A data-driven approach for analyzing dynamics of tide–aquifer interaction in coastal aquifer systems

Analysis of tidal effects on aquifer systems plays an important role in coastal aquifer management owing to various hydrological, engineering and environmental problems in coastal areas. Using the real-world data of unconfined and confined aquifers, a data-driven approach is presented in this study for the analysis of tide–aquifer interaction in coastal aquifers. Six analytical tide–aquifer interaction models were selected which take into account the effects of vertical beach, sloping beach, tidal loading, aquifer leakage, outlet capping, and combined leakage and outlet capping on tide-induced groundwater fluctuations. The tide–aquifer interaction datasets were obtained from the Konan groundwater basin (unconfined aquifer) of Japan and the Dridrate groundwater basin (confined aquifer) of Morocco. The analysis of the results obtained by the sloping beach model revealed that for a given beach slope, the amplitude of groundwater level increases with an increase in aquifer diffusivity and a decrease in aquifer thickness. However, no significant effect of beach slope was observed in this study at unconfined sites for all the datasets. The influence of tidal loading was found to be considerably less for all the three confined sites. Further, the analysis of the results of the leakage model indicated that with an increase in leakage into the aquifer, the amplitude of groundwater level as well as the phase shift (time lag) decreases. Of all the confined and unconfined datasets, only two confined sites were found to be affected by outlet capping. Overall, it is concluded that the coastal beach bordering the Konan basin is not significantly sloping, the contribution of tidal loading to tide-induced groundwater fluctuations in the Dridrate aquifer is not appreciable, and that the aquifer leakage and outlet capping do not exist at the unconfined sites under investigation.     

Investigating pesticide transport in the León-Chinandega aquifer, Nicaragua

Nicaragua’s León-Chinandega aquifer has seen extensive contamination by persistent organochlorine pesticides applied over decades of intensive agricultural activity. Models of flow and transport of a 330 km² sub-region of the aquifer were developed to test conceptual models of contaminant transport, to constrain the value of certain key transport parameters, and to investigate contamination-related concerns raised in past studies. To support these models, a variety of hydrogeologic and geochemical data were collected. It was concluded that the organochlorine pesticides seen in groundwater originate in soils, and are transported to the water table through widespread preferential flow, through shortcutting around wells, or through wind-blown particles delivered to poorly protected hand-dug wells. The distribution coefficient (K _d) of these pesticides is estimated to be between 0.1 and 100 ml/g and the concentration of pesticides being delivered to the water table is estimated to be between 10² and 10⁵ ng/L. It was found that the distribution and concentration of pesticides in the aquifer would be affected by an increase in groundwater abstraction within the region.

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Résumé L’aquifère du León-Chinandega au Nicaragua a été soumis à des contaminations étendues par des pesticides organochlorés persistants qui ont été répandus pendant des dizaines d’années d’agriculture intensive. Des modèles d’écoulement et de transport d’une sous-région de 330 km² de l’aquifère ont été construits pour tester des modèles conceptuels du transport de contaminants, pour contraindre la valeur de certains paramètres de transport clefs, et pour étudier les problèmes liés au transport de contaminations qui avaient été rencontrés lors d’études précédentes. Différents types de données hydrogéologiques et géochimiques ont été collectés pour réaliser ces modèles. La conclusion montre que les pesticides organochlorés rencontrés dans les eaux souterraines proviennent des sols et qu’ils sont transportés jusqu’à l’aquifère via de grandes zones d’écoulement préférentiel, via des raccourcis hydrauliques autour des puits, ou encore via des particules emportées par le vent et tombées dans des puits creusés à la main et mal protégés. Le coefficient de distribution (K _d) de ces pesticides est estimé entre 0.1 et 100 ml/g et la concentration de pesticides arrivant dans la nappe est estimée entre 10² et 10⁵ ng/L. L’étude a montré qu’une augmentation des prélèvements d’eau souterraine dans la région aurait un impact sur la distribution et la concentration des pesticides dans l’aquifère.

