Making the invisible, visible | Dylan Irvine | TEDxCharles Darwin University

Groundwater Importance & Challenges - Groundwater is often overlooked despite comprising 98% of Earth's fresh, liquid water [11] - Over half of global river flows are sustained by groundwater, potentially reaching 100% in dry seasons or areas lacking dams/major rivers [13][14] - Approximately 25 billion people rely on groundwater for their water supply, with projections indicating an additional 600 million by 2100 [15] - Climate change impacts on rainfall are complex, with models varying on whether regions will become wetter or drier, increasing reliance on groundwater [18][20] Scientific & Technical Difficulties - Understanding groundwater systems is challenging due to high costs of bore drilling and sample analysis (upwards of $1,000 per sample) [21] - Hydraulic conductivity can vary drastically (e.g., gravel being 100 billion times greater than clay), complicating analysis [22] Call to Action - Increased groundwater pumping is anticipated due to climate change and population growth, necessitating understanding and minimizing potential impacts [24] - Collaboration between industry, universities, and schools is crucial to address the "wicked problem" of groundwater management and encourage more people to work in this field [25]