Submarine Groundwater Discharge Rates Research Articles

Optimizing groundwater radium end-members in submarine groundwater discharge estimation by incorporating groundwater flow information

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) can be as important as river discharge for marine ecosystems. Radium (Ra) isotopes are excellent tracers of SGD estimation, and the selection of groundwater radium end-members is the most critical step in using the radium mass balance model to evaluate SGD. However, where and when to collect groundwater Ra end-members and their relationship with groundwater flow were not fully considered in previous studies. Based on field investigations and numerical simulations, this study systematically analyzed the influence of groundwater flow on the spatial distribution of 224Ra activity, and a new method was proposed to determine groundwater Ra end-members by incorporating groundwater flow information in a sandy beach at Xiaojing Bay, China. The results show that the groundwater radium activity collected near the low tide mark at low tides may be the most suitable groundwater Ra end-member. Compared with the newly-proposed method, we found that the traditional methods for determining groundwater Ra end-members such as the mean value and quartile methods may overestimate the SGD rates. Our study provides new insights into the determination of groundwater Ra end-members in a tidal beach and highlights that the groundwater Ra end-members should be determined based on groundwater flow information in SGD estimations by radium mass balance model.

Comparing nearshore and embayment scale assessments of submarine groundwater discharge: Significance of offshore groundwater discharge as a nutrient pathway

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) can influence biogeochemical cycles in coastal seas by delivering nutrients from the seafloor. Comparison between the nearshore and embayment scale assessments of SGD against river water discharge would be crucial for understanding biogeochemical impacts on the coastal seas because the discharge pattern (non-point or point pathway) is different. Here, we quantified SGD contribution to rivers in nutrient budgets at two scales within a coastal embayment (Obama Bay, Japan) by mass balance models of radon and radium isotopes. We then compared the SGD contribution between the two scales by the meta-analysis for regional data sets conducted in nearshore and embayment scales. The estimated SGD rates in the nearshore and embayment scales in the bay were 7.8 cm d−1 and 20.0 cm d−1, indicating that offshore SGD was more significant than nearshore. The ratios of nutrient fluxes derived from SGD to rivers (SGD:River) in the nearshore scale were 1.7 for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), 3.0 for phosphorus (DIP), and 0.5 for silica (DSi), while those in the embayment scale increased to 10.4 for DIN, 18.5 for DIP, and 3.9 for DSi. This result indicates that SGD-derived nutrients become more important at larger spatial scales. Meta-analysis revealed that the difference in the contribution of SGD to rivers was affected by the seafloor size and there was no significant difference in SGD rates between nearshore and embayment scale studies. However, our regional study shows the site-specific pattern that SGD rates in the embayment scale were higher than those in the nearshore scale. Overall, we clarified that SGD can be a crucial nutrient pathway for coastal embayments regardless of the spatial scales and contribute to coastal nutrient biogeochemistry in more offshore areas.

Capturing the influence of submarine groundwater discharge on nutrient speciation dynamics within an estuarine aquaculture ecosystem

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) plays a crucial role in nutrient dynamics and eutrophication status of the typical estuarine ecosystems, which are hotspots for groundwater-borne nutrient and are sensitive to aquaculture activities. To evaluate the significant role of SGD in regulating nutrient dynamics in an aquaculture estuary, a radium mass balance model combined biological feeding experiment was carried out in the present study. The results demonstrated that SGD fluxes were estimated to be 15.9 ± 9.41 cm d−1, 18.1 ± 8.51 cm d−1, and 23.0 ± 13.7 cm d−1 during July 2019, October 2019 and April 2021, and the SGD-driven dissolved inorganic/organic nutrient fluxes were 0.6–3.1-fold, 0.2–0.9-fold and 0.4–29-fold higher than those of riverine input, respectively. Seasonal variabilities of SGD rates indicated that saline SGD is dominated and is primarily modified by the oceanic forcing stimulated by tidal and wave dynamics. The contrasting conditions between bottom-up (groundwater- and river-derived nutrient fluxes) and top-down (nutrient responses in estuarine waters), showed the significance of seasonal differences in the biochemical mechanisms and aquaculture effects of modifying nitrogen dynamics. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium and nitrification were responsible for the contrasting NOx− (NO2− and NO3−) and NH4+ conditions in July and October, respectively, and these factors jointly regulated NOx− and NH4+ in April. Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) was the predominant component among the three seasons, except for DON degeneration in October, and it increased due to NH4+ assimilation by the phytoplankton community. These findings indicated that biochemical transformation has potential ramifications for the dynamics of SGD-driven nutrients and the management in marine aquaculture ecosystems.

