A proposal for an extended typology of groundwater habitats

Many governments now require the ecological condition of groundwater ecosystems to be considered when making policy decisions. However, groundwater habitats and communities occur at different spatial scales to those at which aquifers are managed, making their inclusion in policy decisions difficult. A system of classifying groundwater ecosystems is needed to aid this, yet such a typology is currently not available. Here, a hierarchical model for a typology of groundwater habitats is suggested, which considers three spatial scales: macro, meso, and local. On a macroscale, communities are influenced by biogeographic characteristics; at a mesoscale they are influenced by the hydrogeological type of the aquifer; and on local scale by the hydrological exchange with surface water and hence the oxygen and nutrient supply. Consequently, groundwater habitats are assumed to be defined by biogeographic particularities, the hydrogeological aquifer type and by localized hydrological exchange with surface water. By adopting a ‘groundwater habitat typology’, groundwater biologists may be able to work with hydrogeologists to assist in the sustainable management of groundwater by predicting groundwater biodiversity and the distribution of important or endangered species. The typology proposed here is a first step towards achieving this goal.     

Fluoride enrichment mechanism and geospatial distribution in the volcanic aquifers of the Middle Awash basin,Northern Main Ethiopian Rift

Considering the anomalous concentration of fluoride in the ground waters of the Middle Awash basin, a comprehensive survey of the enrichment mechanism as well as its association with common hydrochemical variables was conducted using multivariate statistical methods, Hierarchal Cluster Analysis (HCA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The HCA results indicate a marked heterogeneous spatial distribution of the fluoride concentration, the magnitude of which varies more gradually in the SSW–NNE direction along the Wonji Fault Belt (WFB) than it does in the E-W direction away from this belt. This is strongly associated with the geothermal anomaly that is prominent in the basin interior area. Furthermore, the PCA results show that the magnitude of the fluoride concentration is higher in the groundwater derived from non-calcium bearing aquifers, which are widely distributed in the rift floor. Hydrochemical processes involving a cation exchange reaction cause a systematic Ca²⁺ removal from solution from highland towards the rift floor. This geochemical reaction enhances the fluoride enrichment of groundwater along the same flow direction. In this regard, the geothermal belt of the basin interior area is a hydrogeological block marked by high loads of fluoride whereas the plateau areas are low-fluoride zones. The geospatial distribution of fluoride at the basin scale was estimated using the kriging procedure. Appropriate discrimination between local and regional aquifers is important in order to secure low-fluoride water supply for the community in the basin.     

Factorial kriging of a geochemical dataset for heavy-metal spatial-variability characterization

Characterizing the spatial patterns of variability is a fundamental aspect when investigating what could be the causes behind the spatial spreading of a set of variables. In this paper, a large multivariate dataset from the southeast of Belgium has been analyzed using factorial kriging. The purpose of the study is to explore and retrieve possible scales of spatial variability of heavy metals. This is achieved by decomposing the variance-covariance matrix of the multivariate sample into coregionalization matrices, which are, in turn, decomposed into transformation matrices, which serve to decompose each regionalized variable as a sum of independent factors. Then, factorial cokriging is used to produce maps of the factors explaining most of the variance, which can be compared with maps of the underlying lithology. For the dataset analyzes, this comparison identifies a few point scale concentrations that may reflect anthropogenic contamination, and it also identifies local and regional scale anomalies clearly correlated to the underlying geology and to known mineralizations. The results from this analysis could serve to guide the authorities in identifying those areas which need remediation.     

