scholarly journals Identification of suitable sites for managed aquifer recharge under semi-arid conditions employing a combination of numerical and analytical techniques

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jafar Alkhatib ◽  
Irina Engelhardt ◽  
Martin Sauter
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Equation ◽  
Surface Characteristics ◽  
Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Specific Yield ◽  
Multiple Model ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Suitability Maps ◽  
Aquifer Characteristics ◽  
Groundwater Mound ◽  
Semi Arid

AbstractOverpumping or overexploitation of groundwater is one of the major threats for aquifer systems in arid and semi-arid areas. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) has been suggested by many researchers as a sustainable and effective method to alleviate negative impacts of overpumping. Optimizing artificial recharge considers the selection of suitable MAR sites in terms of surface and subsurface characteristics. While surface characteristics at potential MAR sites could be modified (e.g. slope, soil texture, etc.), subsurface characteristics cannot be changed through engineering work. Characteristics of the aquifer, such as depth to groundwater, play an important role in determining the capability of an aquifer to store a specific volume of infiltrated water. Currently, only a limited number of quoted researches are available that consider factors related to aquifer characteristics and the range of these factors to identify optimal MAR sites. In this study, a new approach is presented, that employs numerical groundwater modeling to generate MAR suitability maps considering sub-surface characteristics, such as depth-to-groundwater, aquifer transmissivity and specific yield. Multiple model-runs are conducted to simulate groundwater table response with respect to the volume of infiltrated water. Simulation results are used to calibrate a groundwater mound empirical equation that calculates the groundwater level increase as a function of the transmissivity and infiltrated water volume for a given value of aquifer’ specific yield, range of vertical hydraulic conductivities and a specific design and operation conditions of the MAR system. The empirical equation is employed in GIS to spatially calculate the height of groundwater mound beneath a hypothetical MAR site and to generate, based on that, suitability maps for MAR implementation. Assuming that MAR structures capture the median of monthly surface runoff rates at the respective wadi (catchment area), suitability maps are generated for different configurations/scenarios of aquifer hydraulic conductivity in a parameter study. The results highlight the importance of integrating aquifer characteristics (geometry and hydraulic parameters) and expected magnitudes and fluxes of infiltration water in delineating suitable sites for MAR.

scholarly journals Assessment of clogging of managed aquifer recharge in a semi-arid region

2020 ◽  
Vol 730 ◽  
pp. 139107
Author(s):  
Mohammed Zaidi ◽  
Nasre-Dine Ahfir ◽  
Abdellah Alem ◽  
Bouabid El Mansouri ◽  
Huaqing Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arid Region ◽  
Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Semi Arid Region ◽  
Semi Arid

Focused groundwater recharge in a dryland environment: hydrometric and isotopic evidence from central Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Seddon ◽  
Japhet J. Kashaigili ◽  
Richard G. Taylor ◽  
Mark O. Cuthbert ◽  
Lucas Mihale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Ephemeral Stream ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Semi Arid

<p>Groundwater, and its replenishment via recharge, is critical to livelihoods and poverty alleviation in drylands of sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, yet the processes by which groundwater is replenished remain inadequately observed and resolved. Here, we present three lines of evidence, from an extensively-monitored wellfield in central semi-arid Tanzania, indicating focused groundwater recharge occurring via leakage from episodic, ephemeral stream discharges. First, the duration of ephemeral streamflow observed from daily records from 2007 to 2016 correlates strongly (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.85) with the magnitude of groundwater recharge events observed and estimated from piezometric observations. Second, high-resolution (hourly) monitoring of groundwater levels and stream stage, established in advance of the 2015-16 El Niño, shows the formation and decay of groundwater mounds beneath episodically inundated adjacent streambeds. Third, stable-isotope ratios of O and H of groundwater and precipitation as well as perennial and ephemeral surface waters trace the origin of groundwater to ephemeral stream discharges. The identification and characterisation of focused groundwater recharge have important implications not only, locally, for protecting and potentially augmenting replenishment of a wellfield supplying the capital of Tanzania through Managed Aquifer Recharge but also, more widely, in understanding and modelling groundwater recharge in dryland environments.</p>

Contamination risk and drinking water protection for a large-scale managed aquifer recharge site in a semi-arid karst region, Jordan

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 1795-1809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Xanke ◽  
Tanja Liesch ◽  
Nadine Goeppert ◽  
Jochen Klinger ◽  
Niklas Gassen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Karst Region ◽  
Water Protection ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Contamination Risk ◽  
Semi Arid

scholarly journals Suitability Mapping for Managed Aquifer Recharge: Development of Web-Tools

