Groundwater for Sustainable Development最新文献

{"title":"Locating nitrogen sources in high inorganic nitrogen zones of a shallow coastal aquifer using an integrated analytical framework","authors":"Qiaona Huang ,&nbsp;Ya Wang ,&nbsp;Shan Ye ,&nbsp;Bingfa Zhi ,&nbsp;Zhongzhong Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101570","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101570","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Groundwater nitrogen contamination poses a critical global environmental challenge. To address this significant regional to global scale groundwater challenge, identifying the exact locations of nitrogen sources is essential for pollution source management and control. This study systematically analyzed 83 shallow groundwater samples from Zhuhai through an integrated analytical framework. This framework progressively follows the steps of qualitative identification of inorganic nitrogen pollution sources, spatial identification of pollution hotspots, and delineation of specific spatial boundaries of potential sources, by integrating multiple techniques such as isotopic analysis, hydrochemical characteristics, land use analysis, and hydrogeological features etc., ultimately achieving precise positioning of inorganic nitrogen emissions. Spatial interpolation indicated that elevated inorganic nitrogen predominantly occurred in the densely populated western agricultural and industrial region, where groundwater was highly vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts. Based on the qualitative identification of hotspot nitrogen sources, this study successfully constrained the specific locations of nitrogen sources through land use and groundwater flow field analysis to site scale with limited area. Pollution sites for three NH₄⁺-N hotspots of Zhuhai, which were dominantly influenced by cropland, domestic sewage, and local industrial wastewater were clearly identified. The NO₃⁻-N hotspot's nitrogen source was traced to anthropogenic wastewater within a 100 m radius to the southeast. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed integrated analytical framework, the results achieved is very convenient for pollution source management and control and could be applied to locate inorganic nitrogen pollution sources in other regions globally.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101570"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840939","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":"Early warning of soil and groundwater pollution by heavy metals: Progresses, perspectives and challenges","authors":"Enhao Huang ,&nbsp;Yunhao Li ,&nbsp;Yuanbo Ge ,&nbsp;Jun Dong ,&nbsp;Weihong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101567","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101567","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pollution early warning (PEW) of soil and groundwater by heavy metals is critical for preventing irreversible damage to ecosystems and human health. This review provides a novel, data-driven synthesis of the field by uniquely combining a quantitative bibliometric analysis of over 1400 publications with a systematic technological evaluation. Our analysis reveals a substantial growth trend and identifies a clear three-stage technological evolution: from reliance on single-indicator assessment (1999–2015), to the rise of model-based prediction (2016–2019), and the current era of big data-driven intelligence (2020–present). We critically assess four major PEW categories and find that traditional monitoring and biological methods are constrained by poor selectivity, environmental susceptibility, and instability. In contrast, this review highlights that AI-driven models and multi-source data fusion are pivotal advancements, significantly enhancing predictive accuracy and timeliness. The primary challenge ahead is bridging the gap between sophisticated models and robust, real-time data acquisition. We conclude that future breakthroughs will depend on advancing sensor technology and multi-scale coupled models, fundamentally shifting the paradigm from reactive remediation to proactive prevention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101567"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145791126","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":"Enrichment characteristics of colloid−bound ammonium and phosphorus in groundwater systems: Insights into their sources and controls","authors":"Shuxin Huang ,&nbsp;Mingjian Gao ,&nbsp;Jiasen Li ,&nbsp;Ruihan Xiong ,&nbsp;Bing Liu ,&nbsp;Hengyi Wang ,&nbsp;Caixiang Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101573","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101573","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High levels of colloid−bound ammonium (C−NH₄⁺) and phosphorus (C−P) have been proved to exist in groundwater systems, which can pose a potential threat on human health and ecosystems. However, field−scale studies of their enrichment characteristics remain limited. In this study, high levels of C−NH₄⁺ (up to 19.7 mg/L) and C−P (up to 3.28 mg/L) were found in groundwater systems of Jianghan Plain, China. Among them, C−NH₄⁺ was mainly distributed in small molecular