Groundwater Quantity Research Articles

A management framework for the efficient use of surface water resources in Sithonia Peninsula (Greece)

The Peninsula of Sithonia is one of many typical regions in Greece in which overexploitation of local aquifers has led to several serious problems related to quantity and quality degradation of groundwater reserves. In this paper, a management plan is presented that aims at the utilization of the so far unexploited surface water resources of the area in order to restore the degraded aquifers and to supplement the groundwater supplies, mostly for domestic use. To this end the total municipal water demand and the potential of surface waters are first estimated at both the local and regional levels. Next, four alternative management schemes are examined, each one consisting of a different number of reservoirs. A preliminary evaluation of these water supply alternatives, that concludes the paper, is based on both operational and economic factors in order to facilitate a future multi-criterion decisionmaking analysis.

A REVIEW ON MANAGED AQUIFER RECHARGE BY CHECK DAMS : A CASE STUDY NEAR CHENNAI, INDIA

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) through check dams is the intentional recharge of water in the aquifers. The objective of this paper is to present a review of research work carried out on the impact of check dams in improving the groundwater quantity, quality and livelihood of people. Further, investigation carried out on the effectiveness of a check dam across Arani River, located north-west of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India is also presented as a case study. The study reveals that proper maintenance of check dams will result in the sustainable replenishment of groundwater resources in a region. In general the MAR through check dam is found to be one of the efficient methods to improve the groundwater head and quality which in turn improve the livelihood of community as indicated by most of the studies. Case study carried out near Chennai is an evident that check dam has increased the groundwater level up to 1.5 m. Thus MAR by check dam can be considered as a best option for efficient and sustainable management of groundwater resources. Index Terms: Water resources management, Groundwater recharge, Groundwater Quality, Socioeconomic impact,

Determining Groundwater Recharge from Stream Flow with Seasonal Recession Method

Abstract - Volume of groundwater recharge showed a picture of a watershed to determine the flow instability due to the physical characteristics of the watershed and precipitation. Many methods had been constructed to understand the dynamic movement of water discharge. One of them was the analysis of the stream hydrograph with Seasonal Recession Method. Information about groundwater recharge condition at several sub watershed in Krueng Peusangan Watershed was really needed in management of watershed for sustainable water resources. The study aimed to determine groundwater recharge from stream flow with seasonal recession method was conducted in Krueng Peusangan watershed, Aceh Province, Indonesia. The results showed that the trend pattern of the stream hydrograph could be explained using the exponential function where the dots lowest discharge that is the end of the recession (y) than any period of time on stream hydrograph semi logarithmic (x). The pattern of results that occurred in the watershed of Krueng Peusangan: (A) Krueng Seumpo had a trend for y = 9.2x-0.35, (B) Simpang Jaya for y = 559.7x-0.5, (C) Beukah village for y = 142x-0.32 , (D) Sub watershed of Lut Tawar (Wih Nareh) for y = 1.3x-0.12 and (E) Sub watershed of Teupin Mane (Krueng Teumbo) for y = 1.94x-0.42. It also showed that the location of A, B, C, E had a higher slope and a decreased recharge pattern compared to the location of D (sub watershed of Lut Tawar) that tended to flat. The volume of groundwater recharge that occurred in a region (A and D) increased while the other location was very volatile. Moreover, recharge instability occurred in Krueng Teumbo. Therefore, it needed a clear direction for land use and functions of forests, especially in the recharge area, in order to maintain the balance of the hydrological cycle, and the quantity of groundwater. Keywords: groundwater recharge, seasonal recession method, base flow, stream flow, water resources

An Integrated Groundwater Management Mode Based on Control Indexes of Groundwater Quantity and Level

Groundwater is an important source of freshwater throughout the world. Due to over-exploitation of groundwater over many years, a number of potential adverse hydrogeological problems have raised. To reduce such adverse effects, it is necessary to carry out strict groundwater management in over-exploited areas. In this study, quantity-level binary control management mode has been developed in Tianjin. Initially, the management is the key to determine control levels of groundwater including the blue line levels (proper levels) and red line levels (warning levels), the blue line levels can be determined by the ground settlement recovery scenario, and the red line levels can be determined through planning groundwater exploitation scenarios. By comparing the real-time observed groundwater data with the blue levels and red levels the management grade of groundwater levels which are present, can thus be identified. Secondly, the corresponding management strategies would be determined by the management grade. On this basis reasonable groundwater levels and mining schemes can be made. Finally, the water quota for each sector can be optimized and adjusted in real time according to the binary groundwater management methodology established in this study. Thus, the exploitation of groundwater can be monitored and dynamically managed by the real-time monitoring levels and the sustainable utilization of groundwater resources can be achieved. To achieve all the objectives mentioned above, it is necessary to provide a powerful tool through the utilization of a numerical model for groundwater management. Based on geological and hydrogeological conditions in Tianjin city, a three-dimensional numerical groundwater flow model was established by coupling a one-dimensional soil consolidation model with MODFLOW model. Through calibration and verification, the model showed good simulation accuracy. It proved that the new management mode can provide a scientific basis for groundwater management.