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Resumen El acuifero León-Chinandega (Nicaragua) presenta una contaminación extensiva por la aplicación de plaguicidas organoclorados en la agricultura intensiva durante décadas. Se han desarrollado modelos de flujo y transporte de una subregión del acuífero de 330 km² para comprobar los modelos conceptuales del transporte de contaminantes, estimar los valores de ciertos parámetros clave de transporte e investigar los temas relacionados con la contaminación en estudios anteriores. Para elaborar estos modelos, se recogió una variedad de datos hidrogeológicos y geoquímicos. Se ha concluido que los plaguicidas organoclorados presentes en el agua subterránea se originan en el suelo y son transportados hacia el nivel freático a través de flujos preferentes generalizados, a través de cortes alrededor de los pozos o a través de partículas transportadas por el viento depositadas en pozos excavados a mano con poca protección. El coeficiente de distribución (K _d) de estos plaguicidas se ha estimado entre 0.1 y 100 ml/g y la concentración de plaguicidas que sale hacia el nivel freático se estima que puede estar entre 10² y 10⁵ ng/L. Se ha concluido que el incremento de la extracción de aguas subterráneas dentro de la región afectaría la distribución y concentración de plaguicidas en el acuífero.

     

Fluids’ dynamics in transient air sparging of a heterogeneous unconfined aquifer

Water table dynamics, dissolved oxygen (DO) content, electrical resistivity (ER) in monitoring wells and air pressure in the vadose zone are monitored in air sparging (AS) accompanied by soil vapor extraction (SVE) at a hydrocarbon-contaminated groundwater site in Oman, where a diesel spillover affected a heterogeneous unconfined aquifer. The formation of a groundwater mound at the early stage of air injection and potential lateral migration of contaminants from the mound apex called for an additional hydrodynamic barrier constructed as a pair of pump-and-treat (P&T) wells whose recirculation zone encompassed the AS and SVE wells. In all monitored piezometers the phreatic surface showed a rapid and distinct peak, which is attributed to the time of air breakthrough from the injection point to the vadose zone and a relatively mild recession limb interpreted as a decay of the mound. Tracer tests showed a layer of a relatively low hydraulic conductivity at an intermediate depth of the screened interval of the wells. Increased levels of DO and borehole air pressure that have been observed (as far as 50 m away) are likely mitigated by SVE and P&T. Radius of influence can be indirectly inferred from ER and DO changes in the AS operation zone. Salt tracer tests have shown that groundwater velocity within the AS zone decreases with the increase of air injection rate.     

High-resolution aquifer analog of fluvial–aeolian sediments of the Guarani aquifer system

The Guarani aquifer system (GAS) represents one of the biggest aquifers in the world and is the most relevant groundwater resource in South America. For the first time, by combining field and laboratory measurements, a high-resolution aquifer analog model of fluvial–aeolian sediments of the GAS in São Paulo State (Brazil) is constructed. Three parallel sections of frontal outcrops, 28 m × 5.8 m, and two parallel sections of lateral outcrops, 7 m × 5.8 m, are recorded during open-pit mining of sandy sediments and describe in detail the three-dimensional distribution of the local lithofacies and hydrofacies. Variations of hydraulic conductivity, K, and porosity, n, are resolved on the centimeter scale, and the most permeable units of the fluvial–aeolian facies association are identified. The constructed aquifer analog model shows moderate hydraulic heterogeneity and a mean K value of 1.36 × 10^?4 m/s, which is greater than the reported range of K values for the entire GAS in São Paulo State. The results suggest that the examined sedimentary unit constitutes a relevant portion of the GAS in São Paulo State in the context of groundwater extraction and pollution. Moreover, the constructed aquifer analog is considered an ideal basis for future numerical model experiments, aiming at in-depth understanding of the groundwater flow and contaminant transport patterns at this GAS portion or at comparable fluvial–aeolian facies associations.     

High fluoride groundwater with high salinity and fluorite in aquifer sediments in Inner Mongolia, China

Fluoride poisoning is the most widespread and serious endemic disease in the inland river basins of northern China, where igneous rocks containing F-rich minerals of the Yanshan stage (Jurassic-Cretaceous) are extensively exposed in mountainous area. In I…     

Managed aquifer recharge(MAR)applications in China–achievements and challenges

Groundwater is of fundamental significance for human society,especially in semi-arid areas in China.However,due to the fast social and economic development,China has been suffering from the shortage of water resource.In this situation,managed aquifer recharge(MAR)was considered to be an effective measure for the sustainable management of groundwater resources.Since 1960 s,China successfully implemented many MAR schemes for different purposes such as restoration of groundwater tables,prevention of seawater intrusion,increasing urban water supplies and controlling land subsidence.From those successful experiences China developed a scientific and applicable system to implement MAR project.However,there were still many challenges in this field,for example,treated waste water had been barely used for recharge.The present review summarized the achievements in MAR applications in China as well as the associated challenges within the past 55 years before the year 2016.     

