Millennium-scale changes in the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation influenced groundwater recharge rates in Italy

Abstract Groundwater, essential for water availability, sanitation and achieving Sustainable Development Goals, is shaped by climate dynamics and complex hydrogeological structures. Here, we provide a time-series of groundwater recharge from 801 CE to the present day in the Tiber River Basin, Italy,...

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Main Authors: Nazzareno Diodato, Gianni Bellocchi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-01-01
Series:Communications Earth & Environment
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01229-6
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author Nazzareno Diodato
Gianni Bellocchi
author_facet Nazzareno Diodato
Gianni Bellocchi
author_sort Nazzareno Diodato
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Groundwater, essential for water availability, sanitation and achieving Sustainable Development Goals, is shaped by climate dynamics and complex hydrogeological structures. Here, we provide a time-series of groundwater recharge from 801 CE to the present day in the Tiber River Basin, Italy, using historical records and hydrological modelling. Groundwater drought occurred in 36% of Medieval Climatic Anomaly (801-1249) years, 12% of Little Ice Age (1250-1849) years and 26% of Modern Warming Period (1850-2020) years. Importantly, a predominant warm phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, aligned with solar maxima, coincided with prolonged dry spells during both the medieval and modern periods, inducing a reduction in recharge rates due to hydrological memory effects. This study enhances understanding of climate-water interactions, offering a comprehensive view of groundwater dynamics in central Mediterranean and highlighting the importance of the past for sustainable future strategies. Leveraging this understanding can address water scarcity and enhance basin resilience.
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spelling doaj.art-58e2464dbb9245e1bdedddd2c5c654a02024-03-05T20:27:52ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Earth & Environment2662-44352024-01-015111310.1038/s43247-024-01229-6Millennium-scale changes in the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation influenced groundwater recharge rates in ItalyNazzareno Diodato0Gianni Bellocchi1Met European Research Observatory – International Affiliates Program of the University Corporation for Atmospheric ResearchMet European Research Observatory – International Affiliates Program of the University Corporation for Atmospheric ResearchAbstract Groundwater, essential for water availability, sanitation and achieving Sustainable Development Goals, is shaped by climate dynamics and complex hydrogeological structures. Here, we provide a time-series of groundwater recharge from 801 CE to the present day in the Tiber River Basin, Italy, using historical records and hydrological modelling. Groundwater drought occurred in 36% of Medieval Climatic Anomaly (801-1249) years, 12% of Little Ice Age (1250-1849) years and 26% of Modern Warming Period (1850-2020) years. Importantly, a predominant warm phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, aligned with solar maxima, coincided with prolonged dry spells during both the medieval and modern periods, inducing a reduction in recharge rates due to hydrological memory effects. This study enhances understanding of climate-water interactions, offering a comprehensive view of groundwater dynamics in central Mediterranean and highlighting the importance of the past for sustainable future strategies. Leveraging this understanding can address water scarcity and enhance basin resilience.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01229-6
spellingShingle Nazzareno Diodato
Gianni Bellocchi
Millennium-scale changes in the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation influenced groundwater recharge rates in Italy
Communications Earth & Environment
title Millennium-scale changes in the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation influenced groundwater recharge rates in Italy
title_full Millennium-scale changes in the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation influenced groundwater recharge rates in Italy
title_fullStr Millennium-scale changes in the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation influenced groundwater recharge rates in Italy
title_full_unstemmed Millennium-scale changes in the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation influenced groundwater recharge rates in Italy
title_short Millennium-scale changes in the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation influenced groundwater recharge rates in Italy
title_sort millennium scale changes in the atlantic multidecadal oscillation influenced groundwater recharge rates in italy
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01229-6
work_keys_str_mv AT nazzarenodiodato millenniumscalechangesintheatlanticmultidecadaloscillationinfluencedgroundwaterrechargeratesinitaly
AT giannibellocchi millenniumscalechangesintheatlanticmultidecadaloscillationinfluencedgroundwaterrechargeratesinitaly