A Procedure to Estimate Global Natural Recharge in Karst Aquifers

Abstract

Natural recharge in karst aquifers is a key component of global water resources, yet its estimation remains challenging due to the complexity of karst hydrogeological processes. The recharge assessment deserves special consideration, especially in the current global climate and sustainability challenges. This study poses a methodology to appraise natural recharge rates in karst aquifers worldwide, drawing on climatic and geological data. In this regard, this study applies a methodology previously developed by two of the authors, in which natural recharge over large areas is considered a fixed fraction of precipitation, which varies according to different lithologies of similar hydrogeological behavior (hydro-lithological units). Given that carbonate rocks are known to have the highest recharge rate relative to precipitation (34.3%), the method builds on existing karst and average precipitation maps to calculate worldwide recharge in karst aquifers. Recharge is appraised at 4,381,063.7 hm3/yr, which represents 34.5% of the global groundwater resources, a percentage that indicates the importance of karst in this regard. Based on maps of recharge values worldwide, this study highlights the importance of carbonate aquifers when compared with assessments of the world’s groundwater resources made by international institutions or other types of aquifers. The method is contrasted with other ways of assessing groundwater resources used in diverse regions of Europe. The impact of different climate change scenarios on the natural recharge of these karst aquifers has also been analyzed. Thus, under a climate change scenario in 2050, it is estimated that natural recharge will be reduced by about 10%.