珠江口西部海域表层沉积物重金属元素多尺度空间变化特征

笔者应用因子克里格分析方法,研究了珠江口西部海域388个表层沉积物中7种重金属元素Cd, Ni,Cu,Zn,Pb,Cr和As的空间结构特征,识别并分离了重金属元素不同尺度的空间主成分及其分布特征,探讨了不同空间尺度重金属的物源及控制因素。结果显示,研究区7种重金属元素在空间上存在块金尺度、局部尺度(变程为60 km的球状结构)和区域尺度(变程为160 km的球状结构)3种尺度的空间变化。以迭代算法模拟了研究区重金属元素线性协同区域化模型。根据不同尺度上区域化因子的主成分得分分布特征可知:局部尺度上,F₁因子(Zn,Cr,Ni,Cu)和F₂因子(As)的高值区表现为"牛眼"状局部特征,并分布在陆地沿海的河口或者港湾区,指示了可能受人为污染成分影响的重金属区域。其中,雷州半岛东部沿海是最可能的重金属污染区,其空间分布主要受控于局部的地形、海流等因素。F₂因子不同于F₁的空间分布,主要在于As不同于Zn,Cr,Ni,Cu等的地球化学行为。区域尺度上,F₁(Zn,Cr,Ni)和F₂(As)因子主要反映了不同陆源母岩物质的影响。Zn,Cr,Ni等主要源于华南大陆陆源母岩物质,而As主要受到海南岛陆源母岩物质的控制。F₁和F₂因子得分高值区整体上表现为NNE向自陆地向较深海域延伸的"片状"分布特征,推测其主要受到海平面变化及NNE向区域性海洋环流的控制。     

Monitoring of earthquake precursors by multi-parameter stations in Eskisehir region (Turkey)

The objective of this study was to investigate the geochemical and hydrogeological effects of earthquakes on fluids in aquifers, particularly in a seismically active area such as Eskisehir (Turkey) where the Thrace–Eskisehir Fault Zone stretches over the region. The study area is also close to the North Anatolian Fault Zone generating devastating earthquakes such as the ones experienced in 1999, reactivating the Thrace–Eskisehir Fault. In the studied area, Rn and CO₂ gas concentrations, redox potential, electrical conductivity, pH, water level, water temperature, and the climatic parameters were continuously measured in five stations for about a year. Based on the gathered data from the stations, some ambiguous anomalies in geochemical parameters and Rn concentration of groundwater were observed as precursors several days prior to an earthquake. According to the mid-term observations of this study, well-water level changes were found to be a good indicator for seismic estimations in the area, as it comprises naturally filtered anomalies reflecting only the changes due to earthquakes. Also, the results obtained from this study suggest that both the changes in well-water level and gas–water chemistry need to be interpretated together for more accurate estimations. Valid for the studied area, it can be said that shallow earthquakes with epicentral distances of <30 km from the observation stations have more influence on hydrochemical parameters of groundwater and well-water level changes. Although some hydrochemical anomalies were observed in the area, it requires further observations in order to be able to identify them as precursors.     

高光谱遥感水文地质应用新进展

高光谱遥感是一种利用成像光谱仪同时获取地物目标辐射、光谱和空间等多重信息遥感的技术,水文地质是高光谱遥感重要的应用领域之一,通过高光谱遥感图像分析,能够提取大区域包气带及含水系统的水文地质信息,可为水文地质环境的识别及实时监测、地下水资源高效管理、地下水数值模型构建等提供科学数据。通过调研凝练了高光谱遥感基本原理方法及其在水文地质方面的应用研究,重点总结了地下水环境污染和水文信息反演方面的高光谱遥感应用研究进展,分析了高光谱遥感水文地质应用所面临的挑战,并展望了高光谱遥感水文地质应用研究的发展趋势,主要包括:通过土壤和植被的光谱信息实现对研究区包气带土壤重金属污染状况的大面积、短周期连续快速监测;在高光谱图像中提取构造、地层岩性等地质和水文地质特征,以环境指示因子（如植被）为有效补充,获取饱和带地下水环境信息;通过高光谱图像识别植被类型、计算植被覆盖度、分析叶片反射光谱特征并建立模型反演土壤含水量和地下水位,为研究和保护缺水地区生态环境提供数据支撑。     

The hydrochemical identification of groundwater flowing to the Bet She’an-Harod multiaquifer system (Lower Jordan Valley) by rare earth elements,yttrium, stable isotopes (H,O) and Tritium

