Quantification of groundwater discharge into lakes using radon-222 as naturally occurring tracer

A case study was carried out with the aim to practically test whether estimates of groundwater discharge rates into dredging lakes can be made via an uncomplicated and straightforward technique using radon-222 as naturally-occurring groundwater tracer. Lake Ammelshainer See, a dredging, seepage lake, approximately 25 km east of Leipzig, Germany, was chosen as the investigation site. In order to evaluate changes in the spatial and temporal radon-222 patterns in the lake during different stages of stratification, sampling campaigns were conducted in April 2007 (well mixed stage) and in May 2007 (thermal stratification stage). Groundwater flow estimates were made using a radon mass balance approach accounting for all radon fluxes into and out of the lake and assuming steady-state conditions with respect to these radon fluxes. Once all positive and negative radon fluxes related to the lake water volume were determined, groundwater discharge was estimated by using the advective radon input and the radon activity concentration of the pore water as key parameters. The results showed that in case of a lake with a size and shape of Lake Ammelshainer See (530,000 m²) reasonable groundwater discharge estimates can be made by collection and analyzing just a few water samples and a few samples from the sediment layer.     

High‐resolution proglacial lake records of pre‐Little Ice Age glacier advance,northeast Greenland

Understanding Arctic glacier sensitivity is key to predicting future response to air temperature rise. Previous studies have used proglacial lake sediment records to reconstruct Holocene glacier advance–retreat patterns in South and West Greenland, but high‐resolution glacier records from High Arctic Greenland are scarce, despite the sensitivity of this region to future climate change. Detailed geochemical analysis of proglacial lake sediments close to Zackenberg, northeast Greenland, provides the first high‐resolution record of Late Holocene High Arctic glacier behaviour. Three phases of glacier advance have occurred in the last 2000 years. The first two phases (c. 1320–800 cal. a BP) occurred prior to the Little Ice Age (LIA), and correspond to the Dark Ages Cold Period and the Medieval Climate Anomaly. The third phase (c. 700 cal. a BP), representing a smaller scale glacier oscillation, is associated with the onset of the LIA. Our results are consistent with recent evidence of pre‐LIA glacier advance in other parts of the Arctic, including South and West Greenland, Svalbard, and Canada. The sub‐millennial glacier fluctuations identified in the Madsen Lake succession are not preserved in the moraine record. Importantly, coupled XRF and XRD analysis has effectively identified a phase of ice advance that is not visible by sedimentology alone. This highlights the value of high‐resolution geochemical analysis of lake sediments to establish rapid glacier advance–retreat patterns in regions where chronological and morphostratigraphical control is limited.     

Classification and delineation of groundwater–lake interactions in the Nebraska Sand Hills (USA) using electrical resistivity patterns

Lake?Cgroundwater interactions exhibit a complex three-dimensional (3D) structure that is seldom studied. The utility of waterborne electrical resistivity (ER) surveys is explored for characterization of 3D groundwater flow and solute transport patterns for three lakes in the Nebraska Sand Hills, USA. Waterborne ER surveys, using contrasts between lake and groundwater solutes as natural tracers, are useful for inferring 3D patterns of groundwater flow and solute transport as well as classifying groundwater?Clake interactions. Three unique groundwater flow systems are interpreted under each lake from dense networks of two-dimensional (2D) waterborne ER surveys. A lateral transition from high to low ER values beneath the saline Wilson Lake expresses its flow-through regime, where groundwater salinity indicates changes from groundwater inflow to outflow. Alkali Lake ER profiles reveal a prevalent ER increase with depth over the lakebed area that is characteristic of groundwater discharge lakes. ER profiles beneath Gimlet Lake are the most resistive and indicate pockets of high ER related to fresh groundwater discharge into the lake, supporting a flow-through regime with a short flushing time. These ER patterns correctly classify groundwater?Clake interactions and provide high spatial resolution of mixing patterns for systems with varying water salinity.     