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Sallwey ◽  
Robert Schlick ◽  
José Pablo Bonilla Valverde ◽  
Ralf Junghanns ◽  
Felipe Vásquez López ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Information ◽  
Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Web Gis ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Web Tools ◽  
Gis Data ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Query Tool ◽  
Suitability Maps

Suitability maps for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) are increasingly used and hold the potential to be integrated into sustainable groundwater management plans. However, the quality of the maps strongly depends on the input data quality as well as the expertise of the decision-maker. The maps are commonly derived through GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA). To date, there is no common understanding of how suitability mapping should be conducted, as there is considerable variability concerning used GIS data and MCDA methodology. This study presents two web-tools that were conceptualized based on a review of GIS-MCDA studies in the context of MAR suitability mapping. The data retrieved from the review was compiled into a web-based query tool making the MAR- and MCDA-relevant information easily accessible. Based on the most commonly used MCDA practices in the assessed studies, we conceptualized and implemented a second web tool that comprises a simplified web GIS as well as supporting tools for weight assignment and standardization of the criteria. Both web tools will enable decision-makers to engage in MCDA for MAR mapping in a more structured and informed way. As the tools are open-source and web-based, they can facilitate the collaboration between multiple stakeholders and the easy sharing of results.

scholarly journals Suitability maps for managed aquifer recharge: a review of multi-criteria decision analysis studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Sallwey ◽  
José Pablo Bonilla Valverde ◽  
Felipe Vásquez López ◽  
Ralf Junghanns ◽  
Catalin Stefan
Keyword(s):  
Decision Analysis ◽  
Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Multi Criteria Decision Analysis ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Query Tool ◽  
Suitability Maps ◽  
User Friendly

Suitability maps for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) sites hold a strong potential for integration into sustainable groundwater management plans. An uprising method to identify sites suitable for MAR implementation is geographic information system (GIS)-based multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). There are no guidelines or a common understanding on how suitability mapping should be conducted, and there is considerable variability as to what factors are assessed and how they are weighted. To increase knowledge on GIS-MCDA, a database has been built based on 63 studies applying GIS-MCDA in the context of MAR site selection. Information on the criteria, assigned weights, and methodologies has been retrieved from the documents. Statistical analysis of the database depicts the current state of art for suitability mapping methodologies as well as specific information for the different recharge methods. We further incorporated the compiled information into a web-based query tool that makes the information easily accessible and the utilization of the database more user friendly. This review as well as the created web-tool will help planners of MAR sites to engage in the MCDA in a more structured way by referring to previously conducted studies and by finding information suitable for their specific project. The application potential of suitability maps is discussed along with the shortcomings of this methodology.

scholarly journals Evaluation of MAR Methods for Semi-Arid, Cold Regions

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasanbayar Narantsogt ◽  
Ulf Mohrlok
Keyword(s):  
Water Reservoir ◽  
Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Ice Storage ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Dry Period ◽  
Groundwater Aquifer ◽  
Recharge Rates ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Natural Recharge

Mongolia is a semi-arid, highly continental region with highly variable precipitation and river discharge. The groundwater aquifer located near Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, is the only one source for city water supply consumption, and it is important to ensure that groundwater is available now and in the future. The main watercourse near the capital city is the Tuul River, fed by precipitation in the Khentii Mountains. The semi-arid and cold environment shows high variability in precipitation and river discharge. However, due to absence of precipitation in winter and spring, the riverbed usually runs dry during these times of the year, and weather observations show that the dry period has been extending in recent years. However, in parallel with urban development, the extended groundwater aquifer has shown a clear decline, and the groundwater levels have dropped significantly. Therefore, a groundwater management system based on managed aquifer recharge is proposed, and a strategy to implement these measures in the Tuul River valley is presented in this paper. This strategy consists of the enhancement of natural recharge rates during the wet summer from the northern drainage canal, an additional increase in groundwater recharge through melting the ice storage in the dry period, as well as the construction of underground dams to accumulate groundwater and a surface water reservoir that releases a constant discharge in the outlet. To increase natural recharge rates of groundwater during the early dry period through the melting ice storage period, the MATLAB icing code, which was written for ice storage for limited and unlimited areas, was considered through finite element subsurface FLOW (FEFLOW) simulation scenarios as a water source in ice form on the surface. A study of the artificial permafrost of underground as an ice dam was processed in FEFLOW simulation scenarios for accumulating groundwater resources. The results of these artificial recharging methods were individually calculated, combined, and compared with the surface reservoir, which releases a constant discharge through the dam. In this paper, new ideas are presented involving managed aquifer recharge—MAR methods, and include application to aufeis, a mass of layered ice for groundwater recharge by melting. Additionally, the accumulation of groundwater using artificial permafrost is used as an underground dam. In addition, was considered recharging scenario only with constant release water amount from water reservoir also with all MAR methods together with reservoir combination.

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