The Science

Interactions between groundwater and surface water sustain groundwater-dependent ecosystems and regulate river temperature and biogeochemical cycles, among many other processes. These interactions occur in freshwater environments including rivers, springs, lakes, and wetlands and in coastal environments via tidal pumping, submarine groundwater discharge, and seawater intrusion. This review evaluates current research trends in surface water–groundwater interactions and highlights important future directions. Key advances in future research will include incorporating new technologies, upscaling site-specific knowledge to inform management decisions, and continuing to work towards collaborative, multidisciplinary investigation.

The Impact

The paper acts as a foundational resource for shaping a more integrated, technologically advanced, and ecologically informed approach to water science and policy. The paper aims to guide future research by identifying trends, gaps, and emerging technologies in the study of groundwater–surface water interactions; provide insights for improving water resource management; and encourage stronger collaboration across disciplines (e.g., hydrology, ecology, geochemistry, and social sciences), acknowledging effective solutions to water challenges require a systems-level view.

Summary

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the evolution and current state of research on groundwater–surface water interactions, analyzing over 20,000 publications from 1970 to 2023. The review highlights a rapid growth in interdisciplinary studies, driven by advances in sensing, modeling, and data analysis. Authors identify key challenges in scaling localized findings to regional levels and emphasize the need for better integration of physical, chemical, and biological data. Future directions are outlined, including enhancing monitoring and remote sensing, improving model-data integration, and focusing more on ecosystem impacts and socio-hydrological contexts. Overall, the paper offers a roadmap for advancing both the scientific understanding and practical management of interconnected water systems.

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