Environmental Protection: Managing Fresh Water Resources

Abstract

Fresh water is essential for human life and the demand for potable water is increasing worldwide. However, anthropogenic activities and natural processes have influenced its quality and the existing quantity. To manage freshwater resources properly, a detailed study is necessary to understand the properties and dynamics of fresh water at regional and local scales. Isotope hydrology is one of the ideal tools that can be used to meet these challenges and has proven its importance to freshwater developers and managers as well as decision makers worldwide. Measuring the unique isotopes in water provides direct insight into the governing process that controls water distribution and movement in the hydrological system. Many reported hydrological studies have used environmental isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) of water molecules to assess the groundwater quality, the recharge mechanisms, the origin and the water-rock interactions. In addition, the isotopic characterization of atmospheric vapor and precipitation has provided first order constraints on the modern atmospheric hydrological cycle and climate changes. In hydrological studies, stable isotopes such as δ13C, δ15N, δ11B, δ34S, etc. provide valuable insights into the reactions within these elements and can act as a pollution tracer in the hydrological systems, while radioactive isotopes such as3H, 14C, 36Cl, 81Kr, 39Ar, etc., can be used to estimate groundwater residence time and its renewability. It should be noted that isotope hydrology techniques complement the conventional hydrological methods used for water resources studies and, accordingly, their applications should be promoted worldwide to ensure sustainable management of fresh water resources.