River Groundwater Research Articles

三江平原挠力河干流河水与地下水转化关系分析

三江平原挠力河干流河水与地下水转化关系分析

Chemical and Toxicological Analysis of Territories Affected by Radiation and Chemical Pollutants: III. Peroxide Oxidation of Lipids and Toxicity Effects of Natural Water (in vivo Studies)

The toxic properties of river water and groundwater samples taken in the Zhizdrinskii and Ul’yanovskii districts of the Kaluga Oblast, which were the areas most exposed to long-lived radioisotopes in consequence of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, are studied using bioassay methods based on an analysis of the cumulative effect of toxic substances that are present in the analyzed water sample on the lipid peroxidation (LPO) processes. The concentrations of LPO products and extracellular DNA in the blood plasma of mice, the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells of mice, the antioxidant status of mouse tissues, and the total number of alterations in the structure of DNA molecules of mouse blood lymphocytes, as estimated based on the value of the relative rate constant of alkaline elution, are determined in in vivo experiments with a single per os administration of hexane–ether extracts from drinking water to experimental animals. The concentration of LPO products in native water samples is determined in the in vitro experiments using LPO liposomes obtained from lecithin, i.e., egg yolk phospholipid, as a model test system. The total set of the obtained data indicates the presence of a relationship between the parameters of the LPO control system and DNA damage and makes it possible to propose a method for the initiated oxidation of liposomes produced from lecithin that can be used in the initial assessment of the intensity of LPO in an aqueous medium.

Jakarta Groundwater Basin Recharge - Discharge Boundary Area Map: A Preliminary Study

The most important component in groundwater basin are recharge and discharge area. The direction of recharge component is downward while discharge is upward. To discover local recharge and discharge boundary area of the Jakarta groundwater basin, this experimental research is using many cross sections and some hydraulic parameters of many studies that has been conducted before, then simulated it in finite element program SEEP2D (GMS) and finally validated it with bore log and monitoring wells. Ten cross sections selected from 3 studies based on head contour, stratigraphy and groundwater river interaction to be simulated in finite element method SEEP2D (GMS) then the result is validated. Since the result of the investigation is not finished yet, this paper wants to demonstrate the methodology that being conducted in the research with the horizontal map hypothesis. The map hypothesis is evident compare to the real situation of Jakarta groundwater basin today and it is approved that the method that is being used in this research is eligible and appropriate to find the boundary area of recharge and discharge. In the future this recharge and discharge boundary area horizontal map of Jakarta groundwater basin result will encourage many practical solutions in supporting Jakarta groundwater basin management.

Groundwater–glacier meltwater interaction in proglacial aquifers

Abstract. Groundwater plays a significant role in glacial hydrology and can buffer changes to the timing and magnitude of flows in meltwater rivers. However, proglacial aquifer characteristics or groundwater dynamics in glacial catchments are rarely studied directly. We provide direct evidence of proglacial groundwater storage, and quantify multi-year groundwater–meltwater dynamics, through detailed aquifer characterisation and intensive high-resolution monitoring of the proglacial system of a rapidly retreating glacier, Virkisjökull, in south-eastern Iceland. Proglacial unconsolidated glaciofluvial sediments comprise a highly permeable aquifer (25–40 m d−1) in which groundwater flow in the shallowest 20–40 m of the aquifer is equivalent to 4.5 % (2.6 %–5.8 %) of mean river flow, and 9.7 % (5.8 %–12.3 %) of winter flow. Estimated annual groundwater flow through the entire aquifer thickness is 10 % (4 %–22 %) the magnitude of annual river flow. Groundwater in the aquifer is actively recharged by glacier meltwater and local precipitation, both rainfall and snowmelt, and strongly influenced by individual precipitation events. Local precipitation represents the highest proportion of recharge across the aquifer. However, significant glacial meltwater influence on groundwater within the aquifer occurs in a 50–500 m river zone within which there are complex groundwater–river exchanges. Stable isotopes, groundwater dynamics and temperature data demonstrate active recharge from river losses, especially in the summer melt season, with more than 25 % and often >50 % of groundwater in the near-river aquifer zone sourced from glacier meltwater. Proglacial aquifers such as these are common globally, and future changes in glacier coverage and precipitation are likely to increase the significance of groundwater storage within them. The scale of proglacial groundwater flow and storage has important implications for measuring meltwater flux, for predicting future river flows, and for providing strategic water supplies in de-glaciating catchments.

