Validation of GRACE based groundwater storage anomaly using in-situ groundwater level measurements in India

2016 ◽  
Vol 543 ◽  
pp. 729-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soumendra N. Bhanja ◽  
Abhijit Mukherjee ◽  
Dipankar Saha ◽  
Isabella Velicogna ◽  
James S. Famiglietti
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 202
Author(s):  
Kai Su ◽  
Wei Zheng ◽  
Wenjie Yin ◽  
Litang Hu ◽  
Yifan Shen

It is an effective measure to estimate groundwater storage anomalies (GWSA) by combining Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data and hydrological models. However, GWSA results based on a single hydrological model and GRACE data may have greater uncertainties, and it is difficult to verify in some regions where in situ groundwater-level measurements are limited. First, to solve this problem, a groundwater weighted fusion model (GWFM) is presented, based on the extended triple collocation (ETC) method. Second, the Shiyang River Basin (SYRB) is taken as an example, and in situ groundwater-level measurements are used to evaluate the performance of the GWFM. The comparison indicates that the correlation coefficient (CC) and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (NSE) are increased by 9–40% and 23–657%, respectively, relative to the original results. Moreover, the root mean squared error (RMSE) is reduced by 9–28%, which verifies the superiority of the GWFM. Third, the spatiotemporal distribution and influencing factors of GWSA in the Hexi Corridor (HC) are comprehensively analyzed during the period between 2003 and 2016. The results show that GWSA decline, with a trend of −2.37 ± 0.38 mm/yr from 2003 to 2010, and the downward trend after 2011 (−0.46 ± 1.35 mm/yr) slow down significantly compared to 2003–2010. The spatial distribution obtained by the GWFM is more reliable compared to the arithmetic average results, and GWFM-based GWSA fully retain the advantages of different models, especially in the southeastern part of the SYRB. Additionally, a simple index is used to evaluate the contributions of climatic factors and human factors to groundwater storage (GWS) in the HC and its different subregions. The index indicates that climate factors occupy a dominant position in the SLRB and SYRB, while human factors have a significant impact on GWS in the Heihe River Basin (HRB). This study can provide suggestions for the management and assessments of groundwater resources in some arid regions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 2672
Author(s):  
Xin Liu ◽  
Litang Hu ◽  
Kangning Sun ◽  
Zhengqiu Yang ◽  
Jianchong Sun ◽  
...  

Groundwater is crucial for economic development in arid and semiarid areas. The Shiyang River Basin (SRB) has the most prominent water use issues in northwestern China, and overexploited groundwater resources have led to continuous groundwater-level decline. The key governance planning project of the SRB was issued in 2007. This paper synthetically combines remote-sensing data from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data and precipitation, actual evapotranspiration, land use, and in situ groundwater-level data to evaluate groundwater storage variations on a regional scale. Terrestrial water storage anomalies (TWSA) and groundwater storage anomalies (GWSA), in addition to their influencing factors in the SRB since the implementation of the key governance project, are analyzed in order to evaluate the effect of governance. The results show that GRACE-derived GWS variations are consistent with in situ observation data in the basin, with a correlation coefficient of 0.68. The GWS in the SRB had a slow downward trend from 2003 to 2016, and this increased by 0.38 billion m³/year after 2018. As the meteorological data did not change significantly, the changes in water storage are mainly caused by human activities, which are estimated by using the principle of water balance. The decline in GWS in the middle and lower reaches of the SRB has been curbed since 2009 and has gradually rebounded since 2014. GWS decreased by 2.2 mm EWH (equivalent water height) from 2011 to 2016, which was 91% lower than that from 2007 to 2010. The cropland area in the middle and lower reaches of the SRB also stopped increasing after 2011 and gradually decreased after 2014, while the area of natural vegetation gradually increased, indicating that the groundwater level and associated ecology significantly recovered after the implementation of the project.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 4533-4549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Shamsudduha ◽  
Richard G. Taylor ◽  
Darren Jones ◽  
Laurent Longuevergne ◽  
Michael Owor ◽  
...  

