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

Author

Listed:
  • Liza K. McDonough

    (Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre, UNSW Sydney
    School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney)

  • Isaac R. Santos

    (Southern Cross University
    University of Gothenburg)

  • Martin S. Andersen

    (Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre, UNSW Sydney
    School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney)

  • Denis M. O’Carroll

    (Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre, UNSW Sydney
    School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney)

  • Helen Rutlidge

    (Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre, UNSW Sydney
    School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney)

  • Karina Meredith

    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO))

  • Phetdala Oudone

    (Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre, UNSW Sydney
    School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, 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
    School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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. La, 2020. "Changes in global groundwater organic carbon driven by climate change and urbanization," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-14946-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14946-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Qiang & Zhang, Chen & Li, Rongrong, 2022. "Towards carbon neutrality by improving carbon efficiency - A system-GMM dynamic panel analysis for 131 countries’ carbon efficiency," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    2. Andrew R. Pearson & Bethany R. S. Fox & John C. Hellstrom & Marcus J. Vandergoes & Sebastian F. M. Breitenbach & Russell N Drysdale & Sebastian N. Höpker & Christopher T. Wood & Martin Schiller & Adam, 2024. "Warming drives dissolved organic carbon export from pristine alpine soils," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Tingting Li & Zengzhang Guo & Chao Ma, 2022. "Dynamic Characteristics of Urbanization Based on Nighttime Light Data in China’s “Plain–Mountain Transition Zone”," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-21, July.
    4. Chen, Wanxu & Chi, Guangqing, 2022. "Urbanization and ecosystem services: The multi-scale spatial spillover effects and spatial variations," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    5. Helena Osterholz & Stephanie Turner & Linda J. Alakangas & Eva-Lena Tullborg & Thorsten Dittmar & Birgitta E. Kalinowski & Mark Dopson, 2022. "Terrigenous dissolved organic matter persists in the energy-limited deep groundwaters of the Fennoscandian Shield," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.

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