The overexploitation of groundwater is compromising and reducing the flow of Brazilian riversdue to the transfer of water to the aquifers.
According to a study released in Nature Communications, when river water is different from underground water a force is created, and the water that is in the river drips down.
17,972 wells were analyzed, and more than half of the Brazilian rivers are at risk, and 55.4% indicate levels of water below the surface of the nearest rivers. The São Francisco River basin and the Matopiba region are the most critical areas, as they depend on groundwater for the supply of the population.
The most affected areas also include the Rio Verde Basin, which totals 74% of the region’s rivers with flow loss. In addition, the cerrado biome, which houses important aquifers, such as Guarani, is the main area of agricultural expansion, and can have its rios committed by changes in soil use and coverage.
Therefore, a possible resolution, to help face this scenario, would be to integrate both superficial and underground water management. In addition, in order to map the regions that need attention, field data, and remote sensing -based tools can help in monitoring.
The study points out that the problem puts in risk, food, energetic and water security of the population.
*Under supervision
