CLIMATE change affects the components of water cycle such as evaporation, precipitation and evapotranspiration and thus results in large-scale alteration in water present in glaciers, rivers, lakes, oceans, etc. The effects of cli-mate change on subsurface water relates to the changes in its recharge and discharge rates plus changes in quantity and quality of water in aquifers. Climate change refers to the long-term changes in the components of climate such as temperature, precipitation, evapotranspiration, etc. The major cause of climate change is the rising level of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere such as CO2, CH4, N2O, water vapour, ozone and chlorofluorocarbon. These GHGs absorb 95% of the longwave back radiations emitted from the surface, thus making the Earth warmer. Except CO2, the effects of other GHGs are minor because of their low concentration and also because of low residence times (e.g. water vapour and methane). The rise in CO2 level causing global warming was first proposed by Svante Arrhenius, a Swedish scientist in 1896 and now it is a widely accepted fact that the concentration of CO2 is the primary regulator of temperature on the Earth and leads to global warming.
Sea Water Intrusion(SWI) in coastal areas :
1. Occurrence of seawater intrusion
2.Factors that affect coastal aquifer
3.Changes by hydrological regime
4.Problems due to SWI
5.Ghyben-Herzberg relation
6.Methods to detect SWI
7.Control measures
It includes the definition, properties, classification of groundwater with appropriate examples and figures in details. It also deals about the formation of groundwater. The properties of aquifers (all of 7) are described here in details with figures and mathematical terms.
Adaptation to global change must include prudent management of groundwater as a renewable, but slow-feedback resource in most cases. Groundwater storage is already over-tapped in many regions, yet available subsurface storage may be a key to meeting the combined demands of agriculture, industry, municipal and domestic water supply, and ecosystems during times of shortage.
CLIMATE change affects the components of water cycle such as evaporation, precipitation and evapotranspiration and thus results in large-scale alteration in water present in glaciers, rivers, lakes, oceans, etc. The effects of cli-mate change on subsurface water relates to the changes in its recharge and discharge rates plus changes in quantity and quality of water in aquifers. Climate change refers to the long-term changes in the components of climate such as temperature, precipitation, evapotranspiration, etc. The major cause of climate change is the rising level of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere such as CO2, CH4, N2O, water vapour, ozone and chlorofluorocarbon. These GHGs absorb 95% of the longwave back radiations emitted from the surface, thus making the Earth warmer. Except CO2, the effects of other GHGs are minor because of their low concentration and also because of low residence times (e.g. water vapour and methane). The rise in CO2 level causing global warming was first proposed by Svante Arrhenius, a Swedish scientist in 1896 and now it is a widely accepted fact that the concentration of CO2 is the primary regulator of temperature on the Earth and leads to global warming.
Sea Water Intrusion(SWI) in coastal areas :
1. Occurrence of seawater intrusion
2.Factors that affect coastal aquifer
3.Changes by hydrological regime
4.Problems due to SWI
5.Ghyben-Herzberg relation
6.Methods to detect SWI
7.Control measures
It includes the definition, properties, classification of groundwater with appropriate examples and figures in details. It also deals about the formation of groundwater. The properties of aquifers (all of 7) are described here in details with figures and mathematical terms.
Adaptation to global change must include prudent management of groundwater as a renewable, but slow-feedback resource in most cases. Groundwater storage is already over-tapped in many regions, yet available subsurface storage may be a key to meeting the combined demands of agriculture, industry, municipal and domestic water supply, and ecosystems during times of shortage.
The river Bharathapuzha is the lifeline of three districts in Central Kerala namely Palakkad, Malappuram and Thrissur and also parts of Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. This region gets an increase in population during the recent years. Water is unevenly distributed as surface and groundwater resources. An integrated hydrogeological study in the whole basin has not been attempted so far. This is the result of our investigation.
