Functionning of the Katari-Lago Menor Basin aquifer, Lake Titicaca-Bolivia, inferred from geophysical, hydrogeological and geochemical data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Céline Duwig ◽  
Gabriela Flores ◽  
Marc Descloitres ◽  
Yvan Rossier ◽  
Lorenzo Spadini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Alluvial Fan ◽  
Geochemical Data ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Anthropogenic Contamination ◽  
Lake Titicaca ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Eastern Cordillera ◽  
Consistent Picture ◽  
Insight Into

<p>The population of the semi-arid Bolivian Northern Altiplano depends greatly on groundwater resources, surface water being intermittent and often contaminated by human activities. The aim of this study is to provide a first insight into the hydrogeological structure and groundwater dynamics of the Katari-Lago Menor Basin aquifer located between the Eastern Cordillera and Lake Titicaca, Bolivia. Resistivity profiles combined with geology, borehole lithology, topography as well as additional groundwater level and geochemical measurements, were helpful in resolving the spatial limits of the aquifer, the vertical and lateral continuity of the Quaternary porous geologic media, the shape and position of the bottom of the aquifer (depth to the bedrock, i.e. Tertiary or Devonian Formations), and revealed a general overview of the natural dynamic behaviour of the aquifer at the scale of the Katari and Lago Menor Basin. The quaternary sediments are hydraulically connected and behave as a single regional basin-aquifer. The main groundwater flow system starts in the upper Piedmont (high mountain ranges of the Eastern Cordillera) and follows the topographic Piedmont gradient (NE to SW). Most groundwater recharge results from the infiltration of precipitation and runoff on the high mountain ranges. Indeed, groundwater circulating in the upper and lower Piedmont layers present primarily  facies. In the regions of the lower Piedmont urbanized areas, groundwater presenting  facies, show a noticeable enrichment of sulphate and chloride relating mainly anthropogenic contamination (mining and urban nature). A large portion of the aquifer presents an unconfined behaviour whereas it remains confined below the Ulloma Formation. The thickness of the unconfined portion varies from 50 to 150 meters and that of the confined from 100 to 150 meters. Values of hydraulic conductivity for the unconfined portion range from 1.1×10<sup>-4</sup> m s<sup>-1</sup> (alluvial fan deposit), 2.5×10<sup>-6 </sup>m s<sup>-1</sup> (fluvioglacial deposits,) to 5.9×10<sup>-8 </sup>m s<sup>-1</sup> (glacial deposits), while for the confined part transmissivity values range around 6.0×10<sup>-6</sup>  m<sup>2</sup> s<sup>-1</sup> (paleo-lacustrine deposits).</p><p> This multidisciplinary approach proved to be an appropriate method to derive a consistent picture of the hydrogeological functioning of the Katari-Lago Menor Basin aquifer.</p>

scholarly journals Insight into the Katari-Lago Menor Basin aquifer, Lake Titicaca-Bolivia, inferred from geophysical (TDEM), hydrogeological and geochemical data

2020 ◽  
Vol 99 ◽  
pp. 102479
Author(s):  
Gabriela Patricia Flores Avilés ◽  
Marc Descloitres ◽  
Céline Duwig ◽  
Yvan Rossier ◽  
Lorenzo Spadini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geochemical Data ◽  
Lake Titicaca ◽  
Insight Into

Determining the Slip Rate and Earthquake Recurrence Interval on the Tip of a Foreberg in the Gobi-Altai, Mongolia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.H. Lee ◽  
Y.B. Seong ◽  
J.-S. Oh
Keyword(s):  
Surface Deformation ◽  
Slip Rate ◽  
Alluvial Fan ◽  
Recurrence Interval ◽  
Luminescence Dating ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Earthquake Recurrence ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Earthquake Recurrence Interval ◽  
Exposure Ages