Is Flood Irrigation a Potential Driver of River-Groundwater Interactions and Diffuse Nitrate Pollution in Agricultural Watersheds?

In the Po plain, northern Italy, rivers within agricultural basins display steep summer increases in nitrate (NO3−) concentrations. Flood irrigation in overfertilized, permeable soils may drive such diffuse pollution, facilitating interactions between NO3−-rich groundwater and surface waters. We discuss multiple, indirect evidence of this mechanism in the Adda, Oglio, and Mincio rivers. These rivers drain agricultural soils with elevated nitrogen (N) surpluses, averaging 139, 193, and 136 kg ha−1 in the Adda, Oglio, and Mincio watersheds, respectively. The three rivers cross a transitional area between highly permeable and impermeable soils, where summer NO3− concentrations may increase by one order of magnitude over short distances (8–20 km). Upstream of this transitional area, a major fraction of the river flow is diverted for flood irrigation, a traditional and widespread irrigation technique for permeable soils. We speculate that diverted water solubilizes soil N excess, recharges the aquifer, and transfers soil N surplus into groundwater, resulting in NO3− pollution. Groundwater–river interactions were estimated experimentally, via water and NO3− budgets in 0.3 to 1 m3 s−1 km−1 and in 1500 to 5400 kg NO3−–N day−1. The data suggest a pronounced east–west gradient of groundwater to river diffuse water inputs among the three adjacent basins, reflecting the soil permeability and the width of the river–groundwater interaction zone. Given the large stock of NO3− in groundwater, management interventions performed at the basin scale and aimed at decreasing N excess will not produce an immediate decrease in river NO3− pollution.

FEM Analysis of Stress Charecteristics of Cut-off Wall in Rushan River Groundwater Reservoir

In order to evaluate the safety of stress intensity of the plastic concrete cut-off wall in Rushan River underground reservoir, the most dangerous section of the cut-off wall was selected, the stress distribution characteristics of the cut-off wall were analyzed by ABAQUS finite element analysis method, the safety strength was rechecked, and the calculation results are compared with the stress calculation results of the elastic foundation beam method. The following conclusions are drawn. The calculation results of the two methods show that the water level difference between the two sides of the cut-off wall has a great influence on the stress of the cut-off wall. The maximum compressive stress of cut-off wall is less than 3 Mpa and the maximum tensile stress is less than 0.65 Mpa, which meets the design strength of plastic concrete cut-off wall. ABAQUS finite element analysis method is feasible in the stress analysis of cut-off wall. Compared with the results of elastic foundation beam method, the finite element method can better reflect the stress distribution and displacement deformation on both sides of cut-off wall. ABAQUS finite element analysis method has certain advantages in stress analysis of cut-off wall.

Identification of floodplain and riverbed sediment heterogeneity in a meandering UK lowland stream by ground penetrating radar

Complex spatial heterogeneity in riverbed and floodplain sediments control the spatio-temporal exchange of groundwater and surface water in the hyporheic zone, inducing hot spots of microbial activity and biogeochemical cycling. However, the characterization of hyporheic exchange dynamics has thus far failed to adequately account for the complex subsurface heterogeneity of river bed sediments in a spatial explicitly manner, in particular for highly complex lowland river bed sediments. Here we demonstrate the ability of ground penetrating radar (GPR) to efficiently map floodplain and river bed sediment structures within a lowland meandering river. The aim of this study was to delineate the type and spatial extent of complex, texturally heterogeneous facies of high and low conductive streambed materials. GPR surveys in this study involved not only state-of-the-art terrestrial applications but also an aquatic survey conducted from a floating rig. The surveys revealed substantial sub-surface heterogeneity of depositional materials in the streambed and riparian zone. Eight characteristic radar facies were identified through the floodplain and ground-truthed against core samples and exposures of bank deposits. The majority of GPR profiles were dominated by trough-shaped depositional elements with erosional, curved, concave upward bounding surfaces, indicative of abandoned and chute stream channel structures. The identified abandoned channel structure was found to extend into the riverbed and to be filled by suspension fall-out fine-grained deposits (mud with organic matter and interbedded clay as indicated by observed signal attenuations). GPR proved to be a successful method to identify the spatial patterns of low conductivity peat and clay structures in the streambed and riparian zone of the investigated meander bend, highlighting its potential for larger scale analysis of these structures that have shown to control the exchange flow patterns between groundwater and surface water in lowland rivers.

