Use of hydrochemistry and environmental isotopes for assessment of groundwater resources in the intermediate aquifer of the Sfax basin (Southern Tunisia)

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zohra Hchaichi ◽  
Kamel Abid ◽  
Kamel Zouari
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Environmental Isotopes ◽  
Southern Tunisia

scholarly journals Hydrogeochemical and Hydrodynamic Assessment of Tirnavos Basin, Central Greece

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 759
Author(s):  
Ioannis Vrouhakis ◽  
Evangelos Tziritis ◽  
Andreas Panagopoulos ◽  
Georgios Stamatis
Keyword(s):  
Ion Exchange ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Multivariate Statistics ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Environmental Isotopes ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Central Greece ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Water Level Measurements ◽  
Groundwater Resources Management

A combined hydrogeochemical and hydrodynamic characterization for the assessment of key aspects related to groundwater resources management was performed in a highly productive agricultural basin of the Thessaly region in central Greece. A complementary suite of tools and methods—including graphical processing, hydrogeochemical modeling, multivariate statistics and environmental isotopes—have been applied to a comprehensive dataset of physicochemical analyses and water level measurements. Results revealed that the initial hydrogeochemistry of groundwater was progressively impacted by secondary phenomena (e.g., ion exchange and redox reactions) which were clearly delineated into distinct zones according to data processing. The progressive evolution of groundwater was further verified by the variation of the saturation indices of critical minerals. In addition, the combined use of water level measurements delineated the major pathways of groundwater flow. Interestingly, the additional joint assessment of environmental isotopes revealed a new pathway from E–NE (which had never before been validated), thus highlighting the importance of the joint tools/methods application in complex scientific tasks. The application of multivariate statistics identified the dominant processes that control hydrogeochemistry and fit well with identified hydrodynamic mechanisms. These included (as dominant factor) the salinization impact due to the combined use of irrigation water return and evaporitic mineral leaching, as well as the impact of the geogenic calcareous substrate (mainly karstic calcareous formations and dolostones). Secondary factors, acting as processes (e.g., redox and ion exchange), were identified and found to be in line with initial assessment, thus validating the overall characterization. Finally, the outcomes may prove to be valuable in the progression toward sustainable groundwater resources management. The results have provided spatial and temporal information for significant parameters, sources, and processes—which, as a methodological approach, could be adopted in similar cases of other catchments.

scholarly journals Using <sup>14</sup>C and <sup>3</sup>H to understand groundwater flow and recharge in an aquifer window

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 4951-4964 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Atkinson ◽  
I. Cartwright ◽  
B. S. Gilfedder ◽  
D. I. Cendón ◽  
N. P. Unland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Environmental Isotopes ◽  
Discharge Zone ◽  
Order Estimate ◽  
Residence Times ◽  
Abstract Knowledge ◽  
Lower Chloride ◽  
Recharge Rates

Abstract. Knowledge of groundwater residence times and recharge locations is vital to the sustainable management of groundwater resources. Here we investigate groundwater residence times and patterns of recharge in the Gellibrand Valley, southeast Australia, where outcropping aquifer sediments of the Eastern View Formation form an "aquifer window" that may receive diffuse recharge from rainfall and recharge from the Gellibrand River. To determine recharge patterns and groundwater flow paths, environmental isotopes (3H, 14C, δ13C, δ18O, δ2H) are used in conjunction with groundwater geochemistry and continuous monitoring of groundwater elevation and electrical conductivity. The water table fluctuates by 0.9 to 3.7 m annually, implying recharge rates of 90 and 372 mm yr−1. However, residence times of shallow (11 to 29 m) groundwater determined by 14C are between 100 and 10 000 years, 3H activities are negligible in most of the groundwater, and groundwater electrical conductivity remains constant over the period of study. Deeper groundwater with older 14C ages has lower δ18O values than younger, shallower groundwater, which is consistent with it being derived from greater altitudes. The combined geochemistry data indicate that local recharge from precipitation within the valley occurs through the aquifer window, however much of the groundwater in the Gellibrand Valley predominantly originates from the regional recharge zone, the Barongarook High. The Gellibrand Valley is a regional discharge zone with upward head gradients that limits local recharge to the upper 10 m of the aquifer. Additionally, the groundwater head gradients adjacent to the Gellibrand River are generally upwards, implying that it does not recharge the surrounding groundwater and has limited bank storage. 14C ages and Cl concentrations are well correlated and Cl concentrations may be used to provide a first-order estimate of groundwater residence times. Progressively lower chloride concentrations from 10 000 years BP to the present day are interpreted to indicate an increase in recharge rates on the Barongarook High.

Origin and movement of groundwater and major ions in a thick deposit of Champlain Sea clay near Montréal

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald E. Desaulniers ◽  
John A. Cherry
Keyword(s):  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Major Ions ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Environmental Isotopes ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Hydraulic Gradient ◽  
Groundwater Movement ◽  
Ion Profiles ◽  
Threshold Gradient ◽  
Thick Deposit

At a site near Montréal, piezometers and core samples were used to assess the origin, age, and rate of groundwater movement in a 28 m thick deposit of Champlain Sea clay. 3H occurs only within the upper 3–4 m, which indicates that groundwater below this surficial weathered zone originated prior to 1952. Concentrations of 18O, Na+, and Cl− in water from the deepest piezometer suggest that the deep clay was deposited in a mixture of about 33% seawater and 67% freshwater. Profiles of several major ions show a gradual increase in concentration with depth. Mathematical simulations of vertical migration of Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, and Cl− provide close matches to the field profiles when only upward diffusion of these ions into the surficial freshwater zone is included in the model with a diffusion time of approximately 10 000 a. When the downward advection rate of 0.13 cm ∙ a−1 obtained from field measurements of hydraulic gradient and hydraulic conductivity is included in the model, the simulated major-ion profiles deviate markedly from the field profiles. This suggests that the hydraulic gradient in the clay is less than the threshold gradient necessary to cause Darcian flow. This study suggests that, in areas where clayey Champlain Sea deposits are thick, opportunities exist for locating waste disposal facilities that would have no significant potential for causing contamination of groundwater resources beneath the clay. Key words: groundwater, permeability, diffusion, environmental isotopes, threshold gradient, geochemistry, subsurface waste disposal.

