Water is the most vital natural resource for sustaining life on Earth. The finite reserves of fresh groundwater play a critical role in meeting human needs and driving economic development. However, these reserves must be managed and utilized sustainably. The rapid expansion of agricultural, industrial, and domestic activities in recent years has significantly increased the demand for fresh groundwater. Alongside natural causes of groundwater contamination, the unchecked demand and unregulated usage have further contributed to its degradation. Therefore, identifying fresh groundwater potential zones is imperative. This process can be enhanced by integrating hydrogeological, remote sensing, and geophysical techniques, ultimately improving data interpretation and resource management.

This book presents cutting-edge research in hydrogeology, combining conceptual advancements with practical applications. It comprehensively explores groundwater science, covering key areas such as groundwater flow and transport modeling, groundwater quality and contamination, hydrogeophysics and subsurface characterization, GIS and remote sensing applications, climate change impacts, and policy and governance strategies. Each section integrates recent advancements in groundwater research while addressing emerging challenges and future opportunities. Additionally, the book features case studies that demonstrate real-world applications of hydrogeological principles and modeling, incorporating insights from field observations and laboratory experiments.

This book serves as both a critical resource for advanced researchers and a practical reference for hydrologists, hydrogeophysicists, and water resource professionals. It bridges the gap between theoretical advancements in hydrogeology and their practical implementation in real-world water resource management. It offers innovative solutions for contemporary groundwater challenges. It aims to promote sustainable groundwater utilization and protection, ensuring long-term water security in the face of growing environmental and societal pressures.

Dr. Prashant Kumar is a dedicated researcher and currently a Research Associate in the Geological Studies Unit, Physics and Earth Science Division at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata. His work is centered at the intersection of hydrogeology, hydrogeophysics, and the strategic application of remote sensing and GIS for groundwater modeling and exploration. He earned his Ph.D. specializing in Hydrogeology and Hydrogeophysics (2023) from the Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, India. Dr. Kumar's expertise spans near-surface geophysical investigations, hydrogeochemical analysis, and the implementation of state-of-the-art AI-ML algorithms and spatial modeling for environmental assessments. With extensive experience in spatio-temporal analysis, statistical modeling, and field instrumentation, he conducts research deeply rooted in sustainable water resource management. Beyond his primary research endeavors, Dr. Kumar has made significant contributions to the academic and public sectors. His scholarly output includes a wide range of peer-reviewed publications, and he remains a highly active member of the scientific community, frequently serving as a reviewer for prestigious international journals. Furthermore, Dr. Kumar is adept at utilizing a diverse suite of software and instrumentation vital to modern hydrogeological and geophysical research. Driven by a dedication to scientific excellence and the development of practical solutions, he continues to push the boundaries of groundwater research, focusing specifically on mitigating the impact of climate change on critical water resources.

Dr. Arkoprovo Biswas is a geophysicist who currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Geological Studies Unit, Physics and Earth Science Division at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata. He completed his Ph.D. in Exploration Geophysics at IIT Kharagpur. Dr. Biswas's main expertise lies in near-surface geophysics, integrated geophysical research, and the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to geosciences. He is one of the pioneers of geophysical inversion using metaheuristic optimization techniques. Moreover, his research also encompasses exploration and environmental geophysics, hydrogeophysics, crustal architecture and metallogeny, and geospatial techniques in earth and environmental sciences. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles, with a strong citation record in leading international high-impact journals. Dr. Biswas is also an accomplished editor, having contributed to 5 high-impact edited books; and edited 5 proceedings volumes with Springer. He has served as a guest editor for 5 special issues in journals, actively shaping emerging research themes in geosciences. These contributions highlight his leadership in advancing interdisciplinary research and scholarly publishing. His achievements have been recognized through prestigious awards such as the M. S. Krishnan Gold Medal (IGU) and the B. C. Patnaik Gold Medal (SGAT), as well as multiple listings among the world’s top 2% Scientists (Stanford–Elsevier database). Dr. Biswas has a comprehensive editorial profile, holding leadership roles across several high-impact international journals and publishing platforms. Currently, he serves as Editorial Board Member and Associate Editor, across more than 12 prestigious international journals. Dr. Biswas is a fellow/member of several leading national and international scientific societies, reflecting his respected standing in the geoscience community.