Caractérisation hydrogéochimique de la nappe du Continental Intercalaire (sud tunisien) / Hydrogeochemical characterization of the Continental Intercalaire aquifer (southern Tunisia)

Abstract

The study of the Continental Intercalaire aquifer system of southern Tunisia, based on the interpretation of geochemical (major elements) and isotopic (¹⁸O, ²H, ¹³C and ¹⁴C) data, has aided the understanding of the hydrodynamics of this multi-layer aquifer system, which is greatly influenced by tectonics. The determination of the origin of groundwater salinization and the understanding of the hydrogeological and geochemical behaviour of this aquifer were achieved by studying the correlation between the major elements and total mineralization (TDS). By using isotopic tools, it was shown that the water of this aquifer has been recharged under cooler, palaeoclimatic conditions. The technique also made it possible to better understand the hydrodynamic functioning of the aquifer system: it showed that the relatively recent recharge of the aquifer has been by direct infiltration from carbonate and sandy outcrops of the Cretaceous and Miocene, respectively, located in the eastern and northeastern parts of the aquifer. The ¹⁸O content was used to calculate the altitude of recharge basins. The isotopic gradient defined in this study is ?0.5 δ¹⁸O ‰/100 m.     

Modelling the water balance in the glacierized Parón Lake basin (White Cordillera,Peru) / Modélisation du bilan hydrique du bassin versant englacé du Lac Parón (Cordillère Blanche,Pérou)

Abstract

The White Cordillera (northern Peru), with a glacial surface of 631 km², is the largest glacierized mountain range in the Tropics. Due to the lack of physical data from most of its sub-basins, it is difficult to build a physical model to estimate the water resource flowing from the glaciers at the present time and a fortiori for the future. The most recent GCM simulations indicate a significant increase in the temperature and an accelerated shrinking of the glaciers. Consequently, we sought a model that would be based on the data available within instrumented sub-basins. A theoretical/conceptual water model makes it possible to quantify the local glacier contribution, which could then be applied to the other non-instrumented sub-basins. A total of 43.6% of Parón Lake's instrumented sub-basin area (47.4 km²) corresponds to glacial surfaces. Within this sub-basin, a smaller watershed (8.8 km²), called Artesón, with 72.9% glacierized area, has been accurately observed over a 5-year hydrological period (September 2000–August 2005). This information allowed us to calibrate the model over the Artesón sub-basin. The parameters obtained were applied to the entire Parón basin using the same modelling approach.     

Impacts anthropiques sur les termes du bilan hydrologique d’un aquifère alluvial dans le Nordeste semi-aride,Brésil / Human impacts on components of hydrological balance in an alluvial aquifer in the semiarid Northeast,Brazil

Abstract

Abstract The exploitation of an alluvial aquifer (2 × 10⁶ m³) has been developed since 1998 in the Valley of Forquilha (Quixeramobim, State of Ceará). For this purpose, 165 wells were drilled along the 23 km of the valley that supplies 500 families and their farms. Monthly monitoring of piezometric and electrical conductivity (2000–2003) show seasonal variations in the water volume (35%) and in the mean value of the conductivity (800–1200 µS cm^-1). A conceptual hydrogeological model was developed. Analysis of the data and simulations highlight that the recharge of the aquifer is mainly due to infiltration from the river in the rainy season, which is of the order of 1% of the rain over the catchment area (195 km²). The abstractions increase the recharge between 30 and 60%. The model makes it possible to propose scenarios of sustainable exploitation of the water resource in the catchment. For the period between 1970 and 1988, other simulations show that it would have been possible to maintain irrigated cultures on 75 ha for 80% of the time. During the remaining 20%, the water level is too low, and farmers would have to reduce the irrigated area.     

Spatial distribution of resistivity in the hydrogeological systems,and identification of the catchment area in the Rharb basin,Morocco / Répartition spatiale de la résistivité dans les systèmes hydrogéologiques et détection des zones de captages dans le bassin du Rharb,Maroc

Abstract

Abstract Geophysical results obtained in the Rharb basin, Morocco are reported. Correlations between hydrogeological well logs reveal several water-bearing Plio-Quaternary units resting on a substrate of blue marls. Geo-electrical borehole analyses were interpreted using bi-logarithmic diagrams which indicate the permeable layers of the aquifer and also its basement. Resistivity data from NE–SW and NW–SE electrical sections allow definition of the permeable/impermeable levels, and identification of ?ditches? that may be favourable sectors for hydrogeological exploitation. Resistivity anomalies were investigated by analysing maps of resistivity at 400 and 1000 m AB. Anomalies identified in the Rharb basin are related to the thickening of the permeable bodies (sand, limestone, sandstone deposits). In the coastal zone (AB = 1000 m), there is a strong decrease of the resistivity gradient (35–10 Ω m), which is probably linked to marine intrusion. Electrical anomalies allow detection of the water-bearing zones notably in the western and southwestern parts of the Rharb basin.     