Modeling time series radon inventory and constraints on the submarine groundwater discharge mass balance of a well-mixed, highly dynamic estuary

Although often diffuse and over-shadowed by surface-water inputs, submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) represents a significant source of freshwater and solutes to many sensitive marine environments. Radon (222Rn) is an effective naturally occurring tracer of SGD due to its non-reactive nature and dominant terrestrial source. However, limited continuous measurements and poor constraints on temporal 222Rn variability in shallow-turbulent estuaries introduce large uncertainties to SGD rate estimation. We hypothesize that nonlinear regression analysis (e.g., generalized additive model [GAM]) and machine learning (ML) algorithms could explain radon trends and resolve limitations of the traditionally used mass balance for estimating SGD in shallow and vertically mixed estuaries, thus enabling preliminary insights related to wind-driven mixing losses using sporadic groundwater tracer measurements and publicly available hydroclimatic parameters. Cross-correlation functions and a generalized additive model [GAM] were employed to quantify atmospheric and hydrologic controls and predict, respectively, 222Rn inventory variability modulated by windspeed and direction. Two ML models, neural network (deep-learning neural network [DNN]) and decision tree (random forest [RF]) based models, were trained on an intermittent 24-month 222Rn (n = 10,660, 30 min interval) dataset (2019–2021) collected from a well-mixed northwestern Gulf of Mexico estuary (Corpus Christi Bay, Texas) with publicly available inputs (e.g., windspeed/direction, tide levels, water temperature, creek discharge and barometric pressure, n = 35,088). Both ML models can predict observed radon concentrations with r2 > 0.90, however, only the RF model is able to predict within the observed range of the 222Rn magnitude dataset and finds the relevant hydroclimatic parameters (e.g., streamflow and wind direction) highly responsible for the seasonal and daily variability in the inventory, respectively. The DNN model can more closely predict extremely high inventories, but it overpredicts lows, resulting in numerous negative values, which suggests that large data gaps in the groundwater tracer cause overfitting and underperformance of this model in a wind-mixed estuary. Using the GAM predicted 222Rn dependency on wind direction and speed, the adjusted mass balance reduces overestimation of wind-mixing losses and results in overall lower fluxes. This research provides new opportunities to: 1) predict radon inventories in regions with large temporal data gaps using only publicly available hydroclimatic parameters and 2) better constrain SGD estimates in windy coastal areas, allowing for insights that can be used to plan field excursions and management strategies for coastal water and solute budgets.

Submarine Groundwater Discharge-Derived Nutrient Fluxes in Eckernförde Bay (Western Baltic Sea)

Excess nutrient supply by the rivers and the atmosphere are considered as the major causes for the persistently poor ecological status of the Baltic Sea. More than 97% of the Baltic Sea still suffers from eutrophication due to past and present inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus. One of the poorly quantified nutrient sources in the Baltic Sea is submarine groundwater discharge (SGD). Through seepage meter deployments and a radium mass balance model, a widespread occurrence of SGD along the coastline of Eckernförde Bay was detected. Mean SGD was 21.6 cm d−1 with a calculated freshwater fraction of 17%. Where SGD was detected, pore water sampled by a piezometer revealed a wide range of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN: 0.05–1.722 µmol L−1) and phosphate (PO43−: 0.03–70.5 µmol L−1) concentrations. Mean DIN and PO43− concentrations in non-saline (salinity < 1) pore waters were 59 ± 68 µmol L−1 and 1.2 ± 1.9 µmol L−1, respectively; whereas pore water with salinities > 1 revealed higher values, 113 ± 207 µmol L−1 and 6 ± 12 µmol L−1 for DIN and PO43−, respectively. The nutrient concentrations along the salinity gradient do not suggest that land-derived groundwater is the definitive source of nutrients in the Baltic Sea. Still, SGD may contribute to a major autochthonous nutrient source, resulting from remineralization or dissolution processes of organic matter in the sediments. The DIN and PO43− fluxes derived from SGD rates through seepage meters are 7.9 ± 9.2 mmol m−2 d−1 and 0.5 ± 0.4 mmol m−2 d−1, lower by a factor of ~ 2 and ~ 5 when compared to the fluxes derived with the radium mass balance model (mean DIN: 19 ± 28 mmol m−2 d−1; mean PO43−: 1.5 ± 2.7 mmol m−2 d−1). Assuming that these mean radium-based nutrient fluxes are representative for the coastline of Eckernförde Bay, we arrive at SGD-borne nutrient fluxes of about 1 t km−1 y−1 of nitrogen and 0.2 t km−1 y−1 of phosphorous. These fluxes are lower for DIN and in the same range for phosphorus as compared to the riverine nutrient supply (DIN: 6.3 t km−1 y−1, P: 0.2 km−1 y−1) to the German Baltic Sea identifying SGD-borne nutrients as a secondary nutrient source to the Baltic Sea.

