HR: 0800h
AN: H21F-1086    [Abstracts]
TI: Climate and Human Pressures on Fresh Groundwater in Coral Atoll Island Nations in the Pacific
AU: * White, I
EM: ian.white@anu.edu.au
AF: Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200 Australia
AU: Falkland, T
EM: tonyf@ecowise.com.au
AF: Ecowise Environmental, PO Box 1834, Fyshwick, ACT 2509 Australia
AU: Perez, P
EM: pascal@coombs.anu.edu.au
AF: Research School Pacific and Asian Studies, The Australian NationalUniversity, Canberra, ACT 0200 Australia
AU: Dray, A
EM: annedray@coombes.anu.edu.au
AF: Research School Pacific and Asian Studies, The Australian NationalUniversity, Canberra, ACT 0200 Australia
AU: Overmars, M
EM: marc@sopac.org
AF: South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission, Private Mail Bag, GPO,, Suva, FJI 000
AU: Metai, E
EM: eitametai@tskl.net.ki
AF: Water Engineering Section, Public Works Division, Ministry of Works and Energy, South Tarawa, Betio, 000 Kiribati
AB: Population centres in low, coral atolls have water supply problems that are amongst the most acute in the world. Limited land areas and highly permeable soils severely restrict surface water storage, forcing heavy reliance on groundwater. Fresh groundwater is extremely vulnerable to contamination through both natural processes, such as seawater intrusion following storm surges, sea-level rise and droughts, and human activities, such as overpumping, sewerage and waste disposal. Restricted land areas and seawater intrusion also limit fresh groundwater quantities, particularly in frequent ENSO-related droughts. Demand for water is increasing due to natural population growth, inward migration and to growing urbanisation. There are few water professionals in many small island nations. Assessment of groundwater resources is inadequate and application of conventional hydrology often gives erroneous information, such as the assumption of potential evaporation from coconut trees. Water use for traditional and introduced crops competes with community water supplies. Limited resources and isolation restrict the potential for exports so that reliance on aid is systemic. The agendas of developed world aid institutions sometimes conflict with traditions and cultures of small island communities. At the core of water management problems are lack of resource assessment and demand and land tenure and conflicts between the requirements of urbanised societies and the traditional values and rights of subsistence communities. Reforms of governance and provision of water resource knowledge to communities are critical. Long-term, regional partnerships and tools for reducing conflicts over water resources are needed to promote self-reliance.
DE: 1803 Anthropogenic effects
DE: 1812 Drought
DE: 1829 Groundwater hydrology
DE: 1831 Groundwater quality
DE: 1836 Hydrologic budget (1655)
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting