Groundwater for Sustainable Development最新文献

{"title":"Groundwater recharge responses to vadose zone thickness variation and rainfall patterns in arid Mongolian pine plantations","authors":"Yanwen Bai ,&nbsp;Katsutoshi Seki ,&nbsp;Qingfeng Zhang ,&nbsp;Yujie Hu ,&nbsp;Li Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101519","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101519","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In arid and semi-arid regions, vadose zone thickness strongly influences precipitation infiltration and groundwater recharge, both increasingly affected by climate-driven shifts in rainfall patterns. However, its influence on soil water dynamics and groundwater recharge in plantation ecosystems remains inadequately understood. This study, conducted in the Mu Us Sandy Land of China, monitored stable isotopes, soil water, and groundwater levels over two years across three Mongolian pine plantations. These sites had different initial groundwater depths: 4 m (downland), 9 m (midland), and 13 m (upland). Key findings include: (1) Downland exhibited significantly greater mean soil water content (SWC) in the middle and deep soil layers than in the midland and upland (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). (2) The soil desiccation index was higher in the midland and upland than in the downland. SWC increased in the upper and middle layers from the dry to the rainy season, but deep SWC decreased in the upland. (3) Rainfall events ≥20 mm day⁻¹ replenish deep SWC in the downland, whereas ≥30 mm day⁻¹ was required in the midland and upland. (4) In 2022, precipitation was more concentrated in ≥10 mm·day⁻¹ events, totaling 311 mm (74.5 % of the annual total), and produced greater groundwater recharge than in 2023, when such events accounted for only 190 mm (56.5 %). These findings demonstrate that vadose zone thickness and rainfall intensity thresholds critically control groundwater recharge—a process further modulated by Mongolian pine plantations. Therefore, integrating these factors into management strategies is essential for sustainable groundwater conservation in arid regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101519"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Navigating groundwater management in the lower Ganges Basin: A participatory transdisciplinary approach to addressing water scarcity","authors":"Fatema Akter Tanbi ,&nbsp;Alamgir Kabir ,&nbsp;Md Nurul Amin ,&nbsp;Md Mahmudul Hasan ,&nbsp;Md Sarwar Hossain","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101515","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101515","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Groundwater (GW) resources in the lower Ganges Basin, Bangladesh, one of the world's largest river basins, are under increasing strain due to rapid depletion and climate change. This study aims to understand people's perception of GW conditions, governance, management practice, and adaptive strategies in response to water scarcity in this region. Using a novel transdisciplinary framework that encompasses system, target, and transformation knowledge within the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) framework, we conducted 150 household surveys and four focus group discussions across six villages in the lower Ganges Basin, engaging marginal farmers, farm owners, and other local stakeholders with practical knowledge of water management. The study reports high reliance on deep tube wells and identifies irrigation-driven overuse as a key contributor to declining water tables. To address these challenges, stakeholders proposed exploring alternative water sources such as rainwater harvesting, recycled water, and reuse. They also criticized the current lack of effective policies, institutional support, monitoring, and collaboration for sustainable GW management. In contrast, farmers are employing various adaptive techniques, such as furrow irrigation, crop rotation, drought-tolerant crops, and dry farming practices, to mitigate water scarcity, with methods tailored to local environmental conditions. According to participants, community-based water management committees and institutional training are pivotal for the successful implementation of these techniques. The study conceptualizes future scenarios for GW management based on shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP), integrating insights from surveys and FGDs. These scenarios encompass qualitative aspects of farming strategies, alternative water sources, management scales, and governance frameworks. By integrating SSPs with a transdisciplinary framework, this novel study offers insights into participatory, adaptive and sustainable GW management for the lower Ganges Basin and other regions with similar water challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101515"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145099688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A multiscale soil water balance for sustainable groundwater management of a local transboundary karst aquifer","authors":"Paola Petrone ,&nbsp;Pantaleone De Vita ,&nbsp;Pasquale Allocca ,&nbsp;Silvio Coda ,&nbsp;Delia Cusano ,&nbsp;Radka Kodešová ,&nbsp;Daniele Lepore ,&nbsp;Vincenzo Allocca","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101551","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101551","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sustainable groundwater management of transboundary aquifers (TBAs) remains a major global and regional challenge that requires necessitating enhanced, coordination and cooperation among neighboring countries and institutions. The Avella Mts. are a major karst TBA of the Campania region (Italy), providing vital groundwater resources, whose water balance equilibrium is increasingly threatened by uncontrolled growth in groundwater extraction, especially during prolonged drought periods. A multiscale soil water balance was performed