The influence of land use on the groundwater

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Grundwasser ist eine entscheidende natürliche Ressource, die Mensch, Tiere und Pflanzen als Trinkwasserversorgung dient, sowie eine Vielzahl industrieller und landwirtschaftlicher Prozesse unterstützt. Die Wichtigkeit der Grundwasserressourcen wird in ihrer ausgiebigen Nutzung und dem damit verbundenen Management und Schutz reflektiert. Eine Schlüsselkomponente dieses Schutzes ist das Verständnis der vielfältigen Aspekte, durch die sich die Qualität und Quantität des Grundwassers verändern kann. Besonders die Landnutzung hat einen erheblichen Einfluss – eine Tatsache, die oft übersehen wird. Dieser Artikel geht auf diese Beziehung und ihre Folgen ein. Was ist Landnutzung? Landnutzung bezieht sich auf die verschiedenen Arten, wie Menschen die natürliche Umwelt für …
The influence of land use on the groundwater (Symbolbild/natur.wiki)

Groundwater is a crucial natural resource that serves people, animals and plants as a drinking water supply, as well as a large number of industrial and agricultural processes. The importance of groundwater resources is reflected in its extensive use and the associated management and protection. A key component of this protection is the understanding of the diverse aspects, through which the quality and quantity of the groundwater can change. Land use in particular has a significant influence - a fact that is often overlooked. This article deals with this relationship and its consequences.

What is land use?

Land use refers to the different types of how people use the natural environment for certain functions or activities. These can vary from residential and leisure purposes to industrial and agricultural activities. However, there is a fundamental factor that combines these different forms of land use - they change the natural landscape and thus the water flows in the environment, including groundwater.

land use and its influence on the groundwater

changes in land use

Changes in land use, such as deforestation, agriculture, industrialization or urbanization, can have a significant impact on groundwater and quality. Drainage quantities, flow paths and infiltration rates can be influenced by land use changes, which in turn influences the groundwater charging and quality.

Effects on the groundwater quality

The quality of the groundwater can be influenced by various factors that are directly related to land use. For example, chemical substances such as pesticides and fertilizers that are used in agriculture can get into the groundwater. Industrial activities or urban land use can also cause pollutants to get into the groundwater through surface drainage or the fabric exchange connected to the groundwater conductor.

Effects on the amount of groundwater

Changes in land use can also affect the amount of the groundwater available. For example, the construction of impermeable surfaces (such as roads and buildings) in urban areas can cause fewer water to penetrate into the soil and thus reduce the amount of groundwater that is available.

case studies

clearing of forests

Forests play a crucial role in the basic and surface water dynamics. They enable a high infiltration rate and store water within your biomass and the soil. The clearing of forests can lead to less water infiltrated and therefore less groundwater is available.

agriculture

The use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture can have negative effects on groundwater quality. Such substances can get into the groundwater by flooding out and damage the water and connected ecosystems.

urbanization

Asphalted areas and buildings in urbanized areas reduce the amount of soil that is available for the infiltration of water. This leads to reduced basic water and can lead to reducing the groundwater level in extreme cases.

conclusion

In the awareness of the profound effects that land use on the groundwater has, it becomes clear how important sustainable land use management is for preserving the groundwater resources. It is crucial that when planning and implementing changes in land use, their effects on the groundwater are thoroughly evaluated and appropriate protective measures are taken. This is the only way we can ensure that this precious property remains available for future generations.