Simulation of nitrate transport and wastewater seepage in groundwater flow system

Groundwater quantity and quality modeling is one approach for optimal use of available water resources in arid and semiarid regions. This study was conducted to simulate flow treatment and nitrate transport on Shahrekord aquifer using three-dimensional solute transport model and geographical information system. Hydraulic conductivity, specific yield and recharge values in flow simulation process and effect molecular diffusion coefficient, longitudinal dispersivity and distribution coefficient in quality model were calibrated. 120 water samples during July 2007 to June 2008 were collected monthly from 10 wells and measurements of nitrate were carried out. The results show that the developed model is successfully used to simulate flow path and nitrate transport in saturated porous media. The highest values of nitrate occur along Bahram–Abad village and the surroundings. The groundwater quality in the area represents a complex system, which is affected by different factors of pollution, such as urban wastewater and leaching of agricultural lands.

Modeling coupled unsaturated and saturated nitrate distribution of the aquifer Westliches Leibnitzer Feld, Austria

The aquifer Westliches Leibnitzer Feld, Austria, is a significant resource for regional and supraregional drinking water supply for more than 100,000 inhabitants, but the region also provides excellent agricultural conditions. This dual use implicates conflicts (e.g., non-point source groundwater pollution by nitrogen leaching), which have to be harmonized for a sustainable coexistence. At the aquifer scale, numerical models are state-of-the-art tools to simulate the behavior of groundwater quantity and quality and serve as decision support system for implementing groundwater protecting measures. While fully and iteratively coupled simulation models consider feedback between the saturated and unsaturated zone, sandy soil conditions and groundwater depths beneath the root zone allow the use of a unidirectional sequential coupling of the unsaturated water flow and nitrate transport model SIMWASER/STOTRASIM with FEFLOW for the investigation area. Considering separated inputs of water and nitrogen into groundwater out of surface water bodies, agricultural, residential and forested areas, first simulation results match observed groundwater tables, but underestimate nitrate concentrations in general. Thus, multiple scenarios assuming higher nitrogen inputs at the surface are simulated to converge with measured nitrate concentrations. Preliminary results indicate that N-input into the groundwater is strongly dominated by contributions of agricultural land.

Research on the evaluation method of groundwater quantity and pollution vulnerability

Current research on groundwater vulnerability is aimed mainly at groundwater pollution vulnerability (GPV), and the vulnerability of groundwater quantity is seldom considered. It is important to carry out the groundwater vulnerability evaluation for the management of groundwater resources. This paper presents evaluation models and methods for assessing groundwater quantity and pollution vulnerability. The models and methods were used to evaluate the groundwater vulnerability in the plain area of Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China. The groundwater quantity vulnerability was assessed by computing the groundwater recharge rate, and the GPV was evaluated by simulating the migration time for pollutants traveling from ground surface to the aquifer. The research results could provide scientific support for the management of regional groundwater resources, prevention and control of groundwater pollution.

A large-scale conjunctive management model of water resources for an arid irrigation district in China

The quantity of available water resources has been recognized as the key limiting factor for development of most of the arid regions. This paper focuses on the simulation–optimization for conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater on a large scale. In this study, Hetao Irrigation District in China, one of the largest irrigation districts in the Yellow River basin, is selected as a representative study area. The conjunctive management model of water resources is developed by means of dynamically coupling a large-scale hydrological model with an optimal allocation model. A groundwater level is adopted in the coupled model as the constraint condition and the optimal conjunctive utilization quantity of surface water and groundwater is set as the objective function. Finally, the coupled model is applied to calculate the optimal water supply quantity of surface water and groundwater and sustainable utilization scheme of water resources for 2020 and 2030 in Hetao Irrigation District. The modeling results demonstrate the conjunctive management model of water resources is an effective tool for appraising water resources in large-scale arid regions.

