An integrated hydrogeological study to support sustainable development and management of groundwater resources: a case study from the Precambrian Crystalline Province, India

This work attempted to locate clean and safe groundwater for irrigation use in the Choushui River alluvial fan. Multiple‐variable indicator kriging (MVIK) was adopted to evaluate numerous hydrochemical parameters for a standard of water quality for irrigation in Taiwan. Many hydrochemical parameters in groundwater were distinguished into three main categories—salinity/sodium hazard, nitrogen hazard and heavy metal hazard. Safe and potential hazardous regions of groundwater for irrigation were delineated according to different probabilities estimated by MVIK. The probabilistic results of the classifications gave an opportunity to explore the spatial uncertainty of the hazards and helped government administrators establish a sound policy associated with the development and management of groundwater resources. Analysis of the results indicate that the central distal‐fan and mid‐fan aquifers are the best places to extract clean and safe groundwater for irrigation, and the deep aquifer (exceeding 200 m depth) has wider regions with clean and safe groundwater for irrigation than shallow aquifers. The northern and southern aquifers, with multiple hazards, limit groundwater use for irrigation. Although the proximal‐fan aquifer is a zone of groundwater recharge, the high nitrogen content seriously affects the environment and is not suitable for irrigation use. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Groundwater is a major source of water supply throughout the World. It is the largest available source of freshwater, which supports human health, socio-economic development, and ecological diversity. However, over-exploitation and the growing water pollution are threatening our ecosystems as well as the life of our future generations. How to maintain long-term sustainable yield from aquifers is a serious global concern, particularly in the developing countries. The main intent of this chapter is to highlight the constraints and challenges of sustainable development and management of groundwater resources in the developing nations. This chapter also intends to suggest ways for improving water resources management in general and groundwater management in particular. Firstly, the importance of freshwater is highlighted followed by an overview of growing problem of water crisis in the World and India. Secondly, the constraints and challenges of groundwater management in the developing nations are described. Thirdly, the modern concepts of water management, together with the principles of sustainable groundwater management are discussed. Finally, considering the enormity and severity of water problems in the developing countries (including India), a wakeup call is sounded. It is emphasized that the modern concepts coupled with emerging tools and techniques for water management hold a great promise for the sustainable management of groundwater resources in the developed and developing countries.

<p>In recent years, deep aquifers (> 50 m below ground level) have become increasingly interesting for the supply of drinking and irrigation water or geothermal use. Understanding the regional flow processes between near-surface and deep aquifer systems is an important criterion for the sustainable management of deep groundwater resources. However, hydrogeological conditions, regional flow rates and aquifer recharge in deep aquifers are largely unknown in many cases. The aims of the present study are therefore to determine (i) groundwater flow velocities in a Cenozoic multi-aquifer system, and (ii) proportion of aquifer recharge into the individual Cenozoic aquifers and timescales to completely replace water in the Cenozoic aquifers (turnover time).  </p><p>The numerical study was carried out in three adjacent groundwater catchment areas in the region of Eastern Brandenburg. In a first step, a hydrogeological 3D model of the entire Cenozoic aquifer system (85 km × 73 km and down to a depth of 0.5 km) was developed, which comprises up to 12 unconsolidated sandy aquifers and 10 confining units (glacial tills, silts and clays). In a second step, a steady-state flow modelling was performed including calibration using natural hydraulic head data from both regional main and deep aquifers.</p><p>The modeling results show that the average groundwater flow velocities decrease from 20-50 m/a in the near-surface Pleistocene main aquifers to 1-2 m/a in the deep Oligocene aquifers. At the same time, the aquifer recharge in the aquifer system decreases substantially with increasing depth. Depending on the catchment geology, the Pleistocene main aquifers are recharged by 65-70 % of infiltration water, while the aquifer recharge of the deep Oligocene aquifers is only 4.5-9.5 %. The calculations of turnover time indicate that the time periods to completely flush the deep aquifers are very long (approx. between 90 and 4600 years). The results thus allow a first quantification of the flow processes between near-surface and deep aquifers as well as the identification of flow paths to develop a utilization concept for deep groundwater resources in the region of Eastern Brandenburg.</p>

Sustainable Development and Management of Groundwater Resources in Mining Affected Areas: A Review