Abstract ––The Gobi-Altai, Mongolia, includes high mountain ranges that have accommodated the compressional stresses derived from the collision between the Eurasian and Indian Plates. The Gurvan Bogd, which is one of the main mountain ranges in the Gobi-Altai, is a restraining bend along the Bogd sinistral fault. Although surface ruptures did not form near the Artz Bogd during the Mw = 8.1 Gobi-Altai earthquake of 1957, it is still active, as evidenced by a growing topography (i.e., forebergs). Six foreberg ridges have formed in the foreland of the Artz Bogd, which are considered to be the result of surface deformation of alluvial fans due to thrusting. One stream has cut down to expose a foreberg tip, providing the opportunity to explore the slip evolution of the region. Here we map a growing fault structure related to blind thrusting. We identify five faulting events from an analysis of the outcrop and apply optically stimulated luminescence dating to the faulted sedimentary layers, yielding an average slip rate of 0.045 ± 0.007 m/kyr and an earthquake recurrence interval of 5.8 ± 0.5 kyr over the last ~32 kyr. Furthermore, the long-term (~600 kyr) uplift rate of the foreberg is 0.067 ± 0.007 m/kyr, as deduced by dividing the vertical displacement of the alluvial fan surface by the 10Be surface exposure ages of boulders on the fan. The discrepancy (20–30%) between these two deformation rates may be due to the different timescales they cover and an along-strike gradient in slip rate.

scholarly journals Avalanche situation in Turkey and back calculation of selected events

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1145-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Aydin ◽  
Y. Bühler ◽  
M. Christen ◽  
I. Gürer
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Software ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Identification Algorithm ◽  
Black Sea Region ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Back Calculation ◽  
Elevation Model ◽  
Very High ◽  
Rapid Mass

Abstract. In Turkey, an average of 24 people die in snow avalanches every year, mainly in the eastern part of Anatolia and in the eastern Black Sea region, where high-mountain ranges are close to the sea. The proportion of people killed in buildings is very high (87%), especially in comparison to other European countries and North America. In this paper we discuss avalanche occurrence, the climatic situation and historical avalanche events in Turkey; in addition, we identify bottlenecks and suggest solutions to tackle avalanche problems. Furthermore, we have applied the numerical avalanche simulation software RAMMS (rapid mass movements simulation) combined with a (digital elevation model) DEM-based potential release zone identification algorithm to analyze the catastrophic avalanche events in the villages of Üzengili (Bayburt province) in 1993 and Yaylaönü (Trabzon province) in 1981. The results demonstrate the value of such an approach for regions with poor avalanche databases, enabling the calculation of different scenarios and the estimation of run-out distances, impact pressure and flow height.

scholarly journals Application of Multiple Approaches to Investigate the Hydrochemistry Evolution of Groundwater in an Arid Region: Nomhon, Northwestern China

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuan Yang ◽  
Guangcai Wang ◽  
Zheming Shi ◽  
Dan Zhao ◽  
Wanjun Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Qaidam Basin ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Atmospheric Precipitation ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Major And Trace Elements ◽  
Alluvial Fan ◽  
Hydrogeochemical Processes ◽  
Recharge Sources ◽  
Gypsum Precipitation

Groundwater is a critical water resource for human survival and economic development in arid and semi-arid areas. It is crucial to understand the groundwater circulation and hydrochemical evolution for sustainable management and utilization of groundwater resources in those areas. To this end, an investigation of the hydrochemical characteristics of surface water and groundwater was conducted in Nomhon, an arid area located in the Qaidam Basin, northwest China, by using hydrochemical (major and trace elements) and stable isotopes (δD and δ18O) approaches. Stable isotopes and ion ratios were analyzed to determine the recharge sources, hydrochemistry characteristics, and major hydrogeochemical processes. Meanwhile, inverse geochemistry modeling was applied to quantitatively determine the mass transfer of hydrogeochemical processes. The results showed that groundwater in the study area is mainly recharged by atmospheric precipitation in mountainous areas, and the groundwater in the center of basin might originate from ancient water in cold and humid environments. Along the groundwater flow path, the TDS of groundwater increased gradually from fresh to salty (ranging from 462.50 to 19,604.40 mg/L), and the hydrochemical type changed from Cl·HCO3–Na·Mg·Ca to Cl–Na. Groundwater chemical composition and mass balance modeling results indicated that from alluvial fan to lacustrine plain, the main hydrogeochemical processes changed from the dissolution of halite and albite and the precipitation of dolomite and kaolinite to the dissolution of halite and gypsum, precipitation of calcite, redox (SO42− reduction), and cation exchange. This study would be helpful for water resources management in this area and other similar areas.