Abstract. GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellite data monitor large-scale changes in total terrestrial water storage (ΔTWS), providing an invaluable tool where in situ observations are limited. Substantial uncertainty remains, however, in the amplitude of GRACE gravity signals and the disaggregation of TWS into individual terrestrial water stores (e.g. groundwater storage). Here, we test the phase and amplitude of three GRACE ΔTWS signals from five commonly used gridded products (i.e. NASA's GRCTellus: CSR, JPL, GFZ; JPL-Mascons; GRGS GRACE) using in situ data and modelled soil moisture from the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) in two sub-basins (LVB: Lake Victoria Basin; LKB: Lake Kyoga Basin) of the Upper Nile Basin. The analysis extends from January 2003 to December 2012, but focuses on a large and accurately observed reduction in ΔTWS of 83 km3 from 2003 to 2006 in the Lake Victoria Basin. We reveal substantial variability in current GRACE products to quantify the reduction of ΔTWS in Lake Victoria that ranges from 80 km3 (JPL-Mascons) to 69 and 31 km3 for GRGS and GRCTellus respectively. Representation of the phase in TWS in the Upper Nile Basin by GRACE products varies but is generally robust with GRGS, JPL-Mascons, and GRCTellus (ensemble mean of CSR, JPL, and GFZ time-series data), explaining 90, 84, and 75 % of the variance respectively in "in situ" or "bottom-up" ΔTWS in the LVB. Resolution of changes in groundwater storage (ΔGWS) from GRACE ΔTWS is greatly constrained by both uncertainty in changes in soil-moisture storage (ΔSMS) modelled by GLDAS LSMs (CLM, NOAH, VIC) and the low annual amplitudes in ΔGWS (e.g. 1.8–4.9 cm) observed in deeply weathered crystalline rocks underlying the Upper Nile Basin. Our study highlights the substantial uncertainty in the amplitude of ΔTWS that can result from different data-processing strategies in commonly used, gridded GRACE products; this uncertainty is disregarded in analyses of ΔTWS and individual stores applying a single GRACE product.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6241-6255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soumendra N. Bhanja ◽  
Xiaokun Zhang ◽  
Junye Wang

Abstract. Groundwater is one of the most important natural resources for economic development and environmental sustainability. In this study, we estimated groundwater storage in 11 major river basins across Alberta, Canada, using a combination of remote sensing (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, GRACE), in situ surface water data, and land surface modeling estimates (GWSAsat). We applied separate calculations for unconfined and confined aquifers, for the first time, to represent their hydrogeological differences. Storage coefficients for the individual wells were incorporated to compute the monthly in situ groundwater storage (GWSAobs). The GWSAsat values from the two satellite-based products were compared with GWSAobs estimates. The estimates of GWSAsat were in good agreement with the GWSAobs in terms of pattern and magnitude (e.g., RMSE ranged from 2 to 14 cm). While comparing GWSAsat with GWSAobs, most of the statistical analyses provide mixed responses; however the Hodrick–Prescott trend analysis clearly showed a better performance of the GRACE-mascon estimate. The results showed trends of GWSAobs depletion in 5 of the 11 basins. Our results indicate that precipitation played an important role in influencing the GWSAobs variation in 4 of the 11 basins studied. A combination of rainfall and snowmelt positively influences the GWSAobs in six basins. Water budget analysis showed an availability of comparatively lower terrestrial water in 9 of the 11 basins in the study period. Historical groundwater recharge estimates indicate a reduction of groundwater recharge in eight basins during 1960–2009. The output of this study could be used to develop sustainable water withdrawal strategies in Alberta, Canada.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Shamsudduha ◽  
Richard G. Taylor ◽  
Darren Jones ◽  
Laurent Longuevergne ◽  
Michael Owor ◽  
...  

Abstract. GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellite data monitor large-scale changes in total terrestrial water storage (ΔTWS) providing an invaluable tool where in situ observations are limited. Substantial uncertainty remains, however, in the amplitude of GRACE gravity signals and the disaggregation of ΔTWS into individual terrestrial water stores (e.g. groundwater storage). Here, we test the phase and amplitude of GRACE ΔTWS signals from 5 commonly-used gridded products (i.e., NASA's GRCTellus: CSR, JPL GFZ; JPL-Mascons; GRGS GRACE) using in situ data and modelled soil-moisture from the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS). The focus of this analysis is a large and accurately observed reduction in ΔTWS of 75 km3 from 2004 to 2006 in Lake Victoria in the Upper Nile Basin. We reveal substantial variability in current GRACE products to quantify the reduction of ΔTWS in Lake Victoria that ranges from 68 km3 (GRGS) to 50 km3 and 26 km3 for JPL-Mascons and GRCTellus, respectively. Representation of the phase in ΔTWS in the Upper Nile Basin by GRACE products varies but is generally robust with GRGS, JPL-Mascons and GRCTellus (ensemble mean of CSR, JPL and GFZ time-series data) explaining 91 %, 85 %, and 77 % of the variance, respectively, in in-situ ΔTWS. Resolution of changes in groundwater storage (ΔGWS) from GRACE ΔTWS is greatly constrained by both uncertainty in modelled changes in soil-moisture storage (ΔSMS) and the low annual amplitudes in ΔGWS (e.g., 3.5 to 4.4 cm) observed in deeply weathered crystalline rocks underlying the Upper Nile Basin. Our study highlights the substantial uncertainty in the amplitude of ΔTWS that can result from different data-processing strategies in commonly used, gridded GRACE products.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1675
Author(s):  
Jae Min Lee ◽  
Sunjoo Cho ◽  
Hyun A Lee ◽  
Nam C. Woo

