Effects of tides on a sloping shore: groundwater dynamics and propagation of the tidal wave

The influences of tides on a coastal environment with a sloping shore are investigated by means of field observations and groundwater flow modelling. The Belgian western coastal plain consists of a wide shore, dunes and polders where diurnal tides with large amplitude occur. The effects of tides on the groundwater flow are studied using the MOCDENS3D code. First, MOCDENS3D is validated to accurately simulate the propagation, attenuation and lag of a tidal wave in an aquifer. Then groundwater flow and influences of tides are modelled for a cross-section along the French–Belgian border. This gives an exhaustive insight into the spatial and temporal varying groundwater flow and propagation of the tidal wave in the aquifer. Simulation shows that there are two interfering flow cycles. The first is a shallow tidally fluctuating flow cycle on the shore due to the interaction of the gently sloping shore and the tidally oscillating sea level. The second is a deeper flow cycle from the dunes towards the sea. Further, it is indicated that the propagation and attenuation of the tidal wave follows a complex pattern with lateral as well as vertical components. The interaction between tides and shore topography also influences the salinity distribution.     

Mapping of the hyporheic zone around a tidal creek using a combination of borehole logging,borehole electrical tomography and cross-creek electrical imaging,New South Wales,Australia

A combination of electrical imaging carried out across a tidal creek and borehole electrical tomography between strings of electrodes installed in bores adjacent to the creek is used to establish the shape of the hyporheic zone beneath a tidal creek in a sand aquifer. The interpretations provided by the data inversions are checked against fluid electrical conductivity (EC) samples collected from bundled piezometers installed in the creek banks and from bulk EC measurements made using induction logs in bores on the creek banks. Extensive seepage into the base of the creek is identified from the electrical image and verified by independent measurements of hydraulic head and fluid EC. The Effective Medium Theory is used to derive values of fluid EC from bulk resistivity measurements obtained from the inversion process. The data show an extensive zone of mixing between seawater and rainwater recharge into the aquifer, with the shape of the hyporheic zone strongly influenced by regional groundwater discharge and the presence of a thin layer of cemented sands at a depth of 10 m. The combined interpretation demonstrates the importance of borehole control in the interpretation of electrical images measured from the surface over complex EC distributions. Electronic Publication     

Geochemical evolution of groundwater in the Maneadero coastal aquifer during a dry year in Baja California, Mexico

Water pumped from 25 shallow wells (<31 m) in the Maneadero unconfined coastal aquifer was studied geochemically in order to determine the short-term compositional variability of the aquifer due to seawater intrusion during a drier than normal year (Fall 2001 to Fall 2002). The groundwater was commonly found to be mixed with seawater, with TDS concentrations in November 2002 ranging from 0.99 to 9.46 g l^–1, having an intermediate Na⁺Cl^– to Ca²⁺Cl^– water-type. Rapid recharge events of short duration, after low and short rainfall events during the study period, are suggested from short-term fluctuations in water quality. Seawater intrusion is progressing faster in the central and southern coastal sections of the aquifer and has recently affected the quality of the sites pumping water to the nearby city of Ensenada. Only one of the wells used for the Ensenada water supply had a TDS concentration lower than the 1.0 g l^–1 official limit. Low flow rates and high residence times of water are inferred to be the cause for high alkalinity in the east-central section of the aquifer. High NO₃ in the east-central aquifer indicates that any NO₃ infiltration due to fertilizer use was only slightly dispersed. After a short rainfall season during winter 2001, a significant decrease was seen for the previously most enriched site. However, concentrations above the 10 mg l^–1 official limit persisted in 2002, affecting one well for urban supply (15.9 mg l^–1). The water from this well is nevertheless mixed with better-quality water from other wells before being distributed through the citys piping system.

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Resumen Se estudió la geoquímica de aguas bombeadas por medio de 25 pozos no muy profundos (<31 m) en el acuifero costero no confinado de Maneadero con el objetivo de determinar la variación de la composición en el corto plazo en el acuifero por la intrusión de agua de mar durante un año más seco de lo normal (otoño 2001 a otoño 2002). Se observó que comúnmente las aguas subterráneas estaban mezcladas con agua de mar, con concentraciones de sólidos totales disveltos (STD) de entre 0.99--9.46 g l^–1 y un tipo de agua intermedia Na⁺Cl^– to Ca²⁺Cl^–. A partir de las fluctuaciones en la calidad del agua en el corto plazo se puede inferir que se dan eventos de recarga rápida de poca duración después de eventos de poca lluvia de poca duración y poco volumen durante el periodo de estudio. La intrusión de agua de mar está progresando más rápido en el centro y sur del acuifero costero y ha afectado recientemente la calidad de los sitios de bombeo de agua para la ciudad de Ensenada. Solamente uno de los pozos usados para el abastamiento de Ensenada tiene un STD por debajo del límite oficial de 1.0 g l^–1. Se presume que las razones lentas de flujo y los tiempos de residencia largos del agua son la causa de la alta alcalinidad en el centro-este del acuifero. Una concentración alta de NO₃ en el este-centro del acuifero indica que cualquier infiltración de NO₃ por aplicación de fertilizantes ha sido poco dispersad. Después de poca lluvia en el invierno de 2001, se observó una disminución importante en la zona previamente más enriquecida. Sin embargo, concentraciones sobre el límite oficial de 10 mg l^–1 continuaron en 2002, afectando a un pozo para suministro de agua urbana (15.9 mg l^–1). El agua extraída de este pozo es mezclada con agua de mejor calidad y se distribuye por el sistema urbano de suministro de agua.

