TY - JOUR
T1 - Management zones in transboundary aquifers
T2 - A review of delineation methods under a new framework of cross-border groundwater impacts
AU - Maass-Morales, Constanza
AU - Stigter, Tibor
AU - Fraser, Christina
AU - Van Breukelen, Boris M.
AU - Jewitt, Graham
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Attention on the use of transboundary aquifers (TBAs) and their cross-border impacts is growing as countries become increasingly concerned about their long-term water security. Cross-border impacts, in groundwater quality and quantity, tend to concentrate in specific parts of TBAs, as they largely depend on the transboundary flow dynamics where anthropogenic actions operate. Thus, there is a growing consensus that strategies intended to prevent or mitigate such impacts should be implemented in strategic zones rather than in the whole TBA. These transboundary groundwater management zones (TGMZs) are relatively recent but have become a prominent topic in TBA management. However, until now, limited effort has been put into exploring the concept of TGMZs and the methods for their delineation. This research aims to fill these gaps and provide a basis for the delineation of TGMZs, thus helping neighbouring countries meet international responsibilities regarding the right to use and enjoy groundwater in TBAs. By reviewing academic and grey literature accessible from public sources, we present an overview of the concept and terminology of TGMZs, the approaches proposed for their delineation, and current operating examples. Additionally, we build a conceptual framework for assessing cross-border groundwater impacts by identifying their typologies and causal factors. We then apply our framework to evaluate and compare three reported methods which identify and delineate TGMZs from distinct perspectives, thereby gaining insights into their principles, performances, and limitations. Finally, we provide recommendations for further research towards optimising methods for delineating TGMZs.
AB - Attention on the use of transboundary aquifers (TBAs) and their cross-border impacts is growing as countries become increasingly concerned about their long-term water security. Cross-border impacts, in groundwater quality and quantity, tend to concentrate in specific parts of TBAs, as they largely depend on the transboundary flow dynamics where anthropogenic actions operate. Thus, there is a growing consensus that strategies intended to prevent or mitigate such impacts should be implemented in strategic zones rather than in the whole TBA. These transboundary groundwater management zones (TGMZs) are relatively recent but have become a prominent topic in TBA management. However, until now, limited effort has been put into exploring the concept of TGMZs and the methods for their delineation. This research aims to fill these gaps and provide a basis for the delineation of TGMZs, thus helping neighbouring countries meet international responsibilities regarding the right to use and enjoy groundwater in TBAs. By reviewing academic and grey literature accessible from public sources, we present an overview of the concept and terminology of TGMZs, the approaches proposed for their delineation, and current operating examples. Additionally, we build a conceptual framework for assessing cross-border groundwater impacts by identifying their typologies and causal factors. We then apply our framework to evaluate and compare three reported methods which identify and delineate TGMZs from distinct perspectives, thereby gaining insights into their principles, performances, and limitations. Finally, we provide recommendations for further research towards optimising methods for delineating TGMZs.
KW - Cross-border impact
KW - Management zone
KW - Transboundary aquifer
KW - Transboundary groundwater management
KW - Transboundary impact
KW - Zoning
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85189671922&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120677
DO - 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120677
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85189671922
SN - 0301-4797
VL - 357
JO - Journal of Environmental Management
JF - Journal of Environmental Management
M1 - 120677
ER -