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.v1

Research Groups

• Virginia Tech (USA)

Short Summary

This multi-continental synthesis evaluates the effectiveness of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems in mitigating land subsidence across 12 high-volume sites, revealing varied responses influenced by aquifer architecture, hydroclimatic forcing, and operational intensity.

Objective

• To synthesize the performance 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, USA, Egypt, Finland, Belgium, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, Italy, India).
• Temporal Scale: Annual vertical land motion (VLM) rates are reported, with spatio-temporal analysis performed, but a specific overall study period is not provided.

Methodology and Data

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

Main Results

• Average VLM rates across MAR sites varied from +4.0 mm/year (uplift) in Orange County, USA, to -2.4 mm/year (subsidence) in El Carracillo, Spain.
• Four sites exhibited net uplift, three showed mixed deformation responses, and five continued to experience net subsidence despite ongoing recharge operations.
• Moderate to strong correlations (r = 0.5–0.9) were observed 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 recovery potential, hydroclimatic forcing sets regional boundary conditions, and operational intensity modulates local response.
• Sites with responsive geological conditions achieved measurable uplift even under water stress, whereas unfavorable geology limited effectiveness regardless of recharge intensity.

Contributions

• Provides a multi-continental, empirical synthesis of MAR system effectiveness for land subsidence mitigation using satellite radar data.
• Identifies the hierarchical controls (aquifer architecture, hydroclimatic forcing, operational intensity) that govern MAR effectiveness.
• Distinguishes aquifer compaction from elastic loading signals, offering a more nuanced understanding of land deformation processes.
• Offers empirical evidence to guide the strategic implementation of MAR and emphasizes the importance of integrated watershed-scale management.

Funding

• Not specified 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.v1},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.7294/31417835.v1}
}