High and dry : meeting the challenges of the world's growing dependence on groundwater

Title:

Author:

Alley, William M., author.

ISBN:

9780300220384

Personal Author:

Alley, William M., author.

Physical Description:

ix, 294 pages : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm

General Note:

Source of cataloging data: WCP

Abstract:

"Groundwater is essential for drinking water and food security. It provides enormous environmental benefits by keeping streams and rivers flowing. But a growing global population, widespread use of industrial chemicals, and climate change threaten this vital resource. Groundwater depletion and contamination has spread from isolated areas to many countries throughout the world. In this accessible and timely book, hydrology expert William M. Alley and science writer Rosemarie Alley sound the call to protect groundwater. Drawing on examples from around the world, including case studies in the United States, Canada, Australia, India, and Sub-Saharan Africa, the authors examine groundwater from key scientific and socioeconomic perspectives. While addressing the serious nature of groundwater problems, the book includes stories of people who are making a difference in protecting this critical resource."--Publisher's description.

Contents:

Beyond rain -- India's silent revolution -- Arizona -- The world's poorest people -- Not all aquifers are created equal -- Who owns groundwater? -- Streamflow depletion -- Water for nature -- That sinking feeling -- Recharge and recycling -- Poisoning the well -- Pathogens -- Arsenic -- Fracking -- Nitrate and aquifer protection -- Transboundary aquifer -- Sharing the common pool.

Subject Term:

Groundwater.

Water-supply.

Added Author:

Alley, Rosemarie,

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Library	Material Type	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
Searching... Aurora Downtown	Book	TD403 .A39 2017	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

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Summary

An engaging call to understand and protect groundwater, the primary source of drinking water for almost half of the world's population

Groundwater is essential for drinking water and food security. It provides enormous environmental benefits by keeping streams and rivers flowing. But a growing global population, widespread use of industrial chemicals, and climate change threaten this vital resource. Groundwater depletion and contamination has spread from isolated areas to many countries throughout the world. In this accessible and timely book, hydrology expert William M. Alley and science writer Rosemarie Alley sound the call to protect groundwater.

Drawing on examples from around the world, including case studies in the United States, Canada, Australia, India, and Sub-Saharan Africa, the authors examine groundwater from key scientific and socioeconomic perspectives. While addressing the serious nature of groundwater problems, the book includes stories of people who are making a difference in protecting this critical resource.

Reviews (1)

Choice Review

Benjamin Franklin best described the curse of groundwater: "When the well is dry, we know the worth of water." W. M. Alley, director of science and technology for the National Ground Water Association, and R. Alley, a veteran science writer, present a highly readable and thorough account of the challenges of protecting and using groundwater around the world. In a series of chapters and with case studies from the US, Canada, Australia, India, and Africa, the authors describe the serious nature of groundwater problems. They discuss issues pertaining to the availability and quality of groundwater, as well as the impact of groundwater on streamflow, land subsidence, ecosystem protection, women's inequality, and energy sources. In addition, the authors introduce several people around the world who are working hard to make sure that this vital resource is protected. This book should be required reading at all levels. Clean drinking water is a human right. Humans need to do the utmost to protect water, and the first step is to know more about it. High and Dry is the perfect introductory book on the topic. Summing Up: Essential. All readers. --Enrique Gomezdelcampo, Bowling Green State University

Acknowledgments	p. ix
1 Beyond Rain	p. 1
2 India's Silent Revolution	p. 17
3 Arizona	p. 29
4 The World's Poorest People	p. 52
5 Not All Aquifers Are Created Equal	p. 68
6 Who Owns Groundwater?	p. 87
7 Streamflow Depletion	p. 108
8 Water for Nature	p. 130
9 That Sinking Feeling	p. 151
10 Recharge and Recycling	p. 167
11 Poisoning the Well	p. 178
12 Pathogens	p. 195
13 Arsenic	p. 203
14 Fracking	p. 217
15 Nitrate and Aquifer Protection	p. 225
16 Transboundary Aquifers	p. 236
17 Sharing the Common Pool	p. 243
Notes	p. 251
Further Reading	p. 283
Index	p. 285

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Table of Contents