Groundwater models are simplified representation of large and real hydrogeologic systems like river basins or watersheds. GWM is attempted to analyse the mechanisms which control the occurrence and movement of groundwater and to evaluate the policies, actions and designs which may affect the systems. These models are less complex prototypes of complex hydrogeologic systems developed using spatially varying aquifer parameters, hydrologic properties, geologic boundary conditions and positions of withdrawal wells or recharging structures. These are designed to compute how pumping or recharge might affect the local or regional groundwater levels.
This presentation talks about the impact on global water resources caused by climate change.
Presentation prepared with the help of Neha Rathi, a volunteer at India Water Portal.
The river Bharathapuzha is the lifeline of three districts in Central Kerala namely Palakkad, Malappuram and Thrissur and also parts of Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. This region gets an increase in population during the recent years. Water is unevenly distributed as surface and groundwater resources. An integrated hydrogeological study in the whole basin has not been attempted so far. This is the result of our investigation.
Groundwater models are simplified representation of large and real hydrogeologic systems like river basins or watersheds. GWM is attempted to analyse the mechanisms which control the occurrence and movement of groundwater and to evaluate the policies, actions and designs which may affect the systems. These models are less complex prototypes of complex hydrogeologic systems developed using spatially varying aquifer parameters, hydrologic properties, geologic boundary conditions and positions of withdrawal wells or recharging structures. These are designed to compute how pumping or recharge might affect the local or regional groundwater levels.
This presentation talks about the impact on global water resources caused by climate change.
Presentation prepared with the help of Neha Rathi, a volunteer at India Water Portal.
Impact of Climate Change on Groundwater ResourcesC. P. Kumar
Powerpoint presentation describing climate change impacts in India, hydrological impact of climate change, impact of climate change on groundwater, methodology to assess the impact of climate change on groundwater resources, recent studies, and role of artificial intelligence.
Today Water, Climate & Energy is related to every
aspect of human life: social equity, ecosystem & economic
sustainability. Water is used to generate energy; energy is used to
provide water. Water, energy and climate are inextricably linked,
which is of great concern and increasing importance for future.
Global primary energy demand is projected to increase by just
over 50% between now and 2030, which can be met by more
prod., consuming water & other natural resources, adopting
better technologies and also encouraging changes in energy use
pattern. Water withdrawals are predicted to increase by 50% by
2025 in developing countries and 18% in developed countries.
The worst fallouts of the climate change are shrinking of water
resources. Climate change acts as an amplifier of the already
intense competition over water & energy sources.
Solving the interlinked challenges of water, energy & climate in
a sustainable manner is one of the fundamental goals of the
present generation. To achieve this, related research and
knowledge should be expanded and discussed with in technical
circles. Technology, innovation a sense of shared responsibility
and political will are factors that bring real solutions to keep pace
with increasing needs. Resolving growing issues will require
better and integrated policy frameworks & political engagement
for all stakeholders within and across water sheds. Leadership
from all parts of society is must for change to happen.
Unit 8 - Information and Communication Technology (Paper I).pdfThiyagu K
This slides describes the basic concepts of ICT, basics of Email, Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives in Education. This presentations aligns with the UGC Paper I syllabus.
Instructions for Submissions thorugh G- Classroom.pptxJheel Barad
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Acetabularia Information For Class 9 .docxvaibhavrinwa19
Acetabularia acetabulum is a single-celled green alga that in its vegetative state is morphologically differentiated into a basal rhizoid and an axially elongated stalk, which bears whorls of branching hairs. The single diploid nucleus resides in the rhizoid.
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
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Model Attribute Check Company Auto PropertyCeline George
In Odoo, the multi-company feature allows you to manage multiple companies within a single Odoo database instance. Each company can have its own configurations while still sharing common resources such as products, customers, and suppliers.
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
How to Make a Field invisible in Odoo 17Celine George
It is possible to hide or invisible some fields in odoo. Commonly using “invisible” attribute in the field definition to invisible the fields. This slide will show how to make a field invisible in odoo 17.
