Changes in global groundwater organic carbon driven by climate change and urbanization

Liza K. McDonough (), Isaac R. Santos, Martin S. Andersen, Denis M. O’Carroll, Helen Rutlidge, Karina Meredith, Phetdala Oudone, John Bridgeman, Daren C. Gooddy, James P. R. Sorensen, Dan J. Lapworth, Alan M. MacDonald, Jade Ward and Andy Baker
Additional contact information
Liza K. McDonough: Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre, UNSW Sydney
Isaac R. Santos: Southern Cross University
Martin S. Andersen: Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre, UNSW Sydney
Denis M. O’Carroll: Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre, UNSW Sydney
Helen Rutlidge: Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre, UNSW Sydney
Karina Meredith: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
Phetdala Oudone: Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre, UNSW Sydney
John Bridgeman: University of Bradford
Daren C. Gooddy: British Geological Survey
James P. R. Sorensen: British Geological Survey
Dan J. Lapworth: British Geological Survey
Alan M. MacDonald: British Geological Survey, Lyell Centre
Jade Ward: British Geological Survey
Andy Baker: Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre, UNSW Sydney

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Climate change and urbanization can increase pressures on groundwater resources, but little is known about how groundwater quality will change. Here, we use a global synthesis (n = 9,404) to reveal the drivers of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which is an important component of water chemistry and substrate for microorganisms that control biogeochemical reactions. Dissolved inorganic chemistry, local climate and land use explained ~ 31% of observed variability in groundwater DOC, whilst aquifer age explained an additional 16%. We identify a 19% increase in DOC associated with urban land cover. We predict major groundwater DOC increases following changes in precipitation and temperature in key areas relying on groundwater. Climate change and conversion of natural or agricultural areas to urban areas will decrease groundwater quality and increase water treatment costs, compounding existing constraints on groundwater resources.

Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-14946-1

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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14946-1

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