The Bet She’an and Harod Valleys in Israel are regional recipients and mixing zones for groundwater draining from a multiple aquifer system, which includes carbonate and basalt aquifers and deep-seated pressurized brines. The aquifers drain through two types of outlets, distinct and mixed. The latter type is mainly conditioned by the occurrence of fault-blocks related to the Jordan Rift system, which act as connecting media between the aquifers and facilitate interaquifer flow. Conjoint application of rare earth element distribution and water isotopes enables detection of the local areas replenishment by rainfall infiltration and, in connection with the position of wells or springs, the identification of groundwater flow paths. Once stationary equilibria are established changes of REY composition between REY in groundwater and their surface adsorption, are negligible. In areas with little soil coverage and vegetation even recharge over young Tertiary and diagenetic Cretaceous limestones is distinguishable by their REY distribution patterns. Groundwater recharged over Tertiary limestones show higher REY abundance and more significant Ce anomalies than those derived from the Cretaceous limestones. Weathering of alkali olivine basalts leads to REY patterns in groundwater depleted in the middle REE. The improved knowledge of the hydrological systems is thought to be useful for regional hydrogeological modeling and for designing rational water management schemes.     

Designing an optimal multivariate geostatistical groundwater quality monitoring network using factorial kriging and genetic algorithms

The optimal selection of monitoring wells is a major task in designing an information-effective groundwater quality monitoring network which can provide sufficient and not redundant information of monitoring variables for delineating spatial distribution or variations of monitoring variables. This study develops a design approach for an optimal multivariate geostatistical groundwater quality network by proposing a network system to identify groundwater quality spatial variations by using factorial kriging with genetic algorithm. The proposed approach is applied in designing a groundwater quality monitoring network for nine variables (EC, TDS, Cl⁻, Na, Ca, Mg, SO ₄ ²⁻ , Mn and Fe) in the Pingtung Plain in Taiwan. The spatial structure results show that the variograms and cross-variograms of the nine variables can be modeled in two spatial structures: a Gaussian model with ranges 28.5 km and a spherical model with 40 km for short and long spatial scale variations, respectively. Moreover, the nine variables can be grouped into two major components for both short and long scales. The proposed optimal monitoring design model successfully obtains different optimal network systems for delineating spatial variations of the nine groundwater quality variables by using 20, 25 and 30 monitoring wells in both short scale (28.5 km) and long scale (40 km). Finally, the study confirms that the proposed model can design an optimal groundwater monitoring network that not only considers multiple groundwater quality variables but also monitors variations of monitoring variables at various spatial scales in the study area.     

Mapping the archaeological soil archive of sand and gravel mineral reserves in Britain

Primary sand and gravel deposits in Britain play an important role in preserving our cultural heritage and are also a valuable aggregate resource. While an understanding of the extrinsic properties of the soil archive (such as pH, redox, groundwater) can provide a firstorder assessment of the potential risk to any archaeologically sensitive deposits, we have very poor definition of spatial variations in the extrinsic properties of soil that influence archaeological preservation at a regional and national scale. Developments in digital geological mapping, remote sensing, and geochemical survey data undertaken by the British Geological Survey (BGS) have, however, significantly extended capabilities in this respect and can potentially be used to provide a primary assessment of the sensitivity of the present soil archive and the potential risk from changes to the soil process on cultural material in areas earmarked for aggregate extraction. Two of the major factors affecting archaeological preservation—soil acidification and groundwater—can be mapped or predicted at scales of better than 1:50,000 across increasingly large parts of the country using a combination of regional hydrogeological, geophysical, and geochemical data. Additional data from site investigations may further refine preservation potential as a function of changes in redox potential and acidity. These data, maps and models can be used to (1) better establish a baseline for archaeological preservation at a regional and national scale and (2) improve our understanding of how the physical and chemical properties of the near surface environment can be managed to sustainably preserve archaeological materials in areas impacted by sand and gravel extraction. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

利用稳定同位素方法识别内蒙古佘太盆地地下水补给来源

为研究近几十年来佘太盆地地下水补给变化情况,通过现场调查分析,对佘太盆地浅层地下水开展同位素样品采集工作,并测定了其氢、氧稳定同位素的值。在分析同位素分布特征及变化规律的基础上,结合当地地质及水文地质条件识别了地下水补给来源和补给区并构建了浅层地下水的补给模式图,探讨了区域上浅层地下水的补给流动状况。通过分析研究区大气降水和地下水中的氢氧稳定同位素的变化特征发现:当地大气降水并不是地下水的主要补给来源,其补给源区为周边山区,补给来源主要是周边山区的大气降水,且地下水所经历的蒸发作用较明显;盆地的东、西部地下水的补给源区不尽相同,西部的补给区高程要高于东部的补给区高程,但两部分地下水所经历的蒸发强度基本相同。     

