Modeling Stream-Aquifer Interactions Under Seasonal Groundwater Pumping and Managed Aquifer Recharge

In South Korea, a significant amount of groundwater is used for the heating of water-curtain insulated greenhouses during the winter dry season, which had led to problems of groundwater depletion. A managed aquifer recharge (MAR) project is currently underway with the goal of preventing such groundwater depletion in a typical cultivation area, located on an alluvial aquifer near the Nam River. In the present study, FEFLOW, a three-dimensional finite element model, was used to evaluate different strategies for MAR of the cultivation areas. A conceptual model was developed to simulate the stream-aquifer dynamics under the influence of seasonal groundwater pumping and MAR. The optimal rates and duration of MAR were assessed by analyzing the recovery of the groundwater levels and the change in the groundwater temperature. The simulation results indicate that a MAR rate of 8000 m³/d effectively restores the groundwater level when the injection wells are located inside the groundwater depletion area. It is also demonstrated that starting the MAR before the beginning of the seasonal pumping is more effective. Riverbank filtration is preferable for securing the injection water owing to plentiful source of induced recharge from the river. Locating the pumping wells adjacent to the river where there are thick permeable layers could be a good strategy for minimizing decreases in the groundwater level and temperature.     

The Influence of Clay Zones on Land Subsidence from Groundwater Pumping

The objective of this article is to analyze the influence of clay zones on subsidence from groundwater pumping. Finite element analyses were conducted on a sand‐only aquifer and a sand aquifer with two clay zones located at different distances from the well face. A model that accounts for recoverable and nonrecoverable strains was used to simulate the sand and clay. This model couples the groundwater flow with the stress‐deformation response of the aquifer materials. Each aquifer was pumped from a single well for a period of 6 months, and then the groundwater level was lowered gradually to an elevation below the elevation of the clay zones and kept there for 10 years. The groundwater level was then raised gradually back to the original elevation over a period of 10 years. The results of the analyses show that the ground surface subsidence profile is strongly influenced by the presence of the clays zones. The ground surface sags where these clay zones are present resulting in a wavy ground surface profile. Subsidence continued when pumping is stopped, albeit at a much slower rate than during pumping, and when the groundwater level is below the elevation of the clay zones. Clay zones further away from the well face lag the subsidence of clay zones nearer the well face because of lower changes in hydrostatic head. Sags in ground surface subsidence profile from groundwater pumping are indicators of the presence of low hydraulic conductive geological materials.     

Use of temperature profiles and stable isotopes to trace flow lines: Nagaoka area, Japan

In this study, we use borehole temperature data and stable isotopes to delineate the flow system and estimate the effect of urbanization in the Nagaoka area of Japan. Temperature profiles were measured four times in observation wells during the period 2000-2001 and compared with those measured in the same wells during the period 1977-1983 (Taniguchi 1986). Water was sampled in both observation and pumping wells during the same period. The temporal and spatial variability in temperature indicate clearly the effect of urban warming and heavy pumping on the ground water system. Urban warming caused higher temperatures recently as compared to the older values, and pumping caused induced recharge from the river to the ground water. The stable isotope data show the ground water flow system is divided into shallow, intermediate, and deep systems, and that land use and infiltration rate are affecting the shallow flow system.     

Impact Assessment of Pumping Parameters on Groundwater Bacterial Communities

Groundwater microbial community samples are traditionally collected using pumping techniques optimized for groundwater chemistry assessment, although the impact of groundwater pumping parameters on apparent bacterial community structures (BCSs) is not really known. We therefore studied the impact of pumping lift, flow regime, and tubing material on BCS, which were analyzed by terminal‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP). Ruzicka dissimilarity coefficients were calculated between T‐RFLP profiles to assess disparities between BCS. Variations in pumping lift, flow regime, and tubing material did not affect the apparent BCS in experiments using a homogenous water system under laboratory conditions showing that the conditions within the tube had no detectable effect on BCS. However, pumping groundwater from aquifer monitoring wells at different flow rates in the field revealed a significant impact on the apparent BCS. Water samples collected from fine sediment were the most affected by the pumping flow rate.     

