Thermal waters in the Lower Yarmouk Gorge and their relation to surrounding aquifers

Sources and mineralization of groundwaters from Cretaceous A7/B2 and B4 limestone aquifers in the Golan and Ajloun Heights are derived from conjoint discussion of stable isotopes of water and sulphate, major ion chemistry, rare earth distribution patterns and the (hydro)geological setting. Isotope fractionation of precipitation was used to derive elevation and continental influence of recharge areas. Positive shift of δ¹⁸O and δ²H occur due to evaporation before replenishment and the interaction with basalts. Major infiltration areas for Golan Heights are the limy foothills of the Mt. Hermon and for the Ajloun Heights the Plateau itself. To a less degree, precipitation infiltrates also the basaltic catchments. Groundwaters are mineralized by water/rock (i) variably altered limestones by diagenesis, (ii) evaporates and seawater brines enclosed in limestone matrix and (iii) locally occurring basaltic intrusiva. In the Yarmouk Gorge, a deep-seated brine of the Ha’on type ascends and mixes with the fresh shallow groundwater.Contrasting the macro chemical composition, REY distribution patterns indicate the lithology of the recharge areas. Infiltration over basalts results in REY patterns distinctly different to those derived from limy catchments.REY and isotope fingerprints prove that water from the Syrian Hauran Plateau is recharging springs and wells in the lowermost Yamouk gorge. The basaltic cover of the Golan Heights is of minor importance for recharge of the underlying A7/B2 aquifer, which becomes recharged at the foothills of Mt. Hermon and gets confined southwards. Even the wells in the basaltic cover receive water from the underlying limestone aquifer.Anomalous heat flux near the Yarmouk gorge and locally in the western escarpment of the Ajloun may be produced by ascending fluids from greater depth and/or by basaltic intrusions.     

Rare Earth Elements and Yttrium (REY) Geochemistry of Reefal Limestones in the Ordovician,Tarim Basin,NW China and their Paleoenvironment Implications

This study examines the rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) concentrations of twenty-five samples from the reef outcrop exposed along the Lianglitage Mountain in the Ordovician, Tarim Basin in China. The concentration analysis provides constraints on the paleoenvironment during reef deposition. Based on the detailed sedimentology and petrographic work, we divide the reef facies into four sub-facies: the base facies, reef-core facies, reef-flank facies, and sealing facies. The geochemical data (such as major and trace elements, carbon and oxygen isotopes, and REYs) are further used to study the coeval seawater characteristics as well as potential diagenesis overprints. The result indicated that the diagenesis has little effect on the REY patterns of the reefal limestones. The REY concentrations of the reefal limestones are overall low (ranging from 3.69 to 19.60 ppm, arithmetic mean=10.22 ppm, SD=5.4). The PAAS-normalized REY patterns are consistently flat compared to the typical well-oxidized, shallow marine water patterns. However, the light REE (LREE) depletions, positive La anomalies, negative Ce anomalies and positive Y anomalies, suggest that these reefal limestones are likely an indicative of contemporaneous seawater REY signals. The seawater-like Y/Ho ratios (average at 37.51) further support that REY signals in these limestones are likely a reflection of seawater with little diagenetic modifications. The low Y/Ho ratios presented only in the reef-flank facies and sealing facies are likely a suggestion of detrital contamination. Hence, this study confirms that REY patterns of the limestones at the base facies and reef-core facies can record ancient seawater information, and reefs can be used as a potential geochemical proxy for paleoenvironment studies throughout the Earth’s history.     

Salinization of groundwater in the North German Basin: results from conjoint investigation of major, trace element and multi-isotope distribution

Conjoint consideration of distribution of major, rare earth elements (REE) and Y (combined to REY) and of H, O, C, S, Sr isotopes reveals that four types of groundwater are distinguishable by their chemical composition presented by spider patterns. REY patterns indicate thermo-saline deep water and two types of shallow saline groundwaters. Presence of connate waters is not detectable. Sr isotope ratios distinguish three sources of Sr: fast and slow weathering of biotite and K-feldspar in Pleistocene sediments, respectively, and dissolution of limestones. δ¹³C(DIC) indicate dissolution of limestone under closed and open system conditions. Numerous samples show δ¹³C(DIC) > 13‰ which is probably caused by incongruent dissolution of calcite and dolomite. The brines from below 1,000 m represent mixtures of pre-Pleistocene seawater or its evaporation brines and infiltrated post-Pleistocene precipitation. The shallow waters represent mixtures of Pleistocene and Recent precipitation salinized by dissolution of evaporites or by mixing with ascending brines. The distribution of water types is independent on geologic units and lithologies. Even the Tertiary Rupelian aquiclude does not prevent salinization of the upper aquifer.     

