The use of infiltration field tests for groundwater artificial recharge

 When using surface infiltration as a method of recharge, infiltration testing is considered an important additional data input along with other hydrogeologic data into the recharge decision. As part of an investigation into the potential for groundwater recharge, two desert basins in Jordan (Wadi Madoneh and Wadi Butum) were investigated to determine the possibility of recharge using floodwater retention structures. For each area, short-duration (up to 7-h) infiltration tests were conducted to estimate surface infiltration capacity of the upper soil layers in order to present to the authorities preliminary information which could be used along with other factors to aid in the selection of the best site for a pilot recharge project. Given the highly fractured rock formations that constitute the underlying aquifers in the two areas, it was assumed that the upper alluvium layers are the limiting factors in transmitting water to target aquifers. The infiltration tests conducted to estimate the recharge characteristics of the recharge sites yielded test results that indicated a representative infiltration rate of 0.44 m/day for the Wadi Madoneh site and 0.197 m/day for the Wadi Butum site. The data input was used subsequently with other decision factors to select the most promising site for the pilot project. Received: 9 January 1998 · Accepted: 27 April 1998     

Weathered bedrock as a source of sand and gravel aggregate in north-eastern New South Wales, Australia

 The most commonly recognized sources of sand and gravel aggregate are the deposits of coastal, fluvial and glacial sedimentary processes. It is not commonly recognized that weathered bedrock is also an important source of sand and gravel aggregate. In the case of weathered sedimentary bedrock the product may be indistinguishable from modern sedimentary materials and deposits may be misidentified. Batson's quarry is a major sand and gravel aggregate resource for the rapidly developing region of north-eastern New South Wales. The deposit has previously been assumed to be a young sedimentary deposit, but detailed field examination and comparison with surrounding rock types indicates that it has formed from weathered Mesozoic sandstone bedrock. The extraction of weathered bedrock aggregate deposits has distinctive environmental implications because, unlike sedimentary aggregates, they are not restricted by the geometry of sedimentary environments and do not necessarily interfere with surface drainage systems. This study shows that the recognition of the geological origin of a resource is essential in order to determine its potential geographical extent, and thereby maximize its utilization and minimize land use conflict. Received: 3 January 1996 / Accepted: 1 November 1996     

Agriculturally induced environmental changes in the Burren Karst,Western Ireland

 The Burren plateau of County Clare is a classic example of a plateau karst characterised by patchy, thin soils, a lack of defined surface drainage, and in the instance of the Burren, a rich floristic, archaeological and landscape heritage. Since accession to the European Union and, in particular, as a result of Common Agricultural Policy initiatives, attempts have been made to raise farm incomes and to modernise agriculture in areas such as the Burren. Due to the encouragement of land reclamation and silage production has largely replaced hay farming for winter fodder. These changes pose a threat to groundwater quality by enhancing the leaching of artificial fertilizers or of organic pollutants. The Burren is highly vulnerable to water pollution from silage effluent because of its thin or absent soils and its highly karstified aquifers. A full survey of silage clamps was made in the summers of 1991 and 1992. For each site data were collected to derive the following: mass of silage, effluent produced, hazard rating of site to groundwater, likely discharge of effluent to groundwater and groundwater dilution index. About 60% of clamps were considered to be high risk and 23% medium risk. About 92% of all sites probably allow some effluent to infiltrate groundwater. Received: 1 June 1995 · Accepted: 4 December 1995     

Olocenic alluvial aquifer of the River Cornia coastal plain (southern Tuscany, Italy): database design for groundwater management

 Hydrogeological research is in progress, utilizing GIS methods, with the principal aim of modelling the Olocenic alluvial aquifer of the River Cornia coastal plain (southern Tuscany, Italy), which has been exploited for drinking water, irrigation, and industrial uses. A consequence of exploitation has been the appearance of wide seawater intrusion. The alluvial aquifer has recently been subjected to new well fields for the supply of drinking water, with an increase of total average discharge of about 4×10⁶ m³/year. This paper presents results obtained from updating and integrating basic knowledge and structuring the database. The hydrogeological study allowed the recognition of the extension of areas that are characterized by a hydraulic head under the sea level, the progressive salinization of the aquifer, and the increase of water deficit in the aquifer which is produced by a progressive extraction of water superior to the natural recharge. In addition, benefits and disadvantages resulting from the location of new well fields in a hydrogeologically favourable zone, and the boundary conditions for much of the area studied have been defined. The GIS was used as support for making and updating the tabular and spatial database with the aim of integrating the local and regional hydrogeological knowledge. This study will permit the realization of a numerical simulation of the groundwater flow of the aquifer aimed at correcting the management of water resources, by means of the GIS-modelling integration. Received: 23 June 1998 · Accepted: 16 November 1998     

