1. Hydrogeological Characteristics of Transboundary Aquifers
International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre
Hydrogeological Characteristics of Transboundary Aquifers
Dr Neno Kukuric
Paris, May 2007

2. IGRAC and TBA Activities
IGRAC is an UNESCO and WMO groundwater knowledge centre, financially supported by the government of the Netherlands and hosted by the Netherlands Organisation of Applied Research TNO.
ISARM: Core Group participation and the Portal development
GEF IW-LEARN: Lesson Learned from TBA projects
UN ILC: assistance in development of
a Legal Document on groundwater
WHYMAP: development of Transboundary Aquifer Systems map
ISARM: TBA Course Material
ISARM: Regional Activities
Together with regional hydrogeologists, IGRAC is working on assessment of transboundary aquifers. The results are stored in the Global Groundwater Information System. GGIS shows delineation of the aquifers and the main aquifer attributes. It has two basic functions: to overview and compare, by browsing and searching.

3. ISARM Programme
UNESCO and IAH global initiative for their identification, assessment and sound management of internationally shared groundwater resources.
Hydrogeological aspect
Legal aspect
Socio-economic aspect
Institutional aspect
Environmental aspect
Together with regional hydrogeologists, IGRAC is working on assessment of transboundary aquifers. The results are stored in the Global Groundwater Information System. GGIS shows delineation of the aquifers and the main aquifer attributes. It has two basic functions: to overview and compare, by browsing and searching.

4. TBA Hydrogeological Aspect
Aquifers: (mostly dynamic) subsurface reservoirs of water.
Input variables
(recharge)
Output variables
(discharge)
State variables (e.g. level and temperature)
State parameters
(e.g. conductivity)
Together with regional hydrogeologists, IGRAC is working on assessment of transboundary aquifers. The results are stored in the Global Groundwater Information System. GGIS shows delineation of the aquifers and the main aquifer attributes. It has two basic functions: to overview and compare, by browsing and searching.

5. TBA Hydrogeological Aspect
The fact: many aquifers cross the political boundaries
Potential cross-boundary problems: changes in groundwater flows, levels, volumes (quantity) and dissolved substances (quality).
The action: TBA characterisation and appropriate management.
The benefits: eliminating potential sources of conflict and improving the overall benefit from groundwater.
Together with regional hydrogeologists, IGRAC is working on assessment of transboundary aquifers. The results are stored in the Global Groundwater Information System. GGIS shows delineation of the aquifers and the main aquifer attributes. It has two basic functions: to overview and compare, by browsing and searching.

6. TBA Characterisation Challenges
Invisible groundwater
Usually slow changes
Various approaches to aquifer characterisation
Lack of information
Political will …
ISARM Information centre, conference

7. TBA Characterisation
Standardised Presentation of a TBA

8. TBA Characterisation Standardised Description of a TBA
Physiography, Demography & Water Use
Geological Setting of Aquifer
Water Quantity & Quality
Importance and need for TBA
TBA cooperation
References
Authors

9. TBA Hydrogeological Aspect
TBA characterisation (delineation and description)
TBA diagnostics (classification and prioritisation of aquifers)
International TBA consultation and management mechanisms
Harmonisation of TBA data and information
Improving accessibility of TBA data and information
GEO Water Task WA Initiate the creation of a coordination mechanism within GEO for global in-situ water observations, including ocean observations, and advocate synergy and sharing of infrastructure among observing systems.

10. TBA Hydrogeological Aspect
GEO Water Task WA Initiate the creation of a coordination mechanism within GEO for global in-situ water observations, including ocean observations, and advocate synergy and sharing of infrastructure among observing systems.

11. Overview of TBA Activities

12. Thank you for your attention
GEO Water Task WA Initiate the creation of a coordination mechanism within GEO for global in-situ water observations, including ocean observations, and advocate synergy and sharing of infrastructure among observing systems.
United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization
World Meteorological
Organization
Government of
The Netherlands
Netherlands Organisation of Applied
Scientific Research