Sustainable Use Of Groundwater Resources Research Articles

A new groundwater depth prediction model based on EMD-LSTM

Abstract Groundwater resources play an important role in life, but the lack of effective management of groundwater resources has led to a regional decline in groundwater levels. How to curb the over-exploitation of groundwater and realize the sustainable use of groundwater resources has become an important issue for ecological environmental protection. Therefore, accurate prediction of groundwater depth is an important foundation for the rational use of groundwater resources. Based on the significant advantages of empirical model decomposition (EMD) in dealing with non-smooth and nonlinear data and the long-term memory function of long and short-term memory (LSTM) network, a coupled EMD-LSTM-based groundwater prediction model is constructed and apply to groundwater depth prediction of three professional observation wells. The results show that the maximum relative error of the prediction results of the EMD-LSTM model for the three professional observation wells is 5.00% and the minimum is 0.07%. The prediction passing rate is 100% and the prediction accuracy of the coupled model for groundwater depth is higher than that of the single LSTM model and back-propagation (BP) model. In conclusion, the model has high prediction accuracy and provides an effective method for the prediction of groundwater depth. HIGHLIGHTS Empirical mode decomposition (EMD) is a relatively novel data preprocessing method that can effectively reduce the non-smoothness of time series. LSTM is considered to be superior in terms of learning rate and generalization ability. The EMD-LSTM coupled model has better nonlinear and complex process learning ability in groundwater forecasting.

Identifying the impact of crop distribution on groundwater resources carrying capacity in groundwater-depended agricultural regions

Groundwater resources carrying capacity (GRCC) is defined as the capacity of groundwater resources for supporting social-economic development, which has been incredibly reduced in groundwater-depended agricultural regions due to unreasonable use of groundwater resources. Identifying the key factors influencing GRCC and providing the optimal strategy is critical for sustainable use of groundwater resources. The present study used the improved GRCC index, regression functions, and random forest to identify the key factors influencing the GRCC in a groundwater over-exploited area [Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, China (ZJK)]. And the particle swarm optimization and optimal water allocation model were used to select the best crop distribution scenarios for improving the GRCC. The results showed that IncMSE index (random forest) for each influencing factors ranging from − 3.4–8.9, indicating that crop distribution is the most important factor affecting the GRCC. Therefore, changing the crop distribution is the key factor to improve the GRCC in ZJK. The results of optimizing crop distribution scenarios showed the total water use for optimized crop distribution O26 (potato and cabbage planting area were 36,885 and 362,936 ha) was 713,701,500 m3, which was reduced by 14% compared to base scenarios in 2016. Furthermore, the GRCC index (D) has decreased by 53%～83%, which means the groundwater resources would be sustainable by using this crop distribution with irrigation quotas are 900 and 1875 m3/ha respectively. The results can provide decision-making references for sustainable use of groundwater resources in groundwater over-exploitation regions.

Exploring long-term impacts of different crop rotation systems on sustainable use of groundwater resources using DSSAT model

Groundwater depletion has been a global concern due to unreasonable agricultural water managements. Identifying long-term impacts of crop rotation systems on hydrological parameters and crop yields can help to alleviate groundwater depletion. The Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer model was applied to simulate impacts of nine crop rotation systems (H1: continuous spring maize; H2: continuous potato; H3: continuous spring wheat; H4:potato-maize rotation; H5:maize-wheat rotation; H6: wheat-potato rotation; H7: two year fallow-maize rotation; H8: two year fallow-potato rotation; H9: two year fallow-wheat rotation) on crop evapotranspiration, percolation, yields, water use efficiency, net water use and groundwater table depth changes in Zhangjiakou, China from 1985 to 2018. The results showed DSSAT model performed well in simulating crop ET, yields (R2>0.9, RMSE<500 kg ha−1) and soil water content (R2>0.9 and RMSE<10.1 mm). The long-term two year fallow with one single crop rotation systems (H7 to H9) had lower total accumulative groundwater table depth changes (2.8–14.4 m) than others (12.7–52.3 m) from 1985 to 2018. Also, cropping rotation systems H7 to H9 obtained the lower annual average net water use (14–70 mm) compared to other cropping rotation systems (62–253 mm). The significant difference of net water use, crop yields, water use efficiency and accumulative groundwater table depth changes of nine different cropping systems indicated H4 and H8 is suitable in the study region. Our results is useful for selecting suitable cropping systems based on the water use for local farmers.