Implementation of GIS and Geographic RDBMS Prototype for Water Resources Management. Zeuss-Koutine Basin (South of Tunisia)

The scarcity of shallow water, which is a delicate matter in southern Tunisia, is relatively compensated by groundwater resources. Indeed, the South contains 25% of water reserves of the country whom 10% are superficial water. The different hydrogeological studies show that the Zeuss-Koutine region is composed of several aquifer systems, which may be subdivided into two distinct levels; a superficial and a deep one. Such water resources show signs of localized over- exploitation which has a serious effect on the change of the hydrosystem characteristics in this region. Recently, Tunisia proves to be very interested in the contribution of new technology in particular Geographic Information System (GIS) to resolve the problem of water resources deficit in Tunisia essentially in semiarid southern part, in addition to the increased exploitation of groundwater resources, not renewable basically in last years. Hence, preserving water resources in the short and long term is a must. This fact might be achieved by the geographical information system (GIS). To respond to this object, detailed hydrological and hydrogeological studies are efficient, and a Geographic Relational Data Base Management System (RDBMS) by MERISE model was created in this study for organization of all these data in a structured way (method) and was easily exploitable under it. In addition, a lithostratigraphic correlation by the GIS is very important for understanding of the aquifer geometry and hydrodynamic interactions. The correlation among multi data shows a high degradation increasing from the South to the North (both quality and quantity of the Zeuss-Koutine groundwater). That is why another study of the water quality (salinity) and exploitation is considered crucial.

Impacts of groundwater pumping and climate variability on groundwater availability in the Rio Grande Basin

Groundwater is a critical resource for sustainable economic growth in an arid and semi‐arid region such as the Rio Grande Basin because it provides water for municipal, industrial, and domestic, and agricultural users. The water is also important for the health of riparian ecosystems in the Rio Grande basin. Historic groundwater pumping has resulted in large groundwater level drawdown, water quality deterioration, depletion of surface water and subsidence in El Paso/Ciudad Juarez area, which in turn will limit groundwater availability in the future. Therefore, securing future groundwater availability involves a multi‐spectrum of efforts, including minimizing net losses from the underground reservoir, managing groundwater as an integrated part of the hydrologic cycle, developing infrastructure based on an understanding of the natural hydrologic system, using water wisely and efficiently, and allocating and monitoring water fairly for human as well as environmental and ecological needs. This paper focuses on the current status of groundwater quantity and geochemistry—groundwater hydrology, key aquifers, water quantity and chemistry, impacts of groundwater pumping and climate variability on groundwater availability within the Rio Grande Basin along river reaches between Elephant Butte Dam and Amistad Dam. This paper is part of a larger effort to summarize the state of the science relative to water sustainability in the region. This information can be used to plan research and education agendas aimed at water sustainability under climate and social changes. Current water uses and estimates of groundwater availability are summarized for the selected regional aquifers that underlie or are located adjacent to the Rio Grande. Several research topics are identified and recommended in terms of gaining better understanding of groundwater availability and impacts of future groundwater pumping and climate variability on the regional aquifer systems.

Integrating the spatial variability of water quality and quantity to probabilistically assess groundwater sustainability for use in aquaculture

Aquaculture industries generally extract large amounts of groundwater for the cultivation of fish. To reduce the adverse effects on fish cultivation and groundwater drawdown, this study develops a method that simultaneously considers the spatial variability of groundwater in terms of quality and quantity in order to determine sustainable groundwater use for aquaculture in the Pingtung Plain, Taiwan. Because of limited observation data with high prediction uncertainty, sequential indicator simulation (SIS) was adopted to reproduce the spatial distributions of the main pollutants in groundwater, manganese and ammonium-nitrogen. The corresponding distributions of the groundwater utilization ratio (GUR), which is defined as the ratio showing the volume of groundwater utilization compared to pond water, were determined based on the mass balance of the hydrochemical parameters in the groundwater, surface water, and pond water. Four categories in groundwater utilization—GUR < 0.1 (strictly limited), 0.1 ≦ GUR < 0.5 (minor), 0.5 ≦ GUR < 1 (major), and GUR = 1 (completely used)—were characterized based on estimated probabilities. A safe GUR was selected from a maximum estimation probability of the groundwater categories. SIS was also used to grade the transmissivity fields for gauging the pumping capacity of the aquifers. Finally, for different conditions indicating groundwater quality and quantity, the combinations were delineated spatially to provide decision makers with detailed information which will enable them to wisely select a reliable scheme for groundwater management of fishponds. The analytical results reveal that groundwater can be completely used for fish farming in 6.9 % of aquifers, but should serve as a minor water resource for fishponds in 8.6 % of aquifers.