for the period 2010–2021 to assess the sustainability of current groundwater withdrawals. The findings reveal a high spatio-temporal variability of groundwater recharge (GR). At the aquifer scale, average GR equals to 244.40 Mm³/y, with interannual variability of about −45 % and +73 %. At the basin scale, recharge on average varies between 29.64 Mm³/y and 100.28 Mm³/y. The springs inventory map and the register of authorized wells highlight an outgoing groundwater volume of 252.30 Mm³/y, at the aquifer scale, while at the basin scale, it varies between 6.30 Mm³/y and 97.76 Mm³/y, exceeding the recharge in certain groundwater basins. Consequently, there is a budgetary disequilibrium within the aquifer, which is particularly pronounced during drought years, as evidenced by the drying of springs and streams. These results highlight significant aquifer stress, which is projected to worsen in the future due to climate change. They demonstrate the urgent need to adopt sustainable groundwater management strategies and reform existing water governance model in the Campania region, as well as in other parts of Italy and Europe.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101551"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145614215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nitrate dynamics in coastal groundwater and rivers: Insights into oligotrophication management","authors":"Therese Line Laure Jokam Nenkam ,&nbsp;Jing Zhang ,&nbsp;Daisuke Komatsu ,&nbsp;Keiji Horikawa ,&nbsp;Ade S. Oktaviani","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101536","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101536","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coastal ecosystems rely significantly on terrestrial-derived essential nutrients for primary productivity. However, efforts to reduce anthropogenic nutrient inputs to mitigate eutrophication led to coastal oligotrophication when tipping points were exceeded. In Toyama Bay, land-derived nutrients significantly enrich the euphotic zone. However, nutrient reduction policies since the 1990s have raised concerns about declining marine productivity. To investigate these trends, we studied the Kurobe River Alluvial Fan (KRAF), Japan's largest fan, focusing on nitrate (NO₃⁻) dynamics. The KRAF was selected due to its multi-water system and diverse land use influenced by the Asian Monsoon Climate, which controls its hydrological and nutrient dynamics, serving as a model for the broader Asian region. Using isotopic analyses (δ¹⁵N-NO₃^-, δ¹⁸O-NO₃^-, δ²H-H₂O, δ¹⁸O-H₂O), hydrochemical parameters, and mixing models, we examined hydrological dynamics, NO₃⁻ sources, transformation processes, and temporary storage from 35 seasonally collected water samples.</div><div>Results showed low NO₃⁻-N concentrations (0.05–1.89 mg/L), over 80 % below environmental standards, influenced by hydrological dynamics, land-use changes, and management policies. Soil and fertilisers were primary NO₃⁻ sources, highlighting the impact of water management strategies on nutrient reduction. Nitrification was dominant in lowland and riverine areas, while denitrification was primarily limited to highland paddy fields. Fresh submarine groundwater discharge (FSGD) contributed 52 %–70 % of the total NO₃⁻ flux to the sea, surpassing river contributions. Total flux of terrestrial NO₃⁻ was estimated at 347.4 ± 121.1 kg/year, a 31 % decrease compared to the 2005 estimate.</div><div>Promoting coastal agriculture can mitigate oligotrophication by slowing water flow and enhancing nutrient supply through the use of FGSD. This research employs a science-based approach to recommend sustainable nutrient management strategies. More broadly, the method can be adapted for use in other water bodies to identify NO₃⁻ sources and dynamics, thereby promoting comprehensive nutrient management and supporting the health and productivity of coastal ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101536"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mapping contamination and health risks posed by heavy metals in groundwater from industrial and landfill-affected localities in central India","authors":"Rajesh Ahirwar ,&nbsp;Kamini Arya ,&nbsp;Dharma Raj","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101554","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101554","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Groundwater contamination by trace metals poses a serious environmental and public health concern in rapidly urbanizing regions of India. This study evaluated the seasonal and spatial variability of groundwater quality, metal contamination, and associated health risks across three environmentally distinct sites in central India – Adampur Chawni (new landfill), Bhanpur (legacy landfill), and Mandideep (industrial hub). A total of 205 groundwater samples were collected during pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons and analyzed for physicochemical parameters, trace metals, and pollution indices. Health risk assessment, following the USEPA framework, estimated chronic daily intake, hazard indices, and carcinogenic risks for adults and children. A community morbidity survey was also undertaken to supplement exposure evaluation. Groundwater pH remained within permissible limits (7.20 ± 0.3 to 7.81 ± 0.4), while total dissolved solids exceeded acceptable levels at Adampur Chawni (up to 712 mg/L). Elevated chloride (up to 505 mg/L), sulphate (up to 265 mg/L), and hardness (up to 278 mg/L) were recorded near landfill sites. Although most metal concentrations were within limits, Pb, Mn, and Zn occasionally exceeded national standards. Heavy metal pollution index (3.43–7.85) and water quality index (15.69–49.21) indicated excellent to good water quality across all locations, while metal index (0.25–1.39) showed moderate pollution levels. Health risk assessment revealed higher chronic exposure in children, with manganese intake up to 4.18 × 