The aim of this book is to document for the first time the dimensions and requirements of effective integrated groundwater management (IGM). Groundwater management is a formidable challenge, one that remains one of humanity’s foremost priorities. It has become a largely non-renewable resource that is overexploited in many parts of the world. In the 21st century, the issue moves from how to simply obtain the water we need to how we manage it sustainably for future generations, future economies, and future ecosystems. The focus then becomes one of understanding the drivers and current state of the groundwater resource, and restoring equilibrium to at-risk aquifers. Many interrelated dimensions, however, come to bear when trying to manage groundwater effectively. An integrated approach to groundwater necessarily involves many factors beyond the aquifer itself, such as surface water, water use, water quality, and ecohydrology. Moreover, the science by itself can only define the fundamental bounds of what is possible; effective IGM must also engage the wider community of stakeholders to develop and support policy and other socioeconomic tools needed to realize effective IGM. In order to demonstrate IGM, this book covers theory and principles, embracing: 1) an overview of the dimensions and requirements of groundwater management from an international perspective; 2) the scale of groundwater issues internationally and its links with other sectors, principally energy and climate change; 3) groundwater governance with regard to principles, instruments and institutions available for IGM; 4) biophysical constraints and the capacity and role of hydroecological and hydrogeological science including water quality concerns; and 5) necessary tools including models, data infrastructures, decision support systems and the management of uncertainty. Examples of effective, and failed, IGM are given. Throughout, the importance of the socioeconomic context that connects all effective IGM is emphasized. Taken as a whole, this work relates the many facets of effective IGM, from the catchment to global perspective.

Nutrients in water are necessary for productive aquatic ecosystems, but in high concentrations, nutrients such as nitrates, ammonia, and phosphates can adversely affect aquatic life and human health.

Selected papers from a symposium on A new Focus on Integrated Analysis of Groundwater-Surface Water Systems, held during the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics XXIV General Assembly in Perugia, Italy, 11-13 July 2007.

Groundwater and Surface Water Pollution contains almost all the technical know-how required to clean up our water supply. It provides a survey of up-to-date technologies for remediation, as well as a step-by-step guide to pollution assessment for both ground and surface waters. The book defines groundwater, aquifers and surface water and discusses the physical properties of soils, liquids, vadose zones and aquifers. It emphasizes controlling nonpoint source pollution, best management practices, and an integrated management approach. The editors cover not only engineering but also legal, medical, agricultural, meteorological, biological and other fields of study. They reach beyond the simplistic hydrological cycles usually addressed to the complexities encountered by rapidly-changing land-use patterns. In addition to focusing on causes, effects, and remedies, Groundwater and Surface Water Pollution stresses reuse, recycling, and recovery of resources. Nature does not cause pollution. Through total recycling, we can, like nature, make resources out of wastes. Béla G. Lipták speaks on Post-Oil Energy Technology on the AT&T Tech Channel.

Interest in the use and development of our Nation's surface - and ground-water resources has increased significantly during the past 50 years. This work discusses field techniques for estimating water fluxes.

This book presents a unique and up-to-date summary of what is known about groundwater on our planet, from a global perspective and in terms of area-specific factual information. Unlike most textbooks on groundwater, it does not deal with theoretical principles, but rather with the overall picture that emerges as a result of countless observations,