scholarly journals Groundwater Isotopes in the Sonoyta River Watershed, USA-Mexico: Implications for Recharge Sources and Management of the Quitobaquito Springs

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3307
Author(s):  
Hector A. Zamora ◽  
Christopher J. Eastoe ◽  
Benjamin T. Wilder ◽  
Jennifer C. McIntosh ◽  
Thomas Meixner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Environmental Isotopes ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Groundwater Extraction ◽  
Recharge Sources ◽  
Through Flow ◽  
Mexico Border ◽  
Rain Events ◽  
Water Elevations ◽  
Regional Aquifer

Groundwater resources in the southwestern United States are finite and riparian and wetland areas are vulnerable to aquifer overdraft and unregulated groundwater use. Environmental isotopes and water chemistry were used to distinguish water types, recharge mechanisms, and residence time along several reaches of the Sonoyta River and Quitobaquito Springs located near the U.S.-Mexico border. Areas located upgradient from the Sonoyta River, such as the Puerto Blanco Mountains and La Abra Plain, are supported by local recharge which corresponds to water from the largest 30% of rain events mainly occurring during winter. For Quitobaquito Springs, the δ18O and δ2H values are too low to be derived from local recharge. Stable isotope data and Cl/SO4 mass ratios indicate that the Sonoyta River supplied Quitobaquito Springs through flow along a suggested fault system. Based on these results, Quitobaquito Springs flow could be diminished by any activity resulting in increased groundwater extraction and lowering of water elevations in the Sonoyta River regional aquifer.

scholarly journals Using <sup>14</sup>C and <sup>3</sup>H to understand groundwater flow and recharge in an aquifer window

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 5953-5989
Author(s):  
A. P. Atkinson ◽  
I. Cartwright ◽  
B. S. Gilfedder ◽  
D. I. Cendón ◽  
N. P. Unland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Environmental Isotopes ◽  
Discharge Zone ◽  
Order Estimate ◽  
Residence Times ◽  
Abstract Knowledge ◽  
Lower Chloride ◽  
Recharge Rates ◽  
Groundwater Flowpaths

Abstract. Knowledge of groundwater residence times and recharge locations are vital to the sustainable management of groundwater resources. Here we investigate groundwater residence times and patterns of recharge in the Gellibrand Valley, southeast Australia, where outcropping aquifer sediments of the Eastern View Formation form an "aquifer window" that may receive diffuse recharge and recharge from the Gellibrand River. To determine recharge patterns and groundwater flowpaths, environmental isotopes (3H, 14C, δ13C, δ18O, δ2H) are used in conjunction with groundwater geochemistry and continuous monitoring of groundwater elevation and electrical conductivity. Despite the water table fluctuating by 0.9–3.7 m annually producing estimated recharge rates of 90 and 372 mm yr-1, residence times of shallow (11–29 m) groundwater determined by 14C ages are between 100 and 10 000 years. 3H activities are negligible in most of the groundwater and groundwater electrical conductivity in individual areas remains constant over the period of study. Although diffuse local recharge is evident, the depth to which it penetrates is limited to the upper 10 m of the aquifer. Rather, groundwater in the Gellibrand Valley predominantly originates from the regional recharge zone, the Barongarook High, and acts as a regional discharge zone where upward head gradients are maintained annually, limiting local recharge. Additionally, the Gellibrand River does not recharge the surrounding groundwater and has limited bank storage. 14C ages and Cl concentrations are well correlated and Cl concentrations may be used to provide a first-order estimate of groundwater residence times. Progressively lower chloride concentrations from 10 000 years BP to the present day are interpreted to indicate an increase in recharge rates on the Barongarook High.

Spray irrigation on dairy pastures - efficient or not?

2006 ◽  
pp. 177-181
Author(s):  
S.M. Thomas ◽  
D. Bloomer ◽  
R.J. Martin ◽  
A. Horrocks
Keyword(s):  
Irrigation System ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Irrigation Application ◽  
Irrigation Uniformity ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Spray Irrigation ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Distribution Uniformity

Applying water efficiently is increasingly important for dairy farmers and other users of surface and groundwater resources to maintain sustainable production. However, irrigation is rarely monitored. We used a questionnaire survey and measurements of five spray irrigation systems working in normal farm conditions to make observations on how efficiently irrigation is being managed. Survey results from 93 dairy farmers showed that, although the farmers believe they know how much water is being applied during irrigation, only 60% make measurements, and about 18% measure irrigation uniformity. Catch-can measurement of irrigation application depth for the different spray systems indicated large variability in application depths during irrigation, and field distribution uniformity ranged greatly between the different systems, decreasing in the order of centre pivots >travelling irrigators> K-line. Changes in irrigation system settings were sometimes made without considering application depths or uniformity. If our five case studies are typical, they may explain the large range of seasonal irrigation amounts recorded in the survey. We recommend that farmers monitor irrigation application depths and uniformity to help manage irrigation water efficiently and to help them estimate the value of irrigation to their enterprise. Keywords: distribution uniformity, water use efficiency, catch cans

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