The Hydrogeochemical Stratigraphy of Brines and Its Implications on Water Management in the Central Jordan-Dead Sea Rift Valley, Israel

The exploratory borehole Megiddo-Jezre’el 1 (MJ1) was drilled in Israel, in the Bet She’an Valley which branches out from the Central Jordan Rift. It reached the depth of 5060 m and bottomed within the Upper Triassic Mohilla Fm. Following the increase of groundwater exploitation, the Cl- concentrations increased and ionic ratios changed indicating inflow of Ca2+-Cl- brines, the origins of which were hitherto unknown. Data from the new MJ1 borehole revealed that rock porosities decrease with depth. Lowermost values of about 3% were interpreted from logs in Lower Jurassic and Triassic strata. The highest shut-in pressures were measured in the Upper Jurassic sequence raising the water much higher than the ground surface. Along the drilled section, there is a continuous downward increase in Cl- concentrations in the range of 12-186 g Cl-/l and a very clear stratification of brines. Data from the MJ1 borehole and from other exploration wells indicate that in the subsurface of the area, there are two definite source brines: Triassic brine and the Late Tertiary (so-called) Rift brine. Brines encountered in Jurassic and Cretaceous beds represent ancient mixtures of the two source brines involving various water-rock chemical transformations. Evidence of very high pressures in deep boreholes Devora 2A, Rosh Pinna 1, and MJ1 revealed the existence of a mechanism in which the deep brines are “piston-driven” upwards and possibly also laterally. The ongoing salinization of groundwater in the area is due to the inflow of the Late Tertiary Ca2+-Cl- Rift brines and not that of the Jurassic or Triassic brines. The hydrogeological and hydrochemical data from borehole MJ1 is of major importance for the management of groundwater resources in the Central Jordan Rift Valley and in the adjacent geologically connected areas.

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Tectonic and paleogeographic significance of the Edom River,a Pliocene stream that crossed the Dead Sea Rift valley

Israel Journal of Earth Sciences ◽

10.1560/n2p9-ybj0-q44y-gwyn ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 159-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ezra Zilberman ◽

Hanan Ginat ◽

Yoav Avni

Keyword(s):

Rift Valley ◽

Dead Sea ◽

The Dead

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The Southern Transjordan Edomite Plateau and the Dead Sea Rift Valley

10.2307/j.ctvh1dqpt ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

BURTON MACDONALD

Keyword(s):

Rift Valley ◽

Dead Sea ◽

The Dead

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Distributed Scatterer InSAR Reveals Surface Motion of the Ancient Chaoshan Residence Cluster in the Lianjiang Plain, China

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs11020166 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 166 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yuzhou Liu ◽

Peifeng Ma ◽

Hui Lin ◽

Weixi Wang ◽

Guoqiang Shi

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Deformation Rate ◽

First Generation ◽

Groundwater Resources ◽

Potential Threat ◽

Groundwater Exploitation ◽

Surface Motion ◽

Elastic Rebound ◽

Surface Patterns ◽

Change Dynamic

The Lianjiang Plain in China and ancient villages distributed within the plain are under the potential threat of surface motion change, but no effective monitoring strategy currently exists. Distributed Scatterer InSAR (DSInSAR) provides a new high-resolution method for the precise detection of surface motion change. In contrast to the first-generation of time-series InSAR methodology, the distributed scatterer-based method focuses both on pointwise targets with high phase stability and distributed targets with moderate coherence, the latter of which is more suitable for the comprehensive environment of the Lianjiang Plain. In this paper, we present the first study of surface motion change detection in the Lianjiang Plain, China. Two data stacks, including 54 and 29 images from Sentinel-1A adjacent orbits, are used to retrieve time-series surface motion changes for the Lianjiang Plain from 2015 to 2018. The consistency of measurement has been cross-validated between adjacent orbit results with a statistically significant determination coefficient of 0.92. The temporal evolution of representative measuring points indicates three subzones with varied surface patterns: Eastern Puning (Zone A) in a slight elastic rebound phase with a moderate deformation rate (0–40 mm/yr), Chaonan (Zone B) in a substantial subsidence phase with a strong deformation rate (−140–0 mm/yr), and Chaoyang (Zone C) in a homogeneous and stable situation (−10–10 mm/yr). The spatial distribution of these zones suggests a combined change dynamic and a strong concordance of factors impacting surface motion change. Human activities, especially groundwater exploitation, dominate the subsidence pattern, and natural conditions act as a supplementary inducement by providing a hazard-prone environment. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of spatial and temporal details in this study provides a basis for systematic surface motion monitoring, cultural heritage protection and groundwater resources management.