Submarine groundwater discharge in Dongshan Bay, China: A master regulator of nutrients in spring and potential national significance of small bays

Despite over 90% of China’s coastal bays have an area less than 500 km2, the geochemical effects of SGD on those ecosystems are ambiguous. Based on mapping and time-series observations of Ra isotopes and nutrients, a case study of small bays (&amp;lt;500 km2), we revealed that submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) predominately regulated the distribution of nutrients and fueled algal growth in Dongshan Bay, China. On the bay-wide scale, the SGD rate was estimated to be 0.048 ± 0.022 m day−1 and contributed over 95% of the nutrients. At the time-series site where the bay-wide highest Ra activities in the bottom water marked an SGD hotspot with an average rate an order of magnitude greater, the maximum chlorophyll concentration co-occurred, suggesting that SGD may support the algal bloom. The ever-most significant positive correlations between 228Ra and nutrients throughout the water column (P&amp;lt; 0.01, R2 &amp;gt; 0.90 except for soluble reactive phosphorus in the surface) suggested the predominance of SGD in controlling nutrient distribution in the bay. Extrapolated to a national scale, the SGD-carried dissolved inorganic nitrogen flux in small bays was twice as much as those in large bays (&amp;gt;2,000 km2). Thus, the SGD-carried nutrients in small bays merit immediate attention in environmental monitoring and management.

Groundwater discharge and streams drive spatial alkalinity and pCO2 dynamics in two contrasting tropical lagoons

Coral reef lagoons are areas of complex carbon cycling, however, regional (e.g. land use) and global (e.g. climate) factors, including land runoff and ocean acidification, are adversely affecting carbonate-building coral reef systems. Coupled with this, surplus nutrients entering coastal waters can prompt excess algae growth, which can stimulate further carbon dioxide (CO2) production in the water column, thus enhancing coral/sediment dissolution. However, new inputs of alkalinity into coastal systems can buffer against acidification. By combining the natural groundwater tracer radon (222Rn) with carbonate chemistry in two contrasting Cook Island lagoons (the fringing Muri Lagoon on Rarotonga and the comparatively larger Aitutaki near-atoll lagoon), we were able to identify multiple drivers of coral reef acidification and regulation. Despite the lagoons having similar rates of submarine groundwater discharge (3.1 to 3.3 cm d−1; although the rate in Aitutaki is a maximum rate based on an assumed 100 m seepage face), groundwater inputs of CO2 and alkalinity were primarily driven by different sources (discrete offshore seeps in Muri Lagoon and dredged channels in Aitutaki Lagoon). Streams delivered low alkalinity water to both lagoons, but high pCO2 waters to the Aitutaki Lagoon in contrast to Muri Lagoon. Aragonite saturation states (ΩAr) ranged between 2.2 and 5.2, with areas of low ΩAr corresponding to areas of high radon and excess algal growth in Muri Lagoon, and areas that receive low alkalinity surface water in Aitutaki. Time-series sampling indicated that tidal heights and the ability of seawater to overtop the fringing reef influenced groundwater dynamics, lagoon hydrodynamics and carbonate chemistry. Groundwater discharge and stream flows were a significant freshwater source of new geologic CO2 and alkalinity to each lagoon, while recirculated seawater is likely a significant source of biologic CO2 driven by microbial respiration in sediments. The study found that while groundwater inputs of alkalinity may reduce acidification, they do not fully counteract ongoing acidification and CO2 inputs. This study also highlighted the need for future studies to undertake detailed spatial measurements to accurately characterise tropical island carbon dynamics due to the heterogeneous nature of these environments.

