Estimation of groundwater recharge in semiarid regions under variable land use and rainfall conditions: A case study of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

In the semiarid regions of India, the annual rainfall is very low (~650 mm) and erratic; hence groundwater recharge is vital to support crops, especially in the winter season. For groundwater budgeting it is essential to consider how groundwater recharge is affected by both land-use and rainfall distribution. This study used a soil water balance approach, considering hydrological, meteorological, hydrogeological and crop information to understand the recharge process in semiarid regions. The approach was used at a sub-watershed scale where farmers grow rainfed and irrigated crops. Delayed recharge response on the water table was considered to estimate actual recharge, which closely matches the observed water levels in the field. The recharge estimated in rainfed agricultural lands, rainfed-irrigated agricultural lands, and barren lands was 29%, 17%, and 31% of the total inflow.

Groundwater Recharge from Below under Changing Hydro-Meteorological Conditions in a Forested and Grassland Site of the Great Hungarian Plain

“…Hence, it is of utmost importance to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of evapotranspiration and recharge rates in response to alterations in land use and climate conditions [2]. These topics have received continual attention in the literature around the globe [3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

Efficient and eco-friendly treatment of wastewater through sustainable purification using agricultural waste and coagulation kinetic modelling

“…Furthermore, the accumulation of pollutants in the sediment and soil can lead to long−term contamination, which can persist for decades and affect the health of the surrounding community (Ahmad et al, 2021;Cui et al, 2021). In arid and semiarid countries where water demand is high and annual rainfall is low, reusing sewage water is an effective and sustainable approach to address water scarcity (Priyan, 2021;Yadav et al, 2023a). With the world population expected to increase by 2 billion in the next 30 years, from 8 billion currently, the demand for water will rise even higher, making sewage water treatment and reuse an essential part of water management strategies (United Nations, 2021United Nations, 2021.…”