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Sentinel-1 InSAR survey to constrain subsidence-induced surface faulting and quantify its induced risk in major cities of central Mexico

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-15723 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Francesca Cigna ◽

Deodato Tapete

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Mexico City ◽

Land Subsidence ◽

Groundwater Resources ◽

Urban Infrastructure ◽

Capital City ◽

Transport Infrastructure ◽

Central Mexico ◽

Groundwater Exploitation ◽

Persistent Scatterers

Several major cities in central Mexico suffer from aquifer depletion and land subsidence driven by overexploitation of groundwater resources to address increasing water demands for domestic, industrial and agricultural use. Ground settlement often combines with surface faulting, fracturing and cracking, causing damage to urban infrastructure, including private properties and public buildings, as well as transport infrastructure and utility networks. These impacts are very common and induce significant economic loss, thus representing a key topic of concern for inhabitants, authorities and stakeholders. This work provides an Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) 2014-2020 survey based on parallel processing of Sentinel-1 IW big data stacks within ESA&#8217;s Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP), using hosted on-demand services based on multi-temporal InSAR methods including Small BAseline Subset (SBAS) and Persistent Scatterers Interferometry (PSI). Surface faulting hazard is constrained based on differential settlement observations and the estimation of angular distortions that are produced on urban structures. The assessment of the E-W deformation field and computation of horizontal strain also allows the identification of hogging (tensile strain or extension) and sagging (compression) zones, where building cracks are more likely to develop at the highest and lowest elevations, respectively. Sentinel-1 observations agree with in-situ observations, static GPS surveying and continuous GNSS monitoring data. The distribution of field surveyed faults and fissures compared with maps of angular distortions and strain also enables the identification of areas with potentially yet-unmapped and incipient ground discontinuities. A methodology to embed such information into the process of surface faulting risk assessment for urban infrastructure is proposed and demonstrated for the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City [1], one of the fastest sinking cities globally (up to 40 cm/year subsidence rates), and the state of Aguascalientes [2], where a structurally-controlled fast subsidence process (over 10 cm/year rates) affects the namesake valley and capital city. The value of this research lies in the demonstration that InSAR data and their derived parameters are not only essential to constrain the deformation processes, but can also serve as a direct input into risk assessment to quantify (at least, as a lower bound) the percentage of properties and population at risk, and monitor how this percentage may change as land subsidence evolves.[1] Cigna F., Tapete D. 2021. Present-day land subsidence rates, surface faulting hazard and risk in Mexico City with 2014&#8211;2020 Sentinel-1 IW InSAR. Remote Sens. Environ. 253, 1-19, doi:10.1016/j.rse.2020.112161[2] Cigna F., Tapete D. 2021. Satellite InSAR survey of structurally-controlled land subsidence due to groundwater exploitation in the Aguascalientes Valley, Mexico. Remote Sens. Environ. 254, 1-23, doi:10.1016/j.rse.2020.112254

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A partially-coupled hydro-mechanical analysis of the Bengal Aquifer System under hydrological loading

10.5194/hess-2018-304 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Nicholas D. Woodman ◽

William G. Burgess ◽

Kazi Matin Ahmed ◽

Anwar Zahid

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Load ◽

Groundwater Resources ◽

Ground Surface ◽

Coupled Model ◽

Hydraulic Head ◽

Water Levels ◽

Elastic Model ◽

Surface Boundary ◽

Aquifer System ◽

Terrestrial Water

Abstract. The coupled poro-mechanical behaviour of geologic-fluid systems is fundamental to numerous processes in structural geology, seismology and geotechnics but is frequently overlooked in hydrogeology. Substantial poro-mechanical influences on groundwater head have recently been highlighted in the Bengal Aquifer System, however, driven by terrestrial water loading across the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna floodplains. Groundwater management in this strategically important fluvio-deltaic aquifer, the largest in south Asia, requires a coupled hydro-mechanical approach which acknowledges poro-elasticity. We present a simple partially-coupled, one-dimensional poro-elastic model of the Bengal Aquifer System, and explore the poro-mechanical responses of the aquifer to surface boundary conditions representing hydraulic head and mechanical load under three modes of terrestrial water variation. The characteristic responses, shown as amplitude and phase of hydraulic head in depth profile and of ground surface deflection, demonstrate (i) the limits to using water levels in piezometers to indicate groundwater recharge, as conventionally applied in groundwater resources management; (ii) the conditions under which piezometer water levels respond primarily to changes in the mass of terrestrial water storage, as applied in geological weighing lysimetry; (iii) the relationship of ground surface vertical deflection to changes in groundwater storage; and (iv) errors of attribution that could result from ignoring the poroelastic behaviour of the aquifer. These concepts are illustrated through application of the partially-coupled model to interpret multi-level piezometer data at two sites in southern Bangladesh. There is a need for further research into the coupled responses of the aquifer due to more complex forms of surface loading, particularly from rivers.

