Groundwater depletion in the Middle East from GRACE with implications for transboundary water management in the Tigris‐Euphrates‐Western Iran region

Abstract

In this study, we use observations from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission to evaluate freshwater storage trends in the north-central Middle East, including portions of the Tigris and Euphrates River Basins and western Iran, from January 2003 to December 2009. GRACE data show an alarming rate of decrease in total water storage of approximately −27.2±0.6 mm yr−1 equivalent water height, equal to a volume of 143.6 km3 during the course of the study period. Additional remote-sensing information and output from land surface models were used to identify that groundwater losses are the major source of this trend. The approach used in this study provides an example of “best current capabilities” in regions like the Middle East, where data access can be severely limited. Results indicate that the region lost 17.3±2.1 mm yr−1 equivalent water height of groundwater during the study period, or 91.3±10.9 km3 in volume. Furthermore, results raise important issues regarding water use in transboundary river basins and aquifers, including the necessity of international water use treaties and resolving discrepancies in international water law, while amplifying the need for increased monitoring for core components of the water budget.

Groundwater Storage Changes: Present Status from GRACE Observations

“…1c). After removing contributions from snow, canopy storage, and soil moisture storage using estimates from the GLDAS Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model and contributions from five major surface water bodies-Lake Van, Lake Daryace (Lake Urmia), Lake Tharthar, the Assad Reservoir, and the Qadisiyah Reservoir using in situ measurements- Voss et al (2013) show that the north-central Middle East is losing groundwater at an average rate of 13 ± 1.5 km 3 /year for the period January 2003-December 2009. A similar study ), using GRACE TWS estimates and the Community Land Model (CLM) 4.5 LSM estimates, shows that the largest groundwater depletion in the Middle East is occurring in Iran, with a loss rate of 25 ± 3 km 3 /year during the period 2003-2012.…”

Groundwater Modeling and Sustainability of a Transboundary Hardrock–Alluvium Aquifer in North Oman Mountains

“…The use of numerical modeling to simulate groundwater behavior can enhance understanding of transboundary aquifer conditions and resources availability (e.g., [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]). Fendek and Fendekova [5] presented a numerical model to calculate available groundwater in the Zohor depression-an aquifer transcending national boundaries between the Slovak Republic and Austria.…”

“…They developed a simplified conceptual model to simulate water flow in the aquifer and showed how political changes may impact aquifer sustainability. Voss et al [20] used GRACE satellite data to evaluate freshwater storage trends in the north-central Middle East, including portions of the Tigris and Euphrates river basins and western Iran. Sefelnasr et al [23] developed a 3D GIS-based groundwater flow model for the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NASA) to simulate the groundwater management options for the different development areas/oases within the aquifer.…”

Water Balance to Recharge Calculation: Implications for Watershed Management Using Systems Dynamics Approach

“…The continuing extraction of groundwater from the aquifers for drinking, agricultural and industrial usage is contributing to groundwater depletion in many parts of the United States and the world [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Managing groundwater with limited information is complicated, and dealing with uncertainties not only requires significant scientific effort, but can lead to ineffective management that is slow to respond to observed depletion.…”