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
Overview on Edible Vaccine: Pros & Cons with Mechanism
Impact of Climate Change on Groundwater Resources
1. Impact of Climate Change on
Groundwater Resources
C. P. Kumar
Scientist ‘F’
National Institute of Hydrology
Roorkee – 247667 (India)
2. Presentation overview
Groundwater in Hydrologic Cycle
What is Climate Change?
Hydrological Impact of Climate Change
Impact of Climate Change on Groundwater
Climate Change Scenario for Groundwater in
India
Status of Research Studies
Methodology to Assess the Impact of Climate
Change on Groundwater Resources
Concluding Remarks
5. Pores Full of Combination of Air and Water
Unsaturated Zone / Zone of Aeration / Vadose
(Soil Water)
Zone of Saturation (Ground water)
Pores Full Completely with Water
6. Groundwater
Important source of clean water
More abundant than Surface Water
Baseflow Linked to SW systems
Sustains flows
in streams
7. Why include groundwater in
climate change studies?
Although groundwater accounts for small
percentage of Earth’s total water,
groundwater comprises approximately thirty
percent of the Earth’s freshwater.
Groundwater is the primary source of water
for over 1.5 billion people worldwide.
Depletion of groundwater may be the most
substantial threat to irrigated agriculture,
exceeding even the buildup of salts in soils.
(Alley, et al., 2002)
8. “Natural” Groundwater Recharge
Natural groundwater
recharge accounts for:
Components of the
hydrologic cycle:
precipitation,
evaporation,
transpiration, runoff,
infiltration, recharge,
and baseflow.
Heterogeneity of
geological structures,
local vegetation, and
weather conditions.
(Alley et al., 2002)
11. Groundwater
• An important component of water resource systems.
• Extracted from aquifers through pumping wells and
supplied for domestic use, industry and agriculture.
• With increased withdrawal of groundwater, the quality
of groundwater has been continuously deteriorating.
• Water can be injected into aquifers for storage and/or
quality control purposes.
12. Groundwater contamination by:
• Hazardous industrial wastes
• Leachate from landfills
• Agricultural activities such as the use of fertilizers and pesticides
Management of a groundwater system, means
making such decisions as:
• The total volume that may be withdrawn annually from the aquifer.
• The location of pumping and artificial recharge wells, and their
rates.
• Decisions related to groundwater quality.
13. What is Climate Change?
IPCC usage:
•Any change in climate over time, whether due to
natural variability or from human activity.
Alternate:
•Change of climate, attributed directly or
indirectly to human activity, that
•Alters composition of global atmosphere and
•Is in addition to natural climate variability observed
over comparable time periods
14.
15. GLOBAL CIRCULATION MODELS
Formulated to simulate climate sensitivity to increased
concentrations of greenhouse gases such as carbon
dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.
17. Global Climate Models
translated to local impacts
Five step process outlined by Glieck & Frederick (1999)
• Look at several Global Climate Models (GCMs) and
look for consensus & ranges
• Downscale to level needed (statistical and
dynamical methods)
• Apply impact ranges to hydrologic modeling
• Develop systems simulation models
• Assessment of the results (historic and GCMs) at
representative time frames
18. Overview of the Climate Change Problem
Source: IPCC Synthesis Report 2001
19. Hydrological Impact of Climate Change
According to the Technical Paper VI (2008) of Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC), the best-estimate in global surface temperature from
1906 to 2005 is a warming of 0.74°C (likely range 0.56 to 0.92°C), with a more
rapid warming trend over the past 50 years.
Temperature increases also affect the hydrologic cycle by directly increasing
evaporation of available surface water and vegetation transpiration.
Consequently, these changes can influence precipitation amounts, timings and
intensity rates, and indirectly impact the flux and storage of water in surface and
subsurface reservoirs (i.e., lakes, soil moisture, groundwater).