Water vulnerability assessment in karst environments: a new method of defining protection areas using a multi-attribute approach and GIS tools (EPIK method)

 Groundwater resources from karst aquifers play a major role in the water supply in karst areas in the world, such as in Switzerland. Defining groundwater protection zones in karst environment is frequently not founded on a solid hydrogeological basis. Protection zones are often inadequate and as a result they may be ineffective. In order to improve this situation, the Federal Office for Environment, Forests and Landscape with the Swiss National Hydrological and Geological Survey contracted the Centre of Hydrogeology of the Neuchatel University to develop a new groundwater protection-zones strategy in karst environment. This approach is based on the vulnerability mapping of the catchment areas of water supplies provided by springs or boreholes. Vulnerability is here defined as the intrinsic geological and hydrogeological characteristics which determine the sensitivity of groundwater to contamination by human activities. The EPIK method is a multi-attribute method for vulnerability mapping which takes into consideration the specific hydrogeological behaviour of karst aquifers. EPIK is based on a conceptual model of karst hydrological systems, which suggests considering four karst aquifer attributes: (1) Epikarst, (2) Protective cover, (3) Infiltration conditions and (4) Karst network development. Each of these four attributes is subdivided into classes which are mapped over the whole water catchment. The attributes and their classes are then weighted. Attribute maps are overlain in order to obtain a final vulnerability map. From the vulnerability map, the groundwater protection zones are defined precisely. This method was applied at several sites in Switzerland where agriculture contamination problems have frequently occurred. These applications resulted in recommend new boundaries for the karst water supplies protection-zones. Received: 27 October 1997 · Accepted: 4 July 1998     

Delineation of groundwater protection zones based on tracer tests and transport modeling in alluvial sediments

 Regulations aiming to protect exploitable groundwater resources were edicted in Belgium a few years ago. Therefore, prevention and protection zones are defined by law and must be determined practically around each pumping well or spring, based on local hydrogeological conditions. The determination of hydrodynamic and hydrodispersive parameters, characterizing the local flow and transport properties of the aquifer, requires pumping and tracing tests. The interpretation of these field experiments, considering the heterogeneity of the geological layers, is performed through the use of numerical FEM simulations of the groundwater flow and pollutant transport conditions in a deterministic framework. After calibration of the model on experimental measurements, multiple simulations with contaminant injections at various points of the modeled domain allow the determination of the transfer time of the pollutant in the studied aquifer whilst taking the updated heterogeneity into account. On the basis of the computed transfer times in the saturated zone, the various prevention and protection areas can be assessed based on provisions of the law. Received: 27 June 1997 · Accepted: 29 July 1997     

Hydrochemical evolution and water quality along the groundwater flow path in the Sandıklı plain, Afyon, Turkey

 An unconfined aquifer system suggests an open system in the study area. Hydrochemical evolution is related to the flow path of groundwater. The groundwaters are divided into two hydrochemical facies in the study area, 1) Ca–Mg–HCO₃ and 2) Ca–Mg–SO₄HCO₃. Facies 1 has shallow (young) waters which dominate in recharge areas during rapid flow conditions, whereas facies 2 may show shallow and mixed waters which dominate intermediate or discharge areas during low flow conditions. Ionic concentrations, TDS, EC and water quality are related to groundwater residence time and groundwater types. The groundwaters in the plain are chemically potable and suitable for both domestic and agricultural purposes. Received: 20 May 1996 · Accepted: 30 July 1996     

Groundwater flow rate and contaminant migration in fissure-karstic aquifer of Opole Triassic system southwest Poland

 This paper presents hydrogeological problems occurring during municipal water exploitation and mine dewatering. These activities result in groundwater quantity and quality changes in the fissure-karstic aquifer. Increase of nitrate concentration up to 12 mg NNO₃/l due to intensive fertilizer use, and high tritium concentration, show water system impact up to 100 m depth. Intensive water exploitation produces large cones of depression with over 40-m water-level depletion in the Opole region. Flow rates of major components and isotopes have been verified by chemical migration history. Some aspects of the protection policy of this type of aquifer are also discussed. Received: 7 March 1997 · Accepted: 17 November 1998     

