Authors / CoAuthors
Lawrie, K.C. | Brodie, R.S. | Gow, L.
Abstract
Surface and groundwater resources in Australia face intensifying pressures from significant population growth in the coastal fringe, and prolonged droughts in the southern half of the continent. Recently, and most significantly, new additional pressures on groundwater systems have emerged through the rapid expansion of new energy sources (coal seam gas, uranium, geothermal and carbon geo-sequestration) and existing mineral resources (including iron ore). These pressures are likely to be exacerbated by projected climate changes. The complexity and conflicts in the nexus between water, new energy, minerals, and food and fibre security require innovative approaches in science, management and policy. This is particularly the case in the context of Australia's inherent vulnerability to climate change and the likely emergence of a carbon economy. Quantification of the hydrological cycle and catchment water balances in Australia is limited by a lack of spatial and temporal data. This results in high uncertainties in model predictions. In surface hydrology and processes, recent advances have been made in attempts to quantify evapotranspiration and soil moisture, however significant uncertainties still exist and most water balance studies rely on 'estimates'. Likewise, while nationally consistent approaches to recharge and discharge mapping have been developed, large-scale mapping programs have yet to be implemented. Significant uncertainty also remains in the quantification of surface-groundwater interactions, particularly over the cycles of drought and flood. Climate predictions also still largely rely upon northern hemisphere-derived GCMs, with large uncertainties in down-scaling within the Australian landscape context.
Product Type
nonGeographicDataset
eCat Id
73020
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Custodian
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Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Dr GPO Box 378
Canberra
ACT
2601
Australia
Keywords
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- External PublicationAbstract
- ( Theme )
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- hydrogeology
- ( Theme )
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- groundwater
- Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)
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- Earth Sciences
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- Published_Internal
Publication Date
2011-10-27T00:00:00
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geoscientificInformation
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