Global Recharge Data Set Indicates Strengthened Groundwater Connection to Surface Fluxes

Abstract

Groundwater is an invaluable global resource, but its long-term viability as a resource for consumption, agriculture, and ecosystems depends on precipitation recharging aquifers. How much precipitation recharges groundwaters varies enormously across Earth's surface, yet recharge rates often remain uncertain. Here we use a global synthesis of field-estimated recharge across six continents to show that globally recharge first-order follows a simple function of climatic aridity. We use this relationship to estimate long-term recharge in energy-limited systems outside of permafrost regions. Our aridity-based recharge estimates are consistent with the global field data but, on average, double previous estimates of global models. Our higher recharge estimates are likely caused by preferential groundwater recharge and discharge occurring at grid scales finer than global models. The higher recharge estimates suggest that more groundwater contributes to evapotranspiration and streamflow than previously represented by global hydrological models and global water cycle diagrams.