Investigation into Groundwater Resources in Southern Part of the Red River’s Delta Plain, Vietnam by the Use of Isotopic Techniques

Groundwater in the Red River’s delta plain, North Vietnam, was found in Holocene, Pleistocene, Neogene and Triassic aquifers in fresh, brackish and saline types with a total dissolved solids (TDS) content ranging from less than 1 g L−1 to higher than 3 g L−1. Saline water exists inHolocene aquifer, but fresh and brackish water exist in Pleistocene, Neogene and Triassic aquifers. This study aims at the investigation into genesis and processes controlling quality of water resources in the region. For this isotopic, combined with geochemical techniques were applied. The techniques include: (i) measurement of water’s isotopic compositions (δ2H, δ18O) in water; (ii) determination of water’s age by the 3H- and 14C-dating method, and (iii) chemical analyses for main cations and anions in water. Results obtained revealed that saline water in Holocene aquifer was affected by seawater intrusion, fresh water in deeper aquifers originated from meteoric water but with old ages, up to 10,000–14,000 yr. The recharge area of fresh water is from the northwest highland at an altitude of 140–160m above sea level. The recharge water flows northwesterly towards southeasterly to the seacoast at a rate of 2.5m y−1. Chemistry of water resources in the study region is controlled by ferric, sulfate and nitrate reduction with organic matters as well as dissolution of inorganic carbonate minerals present in the sediment deposits. Results of isotopic signatures in water from Neogene, Triassic and Pleistocene aquifers suggested the three aquifers are connected to each other due to the existence of faults and fissures in Mesozoic basement across the delta region in combination with high rate of groundwater mining. Moreover, the high rate of freshwater abstraction from Pleistocene aquifer currently causes sea water to flow backwards to production well field located in the center of the region.

The Space and Time Variations of Water Quality and Water Pollution Dynamics in the Oka Basin

The space–time variations in the Oka basin water chemistry have been considered. The specific features in the river water and groundwater pollution along the Oka channel and its main tributaries have been determined. The distribution of the main pollutants and their sources along the river areas has been identified. Schematic maps of the hydrochemical flow and time variations in the main pollutants have been compiled. The main types of river aquatic organisms have been characterized, and their dynamics has been described depending on the level of river water pollution.

Pollution Degree of the Don River Water

The formation and distribution of river flow characteristics in the Don basin have been catholically analyzed, depending on the present-day climatic conditions in the central European Russia. The recent global warming is shown to have resulted in a change in the river flow formation conditions and water resources, as well as in a substantial transformation of the river water regime in the basin. The river water and groundwater chemistry in the basin in 1990–2015 has been considered at the main observation points. The dynamics of river water quality pollution level during the long period is presented. Water pollution characteristics, which make it possible to identify the water quality class and pollution level, have been used to give a generalized estimate of the water quality in the chosen river areas.

