ABSTRACT
Although often overlooked, the quality of groundwater is often as critically important as the quantity of groundwater in terms of groundwater sustainability (McMahon et al. 2007). Groundwater quality that has declined may become a limiting factor for some intended uses such as drinking-or irrigation-water supply. Having adequate water supplies of appropriate quality is vital to the continued economic health and well being of many aquifers worldwide. Furthermore, relatively few studies have evaluated the effects of climate change and variability on groundwater quality (Green et al. 2007, 2011). In one of the few studies, Stuart et al. (2011) conclude that the implications for nitrate leaching to groundwater of the United Kingdom as a result of climate change is not yet well enough understood to make useful predictions without additional monitoring data. Studies that have addressed climate change effects on natural soil and agricultural processes in the United Kingdom report a range of nitrate leaching rates from a slight increase to possibly doubling nitrate concentrations in groundwater by 2100 (Stuart et al. 2011). It is critical to better understand the coupled effect of human and climate stresses on groundwater quality in other aquifers to best predict and manage future groundwater sustainability.
