NASA Satellites Reveal Decline in Brazilian Aquifers, Impacting Global Agriculture
NASA, in collaboration with Brazilian research institutions, has utilized GRACE Follow-On satellites to track significant declines in groundwater levels in Brazil's aquifers. These aquifers are crucial for Brazil, one of the world's largest agricultural producers. The study, published in Science Advances, analyzed data from 2002 to 2023, revealing that factors such as drought, deforestation, agriculture, mining, and increased groundwater extraction are depleting these water sources. The research highlights that several aquifers in central and eastern Brazil are experiencing persistent depletion, with some regions showing little to no groundwater recharge over the years. The data was collected using satellite missions that measure changes in Earth's water by detecting subtle shifts in gravity, producing high-resolution maps of groundwater across Brazil's vast territory. 
