Over Extraction of Ground Water

Over extraction of Ground water

introduction

Population growth has a range of implications when it comes to the health of our waterways.

Groundwater is the main source of water used in australia. Unfortunately our groundwater aquifer is utilized more than its annual renewable replenishment then the groundwater level will gradually decrease (water). When striving for health of our water systems we must first understand them. This is something that is vital to stop the huge issue of over extraction of our ground water through irrigation and urban use(Francis 2007). Agriculture is the leader in water usage around the world. Huge amounts of water taken is estimated to use 80% of groundwater withdrawn each year for irrigation and only 10% is for urban use (australiangovernment2011). The amount of water used in irrigation is directly proportionate to the growing population for needed resources, as higher growth occurs more food is needed and more water is used in that process (francis 2007). Although the water is needed to grow produce, at this continued rate of water usage in australia, australia could end up depleting our water supply by 2050(John2007). This is not just a issue here in australia but carry capacity has also been reached in china. China implemented a one child policy which began in 1979, since then 250 million births has been prevented. thus reducing population and allowing economic growth, reducing poverty. Could this be the solution for australia.

Paragraph 1

The excessive exploitation of groundwater aquifers is emerging as a worldwide problem, Many countries are over extracting groundwater aquifers for irrigation and urban supply(francis,2007). As population increases around the world so does water usage. An example of this is, Forran and Garren (2008) research has shown that carrying capacity has been reached in australia. The carrying capacity of a biological species in an environment is the maximum population size of the species that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water and other necessities available in the environment. In June, 2007 australia's population hit 21 million. Today we sit on 22,880,34 that is an increase of almost 2 million people in only 5 years(australian bureau of statistics 2012). Australia is heading toward a future where population far outweighs resources. Such as India, the world's largest consumer, with a population of 1.22 billion. They are seeing long term decline in water tables, resource depletion and an inability to sustain irrigated agriculture. 70% of their renewable supply of groundwater is extracted, and 17% are over-exploited, meaning that more than 100% of their renewable recharge is extracted(Peter 2004). In Mexico a population of 107, million that is projected to reach 140 million by 2050(mexico population 2012).The demand for water is outstripping supply. Mexico City's water problems are well known and rural areas are also suffering. For example, in the agricultural state of Guanajuato, the water table is falling by 2 meters or more a year(JeronenWarner 2010, p.159). At the national level, 70% percent of all the water extracted from underground is from aquifers that are being overpumped(Earth policy institute 2008).Since the overpumping of aquifers is occurring all over the world the depletion of aquifers and the resulting agriculture reductions could come at the same time. The accelerating depletion of aquifers means unmanageable food scarcity could occur(Australian government). An possible solution would be stabilizing the population by 2050 to try and cap personal consumption of water and other natural resources(forren and garren2008). Stabilization of the population through reducing the number of children per family in australia is something that will be a controversial move, Looking to China's one child policy was established by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in 1979 to limit communist China's population growth(Jeroren,warmer,p.59.). This has been successful by reducing 250 million births since 1979(Peter 2004-2005,pg.55.). Because males are considered to have a higher hereditary value than females, In some parts of china if the first child is female, the family is allowed to have a second child to try for a boy(Peter 2004-2005,pg.55.). This is only in some areas of china, other parts it is strictly one child per family. The uproar of china's one child policy is a quiet one because of the government's ability to control the media and masses through filtration of information and limiting their access to express their opinions. Although bringing a one child limit would be a controversial one in australia. Considering the standing of the ecological health and the future that will be sure to come from overpopulation and over extraction of resources, population stabilization through a one or two child policy seems to be valid.

Paragraph 2

Groundwater is widespread in australia and is an important sources for irrigation, industrial, and urban supply. Rapid development of irrigated agriculture in australia has a growing dependence on groundwater. In areas such as the great artesian basin, the water table dropped dramatically in 1914 when 2055 mega liters of water(A.L.Herczeg2008) were withdrawn everyday. Surrounding areas witnessed drying up of some small running rivers and springs. Since then a cap has been placed on the bores to try slow extraction rates and cap wild flowing bores. Unfortunately this has not been enough, Groundwater extractions are exceeding sustainable yields in the Great Artesian Basin, Murray Basin and some small basins in the eastern states(state of the environment 2001). Sustainable yields have been estimated for many GMUs however, the methods used to estimate sustainable yields vary between states and territories and often do not include an environmental water allocation for dependent ecosystems(states of environment 2001).Water allocation is in a hydrologic system in which there are multiple uses or demands