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Glacier Retreat and Groundwater Recharge in Central Chile: Analysis to Inform Decision-Making for Sustainable Water Resources Management

Author

Listed:
  • Verónica Urbina

    (UNESCO Chair on Surface Hydrology, University of Talca, Lircay s/n, Talca 3460000, Chile
    Faculty of Forest Science and Nature Conservancy, University of Chile, Santa Rosa 10350, Santiago 8820808, Chile)

  • Roberto Pizarro

    (UNESCO Chair on Surface Hydrology, University of Talca, Lircay s/n, Talca 3460000, Chile
    Faculty of Forest Science and Nature Conservancy, University of Chile, Santa Rosa 10350, Santiago 8820808, Chile
    Centro Nacional de Excelencia para la Industria de la Madera (CENAMAD)—ANID BASAL FB210015, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8320165, Chile)

  • Solange Jara

    (UNESCO Chair on Surface Hydrology, University of Talca, Lircay s/n, Talca 3460000, Chile)

  • Paulina López

    (UNESCO Chair on Surface Hydrology, University of Talca, Lircay s/n, Talca 3460000, Chile)

  • Alfredo Ibáñez

    (UNESCO Chair on Surface Hydrology, University of Talca, Lircay s/n, Talca 3460000, Chile
    Centro Nacional de Excelencia para la Industria de la Madera (CENAMAD)—ANID BASAL FB210015, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8320165, Chile)

  • Claudia Sangüesa

    (UNESCO Chair on Surface Hydrology, University of Talca, Lircay s/n, Talca 3460000, Chile
    Centro Nacional de Excelencia para la Industria de la Madera (CENAMAD)—ANID BASAL FB210015, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8320165, Chile)

  • Cristóbal Toledo

    (UNESCO Chair on Surface Hydrology, University of Talca, Lircay s/n, Talca 3460000, Chile)

  • Madeleine Guillen

    (Faculty of Geology, Geophysic and Mines, National University of Saint Agustin, Santa Catalina 117, Arequipa 04000, Peru)

  • Héctor L. Venegas-Quiñones

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401, USA)

  • Francisco Alejo

    (Faculty of Chemistry, National University of Saint Agustin, Santa Catalina 117, Arequipa 04000, Peru)

  • John E. McCray

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401, USA)

  • Pablo A. Garcia-Chevesich

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401, USA
    Intergubernmental Hydrological Programme, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Luis Piera 1992, Edificio Mercosur, 2do piso, Montevideo 11200, Uruguay)

Abstract

Glaciers worldwide are in retreat, and their meltwater can modulate mountain aquifers. We examined whether mass loss of the Juncal Norte Glacier (central Chile) has affected groundwater storage in the Juncal River basin between 1990 and 2022. Recession-curve modeling of daily streamflow shows no statistically significant trend in basin-scale groundwater reserves (τ = 0.06, p > 0.05). In contrast, glacier volume declined significantly (−3.8 hm 3 /yr, p < 0.05), and precipitation at the nearby Riecillos station fell sharply during the 2008–2017 megadrought ( p < 0.05) but exhibited no significant change beforehand. Given the simultaneous decreases in meteoric inputs (rain + snow) and glacier mass, one would expect groundwater storage to decline; its observed stability therefore suggests that enhanced glacier-melt recharge may be temporarily offsetting drier conditions. Isotopic evidence from comparable Andean catchments supports such glacio-groundwater coupling, although time lags of months to years complicate detection with recession models alone. Hence, while our results do not yet demonstrate a direct glacier–groundwater link, they are consistent with the hypothesis that ongoing ice loss is buffering aquifer storage. Longer records and tracer studies are required to verify this mechanism and to inform sustainable water resources planning.

Suggested Citation

  • Verónica Urbina & Roberto Pizarro & Solange Jara & Paulina López & Alfredo Ibáñez & Claudia Sangüesa & Cristóbal Toledo & Madeleine Guillen & Héctor L. Venegas-Quiñones & Francisco Alejo & John E. McC, 2025. "Glacier Retreat and Groundwater Recharge in Central Chile: Analysis to Inform Decision-Making for Sustainable Water Resources Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:11:p:4993-:d:1667366
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pablo Sarricolea & Mariajosé Herrera-Ossandon & Óliver Meseguer-Ruiz, 2017. "Climatic regionalisation of continental Chile," Journal of Maps, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 66-73, November.
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