Numerical simulation of the influence of management alternatives of a projected reservoir on a small alluvial aquifer affected by seawater intrusion (Almuñécar, Spain)

The present study concerns the application of a numerical approach to describe the influence of anthropogenic modifications in surface flows (operation of a projected reservoir) on the freshwater-seawater relationships in a downstream coastal aquifer which has seasonal seawater intrusion problems (River Verde alluvial aquifer, Almuñécar, southern Spain). A steady-state finite element solution to the partial differential equation governing the regional motion of a phreatic surface and the resulting sharp interface between fresh water and salt water was used to predict the regional behavior of the River Verde aquifer under actual surface flow conditions. The present model approximates, with simple triangular elements, the regional behavior of a coastal aquifer under appropriate sinks, sources, Neumann and open boundary conditions. A steady-state solution to this numerical approach has been shown to precisely calculate freshwater heads, saltwater thicknesses, and freshwater discharges along steeply sloping coasts. Hence, the adequate treatment and interpretation of the hydrogeological data which are available for the River Verde aquifer have been of main concern in satisfactorily applying the proposed numerical model. Present simulated conditions consider steady-state yearly averaged amounts of external supplies of fresh water in order to determine the influences of the projected Otívar reservoir on the further behavior of the River Verde coastal aquifer. When recharges occur at the coastline, essentially because of freshwater deficits due to groundwater overexploitation, a hypothesis of mixing for the freshwater-saltwater transition zone is made in order to still allow the model to continue calculating groundwater heads under the sea level, and, as a consequence, the resulting seawater intrusion and recharges of saltwater from the sea. Simulations show that a considerable advance in seawater intrusion would be expected in the coastal aquifer if current rates of groundwater pumping continue and a significant part of the runoff from the River Verde is channeled from the Otívar reservoir for irrigation purposes.     

Modeling the impact of groundwater harvesting on the hydro-salinity of a saline catchment in southeastern Australia

Recharge to a saline, unconfined shallow-water-table aquifer is normally considered as an irrecoverable loss of water, but such thinking could be reviewed empirically. The use of an appropriate groundwater harvesting system does not only provide an opportunity to recover this lost water, but can also help in catchment salinity management and improvement. Agricultural-based land-drainage systems such as those that use serial biological concentration (SBC) of salts, provide examples of such harvesting methods. The impact of groundwater harvesting has been assessed on the hydro-salinity of a saline catchment in southeastern Australia through modeling. For both the below average rainfall and very wet years, the “do nothing” scenario resulted in increasing salinization in the catchment. However, after introducing a SBC system, groundwater salinity showed a decreasing trend while hydraulic heads tended to stabilize around the depth of subsurface collector wells. However, for a successful groundwater harvesting system, proper understanding of the groundwater flows and salt mobilization associated with a catchment is necessary. The outcomes of this modelling study have the potential to address similar issues (salinization) and/or needs (water harvesting) existing elsewhere in the world, particularly in semi-arid regions.

北京市朝阳区沙子营垃圾污染物在潜水含水层中迁移规律的现场模拟实验

选择北京平原区水文地质、环境地质等方面都比较典型的沙子营垃圾堆放场,建立了其水文地质模型。在充分收集资料、分析得出部分计算所需参数后,采用现场弥散实验、勘查取样测试等方法,求得了该含水层的弥散系数等参数;用二维非稳定流溶质运移方程对污染物在此含水层中的迁移扩散规律、速度和污染范围等进行了模拟计算;采用现场钻探、取样测试分析等方法,评价了该含水层的实际污染状况。实验模拟计算和现场调查结果表明:污染物在潜水含水层中的运移规律遵循二维非稳定流场中的溶质运移方程,污染物在潜水含水层中的运移速度约为86.25m/a,迁移扩散主要发生在地下水流向上,侧向扩散宽度极小,是地下水流向上的1/17。     

Enrichment of fluoride in groundwater under the impact of saline water intrusion at the salt lake area of Yuncheng basin,northern China

Long-term intake of high-fluoride groundwater causes endemic fluorosis. This study, for the first time, discovered that the salt lake water intrusion into neighboring shallow aquifers might result in elevation of fluoride content of the groundwater. Two cross-sections along the groundwater flow paths were selected to study the geochemical processes controlling fluoride concentration in Yuncheng basin, northern China. There are two major reasons for the observed elevation of fluoride content: one is the direct contribution of the saline water; the other is the undersaturation of the groundwater with respect to fluorite due to salt water intrusion, which appears to be more important reason. The processes of the fluorine activity reduction and the change of Na/Ca ratio in groundwater induced by the intrusion of saline water favor further dissolution of fluorine-bearing mineral, and it was modeled using PHREEQC. With the increase in Na concentration (by adding NaCl or Na₂SO₄ as Na source, calcium content kept invariable), the increase of NaF concentration was rapid at first and then became slower; and the concentrations of HF, HF₂⁻, CaF⁺, and MgF⁺ were continuously decreasing. The geochemical conditions in the study area are advantageous to the complexation of F⁻ with Na⁺ and the decline of saturation index of CaF₂, regardless of the water type (Cl–Na or SO₄–Na type water).     

