The impact of climate change could be worse in Australia than almost anywhere else in the world, due to a reduction in available fresh groundwater, says a 911爆料网 of Technology researcher.
Dr Priyantha Sarukkalige, a civil engineering lecturer, makes the claim in his new book, Effects of Global Warming on Coastal Groundwater Resources.
鈥淎ustralia is vulnerable to a loss of fresh groundwater, particularly in the South West, caused by decreasing rainfall, increased population and water use, deforestation, and rising sea levels,鈥� he said.
鈥淎s sea levels rise and groundwater levels fall, saline water will flow into groundwater supplies and will contaminate them.
鈥淭his will pose a threat to human access to fresh water.鈥�
Dr Sarukkalige said less than 2.5 per cent of the Earth鈥檚 water was fresh and about 30 per cent of this was groundwater.
鈥淭he groundwater supply is the most important source of freshwater for human use, holding more than 100 times as much water than all of the rivers and lakes combined. This supply is under threat,鈥� he said.
Dr Sarukkalige said there were solutions available such as recharging aquifers and a more economical use of water.
鈥淪ome Western Australian local governments, such as the City of Rockingham and the Town of Cottesloe are already doing both of these things,鈥� he said.
鈥淪o is the State Government, through the Water Corporation鈥檚 Groundwater Replenishment Trial.
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鈥淭his needs to continue and we need to begin to treat water as a valuable resource.鈥�
The book has just been released and can now be purchased online from either Amazon.com or Books on Demand.