In addition, there may be other associated impacts, such as sea water intrusion,
water quality deterioration, potable water shortage, etc.
20. While climate change affects surface water resources directly through changes in
the major long-term climate variables such as air temperature, precipitation, and
evapotranspiration, the relationship between the changing climate variables and
groundwater is more complicated and poorly understood.
The greater variability in rainfall could mean more frequent and prolonged periods
of high or low groundwater levels, and saline intrusion in coastal aquifers due to sea
level rise and resource reduction.
Groundwater resources are related to climate change through the direct
interaction with surface water resources, such as lakes and rivers, and indirectly
through the recharge process.
The direct effect of climate change on groundwater resources depends upon the
change in the volume and distribution of groundwater recharge.
21. Therefore, quantifying the impact of climate change on groundwater resources
requires not only reliable forecasting of changes in the major climatic variables, but
also accurate estimation of groundwater recharge.
A number of Global Climate Models (GCM) are available for understanding
climate and projecting climate change.
There is a need to downscale outputs of GCM on a basin scale and couple them
with relevant hydrological models considering all components of the hydrological
cycle.
Output of these coupled models such as quantification of the groundwater
recharge will help in taking appropriate adaptation strategies due to the impact of
climate change.
22. Impact of Climate Change on Groundwater
It is important to consider the potential impacts of climate change on groundwater
systems.
Although the most noticeable impacts of climate change could be fluctuations in
surface water levels and quality, the greatest concern of water managers and
government is the potential decrease and quality of groundwater supplies, as it is
the main available potable water supply source for human consumption and
irrigation of agriculture produce worldwide.
Because groundwater aquifers are recharged mainly by precipitation or through
interaction with surface water bodies, the direct influence of climate change on
precipitation and surface water ultimately affects groundwater systems.
As part of the hydrologic cycle, it can be anticipated that groundwater systems will
be affected by changes in recharge (which encompasses changes in precipitation
and evapotranspiration), potentially by changes in the nature of the interactions
between the groundwater and surface water systems, and changes in use related to
irrigation.
23. (a) Soil Moisture
The amount of water stored in the soil is fundamentally important to agriculture
and has an influence on the rate of actual evaporation, groundwater recharge,
and generation of runoff.
Soil moisture contents are directly simulated by global climate models, albeit
over a very coarse spatial resolution, and outputs from these models give an
indication of possible directions of change.
The local effects of climate change on soil moisture, however, will vary not only
with the degree of climate change but also with soil characteristics. The water-
holding capacity of soil will affect possible changes in soil moisture deficits; the
lower the capacity, the greater the sensitivity to climate change. For example,
sand has lower field capacity than clay.
Climate change may also affect soil characteristics, perhaps through changes
in cracking, which in turn may affect soil moisture storage properties.
24. (b) Groundwater Recharge
Groundwater is the major source of water across much of the world, particularly
in rural areas in arid and semi-arid regions, but there has been very little
research on the potential effects of climate change.
Aquifers generally are replenished by effective rainfall, rivers, and lakes. This
water may reach the aquifer rapidly, through macro-pores or fissures, or more
slowly by infiltrating through soils and permeable rocks overlying the aquifer.
A change in the amount of effective rainfall will alter recharge, but so will a
change in the duration of the recharge season. Increased winter rainfall, as
projected under most scenarios for mid-latitudes, generally is likely to result in
increased groundwater recharge.
However, higher evaporation may mean that soil deficits persist for longer and
commence earlier, offsetting an increase in total effective rainfall.
25. Various types of aquifers will be recharged differently. The main types are
unconfined and confined aquifers.
An unconfined aquifer is recharged directly by local rainfall, rivers, and lakes,
and the rate of recharge will be influenced by the permeability of overlying
rocks and soils.
Unconfined aquifers are sensitive to local climate change, abstraction, and
seawater intrusion. However, quantification of recharge is complicated by the
characteristics of the aquifers themselves as well as overlying rocks and soils.
