Séminaire "A pan-African inter-comparison of the relationship between precipitation and groundwater recharge from in-situ observations and large-scale models" (Campus Grenoble)

Séminaire du LTHE, animé par Jean-Martial Cohard (IGE-PhyRev)
Salle Lliboutry - LGGE, Bâtiment Molière - Domaine Universitaire

Abstract
Global coverage of groundwater-level monitoring networks is limited so assessments of groundwater recharge and storage changes in many regions rely upon output from : (1) global-scale hydrological and land-surface models (GHMs, LSMs) and (2) GRACE satellite observations in which groundwater storage changes are isolated using model data. Such models are also the primary source of information on projected climate change impacts on groundwater resources. There has, however, been a paucity of studies examining the robustness of terrestrial water balances including estimates of groundwater recharge simulated by LSMs and GHMs in Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions where observational records are limited. Comparisons require careful consideration given the inherent differences between gridded data and point observations, and the aim of this inter-comparison is to improve conceptual and numerical models of groundwater recharge. Preliminary analyses assessing the relationship between precipitation and groundwater recharge (or "subsurface runoff") indicated by both LSMs (CLM2.0/CLM4.5, NOAH, MOSAIC, VIC) and GHMs (PCR-GLOBWB, WaterGAP, MATSIRO) at 1°x1° and observational records of groundwater levels collated under The Chronicles Consortium and stable-isotope ratios collated by the IAEA and published sources will be presented.