
The IAEA’s developmental objective for technical cooperation in isotope hydrology is to improve knowledge and mitigate problems associated with water resource systems and thereby contribute to the well-being of the citizens in Member State. Groundwater sources are coming under increased pressure from growing human populations that consume increasing amounts of water.
Isotope hydrology deals with various methodologies based on the general concept of "tracing" in which naturally occurring isotopic elements or intentionally introduced isotopes (stable or radioactive ) are employed. In nature, water in different environments develops isotopic fingerprints which can be collected to provide key information for identifying origin, age and dynamics of different water bodies; determining the recharge and discharge rate of aquifers; evaluate mixing between surface and ground water and defining aquifer vulnerability to over-exploitation and pollution.