Characteristics of Groundwater Recharge on the North China Plain

Groundwater recharge is an important component of the groundwater system. On the North China Plain (NCP), groundwater is the main water supply. Because of large‐scale overexploitation, the water table has declined, which has produced severe adverse effects on the environment and ecosystem. In this article, tracer experiment and watershed model were used to calculate and analyze NCP groundwater recharge. In the tracer experiment, average recharge was 108 mm/year and recharge coefficient 0.16. With its improved irrigation, vegetation coverage and evapotranspiration modules, the INFIL3.0 model was used for calculation of groundwater recharge. Regional modeling results showed an average recharge of 102 mm/year and recharge coefficient 0.14, for 2001–2009. These values are very similar to those from the field tracer experiment. Influences in the two methods were analyzed. The results can provide an important reference for NCP groundwater recharge.     

Seasonal variations in coastal debris on Awaji Island, Japan

The subject of our study was Awaji Island, an island located in the west of Japan that is surrounded by sea and that has serious problems relating to coastal debris. We conducted a long-term investigation focusing on three beaches and evaluated the results. The study was designed to develop an understanding of the actual situation, to inform local citizens, and raise their concerns about the problem of debris with a view to taking action against it. We obtained the following results: the amount, type, and ratio of debris changed according to weather and ocean conditions; debris also differs according to geographical conditions; social and economic activities of the surrounding area influence the type of debris encountered. Following this study, we have continued our investigation, and are continuing to gather data. At the same time, it is important to spread our ideas and enlighten people so as to encourage them not to dump debris. We hope that these actions manage to raise the level of consciousness among local citizens and to expand their anti-debris activities.     

Impacts of Seasonal Pumping on Stream‐Aquifer Interactions in Miryang,Korea

Large agricultural fields in South Korea are located mostly on alluvial plains, where a significant amount of groundwater is used for heating of water‐curtain insulated greenhouses. Such greenhouses are commonly used for crop cultivation during the winter dry season from November to March. After use the groundwater is discharged directly into streams, causing groundwater depletion. A hydrogeological study was carried out in a typical agricultural area of this type, located on an alluvial aquifer near the Nakdong River. Groundwater levels, chemical characteristics, and temperatures from 68 observation wells were analyzed to determine the impacts of seasonal groundwater pumping on the groundwater system and stream‐aquifer interactions. Our results show that the groundwater system has not yet reached a state of dynamic equilibrium. Decades of excessive seasonal pumping have caused a gradual decline of groundwater levels, leading to groundwater depletion, especially in areas further from the river. Seasonal pumping has also significantly affected groundwater quality in the aquifer near the river. Groundwater temperature is decreasing (in this case a disadvantage), and saline groundwater is being diluted by induced recharge. The results of this study provide a basic outline for effective integrated water management that is widely applicable in South Korea.     

Exploring Groundwater Resources and Recharge Potentialities at El-Gallaba Plain,Western Desert,Egypt

Egypt has a fast-growing population rate of 2.5%/year; consequently, there is an increase in the water demand for living and launching different development plans. Meanwhile, there is intensive construction of several dams in the upstream Nile basin countries. Thus, it is necessary to search for new water resources to overcome the expected shortages of the Nile water supply by focusing on alternative groundwater resources. El-Gallaba Plain area is one of the most promising areas in the western desert of Egypt attaining the priority for new reclamation projects; however, its hydrogeological setting is not well understood. The present work aims at identifying the recharge potential of the groundwater aquifers in El-Gallaba Plain, as well as exploring the role of geologic structures as natural conduits, and evaluating the groundwater types, origin and distribution. The integration of hydrogeophysical studies (aero and land magnetic surveys, vertical electrical sounding), hydrochemical analyses and remote sensing were successfully used for assessing the groundwater development potential. The hydrogeophysical studies show a large graben bound aquifer with thickness exceeding 220 m. The hydrochemical results indicate the presence of three major water types; Na mix, Na Cl, Na Cl HCO₃ with salinities ranging between 227 and 4324 mg/L. The aquifer receives little recharge from the western fractured calcareous plateau from past pluvial periods and scarce present flashfloods. There is no indication for recent recharge from Lake Nasser to the aquifer domain. Further modeling studies are essential for establishing sustainable abstraction levels from this aquifer.     