Greenhouse gases emissions and dissolved carbon export affected by submarine groundwater discharge in a maricultural bay, Hainan Island, China

Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in coastal areas are influenced by both mariculture and submarine groundwater discharge (SGD). In this study, we first conducted a comprehensive investigation on carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions affected by SGD in a typical maricultural bay in north-eastern Hainan Island, China. A radon (222Rn) mass balance model revealed considerable high SGD rates (179 ± 92 cm d−1) in the bay, and the fluxes of SGD-derived dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were 150.36 and 3.65 g C m−2 d−1, respectively. Time-series measurement results, including those for 222Rn, CH4, CO2, and physicochemical parameters, indicated that GHG dynamics in the maricultural bay mainly varied with tidal fluctuations, and isotopic evidence further revealed that acetate fermentation was the main mechanism of methanogenesis in the maricultural waters. The water-air fluxes in the maricultural area were 1.05 ± 0.32 and 9.49 ± 3.96 mmol m−2 day−1 for CH4 and CO2, respectively, implying that Qinglan Bay was a potential source of GHG released into the atmosphere. At the bay-scale, the CO2 emissions followed a spatial pattern, and the CH4 emissions were mainly affected by mariculture. The high CH4 emissions in the maricultural waters caused by maricultural activities, SGD, high temperature, and special hydrology resulted in the formation of the CH4-dominated total CO2-equivalent emissions model. Our study highlights the importance of considering the link between SGD and GHG emissions in maricultural bays when constraining global GHG fluxes.

Impact of submarine groundwater discharge on biogeochemistry and microbial communities in pockmarks

The impact of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) on coastal sea biogeochemistry has been demonstrated in many recent studies. However, only a few studies have integrated biogeochemical and microbiological analyses, especially at sites with pockmarks of different degrees of groundwater influence. This study investigated biogeochemical processes and microbial community structure in sediment cores from three pockmarks in Hanko, Finland, in the northern Baltic Sea. Pockmark data were supplemented by groundwater and seawater measurements. Two active pockmarks showed SGD rates of 0.02 cm d−1 and 0.31 cm d−1, respectively, based on porewater Cl− profiles, while a third pockmark had no SGD influence. Reactive transport modelling (RTM) established that the porewater systems of these active pockmarks are dominated by advection, resulting in the focusing of biogeochemical reactions and the microbial community into a thin zone at the sediment surface. The advection further reduces the accumulation of organic matter in the surface sediments, resulting in the absence of a sulfate-methane transition zone (SMTZ) at these pockmarks. Furthermore, the RTM estimated low rates of consumption of SO42−, and low rates of production of CH4, NH4+, DIC at the active pockmarks. Archaeal communities in the active pockmarks were dominated by ammonia-oxidizing archaea of predominantly groundwater origin. In contrast, at the inactive pockmark, the lack of SGD has permitted rapid deposition of organic-rich mud. The porewater system in the inactive pockmark is dominated by diffusion, leading to orders of magnitude higher metabolite concentrations at depth compared to the active pockmarks. The biogeochemical environment in the inactive pockmark resembles typical organic-rich mud seafloor in the area, with sulphate reduction and methanogenesis dominating organic matter remineralization. Accordingly, methanogens dominate the archaeal community, whereas sulfate reducers dominate the bacterial community. RTM results suggest that sulfate-mediated anaerobic oxidation of methane (S-AOM) also occurs at this site. Although depth-integrated fluxes of SO42−, CH4, NH4, DIC at the inactive pockmark are orders of magnitude higher compared to the active pockmarks, processes at the inactive pockmark represent internal recycling in the coastal sea. Fluxes observed at the active pockmarks, although comparatively small in magnitude, are partly influenced by external inputs to the sea through SGD. Hence, effluxes across the sediment–water interface at these sites partly represent direct external fluxes to the marine environment, in addition to diagenetic recycling at the benthic interface. The study highlights that SGD can result in significant spatial heterogeneity of biogeochemical processes and microbial community structure in the coastal zone, and that the overall effects of SGD and associated solute fluxes at an SGD site are a function of the number of pockmarks, the rate of SGD, and the ratio of active to inactive pockmarks.