The Svalbard western coast: site of baseline geochemistry and incipient contamination

 Potentially toxic metals tracked by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program were analysed in sediments from the Svalbard western coastal zone. These include As and Hg found as contaminants in other Arctic seas as well as other elements (e.g. Pb, V, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni). Svalbard shelf sediments contain average values of 12 ppm As, 12 ppm Pb, 56 ppb Hg and 114 ppm V. These values increase in Isfjorden sediments to 15 ppm As, 28 ppm Pb, 99 ppb Hg and 210 ppm V. Cluster analysis yields a major cluster that is likely related to clay minerals (Al, K, Ti, Mg) and sorption onto them of transition (Cu, V, Cr, Sc) and other elements (Pb, Rb). A second significant cluster includes Ca, Sr and plagioclase. The Svalbard western shelf is a natural geochemical environment. The possible incipient contamination of fjord sediments by As, Pb, Hg and V should be evaluated for possible links to anthropogenic sources. If links are found, remediation must be used to stop the input and preserve a pristine Svalbard fjord environment. Received: 21 December 1998 · Accepted: 15 March 1999     

A graphic expression of salinization and pollution of groundwater The case of Israel's groundwater

 Anthropogenic activities create various contaminated leachate, which can migrate downward from the vadose zone to groundwater, transferring contaminants, including some hazardous ones. When these various sources of contamination influence the groundwater aquifer simultaneously, the effects of contamination are enhanced. The major concern of this study has been to determine whether the shape of a groundwater chlorograph might be the result of such deterministic effects as accumulation of one or more particular processes of groundwater contamination, and how this might relate to specific hydrological situations. This study proposes a classification of groundwater contamination on the basis of properties of the main components of groundwater quality graphs and the corresponding hydrogeological/environmental situation. The study further suggests that contamination of groundwater in any hydrogeological situation (e.g. sea water) may be graphically expressed. A variety of chlorographs and nitrographs, representative of various groundwater aquifers sampled from a number of wells throughout Israel attest to this. The study thus indicates that groundwater quality graphs may be considered as a complementary tool for groundwater quality control and better understanding aquifer situations.     

Arsenic toxicity of groundwater in parts of the Bengal basin in India and Bangladesh: the role of Quaternary stratigraphy and Holocene sea-level fluctuation

 Arsenic toxicity in groundwater in the Ganges delta and some low-lying areas in the Bengal basin is confined to middle Holocene sediments. Dissected terraces and highlands of Pleistocene and early Holocene deposits are free of such problems. Arsenic-rich pyrite or other arsenic minerals are rare or absent in the affected sediments. Arsenic appears to occur adsorbed on iron hydroxide-coated sand grains and clay minerals and is transported in soluble form and co-precipitated with, or is scavenged by, Fe(III) and Mn(IV) in the sediments. It became preferentially entrapped in fine-grained and organic-rich sediments during mid-Holocene sea-level rises in deltaic and some low-lying areas of the Bengal basin. It was liberated subsequently under reducing conditions and mediated further by microbial action. Intensive extraction of groundwater for irrigation and application of phosphate fertilizer possibly triggered the recent release of arsenic to groundwater. This practice has induced groundwater flow, mobilizing phosphate derived from fertilizer, as well as from decayed organic matter, which has promoted the growth of sediment biota and aided the further release of arsenic. However, the environment is not sufficiently reducing to mobilize iron and arsenic in groundwater in the Ganges floodplains upstream of Rajmahal. Thus, arsenic toxicity in the groundwater of the Bengal basin is caused by its natural setting, but also appears to be triggered by recent anthropogenic activities. Received: 23 August 1999 · Accepted: 16 November 1999     

Integrated use of hydrochemistry and resistivity methods in groundwater contamination caused by a recently closed solid waste site

 In order to investigate the groundwater contamination by solid waste disposal using both hydrochemical and geophysical methods, the Halkalı (I˙stanbul) solid waste disposal site which was closed in 1994 was investigated. The disposal site lies on a ridge between two valleys filled with alluvium. A total of six boreholes were drilled on two lines across the Menekşe valley adjacent to the Halkalı site. Groundwater samples collected from these boreholes were analyzed for various contaminant parameters. The results indicate that TDS and chloride concentrations decrease horizontally away from the waste site whereas they increase with depth. Electrical soundings carried out at 12 locations yielded high resistivity values at the upstream part of Menekşe valley while lower values were obtained from the locations near the leachate seepage points. Received: 11 November 1997 · Accepted: 23 February 1998     

