(MENAFN) Australian scientists are leveraging state-of-the-art technology to map and preserve ancient groundwater reserves that supply nearly 30% of the nation’s water, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) said in a statement on Thursday.

These subterranean aquifers—some dating back two million years—are lifelines for local communities, agriculture, mining operations, and fragile ecosystems, especially during times of drought, according to the national science agency.

With rainfall declining across many regions and Australia already the driest inhabited continent, researchers are racing to ensure groundwater remains a sustainable resource.

To monitor and manage this hidden water, scientists are using advanced sensors to analyze underground water flows. Combined with geological and climate data, these tools help calculate the amount of rainfall required to replenish aquifers.

Another approach relies on sophisticated modeling to forecast recharge levels at specific sites.

"We can use these models across hundreds of thousands of square kilometers, by translating them onto different geologies, soils and vegetation," said Kate Holland, principal research scientist at CSIRO.

A major leap forward in groundwater science comes from TRIFIN, a highly specialized instrument developed to detect tritium—a naturally occurring radioactive isotope of hydrogen found in rain. Tritium levels allow scientists to measure how recently groundwater has been recharged.

CSIRO Senior Principal Research Scientist Dirk Mallants noted that while much of Australia’s groundwater takes centuries to replenish, tritium reveals when water has been renewed within a few years or decades.

"Our technology can detect tritium levels in groundwater to tell us how quickly it is being restored," Mallants said. He added the technique enables better alignment between groundwater extraction and natural recharge, reducing risks such as drying wells and contamination.

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