Groundwater for Sustainable Development最新文献

{"title":"New approach to evaluate groundwater quality for human consumption: application of a personalized index and health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements","authors":"Oualid Boukich ,&nbsp;Rihab Ben-tahar ,&nbsp;Bouchra El guerrouj ,&nbsp;Youssef Smiri","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101542","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101542","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Assessing groundwater quality is crucial in semi-arid regions where these resources represent the main source of drinking water. This study, conducted in the Angads plain (north-east Morocco), examined 90 groundwater samples collected during two distinct periods: wet and dry. The objective was to characterize the physicochemical and metallic quality of water intended for human consumption, while taking into account seasonal variability and health risks. The results of physicochemical parameters revealed that average ion concentrations (mg/L) in groundwater were in the following order: Na⁺ (272.90) &gt; Ca²⁺ (195.77) &gt; Mg²⁺ (67.87) &gt; K⁺ (5.45) for cations, and Cl⁻ (553.17) &gt; HCO₃⁻ (395.76) &gt; SO₄²⁻ (150.03) &gt; NO₃⁻ (70.41) for anions. The Customized Groundwater Quality Index (CGWQI) developed in this study based on a factorial analysis, showed that almost all groundwater samples (84.5 %) were of moderate to excellent quality. The Heavy metal Pollution Index (HPI) was used to evaluate Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs), revealing that 100 % of the samples showed no trace element pollution. Furthermore, the health risk assessment evaluated by the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) showed that 100 % of groundwater samples, for children and adults, did not represent a risk for children and adults. Additionally, the Total Carcinogenic Risk (TCR) also showed that all groundwater were safe and did not represent a carcinogenic risk. The CGWQI index, which is better adapted to local conditions, provides a more accurate reflection of seasonal variations. This study underscores the importance of using indices customized to the local environment for more precise water quality assessments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101542"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416228","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":"2025-11-01","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":"Legislative impact on groundwater sustainability: Evaluating the Castronuño Nature Reserve case (Spain)","authors":"Esther Rodríguez-Jiménez ,&nbsp;Daniel Balzan-Alzate ,&nbsp;Miguel Ángel Marazuela ,&nbsp;Alejandro García-Gil ,&nbsp;Joselin S. Rodríguez-Alcántara ,&nbsp;Juan C. Santamarta","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101546","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101546","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study addresses a significant knowledge gap regarding the long-term hydrological and chemical impacts of conservation legislation on groundwater systems in agriculturally intensive regions. Specifically, it evaluates the effectiveness of Spanish Law 6/2002—which declared the Castronuño Riverbanks a Nature Reserve—on groundwater levels and water quality (including emerging pollutants) in the Duero River aquifer system in Castilla y León, Spain. Using historical borehole data spanning 1970 to 2023 from over 3,000 records provided by the Spanish Geological and Mining Institute and the Duero River Basin Authority, the research compared groundwater extraction volumes, piezometric trends, and chemical parameters before and after the law, and analysed 55 emerging contaminants sampled at six strategic points in 2022. The results indicate a 25 % reduction in allocated extraction volumes post-legislation, stabilization and partial recovery in shallow aquifers, and continued vulnerability in deeper semi-confined aquifers. While certain chemical parameters improved following the reserve designation, elevated nitrate and sulfate concentrations in shallow wells suggest ongoing agricultural impacts, and the frequent detection of pharmaceuticals and UV filters highlight deficiencies in conventional water treatment and monitoring systems. Overall, the study demonstrates that although the legislative framework has helped mitigate overexploitation and improved some aspects of water quality, enhanced monitoring, integrated management strategies, and stricter pollution controls are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of the aquifer system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101546"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145465187","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":"Neutralization of pH and removal of heavy metals from acid mine water by using low-cost biosorbents in batch and column studies","authors":"Fida Hussain ,&nbsp;Lan Hee Kim ,&nbsp;Sang-Eun Oh ,&nbsp;Sungpyo Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101506","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101506","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present research explored raw oyster shell (RO), oyster shell biochar (OB), and