The structure and dynamics of groundwater systems in northwestern India under past, present and future climates

Lead Research Organisation: Imperial College London
Department Name: Earth Science and Engineering

Abstract

India is the largest agricultural user of groundwater in the world. The last 40 years has seen a revolutionary shift from large-scale surface water management to widespread groundwater abstraction, particularly in the northwestern states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. As a result of this, northwestern India is now a hotspot of groundwater depletion, with 'the largest rate of groundwater loss in any comparable-sized region on Earth' (Tiwari et al., 2009). This unsustainable use of groundwater becomes even more challenging when set increasing demands from a burgeoning population and industrialisation, together with potential but poorly understood effects of climate-driven changes in the water cycle. There are a number of innovative socio-economic strategies that can address this issue, including enhanced recharge and subsurface water storage, but their implementation and success depend on solid regional understanding of the geology and hydrogeology of the aquifer systems, and of the patterns and rates of groundwater flow and recharge. What we know about regional groundwater resources comes largely from either low-resolution studies based on satellite data, or from local investigations; there has been no large-scale, cross-state integrated study of the groundwater system. Groundwater in northwestern India is thought to be largely hosted within buried, sandy former river channels, which extend from the Himalayas toward the southwest and are separated by fine-grained muds. Only a few channels are visible at the surface; most are buried and their existence must be inferred. Our approach is founded on the premise that we must first understand the geology and geometry of the aquifer system before we can hope to estimate the way it will respond to a complex set of future stresses. This means that we must be able to describe the locations, sizes, and characteristics of these channels as well as their age and three-dimensional pattern. Once these characteristics are determined, we can forecast the likely future behaviour of the system. In this proposal, we will provide, for the first time, a regional assessment of the aquifer system in northwestern India, along with models for its evolution under changes in the water cycle and in the way in which groundwater is used. Our project will combine expertise in sedimentology, stratigraphy, sediment routing and basin evolution, hydrology, and isotope geochemistry to understand the geological framework of the aquifer system, the ages of the groundwaters within it, and the ways in which groundwater levels are likely to evolve over the next 50 years. The outcomes of the proposal will include (1) a comprehensive data base that covers the northwestern Indian aquifer system, (2) much better understanding of regional sources, ages, and flow rates of groundwater, and (3) a suite of predictions for how the groundwater system will respond to a range of different future scenarios.

Planned Impact

Our proposed project will have four main outcomes: (1) a geological understanding of the geometry and spatial distribution of the shallow aquifer system in the western Indo-Gangetic Plains, (2) a predictive model for the 3-D arrangement of fluvial channel sands that can be applied to understanding aquifer distribution in the deeper subsurface, (3) establishment of the age, sources, and dynamics of groundwater in this aquifer system, and (4) an understanding of potential hydrological evolution of the aquifer system in response to varied stresses, including changes in future patterns of precipitation and abstraction or recharge. More broadly the project will provide an example of an integrated aquifer impact study based on sound geological knowledge, isotope-based reconstruction of groundwater dynamics and numerical-modelling assessments of aquifer distribution and hydrological evolution. This has potential application in other parts of the Indo-Gangetic basin, and more broadly to other aquifer systems composed of fluvial palaeochannels.

The outcomes of our research will have impact at local and national levels in India, but also internationally through application to similar hydrogeological systems. At the same time, we must be realistic; the three states in the study area contain over 100 million people and groundwater use in the region has become highly 'atomised', with large-scale water management largely supplanted by individual water users armed with pumps (Shah 2009). The potential for local impact is extremely limited. Thus, we argue that the impact of the research is best aimed at state and national levels. A primary target of our study will be to have direct impact on the development of water management plans in the affected states via contact with officials in the relevant state water resources agencies (Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan). Our study is also relevant for policy-making institutions at the national level. These include the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB), with which we have existing contacts through co-Is Kumar and Shekhar, as well as a set of research institutes.

We will organize a workshop in March each year during the UK field visits to India and will invite a range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB), state government groundwater department (as water is a state subject), IRI, ICRISAT, CSSRI, several NGOs, and municipal governments in the areas where our field work is based. The goal of these workshops will be to establish a two-way dialogue - both to apprise the stakeholders of our ongoing work and outcomes, but also to hear concerns and viewpoints on the relative priority and importance of the work described here, and to get outside perspectives on the leading issues and uncertainties. We will also establish a dynamic GIS database containing existing geological and groundwater information from the study region and will populate this with our own new data collected during the course of the project. This GIS database will be made available to stakeholders and will be provided to the Central Groundwater Board to help in formulating water management policies. We plan to set up groundwater monitoring stations at several sites as a part of our research. In the final year, we will dedicate 1-2 months of project time to evaluate the project findings to translate key project science into non-technical language that can be put forward for broader delivery, and develop specific recommendations. We will deliver a final report that summarises the key scientific findings, presents the primary data and numerical modelling simulations, and presents recommendations and suggested 'best practise'. A non-technical summary of this report will also be generated. This report together with the GIS database will be archived at NERC Designated Data Centres and MOES Designated Centres.
 