Opportunities and challenges for implementing managed aquifer recharge models in drought-prone Barind tract, Bangladesh

This study focuses on the Barind tract, a drought prone area situated in the north-west region of Bangladesh where inadequate rainfall and limited surface water have created high dependence on groundwater for irrigation and other purposes, leading to significant declines in groundwater level. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) offers a potential solution to restore groundwater levels. This study sets out to identify the opportunities and challenges for implementing MAR in the Barind tract. To accomplish this aim, different data sets including bore log lithology, rainfall, groundwater levels, information about re-excavated ponds, dighis, kharies, beels, check dams, rubber dams, dug wells and other necessary information were collected from the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) and other sources and analyzed. Major opportunities for MAR are identified for about 2000 km of re-excavated kharies (canals) containing about 750 check dams, more than 3000 re-excavated ponds, a number of beels (comparatively large marshes) and other water bodies which are used to conserve runoff storm water for supplementary irrigation. The conserved water can be used for groundwater recharge and subsequently abstracted for irrigation. Furthermore, roof-top rain water from buildings can also be used for groundwater recharge purposes. In contrast, the major challenges include the high turbidity of storm water runoff leading to clogging of MAR structures, inadequacy of conventional direct surface methods of recharge due to the presence of a 15 m or more thick upper clay layer with limited percolation capacity, and lack of practical knowledge on MAR. Therefore, overcoming the challenges for MAR application is a prerequisite to maximize the opportunities from MAR that can support the sustainable use of groundwater resources.

Linking local natural background levels in groundwater to their generating hydrogeochemical processes in Quaternary alluvial aquifers

Calculating natural background levels (NBLs) in groundwater is vital for supporting a sustainable use of groundwater resources. Although NBLs are often assessed through a unique concentration value per groundwater body, where hydrogeochemical features are highly variable, spatial heterogeneity needs to be accounted for, leading to the calculation of so-called “local” NBLs. Despite much research devoted to the identification of the best performing techniques for local NBLs spatialization, a deep understanding of the link between local NBL values and their generating hydrogeochemical processes is often lacking and so is addressed here for the redox-sensitive species As, NH4, Fe and Mn in the groundwater bodies of Lombardy region, N Italy.Local NBLs were calculated by a tired approach involving the hybridization of preselection and probability plot methods. Since the spatial variability of the target species depends mainly on redox conditions, a redox zonation was performed using multivariate statistical analysis. A conceptual model was developed and improved combing factor and cluster analysis. Results showed that NBLs for arsenic were up to 291 μg/L, reached in groundwaters under methanogenesis, a condition related to the prolonged degradation of peat buried in aquifer sediments. Ammonium NBLs up to 6.62 mg/L were generated by the upwelling of fluids from deep sediments hosting petroleum systems; ammonium NBLs up to 4.48 mg/L were generated as the accumulation of by-products of peat degradation. Iron and manganese NBLs up to, respectively, 6.0 and 1.51 mg/L were generated by the oxidation of younger and less stable Mn and Fe oxides within river valleys, mostly the Po River valley.The evaluation of local NBLs, and their association to generating natural hydrogeochemical processes/conditions, achieves a step forward from the commonly used approach of a single NBL per groundwater body, improving decision-support tools for sustainable groundwater management and protection.

Impact of Groundwater Abstraction on Hydrological Responses during Extreme Drought Periods in the Boryeong Dam Catchment, Korea

Groundwater withdrawal results in a significant depletion of groundwater storage due to the frequency and intensity of droughts and increasing irrigation demands. To ensure the sustainable use of groundwater resources, it is necessary to accurately simulate the groundwater behavior of catchments using a surface–groundwater integrated runoff model. Most of the existing catchment runoff models have been applied to surface water management; thus, integrated runoff analysis studies that consider the interaction between surface water and groundwater are required. Due to the intensive agricultural sector in Korea and the position of rice as the staple in the Korean diet, more than 50% of groundwater abstraction is used for irrigation. Therefore, it is very important to understand the hydrological interrelationships between agricultural areas and the entire watershed. This study aimed to compare and analyze the groundwater levels in the mountainous areas and paddy field areas in the Boryeong Dam catchment through a surface–groundwater integrated runoff simulation using the Catchment Hydrologic Cycle Assessment Tool model, and to compare the hydrological responses in wet years (2010–2012) and dry years (2014–2016). The maximum difference in the monthly groundwater level in the dry years compared to the wet years was 1.07 m at the forest catchment and 0.37 m at the paddy catchment. These results indicate that the impact of drought on the groundwater level of paddy catchments is not significant compared to the forest catchments; however, drought slows the recovery of the groundwater level before the rainy season, thereby limiting the agricultural groundwater use in the catchment.