Acricotopus indet. morphotype incurvatus: Description and genetics of a new Orthocladiinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) larval morphotype from the Tibetan Plateau

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4656 (3) ◽  
pp. 535-544
Author(s):  
ANDREAS LAUG ◽  
LADISLAV HAMERLÍK ◽  
STEN ANSLAN ◽  
STEFAN ENGELS ◽  
FALKO TURNER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Central Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Peculiar Form ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Coi Sequences ◽  
Complex Formations

High mountain ranges such as the Tibetan Plateau with an average altitude above 4500 m are topographically complex formations. Elevational gradients, physiographic diversity and climatic heterogeneity have led to highly biodiverse ecosystems in these regions. Mountain ranges can be seen as cradles of evolution and harbour, due to their unique characteristics, a high number of highly adapted species. At the same time these areas are hard to access and therefore taxonomic information is limited. Here we describe a new Acricotopus (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae) larval morphotype occurring in lakes and ponds of differing salinity and water depths located on the Southern and Central Tibetan Plateau. The description is based on larvae and their genetics (ribosomal 18S, 28S and mitochondrial COI sequences) collected from a shallow pond in close proximity to the large saline lake Selin Co. Larvae of Acricotopus indet. morphotype incurvatus are characterized by a mentum with a cluster of lateral teeth, partially folded inwards, a mandible with a toothed lobe in addition to four inner teeth and a sclerotized plate positioned behind the mentum. Up to now, these morphological features have only been found in early instars of other Acricotopus species. The proposed morphotype name is inspired by the peculiar form of the mentum. 

scholarly journals Application of a Self-Organizing Map of Isotopic and Chemical Data for the Identification of Groundwater Recharge Sources in Nasunogahara Alluvial Fan, Japan

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeo Tsuchihara ◽  
Katsushi Shirahata ◽  
Satoshi Ishida ◽  
Shuhei Yoshimoto
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Paddy Rice ◽  
Alluvial Fan ◽  
Rice Fields ◽  
Isotopic Ratios ◽  
Self Organizing Map ◽  
Recharge Sources ◽  
Different Origins ◽  
Self Organizing

Paddy rice fields on an alluvial fan not only use groundwater for irrigation but also play an important role as groundwater recharge sources. In this study, we investigated the spatial distribution of isotopic and hydrochemical compositions of groundwater in the Nasunogahara alluvial fan in Japan and applied a self-organizing map (SOM) to characterize the groundwater. The SOM assisted with the hydrochemical and isotopic interpretation of the groundwater in the fan, and clearly classified the groundwater into four groups reflecting the different origins. Two groundwater groups with lower isotopic ratios of water than the mean precipitation values in the fan were influenced by the infiltration of river water flowing from higher areas in the catchments and were differentiated from each other by their Na+ and Cl− concentrations. A groundwater group with higher isotopic ratios was influenced by the infiltration of paddy irrigation water that had experienced evaporative isotopic enrichment. Groundwater in the fourth group, which was distributed in the upstream area of the fan where dairy farms dominated, showed little influence of recharge waters from paddy rice fields. The findings of this study will contribute to proper management of the groundwater resources in the fan.

