Review of Global Interest and Developments in the Research on Aquifer Recharge and Climate Change: A Bibliometric Approach

Abstract

Groundwater represents 98% of the world’s freshwater resources. These resources have been strongly impacted by the increases in temperature and in the variation in precipitation. Despite many advances, the relationship between climate change and the dynamics of aquifer recharge is still poorly understood. This study includes an analysis of 211 papers using the biblioshiny function in the bibliometric R Package. Additionally, specific papers were selected to identify limits, trends, and negative and positive impacts. The results indicated an average growth of 14.38% and a significant increase in research from 2009. In total, 52 countries have undertaken studies in this field, just over 26% of the total number of countries. In the papers examined, the worst projections related to reductions in recharge were identified for arid and desert areas; the highest recharges were identified in the northern regions and in areas at high altitudes, where recharge capacity is maintained or increases due to rapid snow and glacial melting resulting from temperature increases. Despite the advances achieved, more studies should be extended to analyse groundwater assessment at other latitudes to reach a complete and comprehensive understanding. This understanding should be one of the priorities for water among governments and the scientific community in order to safeguard this precious resource.