Effects of Multiscale Anisotropy on Basin and Hyporheic Groundwater Flow

Various subsurface flow systems exhibit a combination of small‐scale to large‐scale anisotropy in hydraulic conductivity (K). The large‐scale anisotropy results from systematic trends (e.g., exponential decrease or increase) of K with depth. We present a general two‐dimensional solution for calculation of topography‐driven groundwater flow considering both small‐ and large‐scale anisotropy in K. This solution can be applied to diverse systems with arbitrary head distribution and geometry of the water table boundary, such as basin or hyporheic flow. In a special case, this solution reduces to the well‐known Tóth model of uniform isotropic basin. We introduce an integral measure of flushing intensity that quantifies flushing at different depths. Using this solution, we simulate heads and streamlines and provide analyses of flow structure in the flow domain, relevant to basin analyses or hyporheic flow. It is shown that interactions between small‐scale anisotropy and large‐scale anisotropy strongly control the flow structure. In the classic Tóth flow model, the flushing intensity curves exhibit quasi‐exponential decrease with depth. The new measure is capable of capturing subtle changes in the flow structure. Our study shows that both small‐ and large‐scale anisotropy characteristics have substantial effects that need to be integrated into analysis of topography‐driven flow.     

Recharge and Groundwater Flow Within an Intracratonic Basin,Midwestern United States

The conservative nature of chloride (Cl^?) in groundwater and the abundance of geochemical data from various sources (both published and unpublished) provided a means of developing, for the first time, a representation of the hydrogeology of the Illinois Basin on a basin‐wide scale. The creation of Cl^? isocons superimposed on plan view maps of selected formations and on cross sections across the Illinois Basin yielded a conceptual model on a basin‐wide scale of recharge into, groundwater flow within and through the Illinois Basin. The maps and cross sections reveal the infiltration and movement of freshwater into the basin and dilution of brines within various geologic strata occurring at basin margins and along geologic structures. Cross‐formational movement of brines is also seen in the northern part of the basin. The maps and cross sections also show barriers to groundwater movement created by aquitards resulting in areas of apparent isolation/stagnation of concentrated brines within the basin. The distribution of Cl^? within the Illinois Basin suggests that the current chemical composition of groundwater and distribution of brines within the basin is dependent on five parameters: (1) presence of bedrock exposures along basin margins; (2) permeability of geologic strata and their distribution relative to one another; (3) presence or absence of major geologic structures; (4) intersection of major waterways with geologic structures, basin margins, and permeable bedrock exposures; and (5) isolation of brines within the basin due to aquitards, inhomogeneous permeability, and, in the case of the deepest part of the basin, brine density effects.     

江汉平原长湖浮游植物初级生产力的季节性变化及其驱动因子

为探究长江中下游富营养化浅水湖泊的浮游植物初级生产力季节性演替特征及其驱动因子,本研究于2020年4月(春)、8月(夏)、10月(秋)及2021年1月(冬)对湖北长湖浮游植物进行采样调查,同时运用黑白瓶测氧法及VGPM模型估算法分别估算了其浮游植物生产力水平,并探究驱动初级生产力季节性变化的主要环境因子。结果显示,4个季节共鉴定出浮游植物194种,其中绿藻门(95种,49%)和硅藻门(40种,21%)居绝对优势地位;黑白瓶法测得浮游植物水柱总生产力(P_t)季节变化为:夏季((1841.24±345.93) mg C/(m²·d))>秋季((1324.14±208.34) mg C/(m²·d))>春季((847.50±247.72) mg C/(m²·d))>冬季((711.43±133.52) mg C/(m²·d)),其中M2站位在夏季采样时(2424.66 mg C/(m²·d))水柱总生产力最高;在垂直空间上,浮游植物总生产力(G...     