weight fraction (1 − 10 kDa), while C−P was mainly distributed in large and medium molecular weight fraction (10 kDa −0.45 μm). The release of C−NH₄⁺ (up to 105 mg/kg) and C−P (up to 652 mg/kg) from sediments could be a main source of colloids in groundwater. Moreover, correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) results indicated another source of anthropogenic input for C−NH₄⁺ and C−P. Importantly, the enrichment of C−NH₄⁺ was mainly regulated by colloidal Fe/Mn (C−Fe/Mn), whereas that of C−P was coupling controlled with C−Fe/Mn and dissolved organic matter. Fluorescence excitation−emission matrices with parallel factor analysis (EEM−PARAFAC) results revealed the terrestrial humic−like and tryptophan−like components of different colloidal fractions. Large and medium molecular weight C−P (10 kDa−0.45 μm) regulated by terrestrial humic−like dissolved organic matter (DOM) could form complex colloids through surface active sites (DOM−P binary complexes). Small molecular weight C−P (1−10 kDa) was closely related to the degradation or the release of internal proteinaceous substances (e.g., tryptophan) by microorganisms. This study provides new insights into the enrichment of C−NH₄⁺/P in groundwater systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101573"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925650","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":"Bioaugmented graphene sand composite for manganese and pollutants removal in groundwater","authors":"Nur Raihan Ahmad Nahrawi ,&nbsp;Wei Lun Ang ,&nbsp;Ebrahim Mahmoudi ,&nbsp;Ahmad Razi Othman ,&nbsp;Abdul Wahab Mohammad","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101572","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101572","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluates the graphene sand composite (GSC) as both a biofilm supports medium and an adsorbent for removing contaminants from groundwater. GSC synthesized with 10 % sugar molasses achieved a uniform coating and optimal bacterial survivability (6.55 × 10¹¹ CFU/mL), making it highly suitable for microbial attachment. In phase I, GSC promoted early biofilm formation (by day 5) and maintained manganese removal efficiencies consistently above 80 %, outperforming bioaugmented river sand. Phase II evaluated GSC with different bacterial inoculations under real groundwater conditions. Among all configurations, the native strain-inoculated GSC (B2 column) exhibited the most effective performance, achieving 90 % removal of manganese and iron within 24 h and 90 % nitrate removal within 3 h. All GSC columns achieved &gt;90 % tetracycline removal, while pesticide removal ranged between 60 and 70 %. These results highlight GSC's potential ability as a dual functionality to integrate microbial oxidation and adsorption for multi-contaminant removal. The enhanced performance of native bacterial inoculation underscores the importance of strain selection in optimizing bioaugmented filtration systems. GSC offers a scalable and sustainable platform for environmental remediation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101572"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925651","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":"Deep and fossil aquifers in Morocco: A multidisciplinary assessment of groundwater dynamics and salinization","authors":"Ayoub Ayaou ,&nbsp;Yassine Ait Brahim ,&nbsp;Mohammed Hssaisoune ,&nbsp;Meryem Miftah ,&nbsp;Ahmed El-Azhari ,&nbsp;Lhoussaine Bouchaou","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101566","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101566","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In Morocco, groundwater serves as a strategic water resource for drinking, domestic, agriculture, and industrial purposes due to the scarcity of surface water and high vulnerability to climate change. This dependency stems from the arid to semi-arid climate conditions where ecosystems depend on groundwater. Successive droughts, population growth, and economic development, particularly in agriculture, lead to the overexploitation of groundwater, especially shallow aquifers during the three last decades. This situation necessitates an investigation of these deep aquifers to manage this essential resource effectively. Hence, the aim of this study is to provide insights into deep aquifers, including their geometry, hydrodynamic, hydrochemical characteristics, recharge origins, geothermal potential, and residence times to determine which aquifers take longer to recharge and which should remain unexploited. The investigated deep aquifers exhibit a wide range of salinity, with electrical conductivity values ranging from 231 to 49 040 μs/cm, whereas pH values range from 5.64 to 10.76. The high salinity is primarily attributed to Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, Na⁺ and HCO₃⁻ with average concentrations of 829, 475, 463, and 316 mg/l, respectively. The recharge of the majority studied deep aquifers, particularly the Cretaceous ones (Souss, Essaouira, Ouarzazate, Tadla, Haouz, and Errachidia), is mainly from the High Atlas Mountains, except for the deep aquifers of Sahara where recharge is carried out during a specific context. The deep