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The Response of Groundwater Level to Climate Change and Human Activities in Baotou City, China

Water ◽

10.3390/w12041078 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 1078

Author(s):

Yingjie Cui ◽

Zilong Liao ◽

Yongfu Wei ◽

Xiaomin Xu ◽

Yifan Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Human Activities ◽

Groundwater Resources ◽

Reduction Rate ◽

Northern China ◽

Groundwater Depth ◽

Wavelet Coherence ◽

Confined Water ◽

Groundwater Exploitation ◽

Decrease Rate

The response mechanism of groundwater to climate change and human activities in cities within arid and semi-arid regions, such as the Urban Planning Area of Baotou City (UPABC), northern China, is a complicated problem to understand. We analyzed the climate change relationships, including precipitation and temperature, and analyzed changes in human activities, such as groundwater consumption, and then statistically analyzed the main factors affecting groundwater depth. Furthermore, cross-wavelet and wavelet coherence methods were used to analyze the response relationship and hysteresis of groundwater depth to precipitation to better understand the groundwater depth response law. The results showed that the annual precipitation in the UPABC reduction rate was 3.3 mm/10 yr, and the annual average temperature increase rate was 0.43 °C/10 yr, from 1981 to 2017. The unconfined water decrease rate was 0.50 m/yr, and the confined water decrease rate was 0.7 m/yr. The unconfined and confined water depths were affected by precipitation and groundwater exploitation, respectively, with correlation coefficients of 0.58 and 0.57, respectively. The hysteresis of groundwater depth to precipitation was about 9–14 months. However, changes in groundwater depth, especially confined water depth, were greatly affected by groundwater exploitation. This reflected the imbalance in consumption and recharges in the UPABC, highlighting the long-term risk in areas relying on access to this resource. Therefore, arid inland zones of northern China, such as the UPABC, should pay more attention to the rational development of groundwater and strengthen the management and protection of groundwater resources.

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Earthquake-induced barium anomalies in the Lisan Formation, Dead Sea Rift valley, Israel

Earth and Planetary Science Letters ◽

10.1016/j.epsl.2009.06.031 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 286 (1-2) ◽

pp. 219-229 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Amitai Katz ◽

Amotz Agnon ◽

Shmuel Marco

Keyword(s):

Rift Valley ◽

Dead Sea ◽

Lisan Formation

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In situ gasification of coal, a natural example: history, petrology, and mechanics of combustion

Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences ◽

10.1139/e82-042 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 514-523 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

R. M. Bustin ◽

W. H. Mathews

Keyword(s):

Roof Rock ◽

Vitrinite Reflectance ◽

Ground Surface ◽

Coal Ash ◽

Sharp Decrease ◽

Upper Jurassic ◽

Thick Coal Seam ◽

Roof Rocks ◽

Roof Support

A 6 m thick coal seam of the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous Mist Mountain Formation in the southeastern Canadian Cordillera has been burning since 1936. The upper 3 m of coal is being consumed to an estimated depth of 20 m. Temperatures in excess of 1100 °C are locally reached, resulting in the melting of overlying sandstones and shales. The melted and vitrified rocks contain a new suite of minerals, including diopside, anorthite, cristobalite, and tridymite. Underlying the burnt coal ash is a zone of coke averaging about 10 cm thick, which is in turn underlain by unaltered coal.Within the area of combustion three zones can be distinguished: an advance zone, where open cracks are developed at the ground surface; a zone of active combustion, where volatiles driven off the coal burn en route to the surface and at the mouth of vents; and an abandoned zone marked by vents, some of which act as air intakes. Approximately 1000 t/year of coal is consumed, giving an energy release of about 1 MW. The heat generated is carried both forward and upward by convecting gas, thereby coking the coal and baking the roof rock. Little heat is carried downward, as evident from a sharp decrease in vitrinite reflectance below the zone of combustion.The baked roof rocks are brittle and extensively fractured, providing little roof support. The completely fused and scoriaceous rock and welded associated breccias, on the other hand, have greater coherence. This welding hinders roof collapse and thereby assists the passage of gases.

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Simulation evaluation of groundwater resources in southeastern Bosten Lake based on GMS

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/20197903020 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 79 ◽

pp. 03020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Qiang Shi ◽

Changhong Yan ◽

Peng Yu

Keyword(s):

Groundwater Resources ◽

Transitional Zone ◽

Pumping Test ◽

Bosten Lake ◽

Groundwater Exploitation ◽

The North ◽

Agricultural Water Use ◽

Simulation Evaluation ◽

Yanqi Basin ◽

North And South

Bosten Lake is located in Yanqi Basin of Xinjiang. A working area in the southeast of China is influenced by the regulation of Bosten Lake, and the transitional zone of climate in the north and south of Xinjiang, forming a climate of large evaporation, dry and little rain, and groundwater is a very important fresh water resource. In order to find out the composition of groundwater resources in the working area, the groundwater steady flow model is established by using the data of borehole, well, pumping test and so on, and the groundwater resources in this area are evaluated. The groundwater exploitation mode in the simulated area is evaluated. The results show that: the exploitable groundwater resources in the simulated area is about 22.045 million m3/a. Changing the mode of agricultural water use under the existing groundwater equilibrium condition can effectively reduce the waste of groundwater resources.

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