Impact of global warming on groundwater water resources of Jordan

Abstract

Global warming directly affects the temperature and rainfall average. There were many studies discussing global climate changes in the Middle East. These studies show the ranges of increase in temperature were between 1.8° and 6.4° by the end of the 21st century. The objectives of this study were to investigate the impact of global warming on groundwater resources in Jordan and to perform adaptation measures and management practices. Eighteen weather stations in Jordan were selected for the study. Accordingly, groundwater recharge was investigated under 16 different scenarios. In each of these scenarios temperature was raised by 2, 4 and 6 degrees and Precipitation was decreased by 10%, 20% and 30% interchangeably. The study concluded that the global climate change would have severe impact on available groundwater resources in Jordan. The predicted increase in temperature would cause increase in evapotranspiration as much as 9 % in the worst scenario. The increase of temperature alone of 2, 4, and 6 Co without any decrease in precipitation resulted in reduction of groundwater recharge by 21%, 37%, and 50% respectively. However, the reduction in precipitation by 10%, 20%, and 30%, would cause reduction of groundwater recharge of 25%, 48%, and 61% respectively.