Spatial variations in water composition at a northern Canadian lake impacted by mine drainage

Release of acid drainage from mine-waste disposal areas is a problem of international scale. Contaminated surface water, derived from mine wastes, orginates both as direct surface runoff and, indirectly, as subsurface groundwater flow. At Camp Lake, a small Canadian Shield lake that is in northern Manitoba and is ice-covered 6 months of the year, direct and indirect release of drainage from an adjacent sulfide-rich tailings impoundment has severely affected the quality of the lake water. Concentrations of the products from sulfide oxidation are extremely high in the pore waters of the tailings impoundment. Groundwater and surface water derived from the impoundment discharge into a semi-isolated shallow bay in Camp Lake. The incorporation of this aqueous effluent has altered the composition of the lake water, which in turn has modified the physical limnology of the lake. Geochemical profiles of the water column indicate that, despite its shallow depth (6 m), the bay is stratified throughout the year. The greatest accumulation of dissolved metals and SO₄ is in the lower portion of the water column, with concentrations up to 8500 mg L⁻¹ Fe, 20,000 mg L⁻¹ SO₄, 30 mg L⁻¹ Zn, 100 mg L⁻¹ Al, and elevated concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb and Ni. Meromictic conditions and very high solute concentrations are limited to the bay. Outside the bay, solute concentrations are lower and some stratification of the water column exists. Identification of locations and composition of groundwater discharge relative to lake bathymetry is a fundamental aspect of understanding chemical evolution and physical stability of mine-impacted lakes.     

Estimating groundwater residence time using multiple regression model based on fluoride dissolution: an exploration of possibilities

High levels of fluoride concentration were observed in deep groundwater of the Mizunami area in Central Japan. Fluoride occurs mainly due to the reaction between granitic basement rock and groundwater. Granites were collected, crushed to powder, and then allowed to react with purified water for 80 days. Water–rock interaction results showed that the major factor affecting fluoride concentration is the residence time of the groundwater. Coexisting ions have also some contribution toward fluoride concentration. The groundwater residence time in the Mizunami area was estimated by applying results of water–rock interaction to correspond with field data. A regression model relating fluoride concentration, residence time, and coexisting ions was developed. The parameters of the regression model were determined using the genetic algorithms technique. Residence time was estimated by extrapolating experimental data to correspond with filed data. Near the recharge area, residence times in the potential fluoride source rock varied between 1 and 2,000 years, whereas near the discharge area residence times were in excess of tens of thousands of years. The groundwater residence time was also estimated by the groundwater particle-tracking-flow model. The estimates of groundwater residence time based on geochemical regression model were often larger than estimates of groundwater residence time developed by particle-tracking analysis using a groundwater flow model. There were large uncertainties—on the order of 10–10,000 years—in the estimates based on geochemical data.     

Simulating the influence of two shallow, flow-through lakes on a groundwater system: implications for groundwater mounds and hinge lines

Groundwater mounds and hinge lines are important features related to the interaction of groundwater and lakes. In contrast to the transient formation of groundwater mounds, numerical simulations indicate that permanent groundwater mounds form between closely spaced lakes as the natural consequence of adding two net sinks to a groundwater flow system. The location of the groundwater mound and the position of the hinge lines between the two lakes are intimately related. As the position of the mound changes there is a corresponding shift in the position of the hinge line. This results in a change in the ratio of groundwater inflow to outflow (Q_i/Q_o) for the lake. The response of the lake is an increase or decrease in the lake level. Our simulations indicate that the movement of the hinge line in a natural system is a consequence of the dynamic interrelationships between recharge, the slope of the water table upgradient and downgradient of the lake, and the loss of water from the lake by evaporation. The extent of the seasonal movement of the hinge line will vary from one year to the next depending on local changes in the magnitude of the hydrologic variables. Electronic Publication     

Geochemistry and stable isotope composition of the Berkeley pit lake and surrounding mine waters,Butte, Montana

