Global Groundwater Trends

Groundwater storage trends for Earth’s largest aquifers.

Groundwater storage trends for the planet’s 37 largest aquifers. Of these, 21 have exceeded sustainability tipping points and are being depleted, with 13 considered significantly distressed, threatening regional water security and resilience.

One-third of Earth’s largest groundwater basins are under threat because humans are draining so much water from them, according to two new studies. The studies found that eight of the world’s 37 biggest aquifers are “overstressed,” meaning not enough water is replenished to offset the usage. Topping the list of overstressed aquifers is the Arabian Aquifer System, located beneath Yemen and Saudi Arabia, from which 60 million people draw their water.

Source: UC Irvine / NASA
http://www.livescience.com/51483-groundwater-basins-running-out-of-water.html

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