开鲁盆地铀矿水文地球化学找矿研究

本文从基础地质条件出发 ,界定了开鲁盆地的发展历史 ,全面分析了研究区的水文地质条件、水文地球化学特征及地下水的含铀性 ,确定了在整体坳陷期形成的姚家组和四方台组区域承压含水层的找矿意义。同时 ,从水文地质构造层、渗入渗出体系的划分及浅层地下水和深部地下水化学异常显示等方面入手 ,较详细地阐述了开鲁盆地水文地质条件和水文地球化学特征及其对层间氧化带发育条件的影响 ,预测了两处可地浸砂岩型铀矿的成矿远景地段 ,并指出道德庙是本区最具找矿前景的地区。     

Development of a conceptual hydrogeological model for the evaluation of residence times of water in soil and groundwater: the state of Hesse case study, Germany

A regional conceptual hydrogeological model has been developed for evaluating residence times of both, percolate water in the unsaturated zone and groundwater in upper aquifers. The model is based on digitally geo-data bases available at the regional level and has been applied for the entire Federal State of Hesse (Germany) with a spatial resolution of 60?×?60?m. Residence times determined for unconsolidated rock areas typically ranged between 10 and 25?years, whereas residence times of <5?years were assessed for consolidated rock areas. With regard to the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive, the determined residence times may help to assess the time periods between the introduction of well-targeted groundwater protection measures and their impact on groundwater and surface water quality, respectively.     

Groundwater classification using multivariate statistical methods: Southern Ghana

This study demonstrates the strength of R-mode factor analysis and Q-mode hierarchical cluster analysis in determining spatial groundwater salinity groups in southeastern Ghana. Three hundred and eighty three (383) groundwater samples were taken from six hydrogeological terrains and surface water bodies and analyzed for the concentrations of the major ions, electrical conductivity and pH. Q-mode hierarchical cluster analysis and R-mode factor analysis were respectively used to spatially classify groundwater samples and determine the probable sources of variation in groundwater salinity. The quality of groundwater for irrigation was then determined using three major indices. The analyses revealed two major sources of variation in groundwater salinity: silicate mineral weathering on one hand, and seawater intrusion and anthropogenic contamination on the other. A plot of the factor scores for the two major sources of variation in the salinity revealed trends which can be used in hydrogeological mapping and assist in drilling potable water boreholes in southeastern Ghana. This study also revealed four major spatial groundwater groups: low salinity, acidic groundwaters which are mainly derived from the Birimian and Togo Series aquifers; low salinity, moderate to neutral pH groundwaters which draw membership mainly from samples of the Voltaian, Buem and Cape Coast granitoids; very high salinity waters which are not suitable for most domestic and irrigation purposes and are mainly from the Keta Basin aquifers; and intermediate salinity groundwaters consisting of groundwater from the Keta basin aquifers with minor contributions from the other major terrains. The major water type identified in this study is the Ca–Mg–HCO₃ type, which degrades into predominantly Na–Cl–SO₄ more saline groundwaters towards the coast.     

Changes in hydrogeological properties of the River Choushui alluvial fan aquifer due to the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, Taiwan

Changes in hydrogeological properties of the River Choushui alluvial fan aquifer before and after the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, Taiwan, have been identified using pumping tests. Three wells, SH2, YL2 and SC2, located in a compressional zone with high coseismic groundwater levels, were tested. The threshold of the aquifer deformation with respect to transmissivity (T) is greater than that with respect to storage coefficient (S). Decreases in the post-earthquake S are approximately 60% at SH2 and SC2, indicating aquifer compression after the Chi-Chi earthquake. Changes in the post-earthquake T range from 61% increase to 0.8% decrease. Moreover, results from anisotropy analysis of T at SC2 further illustrate that normal stresses induced by the Chi-Chi earthquake have consolidated soil particles. Soil particles dilated laterally after the earthquake, resulting in an increase of the equivalent T. The changes in hydrogeological properties have a considerable influence on spatiotemporal fluid pressure and horizontal groundwater movement, resulting in different amounts of drawdown during post-earthquake pumping.     