<p>The Maggiore Valley well field plays a fundamental role in supplying drinking water to a large territory of the Piedmont Region (north-western Italy) and has been intensively exploited since the early XX century. Due to the lack of other relevant sources of drinking water in this part of Piedmont region, this well field represents a drinking water reserve of regional importance.</p><p>This water resource  is host in a deep multi-layered aquifer system. The recharge area of the deep exploited aquifer is located towards the Po Plain, west (Turin Plain) and south (Cuneo Plain) of the study area. Most likely, the deep aquifer is recharged from west by Po river, that in this area is a losing river, due to the highly permeable Quaternary gravelly sand deposits in correspondence with the river.</p><p>The main purpose of this study was to confirm the interaction between deep aquifer and the Po River through a hydrochemical and isotopic assessment, and to characterize the different water resource quality in this areas (Po Plain, Poirino plateau, Maggiore Valley area).  </p><p>Two sampling campaigns were carried out both in the shallow and deep aquifers (March and June 2021) for a total of 128 samples. Physical-chemical analyzes of the main ions on all samples and isotopic analyzes (δ<sup>18</sup>O, δ<sup>2</sup>H) on 50 samples were conducted.</p><p>The processing of chemical data has confirmed the bicarbonate-calcium facies for the majority of the shallow and deep aquifers samples. Moreover, clear hydrochemical differences were observed between the investigated sectors; e.g. the shallow aquifer of the Poirino Plateau shows nitrate concentrations superior than the limits, unlike the deep aquifer of Maggiore Valley is characterized by low concentration of nitrate and other ions.  </p><p>The processing of isotopic data, combined with previous data, made it possible to identify a gradual increase in values of the isotopic composition along the flow direction into the Cuneo deep aquifer due to the progressive interaction with the shallow aquifer; moreover, isotopic data confirmed the interaction between the Po River (more negative values) and the shallow aquifer (more positive values) along the watercourse in the Turin Po Plain, resulting with a more negative isotopic composition in the shallow aquifer compared to nearby areas.</p><p>In the Maggiore Valley, the isotopic signals of the deep aquifer, flowing from the Turin plain and interpreted as potentially influenced by the Po River showed an isotopic composition highly similar to the watercourse, with to the least enriched waters of the area.</p><p>The isotopic signals of the deep aquifers in the Maggiore Valley flowing from the Cuneo plain (more positive) and Turin plain (more negative) were distinguished and the mixing between these converging aquifers in the well field area was verified.</p><p>In conclusion, the stable isotopes suggest an interaction between the Po River and the deep aquifer of the Maggiore Valley wells.</p><p>The study provides an additional tool for a better groundwater management and protection of a regional importance drinking water reserve.</p>

Combining monitoring and modelling tools as a basis for city-scale concepts for a sustainable thermal management of urban groundwater resources

Definición de zonas de recarga y descarga de agua subterránea a partir de indicadores superficiales: centro-sur de la Mesa Central, México

The North China Plain (NCP) is an important agricultural area in China and has a high population density. Serious water shortages have occurred in this region over the last 20 years. Water transfer from the Yangtze River (the east route) was initiated in the year 2002 to provide water for the major cities of the NCP. This study was carried out before the implementation of the water transfer project, focusing on the spatial integration of the groundwater flow system and geochemical characteristics, which are mainly controlled by tectonics, geomorphology, and lithology. The field survey and the geochemical analyses of the groundwater samples indicated that the groundwater in the NCP has a two‐layer structure, with a boundary at a depth of about 100–150 m. The two layers differ in pH, concentrations of SiO2 and major ions, and isotopes (18O, deuterium and tritium (T)). Chemical components in the upper layer showed a wider range and higher variability than those in the lower layer, indicating the impact of human activity. The flow direction of the groundwater in the upper layer was examined in detail in two profiles, showing that the upper layer flows east towards the Cangzhou–Daming fault, while the groundwater in the lower layer flows northeast towards Tianjin. Three hydrogeological zones are identified: recharge (Zone I), intermediate (Zone II), and discharge (Zone III). The recharge zone was found to be low in chloride (Cl−) but high in T. The discharge zone was found to be high in Cl− and low in T. This may be due to the difference in groundwater age. The discharge zone was subdivided into two sub‐zones, Zone III1 and Zone III2, by considering the effects of human activities. Zone III2 was strongly affected by water diversions from the Yellow River. As groundwater flows from the recharge zone to the intermediate and discharge zones, chemical patterns evolve in the order: Ca‐HCO3 > Mg‐HCO3 > Na‐Cl + SO4. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Gravity and electrical resistivity analysis of deep and shallow structures related to aquifers within the Jeffara Plain, southeast Tunisia

The deterioration of groundwater quality in Coimbatore district is principally attributed to the geological formations, application of agrochemicals and discharge of untreated industrial effluents. Groundwater samples were collected and analysed to obtain the hydrochemical characteristics for delineating the groundwater recharge and discharge zones. Alkaline water is present in the district during all seasons. Groundwater facies were evaluated and the majority of them were CaHCO3 and Ca–Na–HCO3 types. Generally, HCO3 was used to identify the recharge area and Cl the discharge area. Dominance of HCO3 in both water types helps in identifying the recharge zones. The TDS and major ions in conjunction with HCO3/Cl, SO4/HCO3, HCO3 + CO3/Ca + Mg, HCO3 + CO3/T.anions and Cl/T.anions were used in the delineation of recharge–discharge areas. Results of geochemical modelling using PHREEQC were in agreement with the analysis of ionic ratios. Carbonate minerals are saturated in the recharge zone and become undersaturated as the flow progresses. HCO3 to Cl types for the recharge to discharge zones were confirmed by the aqueous speciation modelling. Gradual increase of NO3 along the flow path also supported the increasing anthropogenic influences towards the discharge zone. The spatial distribution diagrams drawn for each of these ratios suggested that a major part of the study area is covered by recharge zones. Mettupalayam and Pollachi taluks were found to be discharge zones. The results of the study showed that the water quality in the discharge zones is largely controlled by anthropogenic activities. The study gains importance since part of the water supply to the Coimbatore corporation area is from a source in the neighbouring state and the major surface water source of this area comes under an interstate water dispute.

