Preserving and Monitoring the Guarani Aquifer for Current and Future Use
| Geolocation: | -22° 23' 7.2204", -50° 58' 32.7623" |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 65,078,20065,078,200,000,000 millionmillion |
| Total Area | 1,182,0001,182,000 km² 456,370.2 mi² km2 |
| Climate Descriptors | Moist tropical (Köppen A-type), Continental (Köppen D-type), Moist, Monsoon, Dry-winter, temperate |
| Predominent Land Use Descriptors | agricultural- cropland and pasture, forest land, rangeland |
| Important Uses of Water | Domestic/Urban Supply, Hydropower Generation, Recreation or Tourism |
| Water Features: | Guarani Aquifer |
Contents
Summary
The Guarani aquifer is the largest groundwater resource in the world, with 45,000 km 3 of water and a surface area of 1.2 million km2 [1] The transboundary aquifer is shared by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The economic and social importance of the Guarani aquifer to the four riparians has spurred concern over the pollution and over-exploitation of its groundwater, especially in the context of growing demand for freshwater resources in all four states. While the level of pollution and use has not yet reached critical levels, the potential for future problems in these areas has led to immediate action and cooperation among the four states to develop an aquifer management strategy. Additionally, the hydrothermal character of certain areas of the aquifer represents a resource for tourism as well as "clean energy" production. In order to prevent conflict in the future over the Guarani aquifer, the four states have been involved in the GEF-funded Project for the Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development of the Guarani Aquifer System. All four states have signed on to the project and participated thus far in the design of the management and monitoring program for the Guarani aquifer. So far, initial surveys of the aquifer have given more detailed information relating to the quantity of water, and the geography, distribution and use of the water, giving stakeholders and policymakers a better understanding of how the aquifer will need to be managed. In fact, some "hot spots" of pollution or overuse have been identified, and new management practices have been initiated in these areas. Additionally, the project has succeeded in raising awareness about the aquifer, which has resulted in increased international interest, forums for dialogue and the engagement of universities and NGOs [2]
Natural, Historic, Economic, Regional, and Political Framework
Image 1. Map of the Guarani Aquifer [3]
Background
The Guarani aquifer is the largest groundwater resource in the world, with 45,000 km 3 of water and a surface area of 1.2 million km2. [1] The transboundary aquifer is shared by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Table 1 illustrates the distribution of the aquifer across the four nations and the relevant uses, environmental issues and information relating to each nation and the aquifer.
The Problem
The economic and social importance of the Guarani aquifer to the four riparians has spurred concern over the pollution and over-exploitation of its groundwater, especially in the context of growing demand for freshwater resources in all four states. While the level of pollution and use has not yet reached critical levels, the potential for future problems in these areas has led to immediate action and cooperation among the four states to develop an aquifer management strategy. Additionally, the hydrothermal character of certain areas of the aquifer represents a resource for tourism as well as "clean energy" production. Considering all four countries are in the process of economic development, and have also signed the Kyoto Protocol, access to the aquifer for these purposes could also be a source of conflict.
Attempts at Conflict Management
Considering the coordinated efforts of the four nations to implement an aquifer management program before significant problems with pollution and overuse could occur, there has not been any significant conflict over the shared groundwater resource to date. Additionally, these four states have a history of collaboration (for example, the Intergovernmental Committee for the La Plata river basin and the MERCOSUR trade mechanism) rather than conflict in recent decades.
Table 1. Current knowledge and importance of the Guarani Aquifer in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay[4]
| Argentina | Brazil | Paraguay | Uruguay | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approximate extension of the Guarani Aquifer (km2) | 225,500 | 839,800 | 71,700 | 45,000 |
| Surface of Territory occupied by the aquifer (%) | 5.9 | 9.8 | 17.6 | 25.3 |
| Characteristics | Supply source | Recharge and supply area | Recharge and supply area | Recharge and supply area |
| Extent of exploitation | 6 deep wells for thermal use; about 100 wells for drinking and irrigation | Between 300 to 500 cities partially or entirely supplied by the Guarani Aquifer | About 200 wells | 347 wells for public supply (250) irrigation (90), and thermal tourism |
| Main environmental issue |
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| Level of information | Limited information available | Considerable information available but dispersed in different states and institutions | Limited structured information available | Considerable information available |
Analysis, Synthesis, and Insight
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Learn moreASI:Lessons learned regarding managing groundwater and other outcomes from the process
Contributed by: Aaron T. Wolf, Joshua T. Newton, Matthew Pritchard (last edit: 12 February 2013)
- ^ 1.0 1.1 Organization of American States (2004). Moving Forward the Water Agenda: Issues to consider in Latin America, Unit for Sustainable Development and Environment, Policy Series May (2) 1.
- ^ Mejia, A., Lopez Zayas, L.A., Tafflesse S. and Amore, L. (2004). The Guarani Aquifer System: a key element for an integrated water resources management strategy in La Plata Basin , Powerpoint Presentation: Diving in to Implementation, Slides 8 and 14, World Bank, World Water Week.
- ^ Product of the Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database, Department of Geosciences, Oregon State University. Additional information about the TFDD can be found at:http://www.transboundarywaters.orst.edu/research/case_studies/GuaraniAquifer_New.htm
- ^ Global Environment Facility. (2001). Project Report Document, Report No. PID10124, pp 2-7, 20 November 2001.