Significant variation in the precipitation events caused by global climate change has made it difficult to manage water resources due to the increased frequency of unexpected droughts and floods. Under these conditions, groundwater is needed to ensure a sustainable water supply; thus, estimates of precipitation recharge are essential. In this study, we derived an apparent recharge coefficient (ARC) from a modified water table fluctuation equation to predict groundwater storage changes due to precipitation events. The ARC is calculated as the ratio of the recharge rate over the specific yield (R/Sy); therefore, it implicitly expresses variation in Sy. The ARC varies spatially and temporally, corresponding to the precipitation events and hydrogeological characteristics of unsaturated materials. ARCs for five monitoring wells from two basins in Korea in different seasons were calculated using a 10-year groundwater level and weather dataset for 2005–2014. Then, the reliability of the ARCs was tested by the comparison of the predicted groundwater level changes for 2015 and 2016 with observed data. The root mean square error ranged from 0.03 to 0.09 m, indicating that the predictions were acceptable, except for one well, which had thick clay layers atop the soil layer; the low permeability of the clay slowed the precipitation recharge, interfering with groundwater level responses. We performed a back-calculation of R from the Sy values of the study areas; the results were similar to those obtained via other methods, confirming the practical applicability of the ARC. In conclusion, the ARC is a viable method for predicting groundwater storage changes for regions where long-term monitoring data are available, and subsequently will facilitate advanced decision making for allocating and developing water resources for residents, industry, and groundwater-dependent ecosystems.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolanta Nastula ◽  
Justyna Śliwińska ◽  
Zofia Rzepecka ◽  
Monika Birylo

<p>The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) measurements have provided global observations of total water storage (TWS) changes at monthly intervals for almost 20 years. They are useful for estimating changes in groundwater storage (GWS) after extracting other water storage components like soil water or snow water.</p><p>In this study, we analyse the GWS variations of two main Polish basins, the Vistula and the Odra, using GRACE observations, in-situ wells measurements, GLDAS (Global Land Data Assimilation System) hydrological models, and CMIP5 (the World Climate Research Programme’s Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) climate data. The research is conducted for the period between September 2006 and October 2015.</p><p>Here, TWS is taken directly from GRACE measurements and also computed from all considered models. GWS is obtained by subtracting the modelled sum of soil moisture and snow water from the GRACE-based TWS. The resultant GWS series are validated by comparing with appropriately calibrated in-situ wells measurements. For each GWS time series, the trends, spectra, amplitudes, and seasonal components were computed and analysed. The results suggest that in Poland there has been generally no major GWS depletion. The results can contribute toward selection of an appropriate model that, in combination with GRACE observations, would provide information on groundwater changes in regions with limited or inaccurate in-situ groundwater storage measurements.</p>


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget Scanlon ◽  
Ashraf Rateb ◽  
Alexander Sun ◽  
Himanshu Save

<p>There is considerable concern about water depletion caused by climate extremes (e.g., drought) and human water use in the U.S. and globally. Major U.S. aquifers provide an ideal laboratory to assess water storage changes from GRACE satellites because the aquifers are intensively monitored and modeled. The objective of this study was to assess the relative importance of climate extremes and human water use on GRACE Total Water Storage Anomalies in 14 major U.S. aquifers and to evaluate the reliability of the GRACE data by comparing with groundwater level monitoring (~-23,000 wells) and regional and global models. We quantified total water and groundwater storage anomalies over 2002 – 2017 from GRACE satellites and compared GRACE data with groundwater level monitoring and regional and global modeling results.  </p> <p>The results show that water storage changes were controlled primarily by climate extremes and amplified or dampened by human water use, primarily irrigation. The results were somewhat surprising, with stable or rising long-term trends in the majority of aquifers with large scale depletion limited to agricultural areas in the semi-arid southwest and southcentral U.S. GRACE total water storage in the California Central Valley and Central/Southern High Plains aquifers was depleted by drought and amplified by groundwater irrigation, totaling ~70 km<sup>3</sup> (2002–2017), about 2× the capacity of Lake Mead, the largest surface reservoir in the U.S. In the Pacific Northwest and Northern High Plains aquifers, lower drought intensities were partially dampened by conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater for irrigation and managed aquifer recharge, increasing water storage by up to 22 km<sup>3</sup> in the Northern High Plains over the 15 yr period. GRACE-derived total water storage changes in the remaining aquifers were stable or slightly rising throughout the rest of the U.S.</p> <p>GRACE data compared favorably with composite groundwater level hydrographs for most aquifers except for those with very low signals, indicating that GRACE tracks groundwater storage dynamics. Comparison with regional models was restricted to the limited overlap periods but showed good correspondence for modeled aquifers with the exception of the Mississippi Embayment, where the modeled trend is 4x the GRACE trend. The discrepancy is attributed to uncertainties in model storage parameters and groundwater/surface water interactions. Global hydrologic models (WGHM-2d and PCR-GLOBWB-5.0 overestimated trends in groundwater storage in heavily exploited aquifers in the southwestern and southcentral U.S. Land surface models (CLSM-F2.5 and NOAH-MP) seem to track GRACE TWSAs better than global hydrologic models but underestimated TWS trends in aquifers dominated by irrigation.</p> <p>Intercomparing GRACE, traditional hydrologic monitoring, and modeling data underscore the importance of considering all data sources to constrain water storage changes.  GRACE satellite data have critical implications for many nationally important aquifers, highlighting the importance of conjunctively using surface-water and groundwater and managed aquifer recharge to enhance sustainable development.</p>


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