鄂尔多斯白垩系盆地地下水系统研究

地下水系统研究是正确评价和合理开发利用区域地下水资源的基础,也是区域地下水资源规划的重要依据。在对鄂尔多斯盆地白垩系岩相古地理和含水介质空间展布研究的基础上,应用区域地下水动力场、水文地球化学场和深井Packer系统所获得的不同深度的水位数据以及同位素资料,将白垩系地下水流系统概括为局部水流系统、中间水流系统和区域地下水流系统3种类型。以盆地中部的白于山地表分水岭为界,划分为南北2个地下水亚系统和5个分支系统,其中南部黄土高原地下水亚系统为典型的自流水盆地,而北部沙漠高原地下水亚系统则具有潜水盆地的特征。     

Identifying the recharge sources and age of groundwater in the Songnen Plain (Northeast China) using environmental isotopes

The recharge sources and groundwater age in the Songnen Plain, Northeast China, were confirmed using environmental isotopes. The isotopic signatures of the unconfined aquifers in the southeast elevated plain and the north and west piedmont, cluster along local meteoric water lines (LMWLs) with a slope of about 5. The signature of source water was obtained by the intersection of these LMWLs with the regional meteoric water line (RMWL). This finding provides evidence that the recharge water for these areas originate from the Changbai Mountains and the Low and High Hingan Mountains, respectively. Groundwater in the unconfined aquifer in the low plain yields a LMWL with a slope of 4.4; its nitrate concentration indicates the admixture of irrigation return flow. The δ-values of the unconfined aquifer in the east elevated plain plot along the RMWL, reflecting recharge by local precipitation. The mean residence time of groundwater in these aquifers is less than 50?years. However, the ¹⁴C age of the groundwater in the confined Quaternary aquifer ranges from modern to 19,500?years, and in the Tertiary confined aquifer from 3,100 to 24,900?years. Modern groundwater is mainly recharged to the Quaternary confined aquifer on the piedmont by local precipitation and lateral subsurface flow.     

鄂尔多斯盆地地下水资源与开发利用

鄂尔多斯盆地是我国西北地区的大型构造沉积盆地,以前寒武系变质岩为基底,依次沉积了下古生界碳酸盐岩、上古生界—中生界碎屑岩和各种成因的新生界,总厚度达6000m。根据盆地的地质构造特征和水文地质条件,将鄂尔多斯盆地含水岩系划为周边寒武系—奥陶系碳酸盐岩岩溶含水层系统、白垩系碎屑岩裂隙孔隙含水层系统和盆地东部基岩裂隙水与上覆第四系松散层孔隙含水层系统。在含水层系统划分的基础上,以含水体之间是否具有统一的水力联系和稳定的水动力场和水化学场为依据,将周边岩溶水可进一步划分为10个水流系统和22个子系统,白垩系地下水划分为5个水流系统和11个子系统,石炭系—侏罗系裂隙水与上覆松散层孔隙水划分为9个地下水系统。系统论述了含水层系统特征,区域水文地球化学特征和地下水循环规律,对鄂尔多斯盆地地下水资源进行了全面评价,针对能源基地建设的供水急需,提出了地下水合理开发利用建议。     

Modelling hydrostratigraphy and groundwater flow of a fractured and karst aquifer in a Mediterranean basin (Salento peninsula, southeastern Italy)

