Abstract
A methodology is described for understanding the interaction of karstic aquifers with allogenic rivers, where little information is available. This methodology includes conventional hydrogenology methods tracer tests and measurements of flow into, out of and circulating within the karstic system. The method is designed to understand the hydrogeological behaviour of a river in sufficient detail, given a short study period. The methodology is applied to a karstic system in Spain, obtaining useful, quantitative results for a hydrological year, such as an estimate of the water balance, differentiation between autogenic and allogenic natural recharge, relationship and connection between the river and the aquifer, and measurements of infiltration capacity in watercourses under different hydrological situations. The paper deals with a useful example that could be applied to other rivers and aquifers where few data are available. It can be applied to aquifers under a natural regime and Mediterranean climate.
Highlights
Interactions between groundwater and surface water basically proceed in three ways: groundwater flows through the streamed into the stream, stream water infiltrates through the sediments into the groundwater, and ephemeral stream, where the water table is below the streambed, especially in karstic aquifers and arid river basins
The anticlinal axis of Santa María of the Hoyas-Ucero-Aylagas raises the marly base and, whilst it does not always outcrop, it makes the hidden lateral barrier, and the hinge and axis of the anticlinal make the underground watershed between the Lobos aquifer in the north, and the one to the south that feeds the springs at Rejas, Fuencaliente and Ucero
Its application enabled the principal characteristics about the River Lobos and its associated aquifer to be understood in a short period and it established a water balance for the year 1995-1996
Summary
Interactions between groundwater and surface water basically proceed in three ways: groundwater flows through the streamed into the stream (gaining stream), stream water infiltrates through the sediments into the groundwater (losing streams), and ephemeral stream, where the water table is below the streambed, especially in karstic aquifers and arid river basins. Some of these large springs, such as La Galiana (Iberian Cordillera, Soria, Spain), represent the only drainage point for aquifers They contain significant resources of high quality and are responsible for the majority of the base flow of the rivers they give rise to, since the Mediterranean climate is quite arid and precipitation is irregular. The groundwater resources of the Weald Facies around the periphery of the karst would be sufficient in quantity to satisfy current demand, they are mostly degraded by the naturally-poor quality of water, due to their high iron content For this reason, the karstic aquifer of the Lobos Canyon assumes greater importance as a water resource and as a significant water reserve suitable for human consumption, which need to be protected from contamination. Tracing studies were required to elucidate the hydraulic connection between the rivers and the aquifer (Segovia et al, 2011) [11]
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