A confined aquifer, on the other hand, is characterized by an overlying bed
that is impermeable, and local rainfall does not influence the aquifer. It is
normally recharged from lakes, rivers, and rainfall that may occur at distances
ranging from a few kilometers to thousands of kilometers.
26. Several approaches can be used to estimate recharge based on surface water,
unsaturated zone and groundwater data. Among these approaches, numerical
modelling is the only tool that can predict recharge.
Modelling is also extremely useful for identifying the relative importance of
different controls on recharge, provided that the model realistically accounts for all
the processes involved.
However, the accuracy of recharge estimates depends largely on the availability of
high quality hydrogeologic and climatic data.
The medium through which recharge takes place often is poorly known and very
heterogeneous, again challenging recharge modelling.
Determining the potential impact of climate change on groundwater resources, in
particular, is difficult due to the complexity of the recharge process, and the
variation of recharge within and between different climatic zones.
In general, there is a need to intensify research on modeling techniques, aquifer
characteristics, recharge rates, and seawater intrusion, as well as monitoring of
groundwater abstractions.
27. (c) Coastal Aquifers
Coastal aquifers are important sources of freshwater. However, salinity
intrusion can be a major problem in these zones. Changes in climatic variables
can significantly alter groundwater recharge rates for major aquifer systems and
thus affect the availability of fresh groundwater.
Sea-level rise will cause saline intrusion into coastal aquifers, with the amount
of intrusion depending on local groundwater gradients.
For many small island states, seawater intrusion into freshwater aquifers has
been observed as a result of overpumping of aquifers. Any sea-level rise would
worsen the situation.
28. Sea Level Rise: A Global Concern
• Mean sea level has risen globally by 25 cm (1 - 2.5 mm/yr) on
average over the last century (IPCC, 2001).
• Global warming is also occurring, causing temperatures to
gradually increase worldwide.
• Global warming is exacerbating sea level rise, due to the increase
in glacial melt and thermal expansion of the water which results
from temperature change. Based on IPCC estimates, sea level
could rise by another 50 cm (5 mm/yr) by 2100.
• Increased sea levels will vastly affect coastal regions.
• Increased sea levels will lead to increased frequency of severe
floods.
29. Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2001)
Future sea level rise = 1.990 - 2.100 meters
Even if greenhouse gas concentrations are stabilised,
sea level will continue to rise for hundreds of years. After
500 years, sea level rise from the thermal expansion of
oceans may have reached only half its eventual level,
glacier retreat will continue and ice sheets will continue
to react to climate change.
Thermal expansion and land ice changes were
calculated using a simple climate model calibrated
separately for each of seven air/ocean global climate
models (AOGCMs). Light shading shows range of all
models (in the next slide) -
30.
31. A link between rising sea level and changes in the water balance is suggested
by a general description of the hydraulics of groundwater discharge at the coast.
The shape of the water table and the depth to the freshwater/saline interface
are controlled by the difference in density between freshwater and salt water, the
rate of freshwater discharge and the hydraulic properties of the aquifer.
To assess the impacts of potential climate change on fresh groundwater
resources, we should focus on changes in groundwater recharge and impact of
sea level rise on the loss of fresh groundwater resources in water resources
stressed coastal aquifers.
32. Climate Change Scenario for Groundwater in India
Impact of climate change on the groundwater regime is expected to be severe.
Due to rampant drawing of the subsurface water, the water table in many regions
of the country has dropped significantly in the recent years resulting in threat to
groundwater sustainability.
The most optimistic assumption suggests that an average drop in groundwater
level by one metre would increase India’s total carbon emissions by over 1%,
because withdrawal of the same amount of water from deeper depths will increase
fuel consumption.
Climate change is likely to affect groundwater due to changes in precipitation and
evapotranspiration.
Rising sea levels may lead to increased saline intrusion into coastal and island
aquifers, while increased frequency and severity of floods may affect groundwater
quality in alluvial aquifers.
