Category Archives: Groundwater

Fresh water depletion, contamination, saltwater intrusion, & permanent subsidence

Posted on November 7, 2018 by

Map of the U.S. showing cumulative groundwater depletion from 1900 through 2008 in 40 aquifers. Source: Groundwater Depletion in the United States (1900-2008), USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2013-5079. Preface. What follows is from: Ayre, J. April 2018. Fossil Water Depletion, Groundwater … Continue reading →

Posted in Groundwater, Salinity, Water, Water, Water | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

U.S. farmers destroy future food production for centuries with modern farming methods

Posted on June 13, 2018 by

[ Below are excerpts from a devastating critique of current farming practices by the National research council. Here are some of the main points. “Most food is produced by farmers who rely on agriculture for their livelihood. …surveys repeatedly show … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Air, Biodiversity Loss, Climate Change, Groundwater, Limits To Growth, Peak Food, Pesticides, Soil, Water | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nitrogen fertilizer poses significant threats to humans and the environment

Posted on August 11, 2017 by

NRC. 2015. A Framework for Assessing Effects of the Food System. National Research Council, National Academies Press. 19 pages.   Nitrogen (N) is essential for agricultural productivity, but in its more reactive forms, it can pose significant threats to humans … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Fisheries, Groundwater, Planetary Boundaries, Pollution, Soil | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Nitrogen fertilizer poses significant threats to humans and the environment

USGS Groundwater Depletion study of Aquifer decline in the United States

Posted on May 21, 2016 by

[ The Ogallala and many other aquifers are depleting rapidly and growing more toxic from pesticides, feedlot waste, intruding salts, and other pollution.  Most won’t be recharged until after the next ice age.   The Ogallala is one of Earth’s largest … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Government, Groundwater, Peak Food, Water | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Peak Aquifers: Very little Ground water is renewable, perhaps only 1.5%

Posted on November 16, 2015 by

Gleeson, Tom, et al. November 2015. The global volume and distribution of modern groundwater. Nature Geoscience. The water in aquifers and wells billions of people depend upon is mostly a non-renewable resource that could run out. Underground water is renewed … Continue reading →

Posted in Groundwater, Water | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Peak Aquifers: Very little Ground water is renewable, perhaps only 1.5%

Groundwater depletion consequences

Posted on October 31, 2013 by

Robert. Glennon. 9 Oct 2002. The Perils of Groundwater Pumping. The excessive “mining” of our aquifers is causing environmental degradation on a potentially enormous scale. Issues in Science and Technology. National Academy of Sciences. Groundwater is more than 25 percent … Continue reading →

Posted in Groundwater, Water | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Groundwater depletion consequences

Ground water declining at an alarming rate in Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey

Posted on July 13, 2013 by

[ Lack of water in this region is destabilizing and thus could affect oil production as desperate populations migrate, civil wars, and social unrest unfold.  Alice Friedemann   www.energyskeptic.com  author of “When Trucks Stop Running: Energy and the Future of Transportation”, … Continue reading →

Posted in Groundwater, Water | Comments Off on Ground water declining at an alarming rate in Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey

Aquifer decline in California

Posted on May 21, 2013 by

[ On top of aquifer depletion, water shortages are also expected in the future as rainfall and snowfall decline and snow melts earlier. Meanwhile, farmers plant thirsty crops, further draining declining water supplies: 2016-9-27 California’s almond boom has ramped up … Continue reading →

Posted in Groundwater, Water | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Aquifer decline in California

Ogallala (High Plains) aquifer depletion

Posted on May 21, 2013 by

[ More links to depletion of the Ogallala aquifer: 2016-8-7. Stunning Images From America’s Most Important Aquifer. Ogallala aquifer (High Plains) Cumulative groundwater depletion in the High Plains aquifer 1900-2008 Has declined as much as 164 feet in some places. … Continue reading →

Posted in Groundwater, Water | Comments Off on Ogallala (High Plains) aquifer depletion