Occurrence of pathogens in the river–groundwater interface in a losing river stretch (Besòs River Delta, Spain)

The aim of this study is to investigate the occurrence of faecal indicator and microbial pathogens (bacteria and virus) in the shallow urban aquifer of the Besòs River Delta (NE Spain). To this end, human adenovirus (HAdV) and Norovirus of genogroups I and II (NoV GI and NoV GII) as well as the faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) Escherichia coli (EC) and faecal enterococci (FE) were monitored in groundwater and in the River Besòs in December 2013 and in July 2104. None of the targeted pathogens were detected in groundwater in December 2013 but contamination of human origin was observed in approximately 50% of the points sampled in July 2014 reaching concentrations up to 99 GC/100 mL for HAdV. Generally, microbial concentrations in river water were higher than those detected in groundwater. This observation indicates that pathogens are naturally attenuated when river water infiltrates and flows through the aquifer, however HAdV were detected at a sampling point located at 380 m from the river in the absence of FIB. The presence of human viral contamination may represent a risk for the use of groundwater as a drinking water source. Further research is needed to understand the dynamics of pathogens in river–groundwater interface over long time periods and a wide range of flow conditions (wet and dry periods) since the urban groundwater of this aquifer might be a valuable drinking water resource in Barcelona especially during drought periods. The methodology followed in this research can be applied to other urban aquifers with similar purposes since the scarcity and contamination of freshwater resources are worldwide issues.

Analyses of Retrogressive Slope Failures in Terrace Deposits

Abstract Slope failures in terrace deposits were explored and studied in this research. In situ exploration and sampling were carried out in Shin-Shan Village of Nantou County after a typhoon. Large direct shear tests in the laboratory were performed to measure the shear strength of the material. The soil-water characteristic curve of the soil was derived from pressure plate tests. The cross-sectional profiles of the failed slope before and after the typhoon in this area were obtained using a digital elevation model and 3-D terrestrial scanner, respectively. The numerical software SEEP/W and SLOPE/W were used to analyze the slope stability under similar rainfall to the typhoon. Different groundwater levels and river water levels were considered to compare the factor of safety values and reveal the failure processes of the slope. The possible failure of the slope may be due to scouring of the slope toe by fluvial erosion caused by rising water river levels, mud flows, or both, based on the investigated profiles and numerical simulations. The estimated length of scouring was about 20 m long. Based on the numerical modeling, the possible mechanism of failure for this length of scouring could be due to multiple retrogressive failures after toe scouring.

Dynamics of greenhouse gases in groundwater: hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical controls

In this study the variability of greenhouse gases (GHGs) concentrations along lateral and vertical dimensions of the chalk aquifer located in the eastern part of Belgium was examined in order to understand its dependence on hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical conditions. Groundwater samples from 29 wells/piezometers were analyzed for concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), major and minor elements and stable isotopes of nitrate (NO3−), nitrous oxide (N2O), sulfate (SO42−) and boron (B). For lateral investigations, four zones with different environmental settings were identified (southern, central, north-eastern and northern). Groundwater was oversaturated with GHGs with respect to its equilibrium concentrations with the atmosphere in all zones, except the northern one, undersaturated in N2O (0.07 ± 0.08 μgN/L vs. 0.3 μgN/L). Vertical dimension studies showed the decrease in CO2 concentration and significant changes in both isotope signatures and concentration of N2O with depth. The production of N2O could be attributed to a combination of nitrification and denitrification processes occurring at different depths. CO2 concentration is controlled by the process of dissolution of carbonate minerals which constitute aquifer geology. CH4 is produced due to methanogenesis in deeper parts of the aquifer, though its thermogenic origin is also possible. Differences in hydrogeochemical settings and changing intensity of biogeochemical processes across the area and with depth have considerable effect on GHGs concentrations. Thus, before estimating GHGs fluxes at the groundwater–river interface insights obtained from larger-scale investigations are required in order to identify the representative spatial zones which govern GHGs emissions.

The Quality Inspection of Plastic Concrete Anti-Seepage Wall For Rushan River Groundwater Reservoir

The construction of anti-seepage wall is an important part of the Rushan River underground reservoir project. The quality inspection of the anti-seepage wall is an important measures to ensure the anti-seepage reliability, and has important practical significance. The quality of anti-seepage wall is inspected by ultra-high density electrical method, on the basis of investigating the stratum lithology of Rushan River and the construction method of anti-seepage wall. The following conclusions are as drawn. (1) Ultra-high density electrical method greatly improves the quantity of data acquisition by using the mode of multi-channel, multiple electrode, data automatic acquisition. (2) The arrangement of disposable survey line is adopted in the inspection, which can easy to operate and save inspection time. (3) With increasing of the inspection data, the error of inversion system is reduced, and the contour map of apparent resistivity is more reliable. (4) The contour map of apparent resistivity shows that the anti-seepage wall has good continuity, and obvious discontinuous anti-seepage wall is not found; the connection between the anti-seepage wall and the bedrock is well, indicating that the quality of anti-seepage wall meets the anticipated effect, the next construction can be implemented.