The control exerted by the hydrostratigraphic structure on aquifer recharge, groundwater flow and discharge along the coastal areas of a Mediterranean basin (Salento peninsula, about 5,000?km² wide, southern Italy) is assessed through the development and application of a groundwater flow model based on the reconstruction of the hydrostratigraphic architecture at the regional scale. The hydrostratigraphic model, obtained by processing surface and subsurface data, is applied to map the top of the main aquifer, which is hosted in the deep hydrostratigraphic unit corresponding to Cretaceous and Oligocene limestones with complex geometrical relationships with the sea. It is also used to estimate the aquifer recharge, which occurs by percolation through overlying younger sediments with low permeability. These data are completed with information about the soil use to estimate water abstraction for irrigation and with literature data to estimate the water abstraction for drinking and industrial purposes. The above-sketched conceptual model is the basis for a finite difference groundwater 2D pseudo-stationary flow model, which assumes the following fundamental approximations: the fractured and karst limestone hydrostratigraphic unit can be approximated, at the model scale, as a continuous medium for which the discrete Darcy??s law is valid; the transition zone between salt and fresh water is so small with respect to the grid spacing that the Ghyben?CHerzberg??s approximation for a sharp interface can be applied. Along the coastline different boundary conditions are assigned if the top of the limestone hydrostratigraphic unit lies either above the sea level (the aquifer has a free surface and fresh water is drained), or below the sea level (the aquifer is under pressure and the contact with sea occurs off-shore). The groundwater flow model correctly predicts the areas where the aquifer is fully saturated with salt water.     

The hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in Gafsa-Sidi Boubaker region (Southwestern Tunisia)

Gafsa region is one of the most productive artesian basins in Southern Tunisia. It is located in the southwestern part of the country, and its groundwater resources are developed for water supply and irrigation. Proper understanding of the geochemical evolution of groundwater is important for sustainable development of water resources in this region. A hydrogeochemical survey was conducted on the Plio-Quaternary shallow and on the Complex Terminal aquifers system using major (Ca, Mg, Na, SO₄, Cl, NO₃ and HCO₃) and minor (Sr) elements, in order to evaluate the groundwater chemistry patterns and the main mineralization processes occurring in this system. Hydrochemical and isotopic data were used in conjunction with hydrogeological characteristics to investigate the groundwater composition in these aquifers. It has been demonstrated that groundwaters acquire their mineralization principally by water–rock interaction, i.e. dissolution of evaporites (halite/gypsum, pyrite, etc.) and return flow of irrigation waters, and by anthropogenic activities due to the use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers–pesticides in agriculture. The isotopic study of “stable isotopes, radiocarbon and tritium” (Yermani 2002) shows that a paleoclimatic recharge is corroborated by the relatively low carbon-14 activities (5–25.3%) of the referred groundwater group samples, which were interpreted as recharge occurring during the late Pleistocene and the early Holocene periods. The water feedings of these aquifers are mainly provided by infiltration of precipitations, infiltration of irrigation water, lateral feeding from Cretaceous relieves from the South and the North and along recent and fossil drainage networks that constitute major freshwater sources in groundwater tables (Hamed et al., J Environ Protect 1:466–474, 2010a).     

Endangering of the Upper Jurassic karst-fissured aquifer in the Krakow Upland (southern Poland)

 A karst-fissured aquifer in the Upper Jurassic carbonate rocks of the Krakow Upland shows a very high yield (safe yield 117 000 m³/day) and belongs to the major groundwater basins (MGBs) of Poland. The uncovered character of the aquifer and its hydraulic structure favor the intensive infiltration and migration of anthropogenic pollutants from the surface. This pollution is caused by agriculture and industry in the proximity of Krakow and the Upper Silesian agglomeration. Progressive degradation of groundwater quality on a regional scale results. Evaluation of the endangering of the aquifer studied is based on the analysis of the time interval of vertical water percolation from the surface, the time interval of groundwater horizontal flow through the aquifer and the duration of water residence in the aquifer derived from tritium data. Quaternary and Cretaceous overburden occur in the Krakow Upland in addition to numerous outcrops of limestones. The time interval of vertical water percolation in highly permeable limestones does not exceed 3 years and in the areas covered by overburden it is from several to 50 years. The mean effective time interval of horizontal groundwater flow through the Upper Jurassic rocks along the flow paths ranges from several months in the areas of direct drainage to over 15 years in the elevated areas of local groundwater divides. The age of water in the rock matrix was determined using tritium data interpreted according to an exponential model and it ranges from 70 years to over 130 years. In karst-fissured systems with a high retardation index (R_p=21) the effective time of water circulation in local drainage basins does not exceed 7 years. The Krakow-Wieluń Upland is the most extensive and uniform karst region in Poland. It is a belt of Upper Jurassic limestone extending from Krakcow in the southeast to Wieluń in the northwest on the northeast slope of the Silesian Upland. Residual hills of Paleogene age separated by infilled karst depressions are the most characteristic features of the Krakow-Wieluń Upland. More than 800 small caves are known in this area, but only two of them reach 1 km of aggregate passage length (Gazek and others 1992). Received: 4 December 1996 · Accepted: 29 April 1997     

