de Graaf, Inge E.M., van Beek, Rens L.P.H., Gleeson, Tom, Moosdorf, Nils ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2822-8261, Schmitz, Oliver, Sutanudjaja, Edwin H. and Bierkens, Marc F.P. (2017) A global-scale two-layer transient groundwater model: Development and application to groundwater depletion. Advances in Water Resources, 102 . pp. 53-67. DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2017.01.011.

Text Moosdorf et al 2017a.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0. Download (4MB)

Abstract

Groundwater is the world’s largest accessible source of freshwater to satisfy human water needs. Moreover, groundwater buffers variable precipitation rates over time, thereby effectively sustaining river flows in times of droughts and evaporation in areas with shallow water tables. In this study, building on previous work, we simulate groundwater head fluctuations and groundwater storage changes in both confined and unconfined aquifer systems using a global-scale high-resolution (5′) groundwater model by deriving new estimates of the distribution and thickness of confining layers. Inclusion of confined aquifer systems (estimated 6–20% of the total aquifer area) improves estimates of timing and amplitude of groundwater head fluctuations and changes groundwater flow paths and groundwater-surface water interaction rates. Groundwater flow paths within confining layers are shorter than paths in the underlying aquifer, while flows within the confined aquifer can get disconnected from the local drainage system due to the low conductivity of the confining layer. Lateral groundwater flows between basins are significant in the model, especially for areas with (partially) confined aquifers were long flow paths crossing catchment boundaries are simulated, thereby supporting water budgets of neighboring catchments or aquifer systems. The developed two-layer transient groundwater model is used to identify hot-spots of groundwater depletion. Global groundwater depletion is estimated as 7013 km3 (137 km3y) over 1960–2010, which is consistent with estimates of previous studies.

Document Type:	Article
Programme Area:	UNSPECIFIED
Research affiliation:	Biogeochemistry and Geology > Submarine Groundwater Discharge
Refereed:	Yes
Open Access Journal?:	No
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2017.01.011
ISSN:	03091708
Date Deposited:	29 Mar 2019 13:08
Last Modified:	01 Oct 2020 12:58
URI:	http://cris.leibniz-zmt.de/id/eprint/1715

Actions (login required)

View Item