Simplification error analysis for groundwater predictions with reduced order models

Groundwater resource management often requires detailed numerical models that make calibration and predictive uncertainty analysis computationally challenging. Reduced order models (ROMs) alleviate the computational burden but can potentially lead to predictive bias and underestimation of uncertainty. A paired model approach has previously been proposed to estimate the predictive uncertainty of models compared to highly complex, synthetic realities. This approach is modified to analyze and compare the simplification error for groundwater predictions of a real-world numerical MODFLOW model of the Wairau Plains Aquifer in the Marlborough Region of New Zealand. Two different ROM types were applied in this study to predict groundwater heads, spring discharge and river–groundwater exchange fluxes: (1) a drastically simplified MODFLOW model, and (2) artificial neural networks (ANNs). The different ROMs exhibit very different patterns of bias and magnitude of model simplification error. The method accurately captures the simplification error for most predictions by the MODFLOW model, but underestimates the error for predictions highly dependent on the variability of the complex model. The simplified MODFLOW model shows significant parameter surrogacy and non-optimality of simplification, thus questioning the adherence to expert-knowledge based parameter limits. For predictions where historic data sets are available, ANNs provide superior predictive power. However, they cannot be applied to predictions of data types and locations not contained in the calibration data set. For those predictions, simplified numerical models can be applied with varying degree of accuracy.

Assessment of the effects of wastewater treatment plant effluents on receiving streams using oligochaete communities of the porous matrix

Human activities can disturb the natural dynamics of exchanges between surface water and groundwater in rivers. Such exchanges contribute to the self-purification of the environment and an excess of infiltration can lead to contamination of groundwater. In addition, the porous matrix (coarse surface sediments and hyporheic zone), through which water exchanges occur, is a sink for pollutants. For environmental monitoring programs, it is therefore essential to take into account both the dynamics of vertical hydrological exchanges and the biological quality of this matrix. The functional trait (FTR) method, which is based on the study of oligochaete communities in coarse surface sediments and the hyporheic zone, was proposed as a tool to simultaneously assess the dynamics of vertical hydrological exchanges and the effects of pollutants present in the porous matrix. Here, we applied this method during two different periods (in March and September 2016), upstream and downstream of locations affected by discharges from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) located in Switzerland. The biological quality of surface sediments and the hyporheic zone was shown to be better upstream of the WWTP in both campaigns. In addition, results suggested that the capacity for self-purification was lower downstream of the WWTP, and that groundwater at these locations was vulnerable to pollution by surface water. The FTR method proved valuable as a field method for detecting the effects of point source contamination on receiving streams. In the near future, this community-based approach will benefit from advances in the use of DNA barcodes for oligochaete species identification.

Time evolution of groundwater quality in Dehui City

The unreasonable development and utilization of groundwater in Dehui City, China, has resulted in poor groundwater quality conditions. Based on the collection of a large amount of groundwater chemical data and hydrogeological data collected by Dehui City from 1992 to 2015, this paper uses hydrogeological analysis, graphic and other methods and ArcGIS toolbox to analyze the groundwater quality of this City. The study shows that the concentration of groundwater chemical components in the vicinity of the Songhua River is decreasing with time, and the concentration of groundwater chemical components in other regions is increasing with time. The increase of chemical concentrations are affected by human activities and water-rock interaction. The decrease of groundwater chemical concentration in Songhua River area is caused by the mixing between dilute river water and groundwater.