Characterizing groundwater recharge sources using water stable isotopes in the North Basin of Lake Kivu, East Africa

Models for ground water flow (MODFLOW) and particle tracking (MODPATH) were used to determine ground water flow patterns, principal ground water discharge and recharge zones, and estimates of ground water travel times in an unconfined ground water system of an outer coastal plain watershed on the Delmarva Peninsula, Virginia. By coupling recharge and discharge zones within the watershed, flowpath analysis can provide a method to locate and implement specific management strategies within a watershed to reduce ground water nitrogen loading to surface water. A monitoring well network was installed in Eyreville Creek watershed, a first-order creek, to determine hydraulic conductivities and spatial and temporal variations in hydraulic heads for use in model calibration. Ground water flow patterns indicated the convergence of flow along the four surface water features of the watershed; primary discharge areas were in the nontidal portions of the watershed. Ground water recharge zones corresponded to the surface water features with minimal development of a regional ground water system. Predicted ground water velocities varied between < 0.01 to 0.24 m/day, with elevated values associated with discharge areas and areas of convergence along surface water features. Some ground water residence times exceeded 100 years, although average residence times ranged between 16 and 21 years; approximately 95% of the ground water resource would reflect land use activities within the last 50 years.

In southeastern Bangladesh, where water quality in the upper aquifers is a serious constraint, future development will likely be confined to deep fresh groundwater. Owing to the importance and pervasive use of deep groundwater, the sustainability of water use has received extensive attention. However, excessive extraction from deep aquifers may pose a threat to the storage as well as the quality of water due to the high susceptibility to salinization and arsenic contamination from upper aquifers. Hence, determining the extension of aquifer units and the characterizing aquifer sediments are very important to ensure sustainable development and management of limited fresh groundwater resources. The study area extends over six districts of the southeastern coastal region of Bangladesh. In order to assess and monitor deep fresh groundwater potential in the study area, aquifer pumping tests were performed at six locations with up to 72 h of constant-discharge prior to recovery. Different methods were used to analyze the drawdown and recovery data considering aquifers as confined or leaky-confined. Based on transmissivity values it was found that the studied deep aquifers have moderate to high potential for potable water supply. However, this deep fresh groundwater may not be safe for a longer period where upper aquifer units contain saline groundwater and where there is no significant aquitard encountered above or below the deep aquifer. Irrigation extraction of the deep groundwater is not recommended.

Saltwater intrusion management in shallow and deep coastal aquifers for high aridity regions

Because of changing climatic conditions, uneven distribution of rainfall occurs throughout India. As a result, dependence on groundwater for irrigation has increased tremendously for industrial and domestic purposes. In India approximately 89% of agricultural demands are met through groundwater. Due to increases in population, demand for groundwater and lack of effective utilization have resulted in rapid depletion of groundwater in most parts of the country. Therefore, quantifying groundwater resources is a serious concern in populated states of India, because it is now difficult to supply enough water to every citizen, and will remain so in the future. Because of difficulties in accessing observation data, researchers have begun to depend on satellite-based remote sensing information to deal with groundwater variations. The present study deals with filling the data gap between Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) and GRACE Follow On (GRACE FO) missions using multilayer perceptron’s (MLPs) during 2017–2018 to obtain a continuous terrestrial water storage anomaly (TWSA) series from 2003 to 2020 for Telangana state, India. The MLP model performed well in predicting the TWSA, with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.96 between modeled TWSA and GRACE TWSA during the test period. Telangana state observed negative TWSAs (annual) in the years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2016–19. This TWSA series (2003–2020) was then used to evaluate regional groundwater storage anomalies (GWSAs) in Telangana state, which is considered to be one of the water stress regions in India. The TWSAs were converted to GWSAs using Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) parameters. The Telangana state experienced decreasing GWSA in the years 2005, 2009, and 2012, and from 2015 to 2019, leading to severe droughts. Groundwater well measurements were obtained from the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) and converted to GWSA at a seasonal scale. The GWSAs obtained from GRACE (GWSAGRACE) were converted to seasonal values and compared with GWSAs obtained from observation well data (GWSAobs). The performance metrics of r = 0.74, RMSE = 5.3, and NSE = 0.62 were obtained between (GWSAGRACE) and (GWSAobs), representing a good correlation among them. Over the past decade, Telangana state has significantly relied on groundwater resources for irrigation, domestic, and industrial purposes. As a result, evaluating groundwater storage variations at a regional scale may help policy makers and water resource researchers in the sustainable utilization and management of groundwater resources.