ginkgo leaves biochar (LB) as low-cost biosorbents for heavy metal removal and pH neutralization from acid mine water. Five adsorbents were tested in batch mode. The results showed that OB, RO, and LB effectively removed Cd²⁺ (57–98 %), Cu²⁺ (93–99 %), and Fe²⁺ (96–99 %), while Mn²⁺ (7–57 %) and Zn²⁺ (18–97 %) exhibited lower removal efficiencies. RO and OB also increased solution pH to ∼6.3 due to their alkaline buffering capacity. LB, OB, and RO were further tested in series columns. RO and OB with 31.1, 93.5, and 185 min HRTs were tested in primary columns. A hybrid column with LB, OB, and RO was tested at 93.5 min HRT to enhance removal efficiency. Increasing HRT improved both metal removal and breakthrough times. RO and OB with 185 min HRT removed ∼71 % Cd²⁺, ∼93 % Cu²⁺, ∼6 % Mn²⁺, ∼52 % Fe²⁺, and ∼11 % Zn²⁺ from the primary column. In the secondary hybrid column, 99.53 % Cd²⁺, 100 % Cu²⁺, 55.20 % Mn²⁺, 100 % Fe²⁺, and 74.03 % Zn²⁺ were removed. Cu²⁺ &gt; Fe²⁺ &gt; Cd²⁺&gt; Zn²⁺&gt; Mn²⁺ was the column mode metal removal order. The columns' pH profiles changed significantly during metal sorption, suggesting buffering processes and acidic metal ion elimination. Column modeling using Thomas and Yoon–Nelson equations confirmed high adsorption capacities and extended breakthrough times, particularly in the hybrid system. Mechanistic analysis via SEM–EDS revealed surface deposition and co-precipitation of Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Fe²⁺ on RO and OB, while FTIR spectra and XRD patterns confirmed the roles of carbonate, hydroxyl, phosphate, and amine groups in metal binding. LB's porous structure and functional groups enhanced Mn²⁺ and Zn²⁺ removal through complexation and diffusion-driven sorption. The findings support the potential of oyster shell-based composites as sustainable biosorbents for the remediation of metal-contaminated, acid mine water, and highlight future opportunities for optimization through surface functionalization and hybrid treatment designs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101506"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144903717","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":"Hydrochemistry and isotopic characterization of water resources in Santa Rosa mining area, Ecuador","authors":"Karla Villamar-Marazita ,&nbsp;Cindy Goyburo-Chávez ,&nbsp;Priscila E. Valverde-Armas ,&nbsp;Tomas Vitvar ,&nbsp;Peter Čech ,&nbsp;Juraj Michalko ,&nbsp;Samantha Jiménez-Oyola","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101556","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101556","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study analyzed the hydrochemical and isotopic characteristics of water resources in the Santa Rosa mining region, southern Ecuador, with the aim of understanding the processes that influence the chemical composition of water, its origin, and sources of contamination. The research focused on assessing the impact of anthropogenic activities on water quality, providing an integrated perspective of the region. Between 2022 and 2024, water samples were collected during both dry and rainy seasons. Surface water samples were taken from the Santa Rosa River and its tributaries, while groundwater samples were obtained from commercial wells within the watershed. Major ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, HCO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻) and isotopic content (δ¹⁸O, δ²H, δ³H, δ³⁴S-SO₄^2-, and δ¹⁸O-SO₄^2-) were analyzed. The data were analyzed using hydrochemical diagrams, multivariate statistical analysis, and geospatial analysis. The findings revealed that surface waters are characterized by Ca²⁺ - SO₄^2-- and Ca²⁺- HCO₃⁻ compositions, while groundwater was identified as Na⁺ - Cl type. The chemistry of surface water is mainly regulated by rock-water interactions, while marine evaporites dominate groundwater chemistry. Isotopes ¹⁸O and ²H suggest that the water primarily originates from meteoric sources. The source of SO₄²⁻ in surface water is attributed to atmospheric deposition and the oxidation of sulfur compounds, whereas the dissolution of evaporites is the key factor driving groundwater SO₄²⁻ concentrations. This study represents the first comprehensive hydrochemical and isotopic analysis of water resources in a mining region in Ecuador, providing crucial data for the sustainable management of water resources in areas affected by mining. The results offer a scientific basis for developing water protection and conservation strategies essential for mitigating the impacts of mining on local water quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101556"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145681053","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":"Combining piezometry, isotopes, and emerging contaminants to assess aquifer recharge operations: case studies of Korba and Kairouan sites (Northeast and Central Tunisia)","authors":"Fethi Lachaal ,&nbsp;Geoffroy Duporté ,&nbsp;Christian Leduc ,&nbsp;Elena Gomez","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101514","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101514","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In many semi-arid and Mediterranean