Subscribe now

Letter: Where's the water?

Published 18 September 2004

From Zoli Szaboacs

What happens to the water that is pumped from tube wells in India and China (28 August, p 6)? Does it not eventually become water vapour and return to earth somewhere? Does it contribute to rising sea level?

Fred Pearce writes:

• Yes, emptying aquifers are measurably adding to sea-level rise.

Cobourg, Ontario, Canada

Issue no. 2465 published 18 September 2004

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop