduction in green spaces and waterbodies, with built-up areas increasing from 8% in 1973 to 93% in 2020. This has resulted in a severe groundwater crisis, with declining levels each year.
- In India, few studies estimate groundwater recharge rates using CMB, and large-scale analyses of chloride deposition are yet to be attempted.
- The Water Table Fluctuation (WTF) method is common in India, estimating groundwater recharge by monitoring water level changes in wells.
- It is crucial for Indian cities to accurately estimate groundwater recharge rates and explore scientific measurement methods.
Read More: Protecting Our Groundwater: A Priority for a Sustainable Future, Bengaluru's Water Crisis: A Wake-Up Call for India