Sea-level rise leads to intrusion of saline water into the fresh groundwater in
coastal aquifers and thus adversely affects groundwater resources.
33. For two small and flat coral islands at the coast of India, the thickness of
freshwater lens was computed to decrease from 25 m to 10 m and from 36 m to 28
m, respectively, for a sea level rise of only 0.1 m (Mall et al., 2006).
Agricultural demand, particularly for irrigation water, which is a major share of
total water demand of the country, is considered more sensitive to climate change.
A change in field-level climate may alter the need and timing of irrigation. Increased
dryness may lead to increased demand, but demand could be reduced if soil
moisture content rises at critical times of the year.
It is projected that most irrigated areas in India would require more water around
2025 and global net irrigation requirements would increase relative to the situation
without climate change by 3.5–5% by 2025 and 6–8% by 2075 (Mall et al., 2006).
In India, roughly 52% of irrigation consumption across the country is extracted
from groundwater; therefore, it can be an alarming situation with decline in
groundwater and increase in irrigation requirements due to climate change (Mall et
al., 2006).
In a number of studies, it is projected that increasing temperature and decline in
rainfall may reduce net recharge and affect groundwater levels. However, little
work has been done on hydrological impacts of possible climate change for Indian
regions/basins.
34. Status of Research Studies
There have been many studies relating the effect of climate changes on surface water
bodies. However, very little research exists on the potential effects of climate change on
groundwater.
Available studies show that groundwater recharge and discharge conditions are reflection of
the precipitation regime, climatic variables, landscape characteristics and human impacts such
as agricultural drainage and flow regulation.
Hence, predicting the behavior of recharge and discharge conditions under future climatic
and other changes is of great importance for integrated water management.
Previous studies have typically coupled climate change scenarios with hydrological models,
and have generally investigated the impact of climate change on water resources in different
areas.
The scientific understanding of an aquifer’s response to climate change has been studied in
several locations within the past decade. These studies link atmospheric models to
unsaturated soil models, which, in some cases, were further linked into a groundwater model.
The groundwater models used were calibrated to current groundwater conditions and
stressed under different predicted climate change scenarios.
Some of the recent studies on impact of climate change on groundwater resources are
mentioned here.
35. Bouraoui et al. (1999)
Presented a general approach to evaluate the effect of
potential climate changes on groundwater resources.
A general methodology is proposed in order to disaggregate
outputs of large-scale models and thus to make information
directly usable by hydrologic models.
Two important hydrological variables: rainfall and potential
evapotranspiration are generated and then used by coupling with
a physically based hydrological model to estimate the effects of
climate changes on groundwater recharge and soil moisture in
the root zone.
36.
37. Sherif and Singh (1999)
Investigated the possible effect of climate change on sea water
intrusion in coastal aquifers.
Using two coastal aquifers, one in Egypt and the other in India,
this study investigated the effect of likely climate change on sea
water intrusion.
Under conditions of climate change, the sea water levels will rise
which will impose additional saline water heads at the sea side and
therefore more sea water intrusion is anticipated.
A 50 cm rise in the Mediterranean sea level will cause additional
intrusion of 9.0 km in the Nile Delta aquifer.
The same rise in water level in the Bay of Bengal will cause an
additional intrusion of 0.4 km.
38. Ghosh Bobba (2002)
Analysed the effects of human activities and sea-level changes on the
spatial and temporal behaviour of the coupled mechanism of salt-water
and freshwater flow through the Godavari Delta of India.
The density driven salt-water intrusion process was simulated with the
use of SUTRA (Saturated-Unsaturated TRAnsport) model.
The results indicate that a considerable advance in seawater intrusion
can be expected in the coastal aquifer if current rates of groundwater
exploitation continue and an important part of the freshwater from the
river is diverted for irrigation, industrial and domestic purposes.