Dependence of Groundwater Flow Direction on Variations in Its Salinity

The direction of motion of groundwater with a varying salinity is shown to depend on the spatial position of equal-salinity surfaces (planes), along the slopes of which groundwater motion takes place. The equations required for the solution of such problems are given. The procedure is exemplified by estimating the direction of groundwater motion in the western part of the Moscow Artesian Basin.     

Impact of Groundwater Flow and Energy Load on Multiple Borehole Heat Exchangers

The effect of array configuration, that is, number, layout, and spacing, on the performance of multiple borehole heat exchangers (BHEs) is generally known under the assumption of fully conductive transport. The effect of groundwater flow on BHE performance is also well established, but most commonly for single BHEs. In multiple‐BHE systems the effect of groundwater advection can be more complicated due to the induced thermal interference between the boreholes. To ascertain the influence of groundwater flow and borehole arrangement, this study investigates single‐ and multi‐BHE systems of various configurations. Moreover, the influence of energy load balance is also examined. The results from corresponding cases with and without groundwater flow as well as balanced and unbalanced energy loads are cross‐compared. The groundwater flux value, 10^?7 m/s, is chosen based on the findings of previous studies on groundwater flow interaction with BHEs and thermal response tests. It is observed that multi‐BHE systems with balanced loads are less sensitive to array configuration attributes and groundwater flow, in the long‐term. Conversely, multi‐BHE systems with unbalanced loads are influenced by borehole array configuration as well as groundwater flow; these effects become more pronounced with time, unlike when the load is balanced. Groundwater flow has more influence on stabilizing loop temperatures, compared to array characteristics. Although borehole thermal energy storage (BTES) systems have a balanced energy load function, preliminary investigation on their efficiency shows a negative impact by groundwater which is due to their dependency on high temperature gradients between the boreholes and surroundings.     

Combined Effect of Climatic Variations and Groundwater Movement on Observed Heat Flow

In most practical situations, the upper part of a geological section consists of loose sediments, in which heat transfer cannot be described as a purely conductive process. To investigate such situations a one-dimensional numerical model of terrestrial temperature field formation under the combined influence of vertical groundwater filtration and ground surface temperature changes has been developed. The model allows one to consider the perturbation of heat flow interval values resulting from short- and long-period temperature waves propagating into permeable rocks under conditions of advective heat transfer, caused by vertical groundwater filtration. The results show that temperature profiles and interval heat flow values are sensitive to both the paleoclimatic history and the rate of groundwater filtration. The latter plays the prevailing role in the variations of geothermal field parameters, especially within the uppermost part of the loose sediments in unconfined aquifers. The problem was solved for a permeable layer, underlaid by an impermeable layer. This schematisation of water exchange is the typically accepted for hydrogeological analysis. Even at very low rates of filtration the intensity of this effect is enhanced substantially for long-period variations. In the extreme case (for periods of temperature variations of the order of 100,000 years) at typical rates of filtration within the permeable layer, an almost gradient-free zone can be formed down to depths of a few hundred metres. For the case of upward filtration, on the contrary, the influence of climatic variations on the terrestrial temperature field becomes substantially attenuated.     

Influence of Groundwater Hydraulic Gradient on Bank Storage Metrics

The hydraulic gradient between aquifers and rivers is one of the most variable properties in a river/aquifer system. Detailed process understanding of bank storage under hydraulic gradients is obtained from a two‐dimensional numerical model of a variably saturated aquifer slice perpendicular to a river. Exchange between the river and the aquifer occurs first at the interface with the unsaturated zone. The proportion of total water exchanged through the river bank compared to the river bed is a function of aquifer hydraulic conductivity, partial penetration, and hydraulic gradient. Total exchange may be estimated to within 50% using existing analytical solutions provided that unsaturated zone processes do not strongly influence exchange. Model‐calculated bank storage is at a maximum when no hydraulic gradient is present and increases as the hydraulic conductivity increases. However, in the presence of a hydraulic gradient, the largest exchange flux or distance of penetration does not necessarily correspond to the highest hydraulic conductivity, as high hydraulic conductivity increases the components of exchange both into and out of an aquifer. Flood wave characteristics do not influence ambient groundwater discharge, and so in large floods, hydraulic gradients must be high to reduce the volume of bank storage. Practical measurement of bank storage metrics is problematic due to the limitations of available measurement technologies and the nested processes of exchange that occur at the river‐aquifer interface. Proxies, such as time series concentration data in rivers and groundwater, require further development to be representative and quantitative.     

