Aquifers

Over forty years, the federal government exploded almost a thousand nuclear warheads under the Nevada desert. Radiation leeched into the aquifers, in a region with a growing population and a water crisis.

This piece from Scientific American looks at the jurisdictional challenge of conserving water in the cross-state Ogallala Aquifer, one of the world's largest sources of freshwater and the backbone of the nation's farm economy.

Water shortages and environmentally-based restrictions are leaving Central California's agricultural lands dry. As a result, farmers are increasingly tapping into groundwater sources. Many are calling on the state to monitor the use of its aquifers.

The state governments of Missouri and Arkansas are expected to sign an agreement this year to create a watershed and aquifer protection pact geared at controlling water quality from sources that cross state boundaries.

UNESCO has released a detailed map of the world's aquifers, a move the organization hopes will enable more intelligent use of natural resources.