Samples of mine water from Butte, Montana were collected for paired geochemical and stable isotopic analysis. The samples included two sets of depth profiles from the acidic Berkeley pit lake, deep groundwater from several mine shafts in the adjacent flooded underground mine workings, and the acidic Horseshoe Bend Spring. Beginning in July-2000, the spring was a major surface water input into the Berkeley pit lake. Vertical trends in major ions and heavy metals in the pit lake show major changes across a chemocline at 10–20 m depth. The chemocline most likely represents the boundary between pre-2000 and post-2000 lake water, with lower salinity, modified Horseshoe Bend Spring water on top of higher salinity lake water below. Based on stable isotope results, the deep pit lake has lost approximately 12% of its initial water to evaporation, while the shallow lake is up to 25% evaporated. The stable isotopic composition of SO₄ in the pit lake is similar to that of Horseshoe Bend Spring, but differs markedly from SO₄ in the surrounding flooded mine shafts. The latter is heavier in both δ³⁴S and δ¹⁸O, which may be due to dissolution of hypogene SO₄ minerals (anhydrite, gypsum, barite) in the ore deposit. The isotopic and geochemical evidence suggests that much of the SO₄ and dissolved heavy metals in the deep Berkeley pit lake were generated in situ, either by leaching of soluble salts from the weathered pit walls as the lake waters rose, or by subaqueous oxidation of pyrite on the submerged mine walls by dissolved Fe(III). Laboratory experiments were performed to contrast the isotopic composition of SO₄ formed by aerobic leaching of weathered wallrock vs. SO₄ from anaerobic pyrite oxidation. The results suggest that both processes were likely important in the evolution of the Berkeley pit lake.     

Groundwater inflow and associated transport of phosphorus to a hypereutrophic lake

Hydrogeochemical data from lake, sediment pore, and well waters were used to quantify groundwater seepage and the associated transport of phosphorus to Lake Persimmon, Florida, USA. The data show that lake chloride concentrations vary as a function of lake elevations that are controlled by groundwater inflow. A whole-lake average seepage rate, estimated using a simple one dimensional advection-diffusion model fitted to the lake chloride profile, currently averages 2.3 ± 0.3 cm yr^-1 and is in reasonable agreement with the rate of advective flow obtained from the pore water chloride profile. The ratios of nutrient regeneration versus sulfate consumption indicate that the phosphorus enrichment in deeper portions of sediment pore water is most likely a result of groundwater phosphorus transport through sediment. Thus, the net inputs of groundwater phosphorus to the lake, calculated using the deep pore water phosphorus concentration, are about 7.4 ± 4.3 mg P m^-2 yr^-1 and comparable with recent in situ estimates from seepage meters. This study provides a simple hydrogeochemical method for estimating hydrologic and phosphorus inputs via groundwater to the lake, thereby supporting current efforts for lake management.     

Interactions of artificial lakes with groundwater applying an integrated MODFLOW solution

Artificial lakes (reservoirs) are regulated water bodies with large stage fluctuations and different interactions with groundwater compared with natural lakes. A novel modelling study characterizing the dynamics of these interactions is presented for artificial Lake Turawa, Poland. The integrated surface-water/groundwater MODFLOW-NWT transient model, applying SFR7, UZF1 and LAK7 packages to account for variably-saturated flow and temporally variable lake area extent and volume, was calibrated throughout 5 years (1-year warm-up, 4-year simulation), applying daily lake stages, heads and discharges as control variables. The water budget results showed that, in contrast to natural lakes, the reservoir interactions with groundwater were primarily dependent on the balance between lake inflow and regulated outflow, while influences of precipitation and evapotranspiration played secondary roles. Also, the spatio-temporal lakebed-seepage pattern was different compared with natural lakes. The large and fast-changing stages had large influence on lakebed-seepage and water table depth and also influenced groundwater evapotranspiration and groundwater exfiltration, as their maxima coincided not with rainfall peaks but with highest stages. The mean lakebed-seepage ranged from ~0.6 mm day^?1 during lowest stages (lake-water gain) to ~1.0 mm day^?1 during highest stages (lake-water loss) with largest losses up to 4.6 mm day^?1 in the peripheral zone. The lakebed-seepage of this study was generally low because of low lakebed leakance (0.0007–0.0015 day^?1) and prevailing upward regional groundwater flow moderating it. This study discloses the complexity of artificial lake interactions with groundwater, while the proposed front-line modelling methodology can be applied to any reservoir, and also to natural lake interactions with groundwater.     