Impacts of Coastal Shrimp Ponds on Saltwater Intrusion and Submarine Groundwater Discharge

AbstractShrimp aquaculture has expanded rapidly in coastal zones worldwide over the past few decades. Saline water stored in shrimp farm ponds can infiltrate into the underlying aquifer causing groundwater salinization and increased submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to coastal water. However, little research has assessed salinization resulting from these shrimp ponds. To understand the impacts of shrimp farm irrigation on groundwater salinization and SGD, we numerically simulated a series of aquaculture management scenarios in a two‐dimensional conceptual coastal aquifer using a coupled surface‐subsurface approach. We characterized sensitivities to pond water salinity, pond water depth, and farm width. Salinization was assessed by three indicators (salinized area, infiltrated salt mass, and recovery rate), and three SGD indicators were evaluated (fresh SGD, saline SGD, and saltwater circulation rate). Our results show that pond water depth is the primary control on the mass of saltwater infiltration while farm width is the primary control for recovery rate. Pond water salinity and depth affect both fresh and saline SGD. We show that aquaculture is a previously unrecognized mechanism of salinization affecting coastal aquifer vulnerability and SGD. A regional graphical information system analysis shows transformation into aquacultural ponds could introduce considerable SGD variability spatially and temporally. These findings will enable coastal managers to better evaluate groundwater vulnerability in regions with expanding onshore aquaculture and demonstrates the impact of aquaculture on coastal groundwater resources and the need for further study to understand the impact of aquaculture across Asia and the globe.

Assessment of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and associated nutrient subsidies to Xiangshan Bay (China), an aquaculture area

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is a predominant component of chemical fluxes in the solute budgets in coastal ecosystems because of its large flux and the corresponding concentrated constituents. A quantitative study regarding the mass balance model of 226Ra and 228Ra was performed to assess SGD and associated nutrient inputs in Xiangshan Bay (XSB), a typical Chinese aquaculture bay. Based on these mass balance models, the SGD rates in the XSB Channel were 8.9–13.2 cm d−1. The SGD rates in the three corresponding embayments were 3.5–3.7 cm d−1 in Embayment I, 5.6–5.8 cm d−1 in Embayment II, and 4.5–5.8 cm d−1 in Embayment III. Significant spatial variabilities in SGD rates were observed in the different XSB districts, reflecting that ocean dynamics and anthropogenic activities play significant roles at different scales. SGD-derived nutrient fluxes in XSB were the dominant sources of nutrient loading, and their magnitudes were approximately 1–2 orders larger than those of riverine input. SGD rates in the XSB Channel were approximately three times higher than those in the three embayments, but the SGD-derived nutrient rates in the XSB Channel were comparable with those in the three embayments, even significantly lower than that for NO3-N in the inner regions of the embayment. These results imply that aquaculture activities and urbanization jointly influence SGD. When combined with the results of other studies, our observations demonstrate the significant comprehensive effects of multiple factors on SGD, a critical but overlooked nutrient source.

Radon and Salinity Mass Balance Constraints on Groundwater Recharge on a Semi-Arid Island (Catalina, California)

Quantifying the freshwater component of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is critical in the analysis of terrestrial influences on marine ecosystems and in assessing the water budget and groundwater recharge of coastal aquifers. In semi-arid to arid settings, this quantification is difficult because low SGD rates translate into low concentrations of groundwater solutes in coastal waters. In this study, fresh SGD (FSGD) was quantified for Toyon Bay on Catalina Island, California, for wet and dry seasons using a combination of radon and salinity mass balance models, and the results were compared to watershed-specific groundwater recharge rates obtained from soil water balance (SWB) modeling. Calculated FSGD rates vary only slightly with season and are remarkably similar to the recharge estimates from the SWB model. While sensitivity analyses revealed FSGD estimates to be significantly influenced by uncertainties in geochemical variability of the groundwater end-member and fluctuations of water depth, the results of this study support the SWB-model-based recharge rates. The findings of this study highlight the utility of the radon-and-salinity-mass-balance-based FSGD estimates as groundwater recharge calibration targets, which may aid in establishing more refined sustainable groundwater yields.

