A Nature Geosciences study has projected an average rise of 2.1 degree Celsius in Groundwater temperature between 2000-2100 due to climate change.

Implications of Groundwater Warming

• Increased temperature reduces oxygen level in water, leading to hypoxic condition impacting species growth, distribution etc.
• Harmful algal blooms owing to increase in soluble phosphorus.
• Impact food and reproductive cycles of temperature sensitive species, threatening biodiversity.
• Increased growth of pathogens can deteriorate water quality.
• Potential to sustainably satisfy local heating demands. 

Status of Groundwater 

• India has largest area under groundwater irrigation in world. 
• As per Dynamic Groundwater Resource assessment 2022, 14% of assessed units are overexploited and 4% are critical.
  • Overexploited: Groundwater extraction exceeding annually replenishable groundwater recharge.
  • Critical: Groundwater extraction is between 90-100 % of annual extractable resources available.
• Amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than amount of groundwater.
• Amount of water in rivers and lakes is less than amount of groundwater.

Importance of Groundwater 

• Helps to replenish and maintain levels of surface water
• Provides drinking water for nearly 50% of global population.
• Used in food production, crop irrigation, industrial processes like oil and gas, energy generation etc.