The origin of fluoride in groundwater supply to Hermosillo City, Sonora, México

Anomalous high fluoride concentration up to 7.59 mg/dm³ is found in groundwater from “La Victoria” area. This water is used to supply drinking water to Hermosillo City, Sonora. Geochemistry of groundwater, relationship between physicochemical parameters, hydrogeology and geologic setting were correlated to define the origin and the geochemical mechanisms of groundwater fluorine enrichment. High fluoride concentration is associated with high bicarbonates, pH and temperature, and it decreases toward the west and south of the area. Fluoride is in negative correlation to calcium concentration. Sodium sulphate facies of regional deep water flow are related to high fluoride concentration. High electric resistivity rocks associated with granites from the Sierra Bachoco basement might be the deep source of fluoride. Outcropping of Sierra Bachoco in the west causes upward regional flow. Groundwater of longer residence time can be pumped there. The anomalous area is restricted to “La Victoria” because calcareous paleozoic rocks outcrop to the south.     

Investigating hydraulic connections and the origin of water in a mine tunnel using stable isotopes and hydrographs

Turquoise Lake is a water-supply reservoir located north of the historic Sugarloaf Mining district near Leadville, Colorado, USA. Elevated water levels in the reservoir may increase flow of low-quality water from abandoned mine tunnels in the Sugarloaf District and degrade water quality downstream. The objective of this study was to understand the sources of water to Dinero mine drainage tunnel and evaluate whether or not there was a direct hydrologic connection between Dinero mine tunnel and Turquoise Lake from late 2002 to early 2008. This study utilized hydrograph data from nearby draining mine tunnels and the lake, and stable isotope (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) data from the lake, nearby draining mine tunnels, imported water, and springs to characterize water sources in the study area. Hydrograph results indicate that flow from the Dinero mine tunnel decreased 26% (2006) and 10% (2007) when lake elevation (above mean sea level) decreased below approximately 3004 m (approximately 9855 feet). Results of isotope analysis delineated two meteoric water lines in the study area. One line characterizes surface water and water imported to the study area from the western side of the Continental Divide. The other line characterizes groundwater including draining mine tunnels, springs, and seeps. Isotope mixing calculations indicate that water from Turquoise Lake or seasonal groundwater recharge from snowmelt represents approximately 10% or less of the water in Dinero mine tunnel. However, most of the water in Dinero mine tunnel is from deep groundwater having minimal isotopic variation. The asymmetric shape of the Dinero mine tunnel hydrograph may indicate that a limited mine pool exists behind a collapse in the tunnel and attenutates seasonal recharge. Alternatively, a conceptual model is presented (and supported with MODFLOW simulations) that is consistent with current and previous data collected in the study area, and illustrates how fluctuating lake levels change the local water-table elevation which can affect discharge from the Dinero mine tunnel without physical transfer of water between the two locations.     

Geochemical investigation of groundwater in a Granitic Island: a case study from Kinmen Island,Taiwan

Kinmen Island is principally composed of low permeable granitoid and covered by a very thin sedimentary layer. Both surface and groundwater resources are limited and water demand is increasing with time. The groundwater in the granitoid has been surveyed as an alternative water source for daily use. Two to five highly fractured zones in the granitoid aquifer for each site were first determined by geochemical well logging. Accordingly, ten samples were collected from three sites. Using environmental isotopes and geochemical modeling, geochemical processes occurring due to water–rock interaction in the granitoid aquifer can be quantitatively interpreted. The stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen in groundwaters cluster along Taiwan’s local meteoric waterline, indicating evaporation does not have considerable effect on groundwaters. Given such a high evaporation rate for Kinmen Island, this result implies that infiltration rate of groundwater is high enough to reduce retention time through a well-developed fracture zone. NetpathXL is employed for inverse geochemical modeling. Results determine gypsum as being the major source of sulfate for deep groundwaters. The contribution from pyrite is minor. In addition, the weathering of albite to kaolinite is the dominant water–rock interaction characterizing geochemical compositions of deep groundwater in Kinmen Island.     

