Ground Water is Also Responsible for Sea Level Rise

We use ground water for a lot purposes. Large-scale groundwater extraction for irrigation, drinking water or industry may result in an annual rise in sea levels of approximately 0.8 mm, accounting for about one-quarter of total annual sea-level rise (3.1 mm). According to hydrologists from Utrecht University and the research institute Deltares, the rise in sea levels can be attributed to the fact that most of the groundwater extracted ultimately goes to the sea in the end.

At present, sea levels around the world are rising. Current sea level rise  impacts human populations and the natural environment . Global average sea level rose at an average rate of around 1.7 ± 0.3 mm per year over 1950 to 2009 and at a satellite-measured average rate of about 3.3 ± 0.4 mm per year from 1993 to 2009.

Two main factors are known to contribute to observed sea level rise. The first is thermal expansion: as ocean water warms, it expands. The second is from the contribution of land-based ice due to increased melting. The major store of water on land is found in glaciers and ice sheets.  Now there may be a third reason:  ground water extraction.

Links and Sources:

read more here

Unknown's avatar

About Rashid Faridi

I am Rashid Aziz Faridi ,Writer, Teacher and a Voracious Reader.
This entry was posted in Ecosystem, oceans, opinions, water. Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to Ground Water is Also Responsible for Sea Level Rise

  1. lenrosen4's avatar lenrosen4 says:

    I would think groundwater extraction plays only a tiny part in impacting rising sea levels since much of the water is used for consumption in urban areas or for irrigation. Ocean warming and melting polar and glacial ice are far more significant contributors.

    Like

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.