Environmental impact on construction limestone at humid regions with an emphasis on salt weathering,Al-hambra islamic archaeological site,Granada City,Spain: case study

Al-hambra is an immense and valuable archaeological site in Spain built on Sabika hill with red brick and natural sandy limestone. It exhibits weathering features indicating salt weathering process. The main aim of this study is to examine weathering processes and intensity acting on Al-hambra. Rock petrography and mineralogical composition have been examined using thin sections, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence; limits of rock’s physical parameters using ultrasonic waves and mercury porosimeter; rock salt content through hydrochemical analysis. Salts attacking this structure are mainly from wet deposition of air pollutants on the long term chemical alteration of rock’s carbonate content to its equivalent salts. The salts’ concentration limit within the examined rock samples is considerably low but it is effective on the long run through hydration of sulphate salts and/or crystallization of chloride salts. Rock texture type and its silica as well as clay content reduces its resistance to internal stresses by salts as well as wetting and drying cycles at such humid area. The recession in limits of physical parameters examined for deep seated and weathered limestone samples quantitatively reflects weathering intensity on Al-hambra.     

Composition and applied sedimentology of salt from brines of the Mamfe Basin, Cameroon

Salts produced using brines of the Mamfe Basin were analysed by XRD for their mineral composition and ICP-MS for minor element composition. Halite (NaCl) and dolomite (CaMg (CO₃)₂) constitute the major minerals with minor impurities from Mo and Cd in the chlorides and Sc and Cu in the carbonates. The mineral composition is evidence of dissolution of evaporites with parent brine of marine origin. Other elements analysed are suggested to be adsorbed to these salts and result from water–rock interaction. The elements partitioned based on their correlation to other elements are suggested to derive from sulphates including barite for Ba, sulphides for Pb, Zn, silicates for Zr, Mn and oxides for V, Cr. The electrical conductance of the brines is related to the salt yield by the equation; M = 9 × 10^− 4E− 3.27, and it can be used to estimate salt yield throughout the year. Over 1200 tons of salt consisting dominantly of grade I halite are lost annually as brines across the basin. Purification is required for some minor elements including Ba, Pb, Hg and Cd for use as a condiment. A genetic relation between the parent brine, sulphide minerals and organic matter-rich sediments is proposed.     

大寺深孔闸、船闸场地地下水运移特征探讨

为了解决大寺深孔闸、船闸基坑开挖时的降排水工作及多层含水层的相可联通关系，我们进行了现场抽水试验，查明了拟建场地地基土③2层极细砂和⑤层极细砂的地下水运移特征，提山了基坑开挖应采取的排水措施。     

塔里木盆地和田河气田周缘寒武系盐下白云岩油气勘探潜力分析

塔里木盆地塔西南地区和田河气田周缘寒武系中统发育厚层膏盐岩,其下白云岩溶蚀裂缝-孔洞型储层发育条件好。多个层系具备烃源岩发育条件,除寒武系下统玉尔吐斯组外,震旦系、南华系也是可能的重要生油层系,油气资源丰富。盐下发育多个规模较大的构造圈闭,且由于膏盐岩层的滑脱作用,断裂很难断穿盐层,后期保存条件好。因此,寒武系中统膏盐岩与下伏白云岩组成本区重要的储盖组合,勘探领域具有非常好的前景。     

Impact of human activities on quality and geochemistry of groundwater in the Merdja area,Tebessa, Algeria

Chemical data are used to clarify the hydrogeological regime in the Merdja area in Tébessa, as well as to determine the status of water quality in this area. Groundwater from the aquifer in the Merdja area can be divided into two major groups according to geographical locations and chemical compositions. Water in the center part of the area of study is characterized by the dominance of chloride, sulfate, sodium, and potassium; whereas waters in the limestone aquifers in the west are dominated by the same cations but have higher concentrations of bicarbonate. Stable isotopes show that the Tébessa aquifers contain a single water type, which originated in a distinct climatic regime. This water type deviates from the Global Meteoric Water Line (MWL), as well as from the Mediterranean meteoric water line. The water is poor in tritium, and thus can be considered generally older than 50 years. Piezometric map suggests that water is moving from the west towards the center of the studied area, and from east towards center. Degradation of water quality can be attributed to agricultural fertilizers in most cases, although the wadi El Kebir River is a contributor to pollution in the middle part of the studied area.     