Description of two new species of Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Western Ghats of Kerala, India

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4459 (1) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
VIVEK PHILIP CYRIAC ◽  
ALEX JOHNY ◽  
P. K. UMESH ◽  
MUHAMED JAFER PALOT
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Southern Western Ghats ◽  
High Elevation Forests ◽  
The Western Ghats

Two new species of geckos of the genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 are described from the southern Western Ghats of Kerala. Both species are medium to large sized Cnemaspis and can be differentiated from all other Indian congeners by a suite of distinct morphological characters. Both species are found in the high elevation forests of the two major massifs—       Anaimalai Hills and Agasthyamalai Hills and are presently known to have very restricted distributional ranges. The discovery of these novel species highlights the understudied diversity of reptiles in the high mountain ranges of the Western Ghats. 

scholarly journals Evaluating the groundwater resource potential of the Dundas buried bedrock valley, southwestern Ontario: an integrated geological and hydrogeological case study

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 659-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy F. Bajc ◽  
Andrea S. Marich ◽  
Elizabeth H. Priebe ◽  
Desmond R.B. Rainsford
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Hydraulic Testing ◽  
Groundwater Resource ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Anthropogenic Contamination ◽  
Borehole Data ◽  
Resource Potential ◽  
Valley Network ◽  
Groundwater Resource Potential

Population growth in the groundwater-dependent municipalities of southwestern Ontario has prompted interest in the exploration for new, previously untapped, groundwater resources. In this study, the groundwater resource potential of the sediments infilling a deeply buried bedrock valley network centred beneath the Region of Waterloo and the counties of Brant and Hamilton–Wentworth are explored. The objectives of this study are to further refine valley location and geometry, understand infilling sediments and their hydrogeological properties, and characterize waters contained within the aquifers to inform future water management decisions. Results of a regional ground gravity survey were instrumental in locating buried bedrock valleys and guided follow-up drilling. Continuous sediment coring and monitoring well installations were completed to target thick and coarse-grained sediment packages that, based on existing borehole data, showed aquifer potential. Hydraulic testing and groundwater sampling results provided valuable insights into groundwater quantity and quality. Highly transmissive aquifers, some worth investigating further, have been identified within portions of the valley network. The aquifers appear to occur at a number of stratigraphic positions and do not necessarily occur as the deepest unit overlying bedrock. Bedrock topography likely played a role, however, in their preferential preservation. They are commonly overlain by thick sequences of relatively impermeable sediments, providing excellent protection from anthropogenic contamination. Information from water chemistry, however, does suggest hydraulic connection to the surface at some locations. Groundwater quality and quantity information combined with a conceptual three-dimensional geologic model aids in the selection of groundwater resource exploration targets within the untapped resources of the deep, Dundas buried valley sediments.

scholarly journals Flooding dynamics in a large low-gradient alluvial fan, the Okavango Delta, Botswana, from analysis and interpretation of a 30-year hydrometric record

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 1865-1892 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Wolski ◽  
M. Murray-Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Local Population ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Alluvial Fan ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Okavango Delta ◽  
Complex Interplay ◽  
Flood Dynamics ◽  
The Given ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract. The Okavango Delta is a flood-pulsed wetland, the resources of which support a large tourism industry and subsistence of the local population. In order to obtain an insight into the influence of various environmental factors on flood propagation and distribution in this system, an analysis was undertaken of a 30-year record of hydrometric data (discharges and water levels) from one of the Delta distributaries. The analysis revealed that water levels and discharges at any given channel site in the analysed distributary are influenced by a complex interplay of flood wave and local rainfall input modified by channel-floodplain interactions, in-channel sedimentation and technical interventions, both at the given site and upstream. Additionally, cyclical variation of channel margin vegetation due to nutrients recycling might play a role. It was shown that data from channels do not adequately represent flood dynamics and its change at the distributary level. The paper contributes to the understanding of seasonal and long-term flood pulsing and their changes in low gradient systems of channels and floodplains.

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