10⁻² mg/kg/day, and non-carcinogenic hazard indices (HI) exceeding 1.5 in Mandideep. Carcinogenic risks exceeded USEPA limits for children at all sites, particularly in Mandideep (TCR = 3.73 × 10⁻⁴). Morbidity survey data revealed fatigue, joint pain, and neurological symptoms consistent with metal exposure. These findings indicate localized contamination of groundwater and emphasize for groundwater monitoring, improved waste management, and interventions, as health risk assessment revealed hazards despite generally good water quality indices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101554"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145681054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatiotemporal geochemical evolution of groundwater through an open-loop geothermal system – a field pilot study","authors":"Charis Sin-Yee Wong ,&nbsp;Jérôme Comte ,&nbsp;Jasmin Raymond ,&nbsp;Christine Rivard ,&nbsp;Geneviève Bordeleau","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101525","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101525","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To investigate the operational challenges faced by groundwater heat pump systems (GWHPs), a field pilot study (two heat injection tests, HITs) was conducted to mimic operational processes involving pumping, heating and reinjection into the aquifer to simulate the cooling mode. This study aimed to acquire an understanding of the spatiotemporal evolution of groundwater chemistry as it circulates throughout different parts of the system (pumping well, heater inlet/outlet, injection well, monitoring well downgradient) and during different test phases (pre-test, HITs, post-test recovery). Hierarchical clustering analyses identified six clusters corresponding to different water types through space and time, which were categorised into two main conditions: natural (Na-Ca-Cl water) and perturbed (Ca-mixed-(HCO₃-Cl-SO₄) water). Pumping-induced mixing between shallow and deeper water, along with draw-in of dissolved oxygen (DO), induced oxidising conditions and precipitation of iron oxides in the injection wells, subsequently leading to well blockage and premature termination of both HITs. The chemical signatures of the injected warm water reached the monitoring well faster than the thermal plume, suggesting different heat and solute transport mechanisms at play. While principal component analyses showed that water mixing was the main driver of differences between natural and perturbed geochemical conditions, geochemical modelling confirmed that DO intrusion was the main driver of iron oxide precipitation, surpassing the effect of water mixing and increased temperatures. Results from this study underline the importance of conducting a comprehensive spatiotemporal geochemical assessment of the hydrogeological system prior to and throughout the lifecycle of a GWHP system to predict and manage operational risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101525"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145320291","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Arsenic mobilization and recirculation dynamics: Groundwater circulation wells for enhanced decontamination in complex coastal aquifer environments","authors":"Paolo Ciampi ,&nbsp;Damiano Feriaud ,&nbsp;Daniele D’Emilio ,&nbsp;Felice Tatangelo ,&nbsp;Lorenzo Lanzafame ,&nbsp;Monica Pasini ,&nbsp;Marco Petrangeli Papini","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101538","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101538","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Arsenic (As) contamination poses serious risks to groundwater quality and human health, with millions globally exposed to unsafe levels, making remediation a critical challenge. Coastal aquifers are especially vulnerable due to heterogeneous lithology, saline intrusion, and complex hydrogeochemical dynamics, which limit the effectiveness of conventional pump-and-treat (P&amp;T) systems and call for innovative remediation solutions. This study evaluates groundwater circulation wells (GCWs) as a technology to mobilize and remove As, focusing on the development of the GCW-induced recirculation cell. The research was conducted at a coastal industrial site with longstanding As pollution, representative of complex hydrogeology. A relational geodatabase integrated data from 76 boreholes, 41 piezometers, 2 multi-level sampling wells (MLSWs), and 1 GCW. A 3D stratigraphic model supported the design of a 23 m GCW with screened sections at 6 ÷ 8, 12 ÷ 15, and 19 ÷ 22 m. Groundwater was extracted, treated above ground, and reinjected to establish a recirculation cell. Hydrochemical and electrical conductivity (EC) monitoring over 550 days captured the spatial and temporal dynamics of As mobilization, removal, and salinity mixing. The GCW-induced recirculation cell mobilized As up to ∼9000 μg/L—around 900 times the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 10 μg/L—before stabilizing at ∼6500 μg/L. The system achieved 66 % removal efficiency, extracting ∼80 kg of As while promoting groundwater mixing. EC data from MLSWs provided unprecedented insights into the spatio-temporal evolution of the recirculation process. These findings demonstrate that GCWs provide a viable and sustainable alternative to conventional remediation strategies for addressing persistent As contamination in complex coastal aquifers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101538"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Managed aquifer recharge implementation challenges: Lessons from Chile's water-scarce regions","authors":"Rayen Rivera-Vidal ,&nbsp;José Luis Arumí ,&nbsp;Ovidio Melo ,&nbsp;Verónica Delgado ,&nbsp;Víctor Parra ,&nbsp;Alejandra Stehr ,&nbsp;Linda Daniele","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101502","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101502","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As water scarcity intensifies globally due to climate change and growing demand, Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is increasingly recognized as a vital nature-based strategy for sustainable groundwater management. Yet, its implementation remains insufficiently adopted in many water-stressed regions. This study addresses the critical gap in understanding the socio-technical and institutional barriers that hinder the widespread adoption of MAR, focusing on Chile—one of Latin America's most water-stressed country. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating qualitative policy analysis, quantitative case study evaluations, and a semi-systematic review of 70 international publications. Key findings reveal persistent challenges, including limited hydrogeological data, weak institutional coordination and lack of clear quality standards. The 15 MAR initiatives analyzed in Chile show wide variation in design, scale, and implementation context. Success often depends on local hydrogeological knowledge, active involvement from water users and sustained institutional support. International case studies illustrate that, while some challenges are highly context-specific, others—such as low public awareness, regulatory gaps regarding water reuse, and insufficient monitoring—are widespread across diverse geographic and institutional settings. This study provides a comprehensive framework for overcoming barriers to MAR implementation, highlighting the importance of adaptive legal frameworks, scientific monitoring and proactive stakeholder engagement. Based on Chilean and international experience, the study proposes a sequenced set of short-, medium-, and long-term policy recommendations to guide MAR development. The insights gained offer valuable guidance for countries worldwide seeking to enhance water security through strategic groundwater management. Future research should focus on developing adaptive governance models and mechanisms for sustained stakeholder collaboration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101502"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144860937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multiple household water sources and uses in rural ASALs: Evidence and proposed solutions from Turkana, Kenya","authors":"Vivian Abungu ,&nbsp;Kofi Adanu ,&nbsp;Mostafa Dadashi Firouzjaei ,&nbsp;Benon Wasonga ,&nbsp;Mark A. Elliott","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101531","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101531","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Water scarcity remains a pressing issue in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), often compelling households to rely on multiple water sources to meet their daily water needs. While widespread in many low and middle-income settings globally, the specific extent and dynamics of this practice remain underexplored. This study addresses this gap by examining multisource water use in Turkana County, a predominantly pastoralist and rural low-income ASAL in Kenya. A cross-sectional survey of 475 households revealed universal reliance on multiple water sources, with usage patterns largely influenced by seasonal availability. Despite operational and water quality constraints, boreholes were the most utilized source, supporting 94.1 % of households. Other prevalent sources included rivers/streams, shallow hand-dug wells on dry riverbeds, water pans, springs, water vendors, and the saline Lake Turkana. Roof-based rainwater harvesting also supported a substantial proportion of households (19.4 %), although it was constrained by housing design. While pronounced disparities in water access were observed between rural townships and more remote areas, statistical analysis revealed significant seasonal associations between water source use and household activities across Turkana. This study proposes implementing alternative rainwater harvesting techniques: macro and rock catchments, and subsurface dams to address water scarcity and flood risk in Turkana. Findings highlight the critical role of multiple water source use in rural low-income ASALs and its potential to inform research, global water management, health outcomes, and resilience-oriented interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101531"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145319491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hybrid machine learning for predicting groundwater level: A comparison of boosting algorithms with neural networks","authors":"Milad Barzegar ,&nbsp;Saba Gharehdash ,&nbsp;Faysal Chowdhury ,&nbsp;Ming Liu ,&nbsp;Wendy Timms","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101508","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101508","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study proposes a novel hybrid machine learning framework that integrates gradient boosting (XGBoost, LGBM) and neural network models (LSTM, MLP) with Basin Hopping Optimization (BHO) to improve groundwater level forecasting. The approach simultaneously optimizes input lag times and model hyperparameters, addressing a key limitation in previous studies. Four hybrid models (XGBoost-BHO, LGBM-BHO, LSTM-BHO, MLP-BHO) are evaluated for daily one-to seven-day-ahead predictions, incorporating meteorological inputs. Results showed that all models achieved high predictive accuracy (R² &gt; 0.98), with LSTM-BHO yielding the lowest MAE and RMSE across both boreholes. Boosting models, particularly XGBoost-BHO, demonstrated strong short-term performance with narrow residual distributions and significantly lower computation time. These findings highlight the effectiveness of combining machine learning and metaheuristic optimization for robust groundwater forecasting.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101508"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144926193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}