Field investigation of surface sand and dust movement over different sandy grasslands in the Otindag Sandy Land,China

The characteristics of sand and dust movement over different sandy grasslands in China’s Otindag Sandy Land were explored based on field observations and laboratory analyses. Threshold wind speeds (the speed required to initiate sand movement) at a height of 2 m above the ground were estimated in the field for different surface types. Threshold wind speed above shifting dunes in the study area is about 4.6 m s⁻¹ at this height. This value was smaller than values observed above other surfaces, resulting in a greater risk of blowing sand above these dunes. Differences in sand transport rates (STR) as a function of the severity of desertification resulted primarily from differences in surface vegetation cover and secondarily from the soil’s grain-size distribution. STR increased exponentially with increasing near-bed wind velocity. Under the same wind conditions, STR increased with increasing severity of desertification: from 0.08 g cm⁻² min⁻¹ above semi-fixed dunes to 8 g cm⁻² min⁻¹ above semi-shifting dunes and 25 g cm⁻² min⁻¹ above shifting dunes. Vegetation’s affect on STR was clearly large. Different components of sand and dust were trapped over different lands: mostly sand grains but little dust were trapped above shifting dunes, but much dust was collected over semi-shifting and semi-fixed dunes. Human disturbance is likely to produce dust even from fixed dunes as a result of trampling by animals and vehicle travel. In addition, spring rainfall decreased the risk of sand and dust movement by accelerating germination of plants and the formation of a soil crust.     

GIS-based assessment of risk due to salt mining activities at Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Ground subsidence triggered by salt mining from deposits located beneath the city of Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina) is one of the major dangers acting on a very densely urbanized area since 1950, when the salt deposit exploitation by means of boreholes began. As demonstrated in this paper, subsidence induced several hazard factors such as severe ground deformations, the arising of deep and superficial fractures and a very fast water table rise, connected with the brine extraction, now affecting several districts. The above mentioned factors have been quantified by the use of geomatic methodologies, including field surveys and analysis of geographical data. In order to estimate the historical sinking rates, authors processed the large (and never before processed) amount of topographical data collected during two periods; from 1956 to 1991, and from 1992 to 2003, with only poor data collected. Afterward, traditional surveys were completely and definitively stopped. The analysis reveals a cumulative subsidence as high as 12 m during the whole period, causing damage to buildings and infrastructures within an area that includes a large portion of the historical town, at present almost entirely destroyed. Modern sinking rates have been monitored with static GPS whereas the presence of superficial fractures monitored with kinematic GPS. Factors related to the presence of deep fractures and water table rise have been evaluated by curvature analysis techniques and piezometric data respectively. Finally, hazard factors have been combined in a risk map using the GIS (Geographical Information System) map algebra capabilities and a simple multicriteria decision analysis (MDA). In order to do that, a vulnerability map has been derived on the basis of information reported on a couple of recently sensed high resolution satellite imageries. The final risk, arisen from the combination of single hazard factors and vulnerability map, highlights critical scenarios and unsuspected threatening that are under consideration by the local decision makers and urban planners. In particular, as highlighted in the final risk map, the present-day water table rise, triggered by the decrease in brine pumping, is seriously posing a threat to a portion of the city which is not the most involved in ground deformations.     

Study on the swelling behaviour of blended clay–sand soils

Soils containing expansive clays undergo swelling that can be both detrimental and beneficial in various applications. In the Arabian Gulf coastal region, natural heterogeneous soils containing clay and sand (tills, shales, and clayey sands) support most of the civil infrastructure systems. Likewise, mixes of clay and sand are used for local earthwork construction such as roads and landfills. A clear understanding of the swelling behaviour of such soils is pivotal at the outset of all construction projects. The main objective of this paper was to understand the evolution of swelling with increasing clay content in local soils. A theoretical framework for clay–sand soils was developed using phase relationships. Laboratory investigations comprised of mineralogical composition and geotechnical index properties of the clay and sand and consistency limits, swelling potential, and morphology of clay–sand mixes. Results indicated that soil consistency of mixes of a local expansive clay and an engineered sand depends on the weighted average of the constituents. Mixes with 10% clay through 40% clay capture the transition from a sand-like behaviour to a clay-like behaviour. Influenced by the initial conditions and soil matrix, the swelling potential of the investigated mixes correlated well with soil plasticity (SP(%) = 0.16 (I _p)^1.188). The parameters sand void ratio and clay–water ratio were found to better explain the behaviour of blended clay–sand soils.     

