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The transboundariness approach and prioritization of transboundary aquifers between Mexico and Texas

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Abstract

“Transboundariness” refers to a new approach that identifies and prioritizes transboundary aquifers using socio-economic and political criteria, improving their characterization by using other variables in addition to their mere physical boundaries. This approach is applied to the hydrogeological units/aquifers shared by Mexico and Texas, with the following results. First, the rankings agree with the current level of attention to transboundary aquifers in the region by both countries, providing a quantifiable system that could be tested in other transboundary aquifers. Second, this approach provides a holistic and integrative perspective for transboundary aquifer assessment and prioritization. Third, this prioritization exercise expands the criteria currently used into a more integrative regime of groundwater links to the community as a whole. Finally, the results reflect not only how the transboundary aquifers are being used (or neglected) but also the socio-political context of the populations that depend on these resources for current and future development.

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Adapted from Sanchez et al. (2018)

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) for financial support under the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program (TAAP). The authors recognize and acknowledge the collaboration of TAAP members from the University of Arizona and the University of New Mexico. The authors wish to thank Amy Troung for her collaboration in the collection of data for this research. The public data can be obtained through the referenced websites, and/or from Dr. Rosario Sanchez (rosario@tamu.edu).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas A&M University, MS 2260 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77845, USA

    Rosario Sanchez

  2. Water Management and Hydrological Sciences Program, Texas A&M University, 578 John Kimbrough Blvd. 2260 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    Laura Rodriguez

  3. Institute of Water Policy, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, 469A Bukit Timah Road, Singapore, 259770, Singapore

    Cecilia Tortajada

Authors
  1. Rosario Sanchez
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  2. Laura Rodriguez
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  3. Cecilia Tortajada
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Correspondence to Rosario Sanchez.

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Sanchez, R., Rodriguez, L. & Tortajada, C. The transboundariness approach and prioritization of transboundary aquifers between Mexico and Texas. Ambio 47, 760–770 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-018-1015-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-018-1015-1

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