Evaluation of quantitative and qualitative sustainability of aquifers by groundwater footprint methodology: case study: West Azerbaijan Province, Iran.

In arid and semi-arid areas with limited surface water resources, the daily life and the growth of various economic sectors depend on the provision of services by the groundwater ecosystem. In many countries, groundwater is the main source of freshwater. In addition, groundwater plays an important role within the water cycle, and as such, it feeds and sustains groundwater-dependent ecosystems (such as rivers and wetlands). Therefore, sustainable management of groundwater resources is necessary. Groundwater footprint indicator is a useful tool for assessing the sustainable use of groundwater resources and its associated ecosystem services. In this paper, the sustainable use of groundwater in 28 main alluvial aquifer systems of West Azarbaijan province in the west of Lake Urmia-Northwest of Iran has been investigated by the groundwater footprint indicator. In order to assess the aquifers' water quality sustainability for agricultural use, the integrated groundwater footprint indicator developed by Kourgialas et al. (2018)-based on GIS spatial analysis-has been used. This assessment can help water sector managers in adopting policies and measures to the sustainable management of the alluvial aquifer system. Due to the availability of sufficient data for all aquifers in 2011, the calculations were performed only for this year. The results showed that no aquifer has a sustainable use of groundwater resources. Also, 16 aquifers do not have qualitative sustainability due to salinity pollution. The results of implementing three applicable policy options to improve the quantitative and qualitative sustainability of aquifers showed that it is possible to change quantitative sustainability all aquifers, but improving qualitative sustainability is possible only in three aquifers.

The sustainable use of groundwater resources concerning further climate change scenarios in Ulaanbaatar City Area, Mongolia

Abstract To estimate groundwater resources under changing climate is one of the important issues for Ulaanbaatar City in the Tuul river basin of Mongolia. The main water supply is provided from groundwater and demand has been increasing due to the rapid growth of population and economic development. There have not been any complete studies to assess climate change impact on groundwater resources for Ulaanbaatar city. Therefore, in this study we proposed to estimate future potential resources of the groundwater from the main wellfields in the city using the AnAqSim (Analytic Aquifer Simulator) model. The model calibration was performed on 10 wellfields during the reference period from 1960 to 2015. Based on the reliable calibration results for the natural conditions, the impact of climate change on groundwater resources was assessed to use the projected HadCM3 scenario for the periods 2046–2065 and 2080–2099. The results of the study contribute to a water management plan for the city to recommend seasonal abstraction.

The U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program as a Model for Transborder Groundwater Collaboration

The assessment of transboundary aquifers is essential for the development of groundwater management strategies and the sustainable use of groundwater resources. The Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program (TAAP) is a joint effort by the United States and Mexico to evaluate shared aquifers. This study examines the TAAP Cooperative Framework as a guide for further transboundary groundwater collaboration. We compared lessons learned from six transboundary aquifers that currently have mechanisms for groundwater collaboration to identify common elements of collaboration. Though the TAAP Cooperative Framework governs an assessment-only program, the elements of collaboration included are consistent with the principles of other institutional agreements around the world. Importantly, all the analyzed agreements included a knowledge-improvement phase, which is the main objective of the TAAP Cooperative Framework. The present study finds evidence of successful outcomes within the TAAP Cooperative Framework consistent with available transboundary groundwater management agreements, demonstrating that this approach is suited to serve as a model for those wishing to engage in transborder aquifer assessments. Furthermore, the TAAP elements of collaboration can help to establish the meaningful and robust binational cooperation necessary for the development of U.S.-Mexico groundwater management agreements at the aquifer level.