The problem of the Quaternary, geological environment and desertification

 The Quaternary geological environment supplied mankind with a habitat and rich natural resources such as forest, meadow, water, etc. Mankind has developed to modern civilization through a very long history. During the last 100 years the area of desertification has been expanding, natural resources have been consumed, and eco-environments plundered. Mankind felled forests, cultivated grassland, and increased farmland because of unceasing increasing population and the need for materials. In a period of 50–100 years, mankind's destruction could change good meadow into desert. The following examples are evidence: Shangdu grassland in Inner Mongolia and the west grassland of Jilin Province have been changing into desert rapidly. Two concepts of destructive power (D) and bearing capacity (B) can be used to describe this process. When D<B, the ecosystem keeps good circulation, D=B, eco-balance reaches critical state, and D>B, ecosystem loses balance, the environment is destroyed and developed toward desert. The law of destructive power increasing with time accords with logistic curves and can be expressed by a logistic model. Destructive power (D) increases with decrease of bearing capacity (B);D and B represent a reciprocal relation. With a logistic model the developing process of desertification can be studied and the developing rate and strength of change can be forecasted. Received: 20 July 1998 · Accepted: 1 December 1998     

The influence of karst features on environmental studies in Turkey

 The carbonate rocks of Turkey, which underlie about one third of the country, possess major water resources with great potential for electricity generation and water supplies. The ongoing development of karst features, especially in the southern part of Turkey, demonstrates specific environmental problems that occur in many karst water supply projects. Karst aquifers, springs, sinkholes, dolines, poljes and other karst features are of great importance from the standpoint of karst water resources and environmental research studies. In karst regions, conservation and protection of groundwater resources for both qualitative and quantitative evaluations is possible only when the catchment area is determined accurately. Since the catchment area in karst terrains is not limited by the surface drainage boundaries and the groundwater flows through well-developed coduits or fissures, the equations used in non-karstic areas cannot be applied to such karstic regions. Studies on the development of karst features and its environmental impacts in Turkey are of recent origin. Therefore, many unreliable methods are being applied in karstic areas. For example, the use of "shallow holes or sinkholes and fault zones" for septic water waste disposal or as sewage by those who are not familiar with karst, sometimes causes very serious problems of extensive groundwater pollution. This paper discusses the development of different karstic features in Turkey and case studies on its environmental impacts. Received: 27 December 1995 · Accepted: 10 July 1996     

Types of carbonate aquifers according to the fracturation and the karstification in a southern Spanish area

 The analysis of the fractures in the marble forming sierras Blanca and Mijas (southern Spain), with faults of markedly different sizes and joints measured at 21 stations, demonstrate the presence of two principal directions of fractures (NNW-SSE and NNE-SSW). Other major directions of fractures, although less distinct, are N100E, N120E and N60E. The form of the karstic cavities known in these sierras was influenced by fractures, fundamentally NNW-SSE and, to a lesser extent, NNE-SSW, as well as by the mineralogical composition of the marble. All the cavities known are located in blue limestone marble and appear to have formed by the end of the Miocene, principally during the Pliocene and the Pleistocene. From a hydrogeological standpoint, Sierra Blanca and Sierra Mijas constitute a unit limited by faults oriented ENE-WSW, NNW-SSE and NNE-SSW. Specifically, fractures of the latter two directions influence the compartmentalization and the hydrogeological functioning of the unit. According to the degree of fracturing and/or karstification, three basic types (apart from intermediate situations) of aquiferous behavior have been distinguished: karstic aquifer, fissured aquifer, and porous aquifer. Received: 2 October 1995 · Accepted: 29 May 1996     

Current trends and future challenges in groundwater vulnerability assessment using overlay and index methods

 The concept of groundwater vulnerability is a useful tool for environmental planning and decision-making. Many different methods have been developed for assessing this vulnerability. Hydrogeologists have failed to reach a consensus concerning the definitions of and reference terms for groundwater vulnerability assessment. Therefore, a review of vulnerability assessment and mapping methods providing a new classification system is necessary. This is focused on techniques that use the overlay and index class methods. New research challenges in vulnerability assessment are identified, especially the need for developing dynamic links between numerical models and overlay and index methods. Received: 28 October 1998 · Accepted: 31 May 1999     

