Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2023-236
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2023-236
24 Oct 2023
 | 24 Oct 2023
Status: a revised version of this preprint was accepted for the journal HESS and is expected to appear here in due course.

Technical assessment combined with extended cost-benefit analysis for groundwater ecosystem services restoration – An application for Grand Bahama

Anne Imig, Francesca Perosa, Carolina Iwane Hotta, Sophia Klausner, Kristen Welsh, and Arno Rein

Abstract. A large storm surge caused by Hurricane Dorian in 2019 resulted in extensive flooding and saltwater intrusion into the aquifers of Grand Bahama Island. This caused 40 % of the island’s water supply to become brackish with no or slow recovery to date and damage of more than 70 % of mangroves and forests on Grand Bahama. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) and reforestation were considered as nature-based solutions to mitigate the impacts of Hurricane Dorian. First, a technical assessment of MAR investigated (hydro-)geological aspects. As a result, potential locations for a MAR scheme are proposed. Further, a financial and an extended cost-benefit analysis (CBA) integrating ecosystem services (ES) assessments are conducted for proposed MAR and reforestation measures. Based on the current data availability, results indicate that the MAR scheme of rooftop rainwater harvesting is technically feasible. However, based on our first estimate with limited data, this measure will be able to provide only about 10 % of water demand in the study area and thus would not be favorable from a financial perspective. Since MAR has a range of positive aspects (including potential reduction of desalinization efforts and improvement freshwater-dependent ecosystems), we recommend reassessment with more detailed hydrogeological data. On the other hand, reforestation measures are assessed as financially profitable. The results of this study prove the technical feasibility and the added value of restoring the groundwater ecosystem on Grand Bahama, but also highlight the associated high costs. 

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Anne Imig, Francesca Perosa, Carolina Iwane Hotta, Sophia Klausner, Kristen Welsh, and Arno Rein

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on hess-2023-236', Anonymous Referee #1, 15 Feb 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Arno Rein, 23 May 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on hess-2023-236', Anonymous Referee #2, 16 Apr 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', Arno Rein, 23 May 2024

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on hess-2023-236', Anonymous Referee #1, 15 Feb 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Arno Rein, 23 May 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on hess-2023-236', Anonymous Referee #2, 16 Apr 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', Arno Rein, 23 May 2024
Anne Imig, Francesca Perosa, Carolina Iwane Hotta, Sophia Klausner, Kristen Welsh, and Arno Rein
Anne Imig, Francesca Perosa, Carolina Iwane Hotta, Sophia Klausner, Kristen Welsh, and Arno Rein

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Short summary
In 2019, Hurricane Dorian led to salinization of groundwater resources on the island of Grand Bahama. We assessed the feasibility of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) for restoring fresh groundwater. Furthermore, we applied a financial and an extended cost-benefit analysis for assessing ecosystem services supported by MAR and reforestation. As a first estimate, MAR could only provide a small contribution to the water demand. Reforestation measures were assessed as financially profitable.