Characterization of Groundwater Discharge to Rivers in the Shire River Basin, Malawi

This study investigates groundwater discharge to rivers in the Shire River Basin, Malawi, using the base flow index (BFI) approach. The BFI represents the baseflow component of a river and is often used as a proxy indicator of groundwater discharge to a river. The smoothed minima method was applied to river flow data from 15 gauges in the Basin (ranging from 1948 to 2012) and the Mann-Kendall (MK) statistical test was used to identify trends in the BFI. The BFI results indicate that groundwater plays an important role in contributing to river flows in the SRB, especially in the dry season. Expressing the BFI as a percentage, these values indicate that annual groundwater discharge to the river’s ranges from 19% in the Rivirivi River to 97% in the Shire River. Seasonally, minimal difference was found between the annual and the wet season BFI. Generally, the dry season BFI was higher than those of the wet season with most rivers increasing to >75%. Groundwater data supported the seasonal fluctuations identified in the BFI data, however, there were no groundwater monitoring boreholes in close proximity to any of the river gauges for in-depth analysis. The results also showed long term trends in the BFI data indicating behavioural changes in the river baseflow and groundwater discharge. In some areas, the declines in BFI indicate that groundwater discharge has been reducing over time due to declines in groundwater levels. This is a concern for the sustainable management of water resources in the Basin. The findings of this study provide important new knowledge on the seasonal and long-term behaviour of groundwater discharge to rivers in the Basin which will be crucial for supporting sustainable water resources management practices. The results will be particularly useful to the new National Water Resources Authority within the Malawian Government, who will oversee catchment management plans.

Assessing surface water–groundwater interactions in a complex river‐floodplain wetland‐isolated lake system

AbstractFloodplain systems are most often hydrologically complex settings characterized by highly variable surface water–groundwater interactions that are subjected to wide‐ranging wetting and drying over seasonal timeframes. This study used field methods, statistical analysis, and the Darcy's law approach to explore surface water–groundwater dynamics, interactions, and fluxes in a geographically complex river‐floodplain wetland‐isolated lake system (Poyang Lake, China). The floodplain system of Poyang Lake is affected by strongly seasonal shifts between dry and wet processes that cause marked changes in surface water and groundwater flow regimes. Results indicate that wetland groundwater is more sensitive to variations in river levels than the seasonal isolated lakes. In general, groundwater levels are lower than those of the isolated lakes but slightly higher than river levels. Statistical analysis indicates that the river hydrology plays a more significant role than the isolated lakes in controlling floodplain groundwater dynamics. Overall, the river shows gaining conditions and occasionally losing conditions with highly variable Darcy fluxes of up to +0.4 and −0.2 m/day, respectively, whereas the isolated lakes are more likely to show slightly losing conditions (less than −0.1 m/day). Although seasonal flux rates range from 7.5 to 48.2 m/day for surface water–groundwater interactions in the floodplain, the flux rates for river–groundwater interactions were around four to seven times higher than that of the isolated lake–groundwater interactions. The outcomes of this study have important implications for improving the understanding of the water resources, water quality, and ecosystem functioning for both the river and the lake.

Rate of success for a groundwater drilling program planned from AEM, Gascoyne River, WA

In a collaboration between Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) and CSIRO, funded by the Western Australia Government's Royalties for Regions Program and the Gascoyne Foodbowl Project, the Gascoyne River AEM Aquifer and Groundwater Characterization Project was established with the aim of determining whether airborne electromagnetic (AEM) data can be employed to better map attributes of the unconfined alluvial aquifer beneath and adjacent to the ephemeral Gascoyne River. One major aspect of the project was to produce drilling targets, based on interpretation of AEM data, for groundwater production. In this presentation, we briefly recapitulate our method and discuss the result of the drilling campaign that ensued. We show that our exploration targets have resulted in overwhelming success in the conversion of exploration wells to production bores; and that the production wells produce greater yields of better quality groundwater than previous campaigns that were conducted through step-out drilling. We show that interpretation of the AEM inversions allowed us to map the aquitard layers that define the bottom of the Gascoyne River Old Alluvium aquifer system, determine the extent of the saltwater intrusion from the nearby Indian Ocean, and to calculate the overall volume of the aquifer system. These calculations allow us to provide estimates of total groundwater volume contained in the aquifer for sustainable production.