An inverse-modelling approach to assess the impacts of climate change in the Seyhan River basin,Turkey / Une approche de modélisation inverse pour évaluer les impacts du changement climatique dans le bassin versant de la Rivière Seyhan,Turquie

Abstract

One of the most significant anticipated consequences of global climate change is the change in frequency of hydrological extremes. Predictions of climate change impacts on the regime of hydrological extremes have traditionally been conducted by a top-down approach that involves a high degree of uncertainty associated with the temporal and spatial characteristics of general circulation model (GCM) outputs and the choice of downscaling technique. This study uses the inverse approach to model hydrological risk and vulnerability to changing climate conditions in the Seyhan River basin, Turkey. With close collaboration with the end users, the approach first identifies critical hydrological exposures that may lead to local failures in the Seyhan River basin. The Hydro-BEAM hydrological model is used to inversely transform the main hydrological exposures, such as floods and droughts, into corresponding meteorological conditions. The frequency of critical meteorological conditions is investigated under present and future climate scenarios by means of a weather generator based on the improved K-nearest neighbour algorithm. The weather generator, linked with the output of GCMs in the last step of the proposed methodology, allows for the creation of an ensemble of scenarios and easy updating when improved GCM outputs become available. Two main conclusions were drawn from the application of the inverse approach to the Seyhan River basin. First, floods of 100-, 200- and 300-year return periods under present conditions will have 102-, 293- and 1370-year return periods under the future conditions; that is, critical flood events will occur much less frequently under the changing climate conditions. Second, the drought return period will change from 5.3 years under present conditions to 2.0 years under the future conditions; that is, critical drought events will occur much more frequently under the changing climate conditions.     

The impacts of human activities on the water–land environment of the Shiyang River basin,an arid region in northwest China / Les impacts des activités humaines sur l’environnement pédo-hydrologique du bassin de la Rivière Shiyang,une région aride du nord-ouest de la Chine

Abstract

Abstract The Shiyang River basin is a typical interior river basin that faces water shortage and environmental deterioration in the arid northwest of China. Due to its arid climate, limited water resources and some inappropriate water-related human activities, the area has developed serious loss of vegetation, and gradual soil salinization and desertification, which have greatly impeded the sustainable development of agriculture and life in this region. In this paper, the impacts of human activities on the water–soil environment in Shiyang River basin are analysed in terms of precipitation, runoff in branches of the river, inflow into lower reaches, water conveyance efficiency of the canal system and irrigation water use efficiency in the field, replenishment and exploitation of groundwater resources, soil salinization, vegetation cover and the speed of desertification. The results show that human activities and global climate change have no significant influence on the precipitation, but the total annual runoff in eight branch rivers showed a significant decrease over the years. The proportion of water use in the upper and middle reaches compared to the lower reach was increased from 1:0.57 in the 1960s, to 1:0.27 in the 1970s and 1:0.09 in the 1990s. A reduction of about 74% in the river inflow to the lower reaches and a 15-m drop in the groundwater table have occurred during the last four decades. Strategies for improving the water–soil environment of the basin, such as the protection of the water resources of the Qilian Mountains, sustainable use of water resources, maintenance of the balance between land and water resources, development of water-saving agriculture, diverting of water from other rivers and control of soil desertification, are proposed. The objective of this paper is to provide guidelines for reconstruction of the sustainable water management and development of agriculture in this region.     

Application of linear and nonlinear techniques in river flow forecasting in the Kilombero River basin,Tanzania / Application de techniques linéaires et non-linéaires à la prévision des débits dans le bassin de la Rivière Kilombero,en Tanzanie

Abstract

Modelling of the rainfall–runoff transformation process and routing of river flows in the Kilombero River basin and its five sub-catchments within the Rufiji River basin in Tanzania was undertaken using three system (black-box) models—a simple linear model, a linear perturbation model and a linear varying gain factor model—in their linear transfer function forms. A lumped conceptual model—the soil moisture accounting and routing model—was also applied to the sub-catchments and the basin. The HEC-HMS model, which is a distributed model, was applied only to the entire Kilombero River basin. River discharge, rainfall and potential evaporation data were used as inputs to the appropriate models and it was observed that sometimes the system models performed better than complex hydrological models, especially in large catchments, illustrating the usefulness of using simple black-box models in datascarce situations.     

Simulation of surface runoff and sediment yield using the water erosion prediction project (WEPP) model: a study in Kaneli watershed,Himalaya, India / Simulation de ruissellement de surface et d'érosion à l'aide du modèle WEPP: cas du bassin versant de Kaneli,Himalaya, Inde

Abstract

The Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model was calibrated and evaluated for estimation of runoff and sediment yield in the data-scarce conditions of the Indian Himalaya. The inputs derived from remote sensing and geographic information system technologies were combined in the WEPP modelling system to simulate surface runoff and sediment yield from the hilly Kaneli watershed. The model parameters were calibrated using measured data on runoff volumes and sediment yield. The calibrated model was validated by producing the monthly runoff and sediment yield simulations and comparing them with data that were not used in calibration. The model was also used to make surface runoff and sediment yield simulations for each of the individual watershed elements, comprising 18 hillslopes and seven channels, and the detailed monthly results for each are presented. Although, no field data on hillslope runoff and sediment yield are currently available for the validation of distributed results produced by the model, the present investigation has demonstrated clearly the applicability of the WEPP model in predicting hydrological variables in a data-scarce situation.