A Nature Geosciences study has projected an average rise of 2.1 degree Celsius in Groundwater temperature between 2000-2100 due to climate change.
Implications of Groundwater Warming
- Increased temperature reduces oxygen level in water, leading to hypoxic condition impacting species growth, distribution etc.
- Harmful algal blooms owing to increase in soluble phosphorus.
- Impact food and reproductive cycles of temperature sensitive species, threatening biodiversity.
- Increased growth of pathogens can deteriorate water quality.
- Potential to sustainably satisfy local heating demands.
Status of Groundwater
- India has largest area under groundwater irrigation in world.
- As per Dynamic Groundwater Resource assessment 2022, 14% of assessed units are overexploited and 4% are critical.
- Overexploited: Groundwater extraction exceeding annually replenishable groundwater recharge.
- Critical: Groundwater extraction is between 90-100 % of annual extractable resources available.
- Amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than amount of groundwater.
- Amount of water in rivers and lakes is less than amount of groundwater.
Importance of Groundwater
- Helps to replenish and maintain levels of surface water
- Provides drinking water for nearly 50% of global population.
- Used in food production, crop irrigation, industrial processes like oil and gas, energy generation etc.
Initiatives taken for Groundwater Conservation in India
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