Groundwater for Sustainable Development最新文献

{"title":"High-performance nano-ternary composite (Al-Zr-Mn) for enhanced arsenite removal from groundwater: Insights into adsorption dynamics and sustainability analysis","authors":"Roshan Prabhakar,&nbsp;Rima Kumari,&nbsp;Sukha Ranjan Samadder","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101524","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101524","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The global concern over arsenic contamination is intensified by the co-existence of both arsenic species, As(III) and As(V), making the groundwater treatment challenging. Thus, the present study aimed to address both arsenic species using a trimetal-based nano ternary adsorbent. The material was synthesized by the combustion method, with conditions optimized to maximize removal performance. The relative composition of the trimetal Al, Zr, and Mn (AZM) was varied to obtain a zero-point charge (pHzpc) value &gt; 7. The nano-AZM prepared was also characterized for its morphological and surface characteristics. Performance testing revealed a notably higher removal efficiency for As(III) than for As(V), with only 18 mg of the nano-AZM composite reducing As(III) concentration from 750 ppb to below 10 ppb. Moreover, sequential extraction results revealed distinct interaction mechanisms and molecular speciation patterns responsible for this enhanced uptake. In-depth analysis of adsorption underscores the substitution of –OH group on nAZM surfaces by arsenic ions. The adsorption behavior was well represented by the Freundlich isotherm model, while the kinetics followed a pseudo-second order model. The material also demonstrated strong reusability and maintained high removal efficiency in real groundwater samples. Moreover, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and cost evaluation further highlighted the environmental and economic viability of the nano AZM-based treatment system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101524"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145266626","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":"Approach to mapping groundwater-dependent ecosystems through machine learning in central Chile","authors":"Iongel Duran-Llacer ,&nbsp;Víctor Gómez-Escalonilla Canales ,&nbsp;Marcelo Aliaga-Alvarado ,&nbsp;José Luis Arumí ,&nbsp;Francisco Zambrano ,&nbsp;Lien Rodríguez-López ,&nbsp;Rebeca Martínez-Retureta ,&nbsp;Pedro Martínez-Santos","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101526","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101526","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Groundwater depletion can significantly impact the ecological integrity of groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs). Identifying and mapping these ecosystems is essential for their effective management and conservation. This study presents a new probabilistic approach that uses machine learning techniques to predict the presence of GDEs zones in the Ligua and Petorca basins, central Chile. A comprehensive set of 21 spatially distributed explanatory variables related to GDEs occurrence was compiled. These include geology, topography, climate, and satellite-based indices. Using a dataset of 3067 GDEs presence/absence points, 16 supervised classification algorithms were trained and evaluated with randomly selected subsets containing 100 %, 75 %, 50 %, and 25 % of the original dataset. This analysis involved collinearity assessment, cross-validation, feature selection, and hyperparameter tuning. Tree-based ensemble models, including Random Forest (RFC), AdaBoost (ABC), Gradient Boosting (GBC), and ExtraTrees (ETC), consistently outperformed other classifiers. In all subsets, regardless of the number of samples included, the models obtained raw scores above 0.90 for metrics such as test score, F1 score and the area under the curve (AUC), with key predictor variables identified as distance to rivers, rainfall, and land use/land cover. The models show high predictive performance consistently exceeding 0.95 on the above metrics. The resulting GDEs map manages to identify areas with a high probability of GDEs presence, clearly differentiating these ecosystems from adjacent agricultural areas. This study provides a robust methodological framework for GDEs mapping and serves as a valuable tool to manage and protect groundwater and GDEs in arid and semi-arid environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101526"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265921","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":"Groundwater dynamics and renewal responses in the plain section of the Yongding River, exemplified by extreme precipitation events","authors":"Jiaqi Xu ,&nbsp;Jiahua Wei ,&nbsp;Minglei Hou ,&nbsp;Xuanlin Fu ,&nbsp;Zhuo Yang ,&nbsp;Tao Zhang ,&nbsp;Dianwei Dong ,&nbsp;Tao Li","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101522","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101522","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The groundwater system, though invisible, is vital to the global water cycle, and it is essential to quantitatively assess its renewal capacity in light of climate change and anthropogenic activities. This study investigates the response of groundwater to extreme recharge events, focusing specifically on its renewal capacity and spatial-temporal variations. We analyze representative extreme precipitation events to quantify rebound amplitude, renewal rate, and the proportions of groundwater recharge. Additionally, we examine groundwater dynamics under varying precipitation intensities and initial conditions. The results indicate a strong correlation between groundwater levels (GWLs) and precipitation, characterized by rapid infiltration and mixing, indicating a highly open hydrogeological system. This conclusion is supported by the significant correlation between rainfall intensity and GWLs fluctuations, with correlation coefficients of 0.896, 0.871, and 0.801 from upstream to downstream. The similarities in δD and δ¹⁸O, along with the high young water fractions (0.27–0.35) recorded in 2023, further confirm rapid recharge through permeable media. Initial conditions influence lag time and GWLs