乌南油田滨浅湖砂体储层构型及其油气意义

基于Miall储层构型研究思想,结合岩心、测井、测试等资料,对乌南油田砂坝砂体储层构型界面特征进行了研究,确定了储层构型界面识别标志;在此基础上,将砂坝内部构型分为坝主体和坝侧缘,同时通过动、静态结合,明确砂坝外部构型存在孤立、视连通、左侧向叠置和右侧向叠置4种模式;纵向上发育湖退（进积）和湖进（退积）两种砂体发育模式。坝主体是主力储层,具有良好油气显示;坝主体分布面积大、出现频率高为油气有利区域。     

An investigation of the geometric controls on the morphological evolution of small-scale salt terrains,Cardona, Spain

Small-scale terrains on salt materials were surveyed with a Total Station and a series of digital elevation models (DEMs) constructed. Two sets of observations were made, eight months apart, during which the terrains underwent significant erosion. The difference in elevation shown by the DEMs, calculated by subtraction, is a measure of surface erosion of the salt terrains. The erosion rate was analysed with respect to four terrain parameters calculated in the software. High erosion rates, and their strong control by terrain slope, are demonstrated, supporting an earlier study using erosion pins. Slope profile curvature is also indicated as having some influence. The combination of scanning Total Station and DEM software is shown to be an effective tool for investigating rapid geomorphic change at this scale of study.     

Environmental impact of geothermal fluids on surface water, groundwater and streambed sediments in the Akarcay Basin, Turkey

In this study, the impact of geothermal water on ground and surface waters has been investigated in Akarcay Basin, Turkey. The release of thermal return water from district heating in the city of Afyon and from thermal baths has a considerable environmental impact on the main stream. Historical analyses of stream water quality data show that the present pollution is associated primarily with thermal return water of district heating system. Currently, about 6% of stream water comprises of thermal water. The pollution seems to degrade the water quality in Lake Eber. Streambed sediments were found to be in equilibrium with polluted water and may lead to additional pollution in lake water. Thermal groundwater intrusion to fresh water production wells was detected mainly at sites close to geothermal fields. Solutions to remove thermal water from surface environment are suggested.     

宁晋石盐田水平连通井堵塞成因分析与认识

经过20多年的发展,定向水平井连通法开采技术虽已日渐成熟,被广泛应用到采卤、采碱等水溶开采领域,但在开采生产过程中经常出现由各种原因引起的井堵现象。宁晋石盐田4对卤井,自连通投产后多次发生堵塞,经过修治后运行一段时间再次出现井堵,频繁井堵致使卤井采卤周期短、经济效益差。针对该区采卤井频繁堵塞情况,结合钻修井过程遇到的各种事故和采卤车间提供的相关数据,经过认真分析总结,主要从盐层蠕变挤破套管、夹石岩粉等杂物沉淀和盐结晶堵塞通道3个方面,阐述了宁晋石盐田的井堵原因及预防措施,可为以后卤井修井及新建卤井提供参考。     

Experimental investigation on the effect of the mode of deposition on the pore-access size distribution of sand

It is well known that the specimen preparation method and the resulting sand fabric significantly affect sand behaviour and sand liquefaction resistance. In this study, a simple experimental method namely tensiometric method is presented for evaluation of the effect of the samples reconstituting methods on microstructure and the pore-access size distribution of sands. Specimens were prepared using dry funnel pluviation (DFP) and wet deposition (WD) at two densities Dr = 40% (loose state) and Dr = 80% (dense state). The water-retention curve of a sand specimen is evaluated using a technique similar to the hanging column method by application of a step-by-step variation of suction and measure of the corresponding changes in water content. The pore-access size distribution is then evaluated from the water-retention curve. In this experimental study the effects of the mode of deposition and the uniformity coefficient on the pore-access size distribution are investigated. It was found that the specimen generated by the WD method contained a higher percentage of pore size, contrary to the specimen prepared by the DFP which contained a limited percentage of pore size, causing a great influence on the mechanical behaviour of the specimens.     

越流区开采条件下承压含水层易污染性机理研究——以单井开采为例

地下水易污染性分析是合理开发利用地下水资源、保护地下水环境的一项重要的基础性工作.长期以来针对潜水含水层易污染性的研究进行的较为深入,而对承压含水层易污染性的研究较为少见.同时,易污染性评价方法又以经验方法为主,受人为主观因素影响较大,因此需要通过对承压含水层污染机理进行研究,以减少人为主观因素对评价结果的影响.本文以单井开采承压含水层为例,通过分析承压含水层受污染的原因,以单位面积上越流补给量占开采量的比重为承压含水层易污染性指数,在建立越流区承压水向完整井稳定运动的微分方程的基础上,得到易污染性指数的解析表达式,并分析了各参数对易污染性的影响,使承压含水层易污染性评价有了一定的理论依据,对合理开发利用承压含水层有一定的指导意义.