World-wide overview of saline and brackish groundwater at shallow and intermediate depths

Imagen

Fresh groundwater is the main target for most people interested in developing, using or managing groundwater. Nevertheless, the majority of all groundwater stored below ground level on earth is brackish or saline. IGRAC is currently working on a worldwide overview of saline and brackish groundwater at shallow and intermediate depths.

The worldwide overview will provide information on the occurence (extent and depth) and the origin (marine, terrestial, anthropogenic) of the saline/brackish groundwater bodies. It tries to answer which threats and opportunities of brackish/saline groundwater exist to the interests of society or ecosystems and how people manage these. Furthermore, it analyzes the impact of expected or observed global change on the saline/brackish groundwater occurence.   

The overview is primarily based on an extensive literature study and the use of various kinds of proxy information like a worldwide distribution of irrigation intensity. IGRAC will provide the preliminary information of this overview in reports, maps and on the website at the end of 2008. Subsequently, consultations of and feedback given by regional groundwater specialists will be used to improve the quality of the oveview.