Onyike et al. (2026) Dataset for "A Multi-continental Synthesis of High-volume MAR Systems Effectiveness for Land Subsidence Mitigation"

Identification

• Journal: Virginia Tech Data Repository
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-03-02
• Authors: Florence Onyike, M. Shirzaei, Leonard O. Ohenhen, Susanna Werth, Jui-Chi Lee, Bridget Scanlon
• DOI: 10.7294/31417835

Research Groups

Virginia Tech

Short Summary

This multi-continental synthesis evaluates the effectiveness of 12 high-volume Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems in mitigating land subsidence using satellite radar data. It finds that MAR effectiveness varies significantly, influenced by aquifer architecture, hydroclimatic conditions, and operational intensity, with some sites achieving uplift while others continue to subside.

Objective

• To empirically assess the effectiveness of high-volume Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems in mitigating land subsidence across diverse geological and climatic settings globally.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: 12 high-volume Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) sites across 10 countries: Australia (Perth), USA (Orange County, Phoenix, Central Platte), Egypt (Sidfa), Finland (Turku), Belgium (Koksijde), Spain (El Carracillo), South Africa (Atlantis), Switzerland (Geneva), Italy (Lucca), and India (Haridwar).
• Temporal Scale: Not explicitly stated, but covers periods of MAR operation and associated land motion, groundwater level, drought, and terrestrial water storage changes.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Independent Component Analysis (ICA) was employed to distinguish aquifer compaction trends from elastic loading signals.
• Data sources:
  • Satellite radar observations for Vertical Land Motion (VLM).
  • Groundwater level variations.
  • Drought severity indices.
  • Regional terrestrial water storage data.

Main Results

• Vertical Land Motion (VLM) rates at MAR sites ranged from +0.004 m/year (uplift) in Orange County, USA, to -0.0024 m/year (subsidence) in El Carracillo, Spain.
• Four out of 12 sites exhibited net uplift, three showed mixed deformation responses, and five continued to experience net subsidence despite ongoing MAR operations.
• Spatio-temporal analysis revealed moderate to strong correlations (r = 0.5–0.9) between land elevation changes and variations in groundwater levels, drought severity, and regional terrestrial water storage.
• MAR effectiveness is governed by a hierarchy of controls: aquifer architecture constrains the potential for recovery, hydroclimatic forcing sets regional boundary conditions, and operational intensity modulates local response.
• Sites with responsive geological conditions achieved measurable uplift even under water stress, while unfavorable geology limited effectiveness regardless of recharge intensity.

Contributions

• Provides a multi-continental empirical synthesis of MAR system performance for land subsidence mitigation, addressing a gap in evidence across diverse settings.
• Identifies a hierarchical control framework for MAR effectiveness, emphasizing the interplay of aquifer architecture, hydroclimatic forcing, and operational intensity.
• Offers empirical evidence to guide the strategic implementation of MAR and highlights the necessity of integrated watershed-scale management for water security under intensifying climate pressures.

Funding

Not explicitly stated in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Onyike2026Dataset,
  author = {Onyike, Florence and Shirzaei, M. and Ohenhen, Leonard O. and Werth, Susanna and Lee, Jui-Chi and Scanlon, Bridget},
  title = {Dataset for "A Multi-continental Synthesis of High-volume MAR Systems Effectiveness for Land Subsidence Mitigation"},
  journal = {Virginia Tech Data Repository},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.7294/31417835},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.7294/31417835}
}