Application of a groundwater contamination index in Finland and Slovakia

A methodology is presented for evaluating and mapping the degree of groundwater contamination by applying the contamination index C _d . The applicability of the contamination index was tested in two distinctly different geological regions: the area between Uusikaupunki and Yläne in southwestern Finland and the Brezno area in central Slovakia. The index takes into account both the number of parameters that exceed the upper permissible concentrations of contaminants or potentially harmful elements and the part of the concentrations exceeding those values. The water-quality parameters reflect the effect of diverse natural (topographical, climatical, geological, biological) and anthropogenic (type of land use, local pollution) environmental factors on groundwater quality. In Finland, technical-aesthetic contamination was found over more than half the test area. These quality problems were most often related to acidity and high concentrations of organic carbon and Al and Fe in wells. Health-risk-based contamination, mainly caused by elevated concentrations of fluoride, radon, or nitrate, was found in only a few separate areas. In Slovakia, naturally contaminated and anthropogenically polluted groundwaters could be distinguished. The geogenic pollution is mainly derived from sulfide mineralizations. In both countries the strongest anthropogenic pollution was found in intensively cultivated areas.     

Application of a solute transport model under variable velocity conditions in a conduit flow aquifer: Olalde karst system, Basque Country, Spain

A model based on numerical solutions, which allows for solving the dispersion equation under variable recharge and velocity conditions, is developed to simulate solute transport in conduit flow aquifers during flow recession periods. As an example, the evolution of a tracer in the little known karst conduit that links the sinking stream of Oma valley to the Olalde spring is investigated in the karstic region of Santa Eufemia-Ereñozar (Basque Country, Spain). The model, with different hypothetical structures, allows for obtaining series of tracer breakthrough curves, which are fitted to experimental data using an optimization algorithm. These results, although they can be used to simulate the tracer evolution between the two points considered, do not allow for determining the internal structure and spatial disposition of contributions in the aquifer.     

Transformations and hydraulic captures of petrochemical contaminants in a karst-fractured aquifer

 The development of a petrochemical industry may be responsible for petrochemical contamination of karst-fractured aquifers in an urban water supply system. In the Dawu Well Field, a karst-fractured aquifer in Zibo City, in the east of China, has been seriously polluted by petrochemicals from the operation of petrochemical plants. More than 60 species of organic contaminants have been detected in the water supply wells of the Liuhang-Hougao zone, in the west part of Dawu Well Field. Investigations indicate that contaminants are transported from the petrochemical plants to the karst-fractured aquifer along karst fractures and the Jinling Fault. In the groundwater, concentrations of pollutants vary with depth. Concentrations are greater with depth because of the transmissibility of the Jinling fault. The local convective flow field has a significant influence on transportation of contaminants. Hydraulic barriers can prevent the transportation of contaminants and they can be removed by extraction. Received: 22 October 1999 · Accepted: 14 February 2000     

Land subsidence due to groundwater withdrawal: potential damage of subsidence and sea level rise in southern New Jersey, USA

 Land subsidence due to groundwater withdrawal combined with a global sea level rise creates a serious environmental problem in the coastal region. Groundwater withdrawal results in fluid pressure change in the layers. The pressure change in the layers induces both elastic and inelastic land compaction. The elastic compaction can be recovered if the water level rises again and inelastic compaction becomes permanent. Groundwater response to barometric pressure change is used to estimate the elastic compaction in this study. The storativity, specific storage and other layer and hydrological information are used to estimate the inelastic compaction of the layers due to fluid withdrawal. The discussed methods are applied to estimate and predict the subsidence potentials resulting from overdrafting of the groundwater in the southern New Jersey. The estimated subsidence is about 2–3 cm near the location of monitoring wells in Atlantic, Camden, Cumberland and Cape May Counties over the past 20 years. If the current trend of water-level drop continues, the average subsidence in southern New Jersey in the vicinity of some monitoring wells will be about 3 cm in the next 20 years. The rise of global sea level is about 2 mm/year on average. Because of the very gentle slope in southern NJ, the combination of subsidence and sea level rise will translate into a potentially substantial amount of land loss in the coastal region in each 20 year period. This combination will also accelerate the coastal flooding frequency and the erosion rate of the New Jersey coastal plain, and pose a serious threat to the coastal economy. Received: 15 December 1997 · Accepted: 30 June 1998