Huge Ice‐age lakes in Russia

During an early phase of the Last Ice Age (Weichselian, Valdaian), about 90 000 yr ago, an ice sheet formed over the shallow Barents and Kara seas. The ice front advanced on to mainland Russia and blocked the north‐flowing rivers (Yenissei, Ob, Pechora, Dvina and others) that supply most of the freshwater to the Arctic Ocean. The result was that large ice‐dammed lakes were formed between the ice sheet in the north and the continental water divides to the south. Here we present reconstructions and calculations of the areas and volumes of these lakes. The lake on the West Siberian Plain was nearly twice as large as the largest lake on Earth today. The well‐mapped Lake Komi in northeast Europe and a postulated lake in the White Sea Basin would also rank before the present‐day third largest lake. The lakes overflowed towards the south and thus the drainage of much of the Eurasian continent was reversed. The result was a major change in the water balance on the continent, decreased freshwater supply to the Arctic Ocean, and increased freshwater flow to the Aral, Caspian, Black and Baltic seas. A sudden outburst of the lakes' water to the Arctic Ocean when the ice sheet thinned is postulated. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Estimating groundwater discharge into a lake through underwater springs by using GIS technologies

Estimating groundwater recharge in a freshwater body such as a deep lake is often a problem for hydrologists, since direct measurements are costly and difficult to implement. This study attempts to calculate the groundwater discharge in a lake using a simple water balance model, water level measurements, aerial photographs and GIS technologies. In particular, a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) for the lake has been developed, which in combination with GIS (Geographical Information System) software and water level fluctuations has provided the lake's monthly water storages. Additional hydrologic elements, including land and water uses, overland flow and evapotranspiration, have been estimated and incorporated in a water balance model which after extensive analysis have provided credible monthly values for the groundwater recharge in Lake Trichonis. This particular methodology can be widely applied in catchments with similar hydrologic regimes and can provide reliable, cost-efficient estimations of groundwater recharges into water bodies.Abbreviations GIS Geographical Information Systems - DTM Digital Terrain Model     

大同盆地高氟地下水水化学特征及其成因

为查明控制大同盆地高氟地下水形成的主要地球化学过程,对大同盆地地下水高氟区31个水样进行了水化学特征及因子分析研究.结果表明,研究区浅层和深层地下水中均检测出氟,且氟含量高,最大ρ(F)达10.37 mg/L.该区高氟地下水以Na-HCO3型水为主,具有典型的富Na特征.PHREEQC饱和指数计算结果表明,地下水中萤石为不饱和状态,地下水中ρ(F)主要受到萤石溶解影响.因子分析研究表明,水一岩相互作用、碳酸盐矿物溶解沉淀及Na- Ca离子交换作用是控制大同盆地地下水氟富集的主要水化学过程.     

Preliminary geochemical characterization of groundwater drained by the Roman emissary of Lake Albano (Italy)

Many lakes have been the object of hydraulic works in historical times, and the drainage tunnel carved by Romans for regulating the level of Lake Albano (Central Italy) can be considered as one of the most important historical hydraulic tunnels in the world. We sampled and analysed lake water, as well as groundwater samples from the Lake Albano emissary and another hydraulic work in the area (Ninfeo), which were analysed for their geochemical and isotopic composition in order to extract useful information for a possible reuse of the tunnel for anthropogenic purposes. The collected water samples exhibit common chemical features, typical of water–rock interaction processes in volcanic areas. Analyses of minor and trace elements confirmed the abovementioned results, indicating the presence of an atmospheric pollution source for heavy metals, although their concentrations are mostly below the Maximum Admitted Concentrations for drinking water issued by the World Health Organization. The chemical composition of dissolved gases indicated that both lake and groundwater are mainly enriched in CO₂. Isotopic analyses suggested a clear volcanic origin for CO₂ dissolved in lake water, while carbon dioxide in groundwater from the Roman emissary is produced by soil respiration. As further confirmed by Oxygen and Deuterium isotopic composition, the Roman emissary drains local suspended aquifers neither in contact with the lake water body nor influenced by volcanic activity, suggesting the opportunity to use the tunnel as a “zero-condition” monitoring site for individuating a possible future renewal of volcanic activity.     

