Upward Seepage Of Groundwater Research Articles

Cutting peatland CO2 emissions with water management practices

Abstract. Peat decomposition in managed peatlands is responsible for a decrease of 0.52 GtC yr−1 in global carbon stock and is strongly linked to drainage to improve the agricultural bearing capacity, which increases aeration of the soil. Microbial aerobic decomposition is responsible for the bulk of the net CO2 emission from the soil and could be reduced by wetting efforts or minimizing drainage. However, the effects of rewetting efforts on microbial respiration rate are largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to obtain more process-based understanding of these rewetting effects on peat decomposition by integrating high-quality field measurements and literature relationships with an advanced hydrological modelling approach where soil moisture and temperature are centralized as the main drivers for peat decomposition. In 2020 and 2021, two dairy farming peatlands, where subsoil irrigation and drainage (SSI) was tested against a control situation, were continuously monitored for CO2 fluxes, groundwater table, soil moisture and soil temperature. After successfully representing field hydrology and carbon dynamic measurements within our process-based model, we further explored the effects of rewetting under different weather conditions, water management strategies (raising ditchwater levels and SSI) and hydrological seepage settings. To represent peat carbon dynamics we introduced a methodology to estimate potential aerobic microbial respiration rate, based on potential respiration rate curves for soil temperature and water-filled pore space (WFPS). Measurements show that rewetting with SSI resulted in higher summer groundwater levels, soil temperatures and WFPS. SSI reduced the net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) by 1.58 ± 0.56 kg CO2 m−2 yr−1 (83 ± 25 %) and 0.66 ± 0.62 kg CO2 m−2 yr−1 (28 ± 15 %) for Assendelft and Vlist respectively in 2020. SSI had a negligible effect in 2021 for both research locations, due to more precipitation, lower temperatures and different SSI management (in Assendelft) as compared to 2020. Simulated rewetting effects were in agreement with measured rewetting effects. Model simulations indicate that raising ditchwater levels always reduces peat respiration rates. Furthermore, we found that the application of SSI (i) reduces yearly peat respiration rates in a dry year and/or with downward hydrological fluxes and (ii) increases peat respiration rates in a wet year and/or when upward groundwater seepage is present. Moreover, combining SSI with high ditchwater levels or pressurizing SSI systems will further reduce peat respiration rates. We show that our process-based approach based on temperature and WFPS soil conditions to determine NECB represents observed variance to a greater extent than empirical relationships that involve average groundwater level observations or simulations. Therefore, we recommend using this kind of approach to estimate the effectiveness of rewetting. When this is not possible, we recommend using mean summer groundwater level instead of mean annual groundwater level as a proxy to estimate NECB. Such relations between mean groundwater levels and NECB are prone to underestimating NECB for SSI parcels.

Variation in groundwater composition and decalcification depth in a dune slack: effects on basiphilous vegetation

Basiphilous, open, species-rich vegetation types of young dune slacks have declined throughout Europe in recent years, and have largely been replaced by often acidophilous, tall marsh and scrub vegetation. This succession appears to be accelerated by a decrease in the discharge of calcareous groundwater from sandy ridges or small dune hummocks. The present study deals with spatial and temporal variation in the chemical composition of the groundwater in the upper metres of the soil of a degraded dune slack complex on the Dutch barrier island of Schiermonnikoog, with emphasis on (1) groundwater composition, (2) water level and (3) decalcification patterns. The main aim was to assess perspectives for restoring basiphilous vegetation types which had been abundant in this slack from 1954 to 1977. The depth of decalcification was related to former hydrological conditions along a transect of 200 m. Acidifying effects of rainfall were reflected in the chemical composition of the groundwater below small dune hummocks within the slack. Distinct precipitation water lenses, poor in dissolved ions, were formed under the dune hummocks during a wet period. This microtopography did not contribute to the discharge of calcareous groundwater to lowlying parts of the slack. Here, groundwater showed decreasing concentrations of the dissolved ions after a rain shower. Except for the peripheral sections of the slack—where upward seepage of groundwater (exfiltration)still occurs—infiltration conditions are now dominant in the slack. The consequences of the present hydrological conditions for restoration are briefly discussed.

Applying Landsat Imagery for Groundwater Development in Egypt

Abstract Landsat Thematic Mapper data over the Nile Valley and Delta were analyzed to assist in various phases of groundwater development in Egypt. Land surface features were identified and located in combination with other data stored in a Geographic Information System for input to the final hydrogeological map of this area. Simple vegetation indices were used to delineate the extent of vegetation cover and related to groundwater recharge. Supervised classification techniques were used to separate features such as sabkhas which are areas of high evaporative losses. Detection of upward groundwater seepage at the surface in the winter season was used to calibrate regional groundwater flow models. Possible future applications include estimation of evapotranspiration, determination of irrigation water needs, and improvement of the existing network of groundwater observation wells for water quality purposes.

Hydrochemistry of rich fen and water management

Rich fen, a type of wetland characterised by calciphyte species, is strictly related to high groundwater levels with high contents of calcium and bicarbonate ions in the soil water. Rich fen is threatened by changes in the water management of surrounding areas. With a view to preserve suitable conditions for rich fen conservation by water management, hydrochemistry of a small rich fen was studied in relation to its hydrology. In order to know whether high groundwater levels are maintained by impeded drainage or seepage of groundwater from the aquifer water balances have been calculated. Chemical balances have been made to decide whether calcium bicarbonate ions originate from local on-site sources or from weathering processes in the aquifer and subsequent seepage to the fen. Vegetation development of rich fen appeared to be conditioned by upward seepage of groundwater having a low redox status and containing high contents of calcium and bicarbonate ions. Rich fen is capable to retain calcium ions in its topsoil only if the redox status can be maintained on a level that prevents pyrite oxidation. Conservation of rich fen must include regional water management to prevent hydraulic heads in the aquifer to fall to such a level that no seepage can take place. Local water management should be directed to decrease drainage in combination with stimulating surface runoff.