changes, highlighting the importance of hydrogeological characteristics on groundwater dynamics. Furthermore, spatial variations in GWLs and stable isotopes reveal distinct recharge patterns: concentrated recharge zones upstream (aligned with fault zones) and broader, slower recharge areas downstream. The diminishing hydraulic gradient across the alluvial fan results in reduced flow velocities and renewal rates, while decreasing d-excess suggests evaporative enrichment or mixing with older water downstream. These results provide critical insights into groundwater system's response to extreme precipitation, particularly under climate variability and strong human activities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101522"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145266623","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":"Origin and processes of groundwater salinity hotspots in the irrigated Sahara Desert lands of Egypt","authors":"Mahmoud M. Khalil ,&nbsp;Mohamed H. Farag ,&nbsp;Tomochika Tokunaga ,&nbsp;Thomas Pichler ,&nbsp;Esam Ismail ,&nbsp;Abotalib Z. Abotalib","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101520","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101520","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Groundwater salinity hotspots in shallow aquifers have been reported across various geographical and climatic settings. These hotspots are commonly linked to anthropogenic influences, particularly irrigation return flow, in arid, unconfined aquifers under intensive irrigation. However, the interplay of geological and hydrochemical processes in shaping salinity variation and hotspots formation remains insufficiently understood. This study integrates hydrochemical, isotopic, multivariate statistical, and geophysical methods to better understand the regional distribution and origin of groundwater hotspots in the newly reclaimed areas of the Eastern Sahara, along the desert fringes of the Nile River. The findings suggest that salinization in the aquifer is influenced by evaporite dissolution, silicate weathering, salts leaching, ion exchange, and groundwater mixing processes, with significant anthropogenic contributions from irrigation return flow and fertilizer application. Notably, we report for the first time that salt-rich marine clay layers, which were left unflushed during the evolution of the Nile River, serve as the primary source of salinity hotspots. These clay layers act as natural barriers, restricting groundwater exchange with the Quaternary Nile aquifer while promoting salinization through saline/formation water upconing due to excessive groundwater pumping. Furthermore, inefficient irrigation practices add more water through irrigation return flow to the sandy alluvium aquifer, which exacerbates the groundwater salinity and ultimately leads to the development of waterlogged areas. These findings highlight the significant impact of river system evolution dynamics on groundwater quality and call for revisiting the current irrigation strategies in the newly reclaimed areas along the Nile River's desert fringes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101520"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158116","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":"Field in-situ push-pull test for enhancing bioremediation of total petroleum hydrocarbons in coal-tar-contaminated aquifers using dual electron acceptors","authors":"Jonghyun Yoon ,&nbsp;JongBeom Kwon ,&nbsp;Uijeon Hong ,&nbsp;Young Kim ,&nbsp;Kyungjin Han","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101521","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101521","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluates the effectiveness of in-situ bioremediation in a coal-tar-contaminated aquifer using the simultaneous injection of oxygen and nitrate as electron acceptors (EAs). We assessed the removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and total organic carbon (TOC) under varying redox conditions through field single-well push-pull transport tests (SWTT) and a single-well push-pull activity test (SWAT). In SWAT experiments, where microbial activity was emphasized, TPH removal reached 5.7 g in the oxygen-only condition and 44.2 g in the oxygen and nitrate-amended condition, demonstrating a significant enhancement in degradation with nitrate supplementation. Corresponding CO₂ production was 402 mmol and 3,120 mmol, respectively, indicating greater microbial respiration in nitrate-amended conditions. The removal of TPH per mole of electron acceptor was 37 mg TPH/mmol O₂ and 7.9 mg TPH/mmol NO₃⁻-N, highlighting oxygen's superior efficiency per unit but nitrate's advantage in sustaining long-term degradation due to its greater solubility and availability. Microbial community analysis demonstrated a significant shift in dominant species, with Pseudomonas stutzeri prevailing after nitrate injection, indicating its critical role in nitrate reduction and hydrocarbon degradation. These results highlight the advantages of a dual-electron-acceptor approach, where oxygen facilitates rapid aerobic degradation while nitrate sustains long-term contaminant removal in oxygen-limited environments. Integrating both electron acceptors presents an effective in-situ bioremediation strategy for degrading complex organic contaminants in groundwater.