Crude oil in a shallow sand and gravel aquifer—II. Organic geochemistry

Crude oil spilled from a pipeline break in a remote area of north-central Minnesota has contaminated a shallow glacial outwash aquifer. Part of the oil was sprayed over a large area to the west of the pipeline and part of it accumulated in an oil body that floats at the water table to the east of the point of discharge. Total dissolved organic carbon (TDOC) concentrations in shallow groundwater collected in the oil spray area reach 16 mg/l. This is nearly an order of magnitude higher than the TDOC concentrations of native groundwater (∼2–3mg/l). The additional TDOC derives from the partial degradation of petroleum residues deposited at the land surface and transported to the aquifer by vertical recharge. In the vicinity of the oil body, TDOC concentrations in groundwater are 48 mg/l, 58% of the TDOC being composed of non-volatile organic C. The majority of the volatile DOC (63%) is a mixture of low-molecular-weight saturated, aromatic and alicyclic hydrocarbons derived from the oil. Downgradient from the oil body along the direction of groundwater flow, concentrations of all measured constituents of the TDOC pool decrease. Concentrations begin to decline most rapidly, however, in the zone where dissolved O₂ concentrations begin to increase, ∼50m downgradient from the leading edge of the oil. Within the anoxic zone near the oil body, removal rates of isometric monoaromatic hydrocarbons vary widely. This indicates that the removal processes are mediated mainly by microbiological activity. Molecular and spectroscopic characterization of the TDOC and its spatial and temporal variation provide evidence of the importance of biogeochemical processes in attenuating petroleum contaminants in this perturbed subsurface environment.     

Natural salinity sources in the groundwaters of Jordan—Importance of sustainable aquifer management

In recent years, voices in Jordan became lauder to exploit the fresh to brackish deep groundwater overlain by fresh groundwater bodies. In this article the implications of such a policy on the existing fresh water bodies are worked out through studying the sources of salinity in the different aquifer systems and the potentials of salinity mobilization by artificial changes in the hydrodynamic regimes. It is concluded that extracting the groundwater of deep aquifers overlain by fresh water bodies, whether the deep groundwater is fresh to brackish, brackish or salty, is equivalent to extracting groundwater from the overlying fresh groundwater bodies because of the hydraulic connections of the deep and the shallow aquifers’ groundwaters. The consequences are even more complicated and severe because exploiting the deep groundwater containing brackish or salty water will lead to refilling by fresh groundwater leaking from the overlying aquifers. The leaking water becomes salinized as soon as it enters the pore spaces of the emptied deep aquifer matrix and by mixing with the deep aquifer brackish or saline groundwater. Therefore, the move to exploit the deep groundwater is misleading and damaging the aquifers and is unjust to future generation's rights in the natural wealth of Jordan or any other country with similar aquifers’ set-up. In addition, desalination produces brines with high salinity which cannot easily be discharged in the highlands of Jordan (with only very limited access to the open sea) because they will on the long term percolate down into fresh water aquifers.     

Chloride as tracer of solute transport in the aquifer–aquitard system in the Pearl River Delta,China

A 1D numerical model is constructed to investigate the impact of sedimentation and sea level changes on transport of Cl^? in the aquifer–aquitard system in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), China. The model simulates the evolution of the vertical Cl^? concentration profiles during the Holocene. Sedimentation is modeled as a moving boundary problem. Chloride concentration profiles are reconstructed for nine boreholes, covering a wide area of the PRD, from northwest to southeast. Satisfactory agreement is obtained between simulated and measured Cl^? concentration profiles. Diffusion solely is adequate to reproduce the vertical Cl^? concentration profiles, which indicates that diffusion is the regionally dominant vertical transport mechanism across the aquitards in the PRD. The estimated effective diffusion coefficients of the aquitards range from 2.0?×?10^–11 to 2.0?×?10^–10 m²/s. The effective diffusion coefficients of the aquifers range from 3.0?×?10^–11 to 4.0?×?10^–10 m²/s. Advective transport tends to underestimate Cl^? concentrations in the aquitard and overestimate Cl^? concentrations in the basal aquifer. The results of this study will help understand the mechanisms of solute transport in the PRD and other deltas with similar geological and hydrogeological characteristics.     