Sustainable Use of Groundwater Resources in the Transboundary Aquifers of the Five Central Asian Countries: Challenges and Perspectives

Groundwater is critical for supporting socioeconomic development but has experienced gradual decreases in recent decades due to rapid population growth and economic development throughout the world. In recent years, the utilization of transboundary groundwater resources has received extensive attention globally. Because transboundary aquifers do not follow borders and are concealed, neighboring countries are prone to experiencing conflicts over the use of these transboundary groundwater resources. Therefore, an accurate and comprehensive assessment of the development potential of groundwater resources in these transboundary aquifers is necessary for the rational and fair use of those groundwater resources. Transboundary groundwater resources are an important water source for life, production, and ecological water use in Central Asia, which has a distinctive continental arid and semi-arid climate, and surface water resources in this region are relatively scarce. Considering the existing problems related to the utilization of groundwater resources in the transboundary aquifers in this region, we propose developing strategies for on-demand water abstraction, enhancing the ecological protection of transboundary aquifers, and strengthening international cooperation. This paper summarizes the distribution of 34 transboundary aquifers in Central Asia and analyzes the status and potential of groundwater resource uses in these transboundary aquifers.

Socio-ecological determinants on spatio-temporal changes of groundwater in the Yellow River Basin, China

The spatio-temporal complexity of groundwater storage change is a result of interconnected impact of socio-ecological factors. Previous research indicates several socio-ecological factors (e.g. human extraction, land cover change, and climate change) that may result in groundwater depletion. However, we seldom have empirical studies that provide spatio-temporally explicit information on the main drivers among these factors that determine regional groundwater change. This research explored a spatio-temporally explicit understanding on the socio-ecological determinants on the changes of groundwater storage in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) of north China. We selected this basin because the spatial heterogeneity of this basin complicates the relationship between socio-ecological factors and groundwater resources, whose changes would in turn fundamentally affect the socio-ecological system in the YRB. We collected annual (time resolution) data between 2003 and 2016 (time scope) with 1° × 1° grid (space resolution) about 18 social-ecological factors that might affect groundwater storage change in the YRB (space scope). Using this data and groundwater storage information from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment database, we determined best predictors, highly-performed predictive models, and dominant drivers for temporal and spatial changes of groundwater storage. Temporal changes of groundwater in the YRB between 2003 and 2016 were mainly contributed by anthropogenic factors, including population density, plantation, and irrigation water consumption over time. The spatial groundwater change across the YRB was determined by both the geographical location (e.g. indicated by longitude) and urbanization level (e.g. indicated by the domestic and industrial water consumption). The knowledge about socio-ecological determinants on groundwater dynamics in space and time in the YRB can help determine main levers to control regional change of groundwater storage and assist in a sustainable use of groundwater resource.

An Improved Model for the Evaluation of Groundwater Recharge Based on the Concept of Conservative Use Potential: A Study in the River Pandeiros Watershed, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Water resources have been increasingly impacted due to the growth of water demand associated with environmental degradation. In this context, the mapping of groundwater recharge potential has become attractive to water managers as it can be used to direct public policies and conserve this natural asset. The present study modifies (improves) a spatially explicit model to determine groundwater recharge potential at the catchment scale, testing it in the Pandeiros River basin located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The model is generally based on the water balance approach and the input variables were compiled from institutional sources and processed in a Geographic Information System. The novelty brought by the aforementioned modification relates to the coupling of physical variables (conventional way) and land management practices (introduced here) in the estimation of a percolation factor. The role of land management practices for percolation was assessed by the so-called Conservative Use Potential (PUC) method, which classifies the areas of a river basin in terms of their potential for sustainable use. The results were validated by an independent method, namely the recession curve method based on the interpretation of hydrographs. In general, the groundwater recharge potential is favored in flat to gently undulating areas and forested regions, as well as where the landscape is characterized by well-structured soils, good drainage conditions and large hydraulic conductivity. The map of groundwater recharge potential produced in this study can be used by planners and decision makers in the Pandeiros River basin as a tool to achieve sustainable use of groundwater resources and the protection of recharge areas.

Efficient screening of groundwater head monitoring data for anthropogenic effects and measurement errors