Radioactive and stable isotopes reveal variations in nearshore submarine groundwater discharge composition and magnitude across low inflow northwestern Gulf of Mexico estuaries

To determine how submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) magnitudes and composition (fresh or saline/recirculated) vary in nearshore low inflow estuaries across ⁓125 km of a semiarid coastline, this study assessed three south Texas estuaries, using radon [222Rn], radium [226Ra and 224Ra], and water isotopes [δ18O and δD]. Mass balance models of time-series 222Rn, found to be representative of total SGD in this study, revealed much higher SGD inputs to the Nueces Estuary (average [x̅] Nueces, Corpus Christi and Oso Bays: 120, 83, and 44 cm·d−1, respectively), attributed to anthropogenically-disturbed substrates and potentially surfacing growth-faults. The lowest 222Rn-derived SGD occurred in the Upper Laguna Madre Estuary (x̅: Upper Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay: 21 and 18 cm·d−1, respectively), explained by the drier climate, lower anthropogenic disturbance, and neighboring groundwater cone of depression. Aransas Bay in the Mission Aransas Estuary received greater average annual precipitation but exhibited low total SGD rates (x̅: 23 cm·d−1). Seasonally, average 222Rn-derived SGD rates increased following Hurricane Harvey (43 cm·d−1 in spring to 64 cm·d−1 in summer). In the Nueces Estuary, the overall 222Rn-derived SGDs were substantially higher than SGDs from 224Ra and 226Ra. The closer agreement between 224Ra and 222Rn-derived SGD and larger 224Ra rates in the Upper Laguna Madre Estuary, Aransas Bay and Oso Bay indicate that saline/recirculated SGD contributions were significant. Values of δ18O and δD confirm these types of inputs, with effects of evaporation/salinization more pronounced where recirculation was predominant and the opposite where terrestrial/222Rn-derived SGD inputs dominate. 226Ra-derived SGDs were lower than the 224Ra due to different behavior of the two isotopes while released into water following transport through saline and fine-grained estuarine sediments or due to wind-driven disturbances.

Traditional and novel time-series approaches reveal submarine groundwater discharge dynamics under baseline and extreme event conditions

Groundwater is a vital resource for humans and groundwater dependent ecosystems. Coastal aquifers and submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), both influenced by terrestrial and marine forces, are increasingly affected by climate variations and sea-level rise. Despite this, coastal groundwater resources and discharge are frequently poorly constrained, limiting our understanding of aquifer responses to external forces. We apply traditional and novel time-series approaches using an SGD dataset of previously unpublished resolution and duration, to analyze the dependencies between precipitation, groundwater level, and SGD at a model site (Kīholo Bay, Hawaiʻi). Our objectives include (1) determining the relative contribution of SGD drivers over tidal and seasonal periods, (2) establishing temporal relationships and thresholds of processes influencing SGD, and (3) evaluating the impacts of anomalous events, such as tropical storms, on SGD. This analysis reveals, for example, that precipitation is only a dominant influence during wet periods, and otherwise tides and waves dictate the dynamics of SGD. It also provides time lags between intense storm events and higher SGD rates, as well as thresholds for precipitation, wave height and tides affecting SGD. Overall, we demonstrate an approach for modeling a hydrological system while elucidating coastal aquifer and SGD response in unprecedented detail.

Assessment of the groundwater yield and sustainability of the transboundary Dibdibba aquifer using numerical modelling approach

This study investigates the sustainable yield of a shared/regional aquifer that covers a hydrogeological basin, Dibdibba Delta Aquifer Basin (DDAB). The aquifer extends over an area of 60,000 km2 in three countries: Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. The groundwater resources of DDAB are used by these countries for agricultural and industrial purposes. The study aims at assessing the sustainable yield of DDAB accounting its recharge, discharge rates including submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) rates, and trans-boundary fluxes. The methodology adopted in this study is based on hydrogeological investigations, modified Chloride Mass Balance (CMB) for brackish aquifers to approximate recharge rates from rainfall, HEC-GeoHMS–SCS–CN model with suitable GIS tools to determine runoff rates from rainfall, numerical flow and salinity modeling. These calibrated numerical models were used to simulate the effect of utilization plan of brackish groundwater from the DDAB from 1975 until 2030. The results of the study show that aquifer recharge from rainfall is on average 9.6% and runoff rate from rainfall is about 10%. The simulation results show that SGD rates from Kuwait and Iraq to the Arabian Gulf were 184 and 43 Mm3/yr, respectively. The current pumping activities in the DDAB can be increased from the existing utilization level at 425 Mm3/yr to the sustainable yield level at 515 Mm3/yr with a consequence of increasing the drawdown to 12 m and salinity deterioration of 205% in some areas.