Geochemical evolution of groundwater in the Cambrian–Vendian aquifer system of the Baltic Basin

The shallowly buried marginal part of the Cambrian–Vendian confined aquifer system of the Baltic Basin is characterised by fresh and low δ¹⁸O composition water, whereas the deeply settled parts of the aquifer are characterized by typical Na–Ca–Cl basinal brines. Spatial variation in water geochemistry and stable isotope composition suggests mixing origin of the diluted water of three end-members—glacial melt water of the Weichselian Ice Age (115 000–10 000 BP), Na–Ca–Cl composition basin brine and modern meteoric water. The mixing has occurred in two stages. First, the intrusion and mixing of isotopically depleted glacial waters with basinal brines occurred during the Pleistocene glacial periods when the subglacial melt-water with high hydraulic gradient penetrated into the aquifer. The second stage of mixing takes place nowadays by intrusion of meteoric waters. The freshened water at the northern margin of the basin has acquired a partial equilibrium with the weakly cemented rock matrix of the aquifer.     

Major ions characteristics in a disturbed aquifer of an oceanic island—Sipadan, Malaysia

The Sipadan island is the only oceanic island found in Malaysia, and is popularly known for its beautiful corals and diving activities. The aquifer of the island is affected by seawater intrusion associated with groundwater exploitation. Geologically, the…     

Hydrogeology of the Mercosul aquifer system in the Paraná and Chaco-Paraná Basins, South America, and comparison with the Navajo-Nugget aquifer system, USA

 The giant Mercosul aquifer system consists of Triassic-Jurassic eolian-fluvio-lacustrine sandstones confined by Cretaceous basalt flows, and it covers about 1,195,500 km² (461,583 miles²) in South America. The aquifer system encompasses all of the Paraná Basin and part of the Chaco-Paraná Basin and is one of the world's largest. The eolian Botucatu Sandstone and its equivalents form an important part of this system. Maps of structure, thickness of overlying rocks, and water temperature, and a potentiometric map, all based on 322 wells, define hydrogeologic characteristics and provide the basis for establishing guidelines for the long-term equilibrium use of this important multinational aquifer system. The Mercosul aquifer system is divided into two domains – the larger and better understood Paraná Basin and the smaller and less well understood Chaco-Paraná Basin. Most of the northern part of the Paraná Basin has axially-directed groundwater flow, whereas the southern part of the aquifer discharges mostly to the southwest into the Corrientes Province of Argentina, with negligible discharge into the Atlantic Ocean. The Mercosul aquifer system is conservatively estimated to have been flushed at least 180 times since deposition. Various factors are responsible for this flushing, including appreciable rainfall since the end of the Cretaceous Period, probable uplift of the basins' borders in Late Cretaceous time, simple basin geometry, long-term riverine and groundwater flow to the southwest (ancestral and present Paraná River Systems), and stable cratonic setting. Key hydraulic properties of the Mercosul aquifer system are compared to those of the eolian Jurassic Navajo-Nugget System of the western United States. The results demonstrate the importance of tectonics and climate on the evolution of sub-continental aquifer systems. Received, September 1997 / Revised, December 1998 / Accepted, January 1999     

Geological sources of boron and fluoride anomalies in Silurian–Ordovician aquifer system,Estonia

The objective of this study was to examine the possible natural sources of fluorides and boron in Silurian–Ordovician (S–O) aquifer system, as the anomaly of these elements has been distinguished in groundwater of western Estonia. Water–rock interactions, such as dissolution and leaching of the host rock, are considered to be the main source of high fluoride and boron concentrations in groundwater. Altogether 91 rock samples were analysed to determine if high F⁻ and B levels in groundwater could be attributed to certain aquifer forming rock types. Fluorine and boron contents in limestones and dolomites vary from 100 to 500 mg/kg and 5 to 20 mg/kg, reaching up to 1,000 and 150 mg/kg in marlstones, respectively. K-bentonites, altered volcanic ash beds, are rich in fluorine (400–4,500 mg/kg) and boron (50–1,000 mg/kg). Thus, clay-rich sediments, providing ion-exchange and adsorption sites for F⁻ and B, are the probable sources of both elements in S–O aquifer system in western Estonia.     