Groundwater mining of bedrock aquifers in the Denver Basin – past,present, and future

The Denver Basin bedrock aquifer system is an important source of water for municipal and agricultural uses in the Denver and Colorado Springs metropolitan areas. The Denver area is one of the fastest growing areas in the United States with a population of 1.2 million in 1960 that has increased to over 2.4 million by 2000. This rapid population growth has produced a corresponding increase in demand for potable water. Historically, the Denver area has relied on surface water, however, in the past 10 years new housing and recreation developments have begun to rely on groundwater from the bedrock aquifers as the surface water is fully appropriated and in short supply.The Denver Basin bedrock aquifer system consists of Tertiary and Cretaceous age sedimentary rocks known as the Dawson, Denver, Arapahoe and Laramie-Fox Hills Aquifers. The number of bedrock wells has increased from 12,000 in 1985 to 33,700 in 2001 and the withdrawal of groundwater has caused water level declines of 76 m. Water level declines for the past 10 years have ranged from 3 to 12 m per year. The groundwater supplies were once thought to last 100 years but there is concern that the groundwater supplies may be essentially depleted in 10 to 15 years in areas on the west side of the basin.Extensive development of the aquifer system has occurred in the last 25 years especially near the center of the basin in Douglas and El Paso Counties where rapid urban growth continues and surface water is lacking. Groundwater is being mined from the aquifer system because the discharge by wells exceeds the rate of recharge. Concern is mounting that increased groundwater withdrawal will cause water level declines, increased costs to withdraw groundwater, reduced well yield, and reduced groundwater storage. As the long-term sustainability of the groundwater resource is in doubt, water managers believe that the life of the Denver Basin aquifers can be extended with artificial recharge, water reuse, restrictions on lawn watering, well permit restrictions and conservation measures.     

利用环境同位素识别酒泉-张掖盆地地下水补给和水流系统

详细了解干旱区地下水的补给机制对地下水资源管理来说是非常重要的,天然环境同位素在过去的40年里广泛应用于解决有关地下水补给、流动等问题。笔者通过分析酒泉-张掖盆地水的环境同位素变化特征,识别地下水的补给和流动.研究结果表明,酒泉-张掖盆地地下水的补给源主要来自山区出山河流,补给发生在祁连山前戈壁带,在山前冲积扇带地下水主要为1963年以来的快速补给,而部分深部地下水为1952年以前补给。同时,环境同位素指示盆地存在深部区域流系统和浅部局域流系统,酒泉盆地和张掖盆地之间不存在明显的水力联系。该研究不仅对黑河流域地下水的开发管理有着重要意义,对我国西北类似的内陆盆地地下水的开发管理有着借鉴意义。     

Hydrogeological studies for the Nubia sandstone aquifers in Garf Hussein area,Western Desert,Egypt

The lithology of the studied aquifers has an important effect on their hydrogeologic setting. Moreover, the structural patterns have their imprint on the geologic setting and consequently the hydrogeologic conditions of the area. Lake Nasser recharges the groundwater in the study area by large amount of water increasing the groundwater level. A comparison of the depth to water in the same wells at two different periods (1998 and 2014 ) shows that the depth to water increases with average rise 11.1 m during 16 years. The constructed water table map shows that the groundwater flow is mainly towards the northwest direction reflecting recharge from Lake Nasser. The hydraulic parameters of the Abu Aggag and Sabaya sandstone aquifers are determined in the present work from pumping tests. The transmissivity of the studied aquifers reflects the moderate to high potentiality. The groundwater salinity of the studied aquifers is fresh water and varies from 353 to 983 ppm (part per million) and suitable for all purposes. It increases due to the west direction coinciding with groundwater flow direction. The main result of the present study shows that the seepage water from Lake Nasser attains 17 mcm/year.     