Biogeochemical and Hydrological Drivers of Heterogeneous Nutrient Exports From Subterranean Estuaries

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to coastal zones contributes terrestrial freshwater and nutrients that may support harmful algal blooms (HABs). The magnitude of nutrient exports via SGD depends on volumes of fresh groundwater discharge, its chemical composition, and modifications by biogeochemical processing within subterranean estuaries. Thus, the ability to upscale SGD exports requires knowing the range of chemical composition of inland groundwater and how those compositions may be transformed as fresh and saltwater mix within subterranean estuaries. These processes may create heterogeneous magnitudes of solute exports, even at small spatial scales, and such heterogeneities have rarely been assessed for regional or global SGD nutrient export estimates. To evaluate heterogeneity in subterranean estuary processes and nutrient export, we collected seasonal pore water samples in 2015–2016 at three proximal (&amp;lt;20 km) subterranean estuary sites in Indian River Lagoon, FL. Sites have homogenous hydrogeological settings, but differ in land use and coastal features, and include a mangrove site, an urban site, and a site offshore of a natural wetland. All sites exhibit little variation through time in nutrient concentrations and modeled SGD rates. In contrast, each site exhibits significantly different nutrient concentrations of potential fresh groundwater sources, fresh groundwater discharge volumes, and nutrient transformations within subterranean estuaries. Groundwater specific discharge correlates with nutrient concentrations, suggesting that higher residence times in the subterranean estuary increase biogeochemical transformations that reduce anthropogenic nutrient loads but increase in situ nutrient sources derived from organic matter remineralization. The differences in transformations lead to SGD nutrient contributions that differ by orders of magnitude between sites and have N:P ratios that are greater than the Redfield ratio (15) for the mangrove (29) and urban sites (28), but less than the Redfield ratio for the wetland site (8). These results indicate that heterogeneity of both absolute and relative nutrient export via SGD complicates integration of nutrient fluxes across regional coastal zones and evaluations of its impacts to coastal ecosystems. A better understanding of the drivers of heterogeneity, including subterranean estuary processes, land use, coastal topography, and vegetation dynamics could improve assessments of regional nutrient loading and upscaling for estimates of global solute cycles.

Storm-Driven Fresh Submarine Groundwater Discharge and Nutrient Fluxes From a Barrier Island

Quantifying and characterizing groundwater flow and discharge from barrier islands to coastal waters is crucial for assessing freshwater resources and contaminant transport to the ocean. In this study, we examined the groundwater hydrological response, discharge, and associated nutrient fluxes in Dauphin Island, a barrier island located in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. We employed radon (222Rn) and radium (Ra) isotopes as tracers to evaluate the temporal and spatial variability of fresh and recirculated submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in the nearshore waters. The results from a 40-day continuous 222Rn time series conducted during a rainy season suggest that the coastal area surrounding Dauphin Island was river-dominated in the days after storm events. Groundwater response was detected about 1 week after the precipitation and peak river discharge. During the period when SGD was a factor in the nutrient budget of the coastal area, the total SGD rates were as high as 1.36 m day–1, or almost three times higher than detected fluxes during the river-dominated period. We found from a three-endmember Ra mixing model that most of the SGD from the barrier island was composed of fresh groundwater. SGD was driven by marine and terrestrial forces, and focused on the southeastern part of the island. We observed spatial variability of nutrients in the subterranean estuary across this part of the island. Reduced nitrogen (i.e., NH4+ and dissolved organic nitrogen) fluxes dominated the eastern shore with average rates of 4.88 and 5.20 mmol m–2 day–1, respectively. In contrast, NO3– was prevalent along the south-central shore, which has significant tourism developments. The contrasting nutrient dynamics resulted in N- and P-limited coastal water in the different parts of the island. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding groundwater flow and dynamics in barrier islands, particularly those urbanized, prone to storm events, or located near large estuaries.