Simulating the Effect of Climate Extremes on Groundwater Flow Through a Lakebed

Groundwater exchanges with lakes resulting from cyclical wet and dry climate extremes maintain lake levels in the environment in ways that are not well understood, in part because they remain difficult to simulate. To better understand the atypical groundwater interactions with lakes caused by climatic extremes, an original conceptual approach is introduced using MODFLOW‐2005 and a kinematic‐wave approximation to variably saturated flow that allows lake size and position in the basin to change while accurately representing the daily lake volume and three‐dimensional variably saturated groundwater flow responses in the basin. Daily groundwater interactions are simulated for a calibrated lake basin in Florida over a decade that included historic wet and dry departures from the average rainfall. The divergent climate extremes subjected nearly 70% of the maximum lakebed area and 75% of the maximum shoreline perimeter to both groundwater inflow and lake leakage. About half of the lakebed area subject to flow reversals also went dry. A flow‐through pattern present for 73% of the decade caused net leakage from the lake 80% of the time. Runoff from the saturated lake margin offset the groundwater deficit only about half of that time. A centripetal flow pattern present for 6% of the decade was important for maintaining the lake stage and generated 30% of all net groundwater inflow. Pumping effects superimposed on dry climate extremes induced the least frequent but most cautionary flow pattern with leakage from over 90% of the actual lakebed area.     

The Effects of Fault-Zone Cementation on Groundwater Flow at the Field Scale

Fault zones are an important control on fluid flow, affecting groundwater supply, contaminant migration, and carbon storage. However, most models of fault seal do not consider fault zone cementation, despite the recognition that it is common and can dramatically reduce permeability. In order to study the field-scale hydrogeologic effects of fault zone cementation, we conducted a series of aquifer pumping tests in wells installed within tens of meters of the variably cemented Loma Blanca Fault, a normal fault in the Rio Grande Rift. In the southern half of the study area, the fault zone is cemented by calcite; the cemented zone is 2-8 m wide. In the center of the study area, the cemented fault zone is truncated at a buttress unconformity that laterally separates hydrostratigraphic units with a ∼40X difference in permeability. The fault zone north of the unconformity is not cemented. Constant rate pumping tests indicate that where the fault is cemented, it is a barrier to groundwater flow. This is an important demonstration that a fault with no clay in its core and similar sediment on both sides can be a barrier to groundwater flow by virtue of its cementation; most conceptual models for the hydrogeology of faults would predict that it would not be a barrier to groundwater flow. Additionally, the lateral permeability heterogeneity across the unconformity imposes another important control on the local flow field. This permeability discontinuity acts as either a no-flow boundary or a constant head boundary, depending on the location of pumping.     

Seasonal variation in the transverse and layered structure of estuarine circulation in Ariake Bay, Japan

Seasonal variation in the transverse and layered structure of estuarine circulation in Ariake Bay, Japan was investigated by box model analysis using monthly salinity data from 1990 to 2000. Two-layered gravitational estuarine circulation was intensified from autumn to spring (vertically well mixed season) accompanied by a small river discharge. Two-layered circulation was weakened accompanying the transversely segregated cyclonic circulation in the upper layer during summer (stratified season) with a large river discharge. Such seasonal variation in the transverse and layered structure of estuarine circulation is because the bay width of Ariake Bay (20 km) is narrower than the external Rossby deformation radius (235 km) but wider than the internal Rossby deformation radius (3–5 km).