A Simple Approach to Account for Radial Flow and Boundary Conditions When Kriging Hydraulic Head Fields for Confined Aquifers

The estimation and mapping of realistic hydraulic head fields, hence of flow paths, is a major goal of many hydrogeological studies. The most widely used method to obtain reliable head fields is the inverse approach. This approach relies on the numerical approximation of the flow equation and requires specifying boundary conditions and the transmissivity of each grid element. Boundary conditions are often unknown or poorly known, yet they impose a strong signature on the head fields obtained by inverse analysis. A simpler alternative to the inverse approach is the direct kriging of the head field using the measurements obtained at observation wells. The kriging must be modified to incorporate the available information. Use of the dual kriging formalism enables simultaneously estimating the head field, the aquifer mean transmissivity, and the regional hydraulic gradient from head data in steady or transient state conditions. In transient state conditions, an estimate of the storage coefficient can be obtained. We test the approach on simple analytical cases, on synthetic cases with solutions obtained numerically using a finite element flow simulator, and on a real aquifer. For homogeneous aquifers, infinite or bounded, the kriging estimate retrieves the exact solution of the head field, the exact hydrogeological parameters and the flow net. With heterogeneous aquifers, kriging accurately estimates the head field with prediction errors of the same magnitude as typical head measurement errors. The transmissivities are also accurately estimated by kriging. Moreover, if inversion is required, the kriged head along boundaries can be used as realistic boundary conditions for flow simulation.     

Estimating Regional Hydraulic Conductivity Fields—A Comparative Study of Geostatistical Methods

Geostatistical estimations of the hydraulic conductivity field (K) in the Carrizo aquifer, Texas, are performed over three regional domains of increasing extent: 1) the domain corresponding to a three-dimensional groundwater flow model previously built (model domain); 2) the area corresponding to the 10 counties encompassing the model domain (County domain), and; 3) the full extension of the Carrizo aquifer within Texas (Texas domain). Two different approaches are used: 1) an indirect approach where transmissivity (T) is estimated first and K is retrieved through division of the T estimate by the screen length of the wells, and; 2) a direct approach where K data are kriged directly. Due to preferential well screen emplacement, and scarcity of sampling in the deeper portions of the formation (> 1 km), the available data set is biased toward high values of hydraulic conductivities. Kriging combined with linear regression, simple kriging with varying local means, kriging with an external drift, and cokriging allow the incorporation of specific capacity as secondary information. Prediction performances (assessed through cross-validation) differ according to the chosen approach, the considered variable (log-transformed or back-transformed), and the scale of interest. For the indirect approach, kriging of log T with varying local means yields the best estimates for both log-transformed and back-transformed variables in the model domain. For larger regional scales (County and Texas domains), cokriging performs generally better than other kriging procedures when estimating both (log T)^∗ and T^∗. Among procedures using the direct approach, the best prediction performances are obtained using kriging of log K with an external drift. Overall, geostatistical estimation of the hydraulic conductivity field at regional scales is rendered difficult by both preferential well location and preferential emplacement of well screens in the most productive portions of the aquifer. Such bias creates unrealistic hydraulic conductivity values, in particular, in sparsely sampled areas.     

Scale Matching with Factorial Kriging for Improved Porosity Estimation from Seismic Data

When seismic data and porosity well logs contain information at different spatial scales, it is important to do a scale-matching of the datasets. Combining different data types with scale mismatch can lead to suboptimal results. A good correlation between seismic velocity and rock properties provides a basis for integrating seismic data in the estimation of petrophysical properties. Three-dimensional seismic data provides an unique exhaustive coverage of the interwell reservoir region not available from well data. However, because of the limitations of measurement frequency bandwidth and view angles, the seismic image can not capture the true seismic velocity at all spatial scales present in the earth. The small-scale spatial structure of heterogeneities may be absent in the measured seismic data. In order to take best advantage of the seismic data, factorial kriging is applied to separate the small and large-scale structures of both porosity and seismic data. Then the spatial structures in seismic data which are poorly correlated with porosity are filtered out prior to integrating seismic data into porosity estimation.     