Finite element modelling to assess the submarine groundwater discharge in an over exploited multilayeredcoastal aquifer.

A three-dimensional variable-density finite element model was developed to quantify the impact of groundwaterover use on submarine groundwater discharge (SGD). The model was applied to the Arani-Korttalaiyar river basin, north of Chennai, India. This region has an upper unconfined and lower semi-confined aquifer extending up to 30 km inland from the coast and beyond this distance; the two aquifers merge and become a single unconfined aquifer. The model simulated that during the period from 2000 to 2012, the flux of seawater to the aquifer has increased from 17,000 to 24,500 m3/day due to over-exploitation of groundwater from the semi-confined aquifer. Where as in the unconfined aquifer, SGD has been taking place. Scenarios showing theimpact of newly constructed managed aquifer recharge structures, 10% additionalincrease in rainfall recharge, and termination of pumping from five well-fields on thegroundwater conditions in the area were studied. The model predicteda SGD of 85,243 m3/day from the unconfined aquifer and 22,414 m3/day from the semi-confined aquifer by the end of 2030. By adopting managed aquifer recharge methods, seawater intrusion (rate of 4,408 m3/day) can be reduced and SGD (rate of 22,414 m3/day) increased. The rate of SGD increase and the movement of seawater to aquifer can be completely prevented in the semi-confined aquifer by adopting these management options by 2030. Findings from this study have enhanced the understanding of SGD and water budget, which can be used by decision-makers for the sustainable management of groundwater resources in coastal aquifers.

Submarine groundwater discharge-driven nutrient fluxes in a typical mangrove and aquaculture bay of the Beibu Gulf, China

To understand the role of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in a mangrove combined aquaculture ecosystem, groundwater samples and timeseries observations (27 h) of 224Ra, 223Ra, and nutrients were obtained during wet and dry seasons in Zhenzhu Bay, a typical mangrove and aquaculture ecosystem along the Beibu Gulf in China. The SGD rates in Zhenzhu Bay were estimated to be 22.3–44.5 cm/d in the wet season and 41.1–58.1 cm/d in the dry season, which were 0.8–1.6 and 9.8–14.1 times higher than the corresponding river water discharge values, respectively. Furthermore, SGD-driven dissolved inorganic nitrogen, dissolved inorganic orthophosphate, and dissolved inorganic silicate accounted for 72%, 56%, and 60% of the total nutrient input, respectively, during wet season, which increased to 93%, 98%, and 89% during dry season. The findings highlight that SGD plays an important role in the dissolved inorganic nutrient sources of Zhenzhu Bay, and that the effective utilization and management of the bay should consider SGD.

Submarine groundwater discharge as a significant export of dissolved inorganic carbon from a mangrove tidal creek to Qinglan Bay (Hainan Island, China)

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is an important pathway for the transport of dissolved chemical substances to the ocean. In this study, we performed a time-series measurement of 222Rn, the concentrations and isotopic compositions of the different carbon species isotopes (particulate organic carbon, POC, dissolved organic carbon, DOC, dissolved inorganic carbon, DIC), physico-chemical parameters during a tidal cycle in a mangrove tidal creek without upstream freshwater inputs in northeastern Hainan Island, China. Our results show mangrove detritus provide the major sources of POC and DOC for the mangrove tidal creek water. Organic matter degradation and terrestrial groundwater discharge are two main processes of providing DIC for the pore water of the mangrove tidal flat sediments. A quantitative evaluation indicates that the amount of DIC production from the organic matter degradation process via sulfate reduction accounts for 59.8% of the total pore water DIC addition, while the proportion of DIC derived from terrestrial groundwater discharge is 40.2%. Using 222Rn mass balance model, we quantify the rates of SGD and its associated dissolved carbon: the average SGD rate in the mangrove tidal creek is approximately 165 (σ=68.73) cm d−1, and the SGD-derived DIC and DOC are approximately 107 and 2.18 g C m−2 d−1, respectively. DIC is the dominant form of dissolved carbon export (~98%) from mangroves tidal creek to the adjacent Qinglan Bay. The high DIC loading via SGD potentially represents the mangrove missing carbon, and has significant implications for the coastal ocean carbon budget.