根據美國與阿富汗科學家所做的一份最新研究，在阿富汗喀布爾河谷盆地以地下水作為來源的飲用水淺井中，至少有半數可能會因為氣候變遷而在50年內乾涸或無法使用。全球暖化造成的溫度升高以及人口增長造成的需求增加，兩者合併起來預期將對盆地水源造成壓力。這些發現是出自美國地質調查所、阿富汗礦產部所屬的地質調查所，以及阿富汗能源暨水源部合作執行的最新研究。
「與美國地質調查所科學家一起訓練幫助我們的工程人員技術提升為現代化，並改進能力。」阿富汗地質調查所所長默罕穆德‧歐瑪(Mohammed Omar)說道。「我們的工程人員使用改進後的能力，來監測喀布爾盆地的地下水位與水質。」研究人員評估在未來50年期間，阿富汗喀布爾盆地的引用水需求將會增加為6倍，這是因為難民回流使得人口成長。與此同時，未來盆地的水資源將減少，原因為氣溫上升，這與全球氣候變遷有關。
在盆地中的某些區域，例如盆地北部沿西部山地前緣一帶以及靠近主要河流的地區，水資源普遍足夠目前所需。而在東部與遠離主要河流的區域，可獲得的水資源可能無法應付未來的需求。
美國地質調查所科學家與這篇研究報告的主要作者湯瑪士‧邁克(Thomas Mack)表示：「要在一個受到戰爭與內亂蹂躪過，而科學記錄留下20年以上空白的國家進行水資源調查，這是個挑戰。」阿富汗所蒐集的大部分水文和氣候數據於1980年代初期因戰爭與內亂而中斷，直到2003年或之後，才恢復資料蒐集。
「不過，」邁克說：「我們的合作調查和美國地質調查局所付出的能力建構，有助於我們阿富汗同仁們能夠去管理他們的資源和他們的未來。」
流過首都喀布爾的喀布爾河(Kabul River)在一年中的大部分時間都是涓涓細流，但在夏季會因融雪而增多。盆地裡鮮少被廣泛利用的深層含水層地下水，可供應未來的用水需要，但若大量抽取這項水資源，例如農業使用，其永續性則無法確定。這份報告也警告喀布爾淺井飲用水的污染需要關注。
閱讀完整的報告請點擊：「阿富汗喀布爾盆地水資源概念模型」。本報告由美國國際開發署贊助。
RESTON, Virginia, June 18, 2010 (ENS) - In Afghanistan's Kabul Basin, at least half the shallow drinking water wells supplied by groundwater are likely to become dry or inoperative within 50 years as a result of climate change, according to new research by U.S. and Afghan scientists.
A combination of higher temperatures due to global warming and the increasing demands of a larger population is predicted to stress the basin's water.
These are the findings of a new study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in collaboration with the Afghanistan Geological Survey, a division of the Afghanistan Ministry of Mines, and the Afghanistan Ministry of Energy and Water.
"Training with USGS scientists has helped our engineers to modernize their skills and improve their capabilities," said Afghanistan Geological Survey Director Mohammed Omar. "Our engineers are using these improvements as they monitor groundwater levels and water quality in the Kabul Basin."
Over the next 50 years, the researchers estimate that drinking water needs in Afghanistan's Kabul Basin will increase sixfold due to population growth as refugees return.
At the same time, future water resources in the basin will be reduced as a result of increasing air temperatures associated with global climate change.
In some areas of the basin, such as in the north along the western mountain front and near major rivers, water resources are generally adequate for current needs. In the east and away from major rivers, the available water resources may not meet future needs.
"Investigating water resources in a country affected by war and civil strife, which have left a more than 20-year gap in the scientific record, is challenging," said Thomas Mack, USGS scientist and lead author on the report.
Most hydrologic and climatic data collection in Afghanistan were interrupted in the early 1980s as a consequence of war and civil strife and did not resume until 2003 or later.
"However," Mack said, "our collaborative investigation and the USGS's capacity-building efforts help empower our Afghan colleagues to manage their resources and their future."
The Kabul River, which passes through the capital, Kabul, is little more than a trickle for most of the year, but swells in summer due to melting snows.
Groundwater in the basin's less widely used deep aquifer may supply future needs, yet the sustainability of this resource for large withdrawals, such as agricultural uses, is uncertain. The study also warned that contamination Kabul's in shallow drinking water sources also is a concern.
Click here to read the full report, "Conceptual Model of Water Resources in the Kabul Basin, Afghanistan." The report was prepared under the auspices of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