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101521"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158095","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":"Integrating aquifer vulnerability and explainable machine learning for spatial prediction of groundwater fluoride","authors":"Hanxiang Xiong ,&nbsp;Yi Li ,&nbsp;Ruihan Xiong ,&nbsp;He Xiong ,&nbsp;Jiayao Tan ,&nbsp;Shilong Yang ,&nbsp;Hanting Liu ,&nbsp;Xiaoqing Song ,&nbsp;Xu Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101517","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101517","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Groundwater fluoride (F⁻) contamination has serious risks to public health and environmental sustainability. This study enhances spatial prediction of fluoride concentration (SPFC) in the Ordos Basin, northwest China, by applying a Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM) model integrated with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis. A total of 26 hydrological, geological, environmental, climatic, hydro-chemical, and anthropogenic indicators were incorporated. Key findings reveal that high fluoride concentrations (&gt;1 mg/L) cover approximately 17.48 % of the basin, while moderate (0.5–1 mg/L) and low (&lt;0.5 mg/L) concentrations account for 39.05 % and 43.47 % of the area, respectively. The LGBM model demonstrated high predictive accuracy with R² values of 0.9180 for the training set and 0.7579 for the validation set, and RMSE values of 0.0582 and 0.0748, respectively. SHAP analysis identified significant contributors to F⁻ contamination, including hydro-chemical indicators (CMSH: 9.09 %, SAR: 5.45 %, TDS: 5.97 %, Na⁺: 5.71 %, pH: 4.94, Ca²⁺: 4.68 % and CAI: 4.68 %), socio-economic factors (population density: 5.19 % and GDP: 5.19 %), topographic factors (elevation: 4.42 %, TWI: 7.53 % and proximity to rivers: 6.75 %) and NDVI (4.94 %). Finally, an innovative matrix-based sustainable groundwater management (SGWM) framework was developed, integrating SPFC, IAV and groundwater storage (GWS) to delineate seven distinct management zones. This comprehensive approach from SPFC to SGWM significantly enhances the predictive accuracy and practical applicability of groundwater management strategies, providing a robust tool for addressing F⁻ contamination and supporting the achievement of global health and environmental sustainability goals under the sustainable development goals (SDGs).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101517"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158115","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":"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":"2025-09-24","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":"Characterising contaminant transport from a mine waste dump using isotopic and geochemical tracers: A case study of an inactive pyrite mine, Mazowe district, Zimbabwe","authors":"Moses Souta ,&nbsp;Willis Gwenzi ,&nbsp;Shepherd Nimrod Misi ,&nbsp;Alexander Mhizha","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101518","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101518","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a global and persistent environmental problem around areas in close proximity to historic pyrite mines. Migration of AMD-related contaminants into the surface and subsurface environment is a key factor contributing to this phenomenon. However, remediation of AMD at some inactive mining sites is frequently affected by limited knowledge on the spatial occurrence, distribution and transport of contaminants. This study utilised a combined isotopic and geochemical approach to analyse mine wastes, soil, shallow groundwater and surface water around an abandoned mine waste dump with the objective of characterising contaminant migration into the receiving environment. Elevated Fe, As, Mn and Pb concentrations spatially varied in mine wastes and soils located downslope from the mine waste dump relative to background concentrations. AMD-influenced shallow groundwater and surface water were predominately characterised by SO₄-Ca-Mg water type whilst non-AMD influenced water was characterised by HCO₃-Ca-Mg water type. Specific AMD-influenced shallow groundwater adjacent to surface waters revealed patterns consistent with an δ¹⁸O and δ²H evaporative trend by plotting along a local evaporation line (δ²H = 4.9δ¹⁸O – 6.4, R² = 0.87). Relatively enriched δ¹⁸O composition of shallow groundwater had moderate corresponding elevated SO₄²⁻ concentrations whilst surface waters did not show a similar pattern. The findings provide refined insights into contamination processes and pathways from mine wastes into nearby soil, surface water and shallow groundwater which could support management strategies at this site and other similar sites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101518"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145220222","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":"Observation-constrained long-term simulations of water dynamics and groundwater recharge under intensive agriculture in the North China Plain","authors":"Lin Wu ,&nbsp;Leilei Min ,&nbsp;Meiying Liu ,&nbsp;Wolfgang Kinzelbach ,&nbsp;Shiqing Wang ,&nbsp;Ahmed Mady ,&nbsp;Yanjun Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101516","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101516","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Groundwater recharge in intensively farmed regions is increasingly influenced by climate change and human activities. In the North China Plain (NCP), decades of intensive agriculture have driven persistent overextraction, with the groundwater table declining by ∼85 cm/yr to depths of 20–50 m. Quantifying vertical recharge through the thick vadose zone is essential for sustainable groundwater management. Using in-situ observations of volumetric water content and matric potential from a 48-m caisson observatory, we calibrated and validated Hydrus-1D model, and then produced observation-constrained long-term simulations (1990–2023) for a 30-m thick vadose zone. The model reproduces depth-progressive responses to surface water inputs: flux variability is largest in the root zone, whereas deeper layers respond more steadily, especially following extreme rainfall sequences. A persistent zero-flux plane occurs near 4 m depth. Over the 34-year reconstruction, the mean annual potential recharge is 202 mm/yr, equivalent to an average deep infiltration rate of 0.51 mm/d. Groundwater recharge in the NCP predominantly occurs during summer rainfall, with extreme precipitation events enhancing vertical water fluxes by approximately 4.6–7.6 % relative to scenarios with evenly distributed rainfall. These results clarify vertical water movement in thick vadose zones under intensive agriculture and provide practical guidance for regional recharge estimation and sustainable groundwater management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101516"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158096","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":"2025-09-14","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}