Abstract. Groundwater levels are monitored by environmental agencies to support the sustainable use of groundwater resources. For this purpose continuous and spatially comprehensive monitoring in high spatial and temporal resolution is desired. This leads to large datasets that have to be checked for quality and analysed to distinguish local anthropogenic influences from natural variability of the groundwater level dynamics at each well. Both technical problems with the measurements as well as local anthropogenic influences can lead to local anomalies in the hydrographs. We suggest a fast and efficient screening method for the identification of well-specific peculiarities in hydrographs of groundwater head monitoring networks. The only information required is a set of time series of groundwater heads all measured at the same instants of time. For each well of the monitoring network a reference hydrograph is calculated, describing expected “normal” behaviour at the respective well as is typical for the monitored region. The reference hydrograph is calculated by multiple linear regression of the observed hydrograph with the “stable” principal components (PCs) of a principal component analysis of all groundwater head series of the network as predictor variables. The stable PCs are those PCs which were found in a random subsampling procedure to be rather insensitive to the specific selection of the analysed observation wells, i.e. complete series, and to the specific selection of measurement dates. Hence they can be considered to be representative for the monitored region in the respective period. The residuals of the reference hydrograph describe local deviations from the normal behaviour. Peculiarities in the residuals allow the data to be checked for measurement errors and the wells with a possible anthropogenic influence to be identified. The approach was tested with 141 groundwater head time series from the state authority groundwater monitoring network in northeastern Germany covering the period from 1993 to 2013 at an approximately weekly frequency of measurement.

Cluster analysis for groundwater classification in multi-aquifer systems based on a novel correlation index

Understanding the spatial variations in groundwater chemistry is fundamental to assess the groundwater pathways and identify the most advantageous strategies for a sustainable use of groundwater resources. In fact, such variations can be the result of the complex structure of flow systems or local pressures of natural or anthropic origin. Thus, a detailed analysis of spatial variations in hydrochemical data provides an insight into natural and anthropogenic effects on groundwater quality and into scale-dependent heterogeneity. Multivariate statistics and, in particular, clustering methods can effectively support those analyses, as remarked by a large number of studies in the literature. However, open issues still affect the reliability and general applicability of multivariate statistics and cluster analysis in hydrogeology, especially if a limited number of data and information about well-casing and screen characteristics are available. Such questions are related to the appropriate selection of end-members on one hand, and to the subjectivity of clustering results on the other hand.Starting from hydrogeological data of the Solofrana River basin in Southern Italy, the present paper illustrates an original approach to end-member selection in a pyroclastic-alluvial aquifer, and to the analysis of the geochemical evolution of groundwater in a given basin based on k-means clustering. The proposed approach has been applied to a real dataset collected in July 2010. Comparing the results against classical hydrogeological models and graphical methods typically used to classify water samples, a robust validation of the methodology has been achieved.

Water–budget as a tool to evaluate the sustainable use of groundwater resources (Isonzo Plain, NE Italy)

Climate change and the necessity to preserve and provide good quality freshwater for human consumption has led researchers to study the aquifers of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (NE Italy) in more detail. Of particular interest is the cross-border Soca/Isonzo River, which contributed to the creation of a remarkable alluvialaquifer. Today more than 300.000 inhabitants are supplied by water withdrawals from water wells which are located in the southern part of the aforementioned aquifer. Taking into consideration the importance of this area for the inhabitants, a groundwater balance was computed also to guarantee the sustainability of the actual use of the water resource.The sustainability of the actual use of the resource comes from the consistency and ratio between recharge and withdrawals. The more detailed and precise the input values in the water balance are, the more conscious is the management and safeguarding of this precious resource, avoiding pauperisation in terms of quantity but especially quality.

Determining Regional-Scale Groundwater Recharge with GRACE and GLDAS

Groundwater recharge (GR) is a key component of regional and global water cycles and is a critical flux for water resource management. However, recharge estimates are difficult to obtain at regional scales due to the lack of an accurate measurement method. Here, we estimate GR using Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) data. The regional-scale GR rate is calculated based on the groundwater storage fluctuation, which is, in turn, calculated from the difference between GRACE and root zone soil water storage from GLDAS data. We estimated GR in the Ordos Basin of the Chinese Loess Plateau from 2002 to 2012. There was no obvious long-term trend in GR, but the annual recharge varies greatly from 30.8 to 66.5 mm year−1, 42% of which can be explained by the variability in the annual precipitation. The average GR rate over the 11-year period from GRACE data was 48.3 mm year−1, which did not differ significantly from the long-term average recharge estimate of 39.9 mm year−1 from the environmental tracer methods and one-dimensional models. Moreover, the standard deviation of the 11-year average GR is 16.0 mm year−1, with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 33.1%, which is, in most cases, comparable to or smaller than estimates from other GR methods. The improved method could provide critically needed, regional-scale GR estimates for groundwater management and may eventually lead to a sustainable use of groundwater resources.