39. Allen et al. (2004)
Used the Grand Forks aquifer, located in south-central British
Columbia, Canada as a case study area for modeling the sensitivity of
an aquifer to changes in recharge and river stage consistent with
projected climate-change scenarios for the region.
Results suggested that variations in recharge to the aquifer under the
different climate-change scenarios, modeled under steady-state
conditions, have a much smaller impact on the groundwater system
than changes in river-stage elevation of the Kettle and Granby Rivers,
which flow through the valley.
40. Brouyere et al. (2004)
Developed an integrated hydrological model (MOHISE) in order to
study the impact of climate change on the hydrological cycle in
representative water basins in Belgium.
This model considers most hydrological processes in a physically
consistent way, more particularly groundwater flows which are modelled
using a spatially distributed, finite-element approach.
The groundwater model is described in detail and results are
discussed in terms of climate change impact on the evolution of
groundwater levels and groundwater reserves.
Most tested scenarios predicted a decrease in groundwater levels in
relation to variations in climatic conditions.
41. Holman (2006)
Described an integrated approach to assess the regional impacts of
climate and socio-economic change on groundwater recharge from East
Anglia, UK.
Important sources of uncertainty and shortcomings in recharge
estimation were discussed in the light of the results.
Changes to soil properties are occurring over a range of time scales,
such that the soils of the future may not have the same infiltration
properties as existing soils.
The potential implications involved in assuming unchanging soil
properties were described.
42. Mall et al. (2006)
Examined the potential for sustainable development of surface
water and groundwater resources within the constraints imposed by
climate change and future research needs in India.
He concluded that the Indian region is highly sensitive to climate
change.
The National Environment Policy (2004) also advocated that
anthropogenic climate changes have severe adverse impacts on
India’s precipitation patterns, ecosystems, agricultural potential,
forests, water resources, coastal and marine resources.
Large-scale planning would be clearly required for adaptation
measures for climate change impacts, if catastrophic human misery is
to be avoided.
43. Ranjan et al. (2006)
Evaluated the impacts of climate change on fresh groundwater
resources specifically salinity intrusion in five selected water
resources stressed coastal aquifers.
The annual fresh groundwater resources losses indicated an
increasing long-term trend in all stressed areas, except in the
northern Africa/Sahara region.
They also found that precipitation and temperature individually
did not show good correlations with fresh groundwater loss.
They also discussed the impacts of loss of fresh groundwater
resources on socio-economic activities, mainly population growth
and per capita fresh groundwater resources.
44. Scibek and Allen (2006)
Developed a methodology for linking climate models and
groundwater models to investigate future impacts of climate change
on groundwater resources.
Climate change scenarios from the Canadian Global Coupled
Model 1 (CGCM1) model runs were downscaled to local conditions
using Statistical Downscaling Model (SDSM).
The recharge model (HELP) simulated the direct recharge to the
aquifer from infiltration of precipitation.
MODFLOW was then used to simulate four climate scenarios in 1-
year runs (1961–1999, 2010–2039, 2040–2069, and 2070-2099) and
compare groundwater levels to present.
The predicted future climate for the Grand Forks area (Canada)
from the downscaled CGCM1 model will result in more recharge to
the unconfined aquifer from spring to the summer season. However,
the overall effect of recharge on the water balance is small because
of dominant river-aquifer interactions and river water recharge.
45. Woldeamlak et al. (2007)
Modeled the effects of climate change on the groundwater systems in
the Grote-Nete catchment, Belgium.
Seasonal and annual water balance components including
groundwater recharge were simulated using the WetSpass model, while
mean annual groundwater elevations and discharge were simulated
with a steady-state MODFLOW groundwater model.
Results show that average annual groundwater levels drop by 50 cm.
46. Hsu et al. (2007)
Adopted a numerical modeling approach to investigate the response
of the groundwater system to climate variability to effectively manage
the groundwater resources of the Pingtung Plain in southwestern
Taiwan.