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

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

地下水污染脆弱性评价方法

地下水污染脆弱性是指污染物自顶部含水层以上某一位置到达地下水系统中某一特定位置的趋势和可能性,进一步分为固有脆弱性和特殊脆弱性。地下水污染脆弱性受地下水流系统和地球化学系统的影响和控制。其主要评价方法有主观分级评价法、统计或基于过程的评价法和综合评价法三大类。中国地下水污染脆弱性评价已有很好的工作基础,评价工作中应以地下水系统为单元,以饮用水井、集中供水水源地、区域含水层系统的补给区为重点保护目标,评价方法应综合区域地下水流系统的过程分析和指数评价方法,并利用已有的区域水质资料进行检验,增强评价结论的科学性和可靠性。     

Saline fresh water interface structure in Mahanadi delta region, Orissa, India

 Saline/fresh water interface structure is one of the most important and basic hydrogeological parameter that needs to be estimated for studies related to coastal zone management, well-field design and understanding saline water intrusion mechanism/processes. The success and stability of a groundwater structure in a coastal region depend upon an accurate estimate of interface structure between saline and fresh water zones, aquifer-aquiclude boundaries and their lateral continuities and the interstitial water qualities of aquifers. Self-potential and resistivity logs provide a reasonably good basis for such estimates and for sustainable development of fresh groundwater resources. The interface depth structure for the Mahanadi delta region, as obtained and interpreted through self-potential and resistivity logs, provides a fairly clear picture of the regional extensions and boundaries of aquifers, aquicludes and interstitial water quality patterns. Aquifers in the northern sector of the basin and within the framework of Birupa and Mahanadi are characterized by an interface depth range that varies between 40 and 280 m below ground level (bgl) with brackish water on the top underlain by freshwater aquifers. The aquifers in the southern sector within the framework of Khatjori/Devi and Koyakhai/Daya/Kushbhadra/Bhargavi are characterized by an interface depth range that varies from 10 to 120 m with freshwater aquifers near the surface underlain by saline, brackish water aquifers. The inversion of these major fluid systems appears to have taken place over a narrow zone between Mahanadi and Khatjori tributaries, possibly over a wide subsurface ridge with separate basin characteristics. Received: 29 November 1999 · Accepted: 2 May 2000     

Geomorphological, geochemical and geo-environmental aspects of karstification in the urban areas of Kerman city, southeastern, Iran

Kerman city has a semiarid-arid climate with an average annual precipitation of about 158 mm. The area is underlain by soluble subsoil and alluvial deposits, overlying highly fractured Cretaceous limestones. Geo-environmental studies indicate that both paleokarst and active karst features are developed in the area. The paleokarsts were developed in the Upper Cretaceous limestone during the cold, humid periods of Post Cretaceous and probably Early Quaternary time and include honeycombs, solution flutes, rillenkarren, caverns, and solution collapse dolines. Active karst landforms occur by combined piping-induced and limestone solution at depth in subsoils, and alluvial deposits and bajada that overly potent karstic limestones and cover subsidence sinkholes and subjacent alluvial karst collapse dolines. Many factors, such as soluble compounds (salt and gypsum), desiccation cracks, and Qanat (dug water wells), could contribute to the development of karstic landforms. The most immediate cause for active karst landforms is considered to be the drawdown of the water table in the area. There is an increasing demand for groundwater consumption to irrigate pistachio fields. Excessive pumping of the groundwater lowers the water table about 80 cm per year. This rate of drawdown accelerates land subsidence (about 6 cm per year), creates circular patterns of fractures in the ground and in buildings, disrupts agricultural work and urbanization projects, and tilts foundations. These geohazards indicate that ground sinking and karstification are in progress in the alluvial deposits and underlying limestones. The disturbance and expense caused by the geohazards could be mitigated by the application of overhead sprinkler irrigation for pistachio fields or by planting less thirsty plants.     

江苏南通地下水补给源、水化学特征及形成机理

在地下水的大规模开采条件下,江苏沿海一带,特别是南通许多地区的地下水一度出现咸化趋势,对区域水资源及环境产生了极大的影响,已成为制约生态环境建设和经济社会发展的重要因素.为查明地下水的补给来源、水化学特征和矿化度增高的机理,对南通地区深浅层地下水开展了野外调查取样.通过对各种水化学参数的讨论分析,系统地研究了该区地下水...     

Influence of lithology and fluid flow on the temperature distribution in a sedimentary basin: A case study from the Cold Lake area, Alberta, Canada

A detailed study of the groundwater and terrestrial heat flow was carried out over an area of 23,700 km² west of Cold Lake, Alberta, which is part of the western Canada sedimentary basin. The information for the study was provided from data from 3100 wells drilled in the area. The screening and processing of thousands of stratigraphic picks, drillstem test data, bottom hole temperatures and formation water chemistry data was performed mainly using a specially designed software package. As a result, every stratigraphic unit is characterized by appropriate hydraulic and thermal parameters.