Spatial and temporal constraints on regional-scale groundwater flow in the Pampa del Tamarugal Basin,Atacama Desert,Chile

Aquifers within the Pampa del Tamarugal Basin (Atacama Desert, northern Chile) are the sole source of water for the coastal city of Iquique and the economically important mining industry. Despite this, the regional groundwater system remains poorly understood. Although it is widely accepted that aquifer recharge originates as precipitation in the Altiplano and Andean Cordillera to the east, there remains debate on whether recharge is driven primarily by near-surface groundwater flow in response to periodic flood events or by basal groundwater flux through deep-seated basin fractures. In addressing this debate, the present study quantifies spatial and temporal variability in regional-scale groundwater flow paths at 20.5°S latitude by combining a two-dimensional model of groundwater and heat flow with field observations and δ¹⁸O isotope values in surface water and groundwater. Results suggest that both previously proposed aquifer recharge mechanisms are likely influencing aquifers within the Pampa del Tamarugal Basin; however, each mechanism is operating on different spatial and temporal scales. Storm-driven flood events in the Altiplano readily transmit groundwater to the eastern Pampa del Tamarugal Basin through near-surface groundwater flow on short time scales, e.g., 10⁰–10¹ years, but these effects are likely isolated to aquifers in the eastern third of the basin. In addition, this study illustrates a physical mechanism for groundwater originating in the eastern highlands to recharge aquifers and salars in the western Pampa del Tamarugal Basin over timescales of 10⁴–10⁵ years.     

基于含水层非均质性随机特征的地下水脆弱性评价

由于地质条件的复杂性,人们所能获取的地质和水文地质资料是有限的,这就导致对水文地质条件的认识具有不确定性,其中以含水层非均质特征最为显著,这对地下水脆弱性评价显然会产生显著的影响。考虑含水层的非均质特性,提出具有非平稳随机场空间相关性的地下水脆弱性评价方法。以南京市江宁区中部地区为例,用改进的连续随机增加方法(Successive Random Additional method,简称SRA)生成了渗透系数对数(lnK),具有分维Levy运动统计特征的随机场,模拟含水层渗透系数可能的非均质空间分布,采用DRASTIC方法进行地下水脆弱性评价。结果表明由此方法生成的渗透系数场变化的程度相对传统的普通克里金方法更加剧烈,更加符合复杂分布的非平稳随机场特征,在此基础上建立的地下水脆弱性评价更加符合客观事实,丰富和发展利用随机理论解决地下水环境问题的理论和方法。     

Transmissivity estimation for highly heterogeneous aquifers: comparison of three methods applied to the Edwards Aquifer,Texas, USA

Obtaining reliable hydrological input parameters is a key challenge in groundwater modeling. Although many quantitative characterization techniques exist, experience applying these techniques to highly heterogeneous real-world aquifers is limited. Three geostatistical characterization techniques are applied to the Edwards Aquifer, a limestone aquifer in south-central Texas, USA, for the purposes of quantifying the performance in an 88,000-cell groundwater model. The first method is a simple kriging of existing hydraulic conductivity data developed primarily from single-well tests. The second method involves numerical upscaling to the grid-block scale, followed by cokriging the grid-block conductivity. In the third method, the results of the second method are used to establish the prior distribution for a Bayesian updating calculation. Results of kriging alone are biased towards low values and fail to reproduce hydraulic heads or spring flows. The upscaling/cokriging approach removes most of the systematic bias. The Bayesian update reduced the mean residual by more than a factor of 10, to 6 m, approximately 2.5% of the total head variation in the aquifer. This agreement demonstrates the utility of automatic calibration techniques based on formal statistical approaches and lends further support for using the Bayesian updating approach for highly heterogeneous aquifers.