An overview of the effects of urbanization on the quantity and quality of groundwater in South Asian megacities

One of the challenges facing megacities in South Asian developing countries in their attempts to realize so-called urban rejuvenation is groundwater conditioned by canal seepage and immense sewage loads. To understand the connection between groundwater pollutants and urbanization, numerous studies were reviewed, and data obtained from a variety of national and international organizations were analyzed. In Delhi and Dhaka, urbanization has lowered the groundwater level as a result of severe overextraction, and its dense population makes Delhi particularly vulnerable to groundwater pollution. In the coastal areas of Karachi and Mumbai, such pollution is magnified by the proximity of seawater as well as the increasing populations of these areas. Among the groundwater pollutants associated with urbanization, chlorides and nitrates are the chief anthropogenic toxins; thus, they are examined in this study. This paper concludes with policy recommendations for minimizing the impact of urbanization on groundwater.

Hydrogeochemistry and geochemical simulations to assess water–rock interactions in complex carbonate aquifers: The case of Aguadulce (SE Spain)

The hydrogeological unit of Aguadulce (Campo de Dalías aquifers, SE Spain) has a complex geometry. This fact, together with a continuous rise in water demand due to intensive agriculture and tourism create problems for groundwater quantity and quality. In this paper classic geochemical tools managed by means of GIS software and geochemical simulations are combined to delineate, identify and locate the possible physicochemical processes acting in the Aguadulce groundwater. Two main aquifers can be distinguished: the carbonate or lower aquifer of Triassic age, and the calcodetritic or upper aquifer of Plio-Quaternary age. Groundwaters from the latter are more saline and, assuming all chlorinity originates from seawater intrusion, the seawater contribution to their composition would be up to 7%. Nevertheless the carbonate aquifer appears not to be homogeneous: it is compartmentalised into 4 zones where different processes explain the different groundwaters compositions. Zone 4 samples (E margin of the carbonate aquifer) resemble those of the Plio-Quaternary aquifer, where calcite precipitation, dolomite and gypsum dissolution and some cation exchange (water–rock interaction) together with seawater–freshwater mixing occur. In contrast, water–rock interaction predominates in zones 1 and 3 of the carbonate aquifer. Moreover, zone 2 samples, located between zones 1 and 3, are explained by water–rock interaction in addition to mixing with Plio-Quaternary aquifer waters. The combination of geochemical simulations with GIS and hydrogeochemical analyses has proven to be effective in identifying and locating the different physicochemical processes in the aquifer areas, thus improving understanding of hydrogeochemistry in complex aquifers.

Hydrochemical characteristics and GIS-based assessment of groundwater quality in the coastal aquifers of Tuticorin corporation, Tamilnadu, India

Tuticorin corporation stretches geographically from 8°43′–8°51′N latitude and 78°5′–78°10′E longitude, positioned in the East–West International sea routes on the South–East coast of India. The rapid urban developments in the past two decades of Tuticorin have caused depletion of groundwater quantity, and deterioration of quality through excessive consumption and influx of pollutants from natural and anthropogenic activities. The water samples collected in the field were analyzed for electrical conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids, major cations like calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and anions SUCH AS bicarbonate, carbonate, chloride, nitrate and sulfate, in the laboratory using the standard methods given by the American Public Health Association. In order to assess the groundwater quality, 36 groundwater samples had been collected in year 2011. The geographic information system-based spatial distribution map of different major elements has been prepared using ArcGIS 9.2. The Piper plot shows that most of the groundwater samples fall in the field of Ca2+-Mg2+–Cl−-SO42− and Na+-K+–Cl−-HCO3− by projecting the position on the plots in the triangular field. The cation concentration indicate that 83, 39 and 22 % of the K+, Na+, Ca2+ concentrations exceed the WHO limit. As per Wilcox’s diagram and US Salinity laboratory classification, most of the groundwater samples are not suitable for irrigation due to the presence of high salinity and medium sodium hazard. Irrigation waters classified based on sodium absorption ratio, have revealed that 52 % groundwater are in general safe for irrigation, which needs treatment before use. permeability index also indicates that the groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation purpose.

Simulation and Analysis of Groundwater Environment in Shenfu New Town

The quality and quantity of groundwater in Shenfu New Town are simulated use Visual MODFLOW, to analyze the influence of leakage and discharge of the sewage treatment plants in plan in future. Three nitrogen is the factor of water quality simulation. The conclusion is analyzed to put forward measure for protection of groundwater.

Environmental Lithium Exposure in the North of Chile—II. Natural Food Sources

Lithium, generally, occurs in barely trace amounts in ground water with few major exceptions. One of these is the northern area of Chile where all potable water and many of the food stuffs contain high levels of lithium. Surface water can contain between 100 and 10,000 times more than most rivers in North America. Inevitably, food, both animal and vegetable, contains higher lithium levels than found elsewhere. In consequence, the local population has been exposed to high levels of lithium in their food and drinking water for as long as the region has been populated. The present report details lithium levels in a variety of food stuffs from several locations in Northern Chile and compares these with those found elsewhere. The implications for the local population have been discussed in our earlier paper.