Jurassic aquifers, including the South Rifain Corridor, High and Middle Moulouya, High Plateaus, Horst Chain, Taourirt-Oujda Corridor, Beni-Bouyahi, and Bni-Znassen aquifers, are recharged from the Middle Atlas and North-Eastern Moroccan Mountains. Most investigated deep aquifers containing old waters are considered fossil or less renewable, with residence times exceeding 20 kiloannum before present (ka BP). The deep Sahara aquifers are the most significant groundwater potential reserves due to their lithologic composition, and their extensive area of approximately 90 000 km², but with very low groundwater replenishment rates dating back over 46.5 ka BP according to radiocarbon dating. Because of their variable mineralization related to their variable geological contexts and human activities, all the investigated systems show a high vulnerability mainly within their outcrops, which are mainly karstic or fissured areas. These deep aquifers require more stringent management and protection due to arid climate and very low precipitation through all the investigated regions. The results provide key information on the functioning of Moroccan deep aquifers and highlight the need for careful management and conservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101566"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925649","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":"2025-11-01","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":"Uranium in the groundwaters of the Republic of Kazakhstan","authors":"N.A. Medeshova ,&nbsp;D.A. Novikov ,&nbsp;K.O. Zhinak ,&nbsp;A.T. Makyzhanova ,&nbsp;M.R. Zapparov ,&nbsp;A.M. Orynbek ,&nbsp;F.F. Dultsev","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101527","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101527","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hydrogeochemical data on uranium content in the groundwaters of Kazakhstan are evaluated and summarized for the first time. Uranium concentrations in the groundwaters of Kazakhstan vary within a broad range; according to our data, this range is 4.8∙10⁻⁶ – 78 mg/l. The regional background uranium concentration for the groundwaters of Kazakhstan is 13 μg/l, and the anomalous level is 17 μg/l. The maximal uranium content (exceeding 10 mg/l) is detected in the acid groundwaters in oxidation zones of uranium deposits (the Kamyshovoye, Viktorovskoye, Bokayskoye, Abayskoye, Dzhusandalinskoye, etc.). Uranium concentration in near-neutral groundwaters of ore-bearing rocks ranges from 0.1 to 10 mg/l. Beyond the boundaries of deposits, uranium concentrations decrease to n∙10⁻¹ mg/l. Under favorable hydrogeochemical conditions, uranium has also been observed to accumulate in groundwaters outside the deposits. In this case, the formation of uranium-containing groundwater is associated with the chemically enhanced transition of uranium from rocks into groundwater and its subsequent accumulation due to complexation processes. An increase in uranium concentration occurs in alkaline waters of HCO₃-Na, HCO₃-Cl-Na, and Cl-HCO₃-(CO₃)-Na composition. With an increase in water salinity to several grams per liter (regardless of its absolute value), uranium concentration rises and can reach n∙10⁻¹ mg/l. With a further increase in groundwater salinity (up to n∙10 g/l), uranium concentration may increase to n∙10 mg/l, which is characteristic of Kazakhstan, with its arid climatic conditions, so that the groundwaters and surface waters are associated with closed depressions as a result of evaporative concentration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101527"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265922","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":"The potential of localized near-nature managed aquifer recharge in the context of climate change adaption – An assessment within Brandenburg's lower spree catchment","authors":"Jan Stautzebach,&nbsp;Jörg Steidl,&nbsp;Christoph Merz","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101549","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101549","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Adaptation strategies are required to strengthen the resilience of groundwater resources that are primarily challenged by climatic and anthropogenic impacts. In this regard, active management through groundwater recharge and recovery techniques known as managed aquifer recharge (MAR) may stabilize groundwater storage and connected surface waters. One option for this management is the surface-induced recharge of available surplus water (infiltration basin), which seeps through the unsaturated soil zone, is stored in an evapotranspiration-free aquifer beneath it, and is recovered when needed. However, surface-induced MAR is underrepresented within the lower catchment of the river Spree. This study therefore assessed potential and individual recharge locations. Including thematic maps derived from a set of weighted criteria, a broad spectrum of suitable conditions were shown using indices in terms of land use, infiltration characteristics, hydrogeology, and economic feasibility. They were consistent with the recharge capabilities found for a dense network of natural topographic sinks, some of which can be employed for decentralized near-natural and semi-constructed groundwater recharge. Accordingly, surplus discharge water volumes from extreme weather events were assessed to be a sufficient source for many recharge locations, including those with storage capabilities that could be increased through construction. Altogether, around one quarter of the study area was found to be predominantly moderately to highly suitable, including some isolated and many closely spaced sinks of varying sizes, which can also be used for grouped groundwater recharge. These can therefore be regarded as scalable groundwater recharge clusters and are available for further comprehensive decision-making and model-based analysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101549"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145614818","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":"Environmental evidence of surface manifestations of regional groundwater flows in the lower Colorado River Basin: the case Mexicali Valley, Mexico","authors":"Yussef Ricardo Abud-Russell ,&nbsp;Gonzalo Hatch-Kuri ,&nbsp;María del Carmen Carmona Lara ,&nbsp;Tatiana Aguilar-Castillo","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101510","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101510","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Transboundary water in the Lower Colorado River Basin, shared between Mexico and the United States, demands robust, collaborative governance frameworks to address drought and increasing water demands. Although groundwater resources have become increasingly strategic for meeting water demands in both countries, they rarely receive formal consideration in official studies. Through geospatial analysis, this research delineates for the US portion of the Lower Colorado River Basin, the spatial distribution of recharge and discharge zones within the interconnected groundwater and surface water systems to characterize the regional components of groundwater flow. Employing a methodology based on the Tóthian framework of gravity-driven groundwater flow systems, the study emphasizes the interconnection of groundwater with perennial surface water, soil taxonomy, land use and land-forms as indirect evidence of its surface manifestation throughout this basin. The results are represented in discharge and recharge zones related to regional groundwater flow. Results highlight the need for binational data homologation and integration process to strengthen the available groundwater assessment tools for sustainable management in the U.S.-Mexico border.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101510"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145220221","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":"Multicriteria decision making for sustainable groundwater development and management in basaltic terrain of Upper Bhima basin, Maharashtra, India","authors":"Abhilash Kumar Paswan ,&nbsp;Ayushi Agarwal ,&nbsp;V Ajay Kumar ,&nbsp;Satish Chandra Verma","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101511","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101511","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change has exacerbated freshwater challenges, leading to groundwater depletion and threatening food security. As demand increases amid shrinking supplies, advanced technologies and methodologies are essential for sustainable groundwater management. This study employed a multi-criteria decision-making approach by coupling the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with nine thematic layers and 36 morphometric parameters to identify groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) and manage water resources in the Upper Bhima Basin, predominantly characterized by basaltic aquifer systems. Using AHP, five zones were delineated within the basin and categorized as very poor (6.7 %), poor (24.6 %), moderate (34.9 %), good (23.9 %), and very good (9.9 %). The thematic layers' weights demonstrated a high level of reliability, with a consistency index of 0.00051 and a consistency ratio of 0.00035. GWPZ was also validated with the Area Under the Curve (AUC = 0.707). Morphometric analysis further supports the identification of low potential zones in the steep slope region. The mean bifurcation and circularity ratios for the basin, highlighting minimal geological influence on the drainage pattern and varying infiltration capacities. Furthermore, the hypsometric analysis reveals a concave shape with an integral value of 0.19, indicating the potential for developing stable recharge zones for sustainable groundwater management. Besides this, evapotranspiration and NDVI have shown strong seasonality, highlighting the agricultural response of the region and exhibiting a strong connection with ENSO events. Increasing urbanization and agrarian expansion drive water demand, necessitating effective regional groundwater management. Measures like check dams, rainwater harvesting, and cultivating less water-intensive crops can enhance water security.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101511"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145057252","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}