Much of the current focus on climate change is directed at changes in precipitation and loss of water storage in snow pack. Dr. Peter Gleick of the Pacific Institute indicates that most regions will see wetterwet seasons and drier dry seasons (personal communication). But what is the effect on groundwaterrecharge in such scenarios? The answer is uncertain, but changes in precipitation and risingsea levels in Florida may pose the most significant problem that will require water users to expand planningand monitoring, and construct protective measures in the coming years. Certainly coastal areas will seemigration of seawater into previously fresh aquifers. More rain should increase the potential forpercolation, but excessive rain will tend to runoff reducing recharge, which is of particular interest in astate where 93 percent of water use comes from groundwater. This paper outlines thebreadth of the climate change issue on groundwater, an area that has received limited attention. Includes 43 references, tables, figures.
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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 11/01/2009 Number of Pages: 62File Size: 1 file , 3.7 MB