Technical note: Guide to groundwater monitoring for the coal industry

It is well established in literature that the environmental impacts associated with the coal industry are numerous. In respect of South Africa’s groundwater resources the major impact of the coal industry is a reduction in groundwater quantity and quality. There is therefore a need to proactively prevent or minimise these potential impacts through long-term protection and improved water management practices. One such initiative is to implement monitoring programmes in various sectors of the coal industry for groundwater quality and quantity. Groundwater monitoring requires sophisticated interlinked stages which are often overlooked or not fully understood. Consequently a methodical approach must be undertaken in order to have an effective and economical groundwater monitoring system. This paper provides a comprehensive guide to the establishment of a groundwater monitoring programme for environmental practitioners in the coal industry. An inclusive 7-stage methodology is presented describing the different stages of establishing a groundwater monitoring programme, focusing on the ‘why’, ‘how’, and ‘who’ of groundwater monitoring.

Karakteristik Lokasi dan Pola Resapan: Data, Analisis dan Respon

Characteristics of the Location and Recharge Pattern: Data, Analysis and ResponseABSTRACT. Infiltration as a movement of water could determine a large amount of water which could move over the soil surface to the river, and the water that went into the ground. The information of water infiltration in watershed was required to make decision about sustainable water resources. On the other hand, the infiltration was dynamic, that was why it was interesting to be analyzed. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in volume that occurred in the watershed catchment of Krueng Peusangan. Having viewed the differences and similarities location against variabel temperature, evapotranspiration, moisture, discharge, rainfall for the fivepoint, watershed locations of Krueng Peusangan using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Based on PCA, the location was selected to analyze the volume of leach discharge measured during 2008-2011 in Wih Nareh and Kr. Teumbo. Absorption volume indicated that occurred instable infiltration at Kr. Teumbo. It needed guidelines for land use arrangement and forest function, especially in the recharge area. So, it could maintain the balance of hydrological cycle, groundwater quantity and quality properly.

Can groundwater be successfully implemented as a bulk water resource within rural Limpopo Province? Analysis based on GRIP datasets

Groundwater is a strategic water resource in rural Limpopo Province and it accounts for almost 70% of rural domestic water supply. The resource is available throughout the Province in varying quantities and qualities depending on the hydrogeological properties of the underlying aquifer. These properties are mostly secondary in nature and are constrained by the processes of weathering, faulting, fracturing and the influence of intrusive rocks. These properties define typical fractured aquifers in which the selection of drilling sites requires a thorough scientific approach to locate a successful productive borehole. While most water service authorities in the Province have been randomly developing new boreholes with limited success rates, the analysis of datasets in the newly established groundwater data repository, the Limpopo Groundwater Resource Information Project (GRIP) demonstrates that large quantities of groundwater can be obtained and used for bulk supply if the drilling sites are scientifically selected. The GRIP dataset contains 24 922 entries of which 4 000 were tested. The pumping test results indicate that an estimated 576 000 m3/d (210 Mm3/a) can be sustainably abstracted from boreholes in approximately 2 500 villages that are dispersed throughout the Province. However, more than 50% of these boreholes areunequipped of which 3 000 can provide a combined yield of 109 Mm3/a based on a 24 h abstraction rate. These results show that groundwater can be developed as a potential viable bulk-water supply source. This paper attempts to demonstrate, using the existing GRIP dataset, that groundwater is an underutilised resource that can be viably and cost-effectively developed as an alternative bulk water source or conjunctively with surface water.

Combining ground-based and airborne EM through Artificial Neural Networks for modelling glacial till under saline groundwater conditions

Abstract. Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) methods supply data over large areas in a cost-effective way. We used Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to classify the geophysical signal into a meaningful geological parameter. By using examples of known relations between ground-based geophysical data (in this case electrical conductivity, EC, from electrical cone penetration tests) and geological parameters (presence of glacial till), we extracted learning rules that could be applied to map the presence of a glacial till using the EC profiles from the airborne EM data. The saline groundwater in the area was obscuring the EC signal from the till but by using ANN we were able to extract subtle and often non-linear, relations in EC that were representative of the presence of the till. The ANN results were interpreted as the probability of having till and showed a good agreement with drilling data. The glacial till is acting as a layer that inhibits groundwater flow, due to its high clay-content, and is therefore an important layer in hydrogeological modelling and for predicting the effects of climate change on groundwater quantity and quality.