Location
SPREP LIBRARY
Publisher
U.S. Department of the Interior/U.S. Geological Survey
Publication Year:
2008
Publication Place
USA
Physical Description:
45 p.
Call Number
[EL]
Collection
Material Type
Language
English
Record ID:
35737
Legacy PEIN ID:
75740
General Notes
Available online
Available online
Subject Heading(s)
Ground water - Protection - Oceania
Ground water - Management - Oceania
Natural resources - Protection - Oceania
Abstract
Underground water or ground water is the primary source of water on many tropical Pacific islands. Contained in porous, regionally extensive geologic formations or aquifers, fresh ground water on these islands floats on and is surrounded by more dense saltwater from the ocean. The potential for an aquifer to provide a reliable source of good-quality water depends on the amount of recharge that occurs from rainfall, the physical properties of the aquifer, and how the water is pumped or removed from the ground. Because of their relatively small size and oceanic setting, ground-water resources on tropical Pacific islands are vulnerable to overpumping and saltwater intrusion, especially during droughts caused by climatic variations such as El Niño events. Also, this vulnerability is made worse because the effects of ground-water pumping are initially difficult to perceive. This book describes some of the factors that influence the availability of ground water on tropical Pacific islands, such as recharge, aquifer properties, patterns of flow, salinity distribution, and the effects of pumping. Some examples of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) studies in Hawaii and other Pacific islands are used to illustrate these concepts and their relevance to the management of ground water resources.
Location
SPREP LIBRARY
Publisher
U.S. Department of the Interior/U.S. Geological Survey
Publication Year:
2008
Publication Place
USA
Physical Description:
45 p.
Call Number
[EL]
Collection
Material Type
Language
English
Record ID:
35737
Legacy PEIN ID:
75740
General Notes
Available online
Record Created: 08-May-2009
Record Modified: 23-Feb-2021