regions, scarce water resources face an ever-increasing demand for water. A possible response is to complement the natural groundwater recharge by infiltrating treated wastewater, but this addresses the question of the future of this water, in quantitative and qualitative terms. Two contrasting artificial recharge sites with treated wastewater were chosen at the centre and northeast of Tunisia. The study was focused on field measurements (water table level, total mineralisation) and groundwater sampling (stable isotopes of the water molecule, emerging contaminants). Data from 2020 were compared with historical records. A suspect-screening analysis of 137 organic compounds was also performed at the first site. The hydrodynamic survey and the total mineralisation of groundwater underline a common feature of the two sites: the strong heterogeneity of the hydrogeological information, especially disturbed by agricultural pumping. The positive piezometric effect of groundwater artificial recharge is not clearly, observed due to the combined effects of intense pumping and the relatively small recharge volume. A slight increase in groundwater salinity is observed at both sites. In the coastal area of Korba, the isotopic data show that the recharged area is less vulnerable to seawater intrusion compared to other parts of the coastal aquifer. Stable isotope analysis showed an evaporative water only at the site where the water is transferred over a long distance and spread over the ground surface. Emerging compounds, especially carbamazepine, provided a much finer definition of the recharge plumes. The results of the suspect screening and non-target analysis were consistent with the historical location of the sites and the relocation of the discharge point for the first site. Together, the results underlined the limitation of the classical tools of hydrogeology (hydrodynamics, major ions, stable isotopes) and the significant added value of integrating emerging compounds in the analysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101514"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145099687","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":"Anti-passivation Fe-Ni Foam@AC PRB: Coupling bimetallic electron transfer and functionalized adsorption for sustainable groundwater nitrate remediation","authors":"Guangming Li ,&nbsp;Jiani Fu ,&nbsp;Xiaomin Fu ,&nbsp;Shuwen Zhu ,&nbsp;Jie Dong ,&nbsp;Wenpeng Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101504","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101504","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study introduces a novel anti-passivation composite filler, iron-nickel foam@activated carbon (denoted as INF@AC hereafter), tailored for permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) to combat nitrate contamination in groundwater. Through systematic batch and column experiments, the optimal INF/AC mass ratio (2:2) achieved 43.23 % nitrate removal efficiency within 120 min under neutral pH conditions, with chloride ions exhibiting the strongest inhibitory effect (removal efficiency reduced by 21.5 %). The 12-day column experiments further confirmed the system's robustness, showing near-complete nitrate conversion (99.90–99.98 %) and nitrogen selectivity exceeding 95 %. Advanced characterization (XRD, XPS, FT-IR) revealed that AC mitigated INF surface passivation by forming Fe³⁺-O-C interfacial bonds, while Ni²⁺ facilitated electron transfer. Kinetic and XPS data further suggest a reactive hydrogen intermediate (H∗)-mediated pathway, which suppresses byproducts and explains the high selectivity—consistent with iron corrosion electrochemistry. This work establishes a synergistic mechanism (passivation mitigation, electron transfer, H∗-regulated redox), providing a scalable solution for sustainable groundwater remediation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101504"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144851876","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":"Control of Al2O3/TiO2 sorbent synthesis parameters to enhance fluoride remediation of impaired water resources","authors":"Gabriel T. Colledge,&nbsp;John G. Outram,&nbsp;Graeme J. Millar","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101512","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101512","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Alumina is widely used for fluoride ion removal due to its high affinity but is limited by low uptake capacity and structural instability. To overcome these issues, innovative alumina-titania sorbents were developed using co-precipitation. These sorbents maintained a surface area of ∼260 m²/g and pore volume of ∼0.21 cm³/g regardless of feed flow rate. However, low NaOH molarity significantly increased surface area, peaking at 343 m²/g with 1 M NaOH. Aging also enhanced surface area, reaching ∼315 m²/g.</div><div>Equilibrium isotherms showed that a feed flow rate of 25 mL/min achieved the highest fluoride uptake (0.19 meq/g). NaOH concentrations ≤4 M produced favourable isotherm profiles, while ≥4 M resulted in unfavourable outcomes. Aging the synthesis mixture for 1–2 h was optimal, as extended aging reduced isotherm performance.