The Dammam aquifer in Bahrain – Hydrochemical characterization and alternatives for management of groundwater quality

 Over-abstraction of the Dammam aquifer, the principal aquifer in Bahrain, by the agricultural and domestic sectors, has led to its salinization by adjacent brackish and saline water bodies. A hydrochemical study identified the locations of the sources of aquifer salinization and delineated their areas of influence. The investigation indicates that the aquifer water quality is significantly modified as groundwater flows from the northwestern parts of Bahrain, where the aquifer receives its water by lateral underflow from eastern Saudi Arabia, to the southern and southeastern parts. Four types of salinization of the aquifer are identified: brackish-water up-flow from the underlying brackish-water zones in north-central, western, and eastern regions; seawater intrusion in the eastern region; intrusion of sabkha water in the southwestern region; and irrigation return flow in a local area in the western region. Four alternatives for the management of groundwater quality that are available to the water authorities in Bahrain are discussed and their priority areas are proposed, based on the type and extent of each salinization source, in addition to groundwater use in that area. The effectiveness of the proposed management options in controlling the degradation of water quality in the Dammam aquifer should be evaluated using simulation modeling. Received: June 1998 Revised: November 1998 Accepted: December 1998     

Factors causing dynamic variations in the saltwater–freshwater transition zone in a beach aquifer, Mangsang, South Korea

Dynamic variation in the saltwater–freshwater transition zone below a seafront beach in South Korea was investigated with long-term monitoring of the groundwater in relation to the precipitation, wave height, and tide. Correlation, spectral analysis, and regression analysis of monitoring data were performed to deduce the relationships between these factors. The general shape of the transition zone was affected by the seasonal groundwater levels, but temporary fluctuations were predominantly affected by local rising-groundwater-level events. The distinct increases in the groundwater level were closely related to the wave height. Different patterns of electrical conductivity (EC) change were detected in the shallow and deep zones, and these differences indicated that the transition zone was highly dynamic. The EC values at shallow depths were temporarily increased by the wave setup and tidal fluctuations during the rising-groundwater events, but the EC at greater depths was reduced by the seaward or downward movement of the relative freshwater. In exceptional cases, during extreme increases in the groundwater level resulting from seawater flooding, the rapid downward flow of the flooding saltwater through the well bore caused synchronous EC fluctuations at all depths.     

Identification of hydrogeochemical processes in a volcano-sedimentary aquifer of Ciénega de Chapala in Michoacán,Mexico

The present study characterized the hydrogeochemical processes of the aquifer of Ciénega de Chapala in Michoacán, Mexico. The dominant water families contained bicarbonate magnesium and sodium. In the region, water infiltrates into a fractured volcanic environment exposed in the surrounding mountains and is transmitted to the volcano-sedimentary units of the ciénega, where silicate alteration and ion exchange processes occur in the clays of the subsoil. The Gibb diagrams confirm that the main evolutionary processes in the aquifer are rock-water interactions in the local flow and evaporation in the intermediate and regional flows. The molar ratios of HCO₃/Na and Ca/Na are congruent with the type of volcano-sedimentary environment present in the area. Ternary mixing processes associated with three end members were also identified and were related to the flow systems in the area. The local flow contributes 77% of water to the system, and the intermediate and regional flows contribute 16% and 7%, respectively.     

Major ions characteristics in a disturbed aquifer of an oceanic island——Sipadan, Malaysia

The Sipadan island is the only oceanic island found in Malaysia, and is popularly known for its beautiful corals and diving activities. The aquifer of the island is affected by seawater intrusion associated with groundwater exploitation. Geologically, the aquifer is composed of several series of Quaternary bioherm facies, and its recharge merely depends on rainfall. This research attempts to understand the chemical changes of the groundwater attributed to the salinization processes based on major ion composition （Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋, Na^＋, K^＋, HCO, SO, Cl^-）. The initial assessments were done in years 1993 - 1994, followed by subsequent assessment in years 2004-2005. Methods of analyses were adopted from APHA （1995）. The hydrogeochemical saturation indices （SI） were computed using the PHREEQC program in order to assess the state of equilibrium between groundwater and the minerals present. The results of analyses indicated that the groundwater has been highly enriched in Na^＋, SO and CI, reflecting an encroachment of saline water into the aquifer. The groundwater facies can be classified as sodium chloride （Na-Cl） water type. There are positive correlations （moderate to strong）, except HCO3^-, between the studied parameters. The weak and inconsistent correlation of HCO3^- with the cations and anions related to dissolved salts suggests that saltwater intrusion has an insignificant impact on the chemistry of HCO3^- in the groundwater. Strong correlations （r 〉0.70） exist among the major elements （Na^＋, Mg^2＋, K^＋, Cl^- and SO4^-） and salinity （EC）. These relationships clearly identify the main elements contributing to the groundwater salinity and their tendency to depict a similar trend of salinization pattern. Chloride has a major influence on the salinity of groundwater based on the positive and strong correlation that exist between Cl^- and EC （r=0.97）.