Classification and Estimation of Irrigation Waters Based on Remote Sensing Images: Case Study in Yucheng City (China)

The downstream plain of the Yellow River is experiencing some of the most severe groundwater depletion in China. Although the Chinese government has issued policies to ensure that the Yellow River can provide enough irrigation waters for this region, groundwater levels continue to decrease. Yucheng City was selected as a case study. A new method was designed to classify the cropland into various irrigated cropland. Subsequently, we analyzed data regarding these irrigated-cropland categories, irrigation norms, and the minimum amount of irrigation water being applied to cropland. The results showed that 91.5% of farmland can be classified as double irrigated (by both canal/river and well water), while 8.5% of farmland can be classified as well irrigated. During the irrigation season, the sediments brought in by the river have blocked portions of the canals. This has led to 23% of the double-irrigated cropland being irrigated by groundwater, and it is thus a main factor causing reductions in groundwater supply. These blocked canals should be dredged by local governments to mitigate local groundwater depletion. The method for classifying irrigated cropland from high-resolution images is valid and it can be used in other irrigated areas with a declining groundwater table for the sustainable use of groundwater resources.

A novel framework for filling data gaps in groundwater level observations

Abstract Groundwater level knowledge is one of the crucial information for sustainable use of groundwater resources and efficient and effective conjunctive management of surface and groundwater resources. Despite the fact that there is an increase of water related datasets collected, still groundwater information remains one of the Achilles heel in terms of analysis and modeling. The present paper is introducing a novel framework for filling data gaps in groundwater time series in an efficient scheme with low computational cost. It utilizes direct (known measurements) and auxiliary (regional groundwater model) available information. The framework employs an exogenous seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMAX) stochastic model to describe the simulated groundwater level fluctuation process of a regional physical groundwater model and the Ensemble Smoother (ES) for predicting the water table level. The framework was evaluated by conducting three numerical experiments for five groundwater wells in the South Platte alluvial aquifer. The results indicate that this framework could serve as a valuable tool for the enhancement of groundwater time series, for both intermittent missing data and of continuous gaps with short span, which could then lift hindrances in their analysis and use in groundwater models, and thus aid water management decisions.

Groundwater sustainability: Opportunity out of threat

Groundwater resources are a vital source of water on which many people depend on in vast regions around the world especially in arid regions where there is limited access to freshwater. Efficient methods and proper management should be undertaken to maintain a sustainable use of groundwater resources. Utilizing rainfall water for recharging groundwater aquifers is deemed an effective way to compensate the quantity of water consumed for municipal and agricultural purposes. This is possible by capturing the rainfall and runoff before streaming into salt waterbodies using small dams or capturing ponds. Soil characteristics play a key role in the recharge process. Soils with high hydraulic conductivity allow more water infiltration flow and limit evaporation. This paper presents a study on the recharge of groundwater reservoirs and its relationship with the rate of consumption. A numerical modeling of the study area was implemented to simulate the groundwater reservoir and its associated groundwater flow. Predicted results from the numerical model were compared to field measurements of the runoff flow. It was concluded that using ponding area before catchment outlets can render a significant increase in the groundwater recharge.

The mediating role of environmental emotions in transition from knowledge to sustainable use of groundwater resources in Iran's agriculture

The excessive use of groundwater resources has created numerous environmental consequences in Iran. Many water experts believe that this crisis can be overcome by fostering sustainable environmental behavior in the utilization of groundwater resources and increasing the farmers' environmental knowledge, attitude and emotions. The objective of this study was to investigate transformation of environmental knowledge to sustainable use of groundwater resources through the analysis of the mediating role of environmental emotions in Iran's agriculture. This research was carried out via a survey technique within the category of descriptive-correlation and causal-relational research. All the wheat producing farmers of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, which is a clear example of critical conditions for groundwater resources in Iran (N=168,873), constituted the statistical population of the study of whom 384 participants were selected using a stratified random sampling method. The research instrument was a questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by a panel of professionals in agricultural extension, education and water management. The reliability of the items of the questionnaire was also evaluated via a pilot study and Cronbach's alpha (0.70≤α≤0.84). The results of the causal analysis indicated that environmental knowledge (β=0.309) and environmental emotions (β=0.565) have the significant influence on sustainable environmental behavior in the utilization of groundwater among wheat farmers. Therefore, it can be said environmental emotions is an important mediating factor for potentially improving water stakeholders' sustainable environmental behavior.