A hydrogeological model (MODFLOW SURFACT) was constructed
based on the information from geology, hydrogeology, and
geochemistry.
The modeling result shows decrease of available groundwater in the
stress of climate change, and the enlargement of the low-groundwater-
level area on the coast signals the deterioration of water quantity and
quality in the future.
47.
48. Toews (2007)
Modeled the impacts of future predicted climate change on
groundwater recharge for the arid to semi-arid south Okanagan region,
British Columbia.
Climate change effects on recharge were investigated using
stochastically-generated climate from three GCMs.
Spatial recharge was modelled using available soil and climate data
with the HELP 3.80D hydrology model.
A transient MODFLOW groundwater model simulated rise of water
table in future time periods, which is largely driven by irrigation
application increases.
49. Concluding Remarks on the Research Studies
These studies are still at infancy and more data, in
terms of field information, are to be generated.
This will also facilitate appropriate validation of the
simulation for the present scenarios.
However, it is clear that the global warming threat is
real and the consequences of climate change
phenomena are many and alarming.
50. Methodology to Assess the Impact of Climate Change on
Groundwater Resources
The methodology consists of three main steps.
To begin with, climate scenarios can be formulated for the future years
such as 2050 and 2100.
Secondly, based on these scenarios and present situation, seasonal and
annual recharge are simulated with the UnSat Suite (HELP module for
recharge) or WetSpass model.
Finally, the annual recharge outputs from UnSat Suite or WetSpass model
are used to simulate groundwater system conditions using steady-state
groundwater model setups, such as MODFLOW, for the present condition
and for the future years.
51. The influence of climate changes on goundwater levels and salinity, due
to:
a. Sea level rise
b. Changes in precipitation and temperature
Methodology
1. Develop and calibrate a density-dependent numerical groundwater flow
model that matches hydraulic head and concentration distributions in
the aquifer.
2. Estimate changes in sea level, temperature and precipitation
downscaled from GCM outputs.
3. Estimate changes in groundwater recharge.
4. Apply sea level rise and changes in recharge to numerical groundwater
model and make predictions for changes in groundwater levels and
salinity distribution.
52. The main tasks that are involved in such a study are:
Describe hydrogeology of the study area.
Analyze climate data from weather stations and modelled GCM, and
build future predicted climate change datasets with temperature,
precipitation and solar radiation variables (downscaled to the study
area).
Define methodology for estimating changes to groundwater recharge
under both current climate conditions and for the range of climate-
change scenarios for the study area.
Use of a computer code (such as UnSat Suite or WetSpass) to estimate
groundwater recharge based on available precipitation and temperature
records and anticipated changes to these parameters.
53. Quantify the spatially distributed recharge rates using the climate data and
spatial soil survey data.
Development and calibration of a three-dimensional regional-scale
groundwater flow model (such as Visual MODFLOW).
Simulate groundwater levels using each recharge data set and evaluate
the changes in groundwater levels through time.
Undertake sensitivity analysis of the groundwater flow model.
54. A typical flow chart for various aspects of such a study is given below. The figure shows the connection from
the climate analysis, to recharge simulation, and finally to a groundwater model. Recharge is applied to a
three-dimensional groundwater flow model, which is calibrated to historical water levels. Transient
simulations are undertaken to investigate the temporal response of the aquifer system to historic and future
climate periods.
55. Concluding Remarks
Although climate change has been widely recognized, research on
the impacts of climate change on the groundwater system is relatively
limited.
The impact of future climatic change may be felt more severely in
developing countries such as India, whose economy is largely
dependent on agriculture and is already under stress due to current
population increase and associated demands for energy, freshwater
and food.
If the likely consequences of future changes of groundwater
recharge, resulting from both climate and socio-economic change, are
to be assessed, hydrogeologists must increasingly work with
researchers from other disciplines, such as socio-economists,
agricultural modelers and soil scientists.