</div><div>The Al₂O₃/TiO₂ sorbents also removed calcium, magnesium, barium, strontium, potassium, and silica from groundwater. Optimal synthesis conditions were identified as a 25 mL/min feed flow rate, 2 M NaOH concentration, and a 2-h aging time. The sorption mechanism combined electrostatic attraction and ligand exchange, highlighting the potential of these materials for multifunctional water treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101512"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145049071","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":"Comparative assessment of groundwater quality using subjective and objective weighting methods in a multi-criteria decision analysis framework","authors":"Soumya S. Singha ,&nbsp;Sudhakar Singha","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101553","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101553","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examined the groundwater quality status of the Arang Block, Chhattisgarh, India, using an innovative framework based on the application of subjective and objective weighting for groundwater quality parameters in a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) context, and further corroborated using a validation approach based on uncertainty-driven machine learning technique. The Arithmetic Mean Method (AMM), Entropy, and Criteria Importance Through Inter-criteria Correlation (CRITIC), were used to estimate the weights of groundwater quality parameter and combined with MCDA techniques, such as the TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) and PROMETHEE II (Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations II) to evaluate groundwater quality and compared to identify the most effective evaluation process. The results indicated that the best evaluation was performed using the entropy-PROMETHEE II model, with the evaluation having the highest positive correlation (r = 0.936) with the average ranks of the wells. The entropy-based models consistently exhibited stronger performance, with higher rank correlations through rank correlation analysis. A Random Forest classifier prediction model was employed to validate the groundwater quality classifications derived from all the approaches, where entropy-TOPSIS and entropy-PROMETHEE II achieved superior classification accuracies of 0.842 and 0.925, respectively, outperforming WQI (Water Quality Index) and CRITIC-based counterparts. Model uncertainty was further evaluated using a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation framework, with the entropy-PROMETHEE II model demonstrating the highest certainty, averaging 95.6 %. The sensitivity analysis corroborated the entropy-based ranking pattern of parameter importance. Furthermore, statistical analyses, including PCA (Principal Component Analysis) and HCA (Hierarchical Cluster Analysis), suggested that groundwater quality is influenced by both natural geochemical processes and anthropogenic pressures, particularly from agricultural activities in the central to northern zones. This study advocates the entropy-PROMETHEE II approach as a scientifically robust framework for precise groundwater quality assessment and sustainable resource management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101553"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145614214","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 an impending crisis: Groundwater governance in Konya Closed Basin, Türkiye","authors":"Irem Daloğlu Çetinkaya ,&nbsp;İzel Uygur ,&nbsp;Ali Kerem Saysel","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101540","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101540","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Groundwater, a critical resource for agriculture, faces severe overexploitation globally, resulting in sustainability challenges and ecological consequences. This study examines the groundwater governance dynamics in the Konya Closed Basin (KCB), Türkiye's agricultural hub often referred to as the country's “granary.” Overexploitation in the region has led to a rapid decline in groundwater levels, nearly 30 m since the 1980s, exacerbating water scarcity, land subsidence, and environmental degradation. Combining fieldwork, stakeholder interviews, secondary data analysis, and an examination of crop pattern changes, we investigate the interplay between climate change, shifting agricultural practices, and inadequate governance structures. Our findings highlight significant shortcomings in the current governance framework, including weak enforcement, fragmented coordination, inadequate monitoring, and eroding roles of cooperatives and unions. The study underscores the urgent need for integrated governance frameworks that enhance stakeholder collaboration, prioritize demand management, and promote adaptive policies. Insights from the KCB are broadly applicable to other arid regions heavily reliant on agriculture and groundwater, providing critical lessons for mitigating overexploitation and promoting long-term sustainability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 101540"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145465185","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}