Description We have characterised groundwater sources in the most rapidly depleting area of groundwater in NW India using water isotopes. We show the sources of groundwater and their spatial distribution. The define distinct flow patterns in the aquifer system. he spatial and vertical variations of isotopic signature of groundwater reveal two distinct flow patterns in the aquifer system: (i) local flow (above c.80 mbgl) throughout the study area, and (ii) intermediate and regional flow (below c. 80 mbgl), where water recharges aquifers through large-scale lateral flow as well as vertical infiltration. The understanding of spatial and vertical recharge processes of groundwater in the study area provides important base-line knowledge for developing a sustainable groundwater management plan for the northwestern Indian aquifer system.
Exploitation Route This research will provide base-line scientific data and analysis to aid understanding of groundwater depletion in NW India. It will quantify the regional distribution of groundwater depletion, the timescales of groundwater depletion and recharge, and the sources of recharge. It will consider the impacts on the groundwater system of future climate-change influenced changes on precipitation in the region.



The information will be used by policy makers concerned with water resources, agricultural planners, and water resources managers in India. The research will provide important geological and quantitative hydrological data to help policy makers and groundwater managers to understand and manage the significant issue of groundwater depletion in NW India.
Sectors Environment

URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022169418301380?via%3Dihub
 
Description Prospects of paleochannels in NW India for groundwater exploration
Geographic Reach Asia 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
Impact An important outcome of this project is the constitution of a committee looking the prospects of paleochannels in NW India for groundwater exploration. The Indian PI, Rajiv Sinha, is a member of this Committee and is proving important inputs to advance the work carried out in this project.
 
Description NERC Radiocarbon Facility Award - in kind support for analyses
Amount £12,800 (GBP)
Funding ID Radiocarbon Analysis Allocation Number 1805.0414 
Organisation Natural Environment Research Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2014 
 
Description Newton Fund
Amount £134,000 (GBP)
Funding ID RF150356 
Organisation Natural Environment Research Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2015 
End 02/2017
 
Description Collaboration with BGS Groundwater geochemistry 
Organisation British Geological Survey
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution reconstructing groundwater residence times in NW India
Collaborator Contribution CFC and SF6 dating of groundwater and their interpretation.
Impact None yet. Work in progress.
Start Year 2015
 
Description Collaboration with BGS on isotopic dating of groundwater 
Organisation British Geological Survey
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Collaboration resulted in additional funding from NERC to project
Collaborator Contribution Conducted isotope analysis to determine groundwater residence times
Impact none
Start Year 2015
 
Description California Institute of Technology seminar, Pasadena USA 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact 40 researchers attended seminar at Caltech on
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Distinguished Lecture Series on Earth-Water-Life, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. 1 lecture - "Ancient Rivers, Ancient Civilisations, Present Water". This is part of part of NSF-funded international project - LIFE (Linked Institutions for Future Earth) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Research talk at university of minnesota
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description Groundwater in NW India Workshop, Delhi, India 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact In March 2016, we ran a major workshop to translate the project findings to professionals working in groundwater resource exploration, assessment, and management in India. The 2-day workshop involved 26 scientists, primarily from the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) and organisations in four states. The outcomes of the workshop were also communicated to senior officials from the Ministry of Water Resources, including the Special Secretary (who attended the opening session) and the Joint Secretary with responsibility for groundwater (who attended the opening and closing sessions). A full report on the workshop and its wider outcomes is attached.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Public talk to Open University Geological Society on 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Public talk about water thought civilisations in NW india and current water issues.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description School visit 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact 50 students and parents attended a seminar on issues of water scarcity in India
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.saintolaves.net/uploads/ckeditor/attachments/694/Newsletter_165_11_September_2015.pdf
 
Description School visit (St Olaves school), Orpington 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact 50 people attended - a-level students and parents - for talk on water resources in India
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description School visit Jersey 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact 60 pupils attended for as school visit on Mars exploration which sparked many questions afterwards
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Seminar at Dept of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Research seminar to academics and postgraduates
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Short talk at India-UK Water Security Exchange Initative - Feb 2016 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Informatin and exhange workshop with visiting Indian researchers, government and policy makers. Led to new potential links.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Talk at American Geophysical Union annual meeting, New Orleans, USA 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Conference talk to academics and postgraduates about chronology results from grant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Talk to Geological Society of London Early Careers award meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Invited talk at Geological Society of London Early Careers Award event led to many questions and future interaction with practitioners
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018