巴丹吉林沙漠湖泊钙华与根状结核的发现对研究湖泊水补给的意义

巴丹吉林沙漠湖泊中的钙华和根状结核的存在证实这些沙丘和湖泊形成的时间约3万年,而且基本上没有发生大的改变。同位素和水化学研究结果证实湖泊水与祁连山深大断裂中的地下水有关,湖泊群正好位于阿尔金断裂东端,祁连山断裂与阿尔金断裂在玉门一带相交,祁连山断裂的地下水汇入阿尔金断裂后最终补到巴丹吉林沙漠的湖泊群中;而钙华与根状结核是地下水通过碳酸盐岩地层后形成的。      

Physico-chemical characterization of saline subsurface system near small endorheic ponds in Thailand

The problem of salt-ravaged lands is reported in many parts of the world and could be exacerbated by the presence of an endorheic pond normally associated with a saline low-lying area. An endorheic or playa pond accumulates dissolved salts which can be carried primarily by groundwater before discharging into the pond; then, intense evaporation produces salt residues which can wreak havoc on the adjacent areas. The objective of this study is to investigate the subsurface conditions and groundwater interactions beneath two endorheic saline ponds of Thailand’s Great Mekong Basin to have a better understanding and thereby efficiently manage the resources. A comprehensive analysis of the physical and geochemical properties (limited to pH, specific conductance and salinity) of the subsurface system was performed to determine the processes that regulated the migration of dissolved salt. The data collected from the deep and shallow groundwater of the basin were analyzed to determine their physical and chemical properties. Soil samples of various depths were examined to determine their respective geologic, chemical and unsaturated properties. The groundwater near the salt ponds was different from that of other areas in that its groundwater table was closer to the surface soil and its deep groundwater, which is of high pressure, was more saline than its shallow groundwater. As the capillary rise influences the topsoil, particularly in the saline pond areas, the vertical upward flow and the capillary force are thus the additional mechanisms of salt transportation to the endorheic ponds. Since these surface water bodies are the discharge sites for saline groundwater and are not perennial, a practical solution is to localize the saline groundwater.     

Using multiple environmental methods to estimate groundwater discharge into an arid lake (Dakebo Lake,Inner Mongolia,China)

It is important to have both a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the hydraulic exchange between groundwater and surface water to support the development of effective management plans for sustainable use of water resources. Groundwater is a major source of surface-water recharge and plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of ecosystems, especially within wetlands in semi-arid regions. The Ordos Desert Plateau of Inner Mongolia (China) is a vulnerable ecosystem that suffers from an extreme lack of water. The hydraulic exchange between groundwater and lake water in Dakebo Lake (the largest of hundreds of lakes on the Ordos Desert Plateau) was evaluated using multiple environmental methods. Continuous monitoring of the groundwater and lake-water levels indicated that the lake was recharged vertically by groundwater. Application of hydrodynamic and temperature tracing methods to the western side of the lake indicated that the rate of groundwater discharge to the lake was about 2?×?10^?6 to 3?×?10^?6 m/s in spring, summer, and autumn, but that there was no recharge in winter because the hypolentic zone (HZ) was frozen. Mixing ratios of groundwater and lake water in the HZ, estimated from the ¹⁸O and ²H ratios, showed that there were spatial variations in the hydrodynamic exchange between groundwater and lake water within the HZ.     

A hydrological simulation of the water regime in two playa lakes located in southern Spain

The subject of this paper is the detailed hydrological simulation of two playa lakes located in southern Spain from January 2011 to March 2012 on a daily basis. These playas are placed over a 400-km ² shallow aquifer, which is exposed to an increasing stress caused by agricultural activities, mainly olive grove plantations. The objective of the paper is to elaborate a detailed numeric model that simulates the water regime of each playa lake on a daily scale. The simulation is compared to measured water level (WL) data of the playas in order to characterize the groundwater–surface interactions. The ultimate objective of this paper is to assess the environmental impact of the increasing anthropogenic water consumption within the area of research. The results of the GW–surface interaction were very consistent with previous works. One of the playa lakes is groundwater-dependent and the other one is presumably a perched playa lake. The GW discharge of the former playa (214 mm) during the research period stands in sharp contrast to no regional GW discharge in the latter. Water level data prove that the hydrological year (2011–2012) had a very negative water budget. The evapotranspiration estimation was almost as high as double the sum of the precipitation, the run-off, and the groundwater discharge. The simulation of an anthropologically altered water regime proves that water retrieval has a harmful impact on the WL of the playa lakes as well as on the aquifer.