A sequence of aquifers, aquitards and aquicludes was differentiated. The groundwater flow in the Paleozoic aquifers is regional in nature and mainly horizontal. The flow in the Cretaceous aquifers is of intermediate type, mainly downward oriented. In general, the permeability of the Cretaceous and Paleozoic strata has such low values that the fluid velocity is less than 1 cm/yr.

The convective heat transport in the hydrostratigraphic sequence is negligible with respect to the conductive heat transfer, as shown by the Peclet number of the fluid and heat flow in porous media. The flow of the terrestrial heat flux from the Precambrian basement of the sedimentary basin to the atmosphere is controlled by the variability in the thermal properties of the formations in the basin.

The geothermal gradients were computed by hydrostratigraphic unit using a linear regression fit to the temperature data. As expected, they show higher values for the less conductive layers, and lower values for the more conductive ones. The weighted average, or the integral geothermal gradient of the whole sedimentary column, was computed by considering the difference between the temperature measured at the Precambrian basement and the annual average temperature at the surface. The areal distribution of the integral geothermal gradient (with an average of 22.0 mK/m) shows a strong correlation with the lithology.

The areal temperature distribution for each hydrostratigraphic unit was analyzed by mapping the deviation of the measured value from the computed geothermal gradient. The lateral heat flow from warmer to colder areas is one order of magnitude smaller than the vertical heat flow. In the more homogeneous units, the lateral heat flow presents a trend that seems to reflect the geometry and lithology.     

Influence of an anticline structure on hydrogeological functioning and aquifer interactions in a multilayered aquifer system: the case of Villagrains-Landiras anticline (Gironde,France)

Geological deformations like anticlines have a prominent role in aquifer system functioning. Structural deformations control erosion patterns, areas of nondeposition, lateral facies variations and thickness variations. The nature and geometry of geological bodies have a major impact on the aquifers and interconnections between them. To characterize these features and to quantify their influence on overall hydrogeological functioning, a multidisciplinary approach is proposed at a local scale. In southwestern France, the Aquitaine Basin contains a regional multilayered aquifer system affected by numerous anticlines. The Villagrains-Landiras anticline is a major anticline of the Aquitaine Basin, and near its axis is the subcropping Cenomanian aquifer; thus, the Cenomanian aquifer has potential for drinking water supply. An extensive research program was developed, including reconnaissance drilling, water level measurements, geochemical analyses, and petrophysical tests, and the results were combined with existing data. This integrated work precisely defined the complex architecture of the aquifer and confining units linked with the uplift and the polyphase erosion of the anticline. It resulted in the characterisation of the deposits’ geometries, lithology, and aquifer properties. The areas of aquifer interconnection have been defined and recharge flows have been estimated. A new groundwater circulation pattern constrained by isotopic water residence times was developed. A new geological model was built, which enables a rethink of the local functioning of the aquifer targeted for drinkable-water supply, but also it allows an understanding of the importance of anticline structure on the recharge conditions of the aquifers of this regional multilayered aquifer system.

     

Modeling groundwater/surface-water interactions in an Alpine valley (the Aosta Plain,NW Italy): the effect of groundwater abstraction on surface-water resources

A groundwater flow model of the Alpine valley aquifer in the Aosta Plain (NW Italy) showed that well pumping can induce river streamflow depletions as a function of well location. Analysis of the water budget showed that ～80% of the water pumped during 2 years by a selected well in the downstream area comes from the baseflow of the main river discharge. Alluvial aquifers hosted in Alpine valleys fall within a particular hydrogeological context where groundwater/surface-water relationships change from upstream to downstream as well as seasonally. A transient groundwater model using MODFLOW2005 and the Streamflow-Routing (SFR2) Package is here presented, aimed at investigating water exchanges between the main regional river (Dora Baltea River, a left-hand tributary of the Po River), its tributaries and the underlying shallow aquifer, which is affected by seasonal oscillations. The three-dimensional distribution of the hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer was obtained by means of a specific coding system within the database TANGRAM. Both head and flux targets were used to perform the model calibration using PEST. Results showed that the fluctuations of the water table play an important role in groundwater/surface-water interconnections. In upstream areas, groundwater is recharged by water leaking through the riverbed and the well abstraction component of the water budget changes as a function of the hydraulic conditions of the aquifer. In downstream areas, groundwater is drained by the river and most of the water pumped by wells comes from the base flow component of the river discharge.