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Résumé Leau de pompage de 25 puits peu profonds (<31 m) situés dans laquifère côtier non-confiné de Maneadero a été étudiée dans le but de déterminer la variation géochimique à court terme qui résulte de lintrusion deau de mer lors dune année plus sèche quà lhabitude (automne 2001 à automne 2002). Leau souterraine est souvent retrouvée mélangée avec de leau de mer, avec des concentrations en résidus solides dissous (RSD) qui sétalent entre 0.99 et 9.46 g l^–1 pour novembre 2002, avec un type intermédiaire en Na⁺Cl^– jusquà Ca²⁺Cl^–. Les processus suggérés pour les fluctuations rapides de la qualité de leau sont des événements de recharge de courte duré suite à de faibles et brèves périodes de précipitations. Lintrusion deau de mer progresse plus rapidement dans les parties centrales et sud de laquifère côtier où la qualité de leau pompée vers la ville de Ensenada a récemment été affectée. Un seul des puits utilisés par la ville de Ensenada pour lapprovisionnement en eau potable a une concentration en RSD sous la limite officielle permise de 1.0 g l^–1. Le temps de résidence élevé et le faible taux découlement de leau souterraine sont présumés être la cause de lalcalinité élevée dans la partie centrale-est de laquifère. La concentration élevée en NO₃ dans cette partie de laquifère indique que la totalité de linfiltration de NO₃ dû à lutilisation de fertilisants ne sest que très peu dispersée. Suite à une courte saison des pluies à lhiver 2001, une diminution substantielle a été notée au site qui était le plus enrichi avant la saison des pluies. Malgré tout, des concentrations dépassant la limite officielle permise de 10 mg l^–1 ont persisté, affectant un puits utilisé pour lapprovisionnement urbain (15.9 mg l^–1). Leau provenant de ce puits est toutefois mélangée avec de leau de meilleure qualité provenant dautres puits avant dêtre distribuée par laqueduc municipal.

     

Hydrogeochemistry and isotope analyses used to determine groundwater recharge and flow in low-gradient catchments of the province of Buenos Aires,Argentina

The region known as Pampa Plain, in Argentina, is a vast area characterized by slopes of less than 0.05%. The surface sediment is silty sand, mainly Aeolian, referred to as Pampean Loess, which is a phreatic aquifer unit of utmost importance for the water supply of the region. On account of the slight gradient, hydrogeological analyses using only hydraulic measurements are difficult to perform, often leading to confusing results. Thus, the study presented relies on hydrochemical modeling and isotopic determinations as well. The study area comprises three catchments in the inter-mountainous area corresponding to El Moro, Tamangueyú and Seco creeks, and covering 2,570 km² in the province of Buenos Aires. Measurements of piezometric levels and samples of groundwater, surface water and rainwater were carried out between January and March 2005. Major ion results were analyzed by means of hydrochemical graphs and hydrogeochemical modelling using NETPATH. The resulting data show that it is possible to identify local changes in recharge, flow direction and stream/groundwater relationship by using hydrochemical and isotopic information, which may become a useful and more precise tool for the study of particularly flat landscapes.     

Geophysical and hydrogeologic investigation of groundwater in the Karoo stratigraphic sequence at Sawmills in northern Matabeleland,Zimbabwe: a case history

Geophysical and hydrogeological investigations have been carried out around Sawmills in Zimbabwe, Africa. The investigations are components of a larger investigation to assess the groundwater potential of the Karoo sedimentary basin with regards to supplying water to Bulawayo City. The Sawmills area was selected due to the availability of borehole logs indicating favourable stratigraphy for groundwater availability and due to the high yields from the aquifers measured from these boreholes. Data collected using two geophysical methods are presented here: transient electromagnetic (TEM) and continuous vertical electrical sounding (CVES) data. The data have also been processed using laterally constrained inversion (LCI). Because the CVES provides greater detail in the shallow subsurface, whereas TEM is more effective at depth, a more accurate image of the entire subsurface profile is provided based on using both methods. The results suggest that LCI of CVES and TEM data, in the subsurface at the required depths at Sawmills, is able to provide a substantially more accurate image of the subsurface than either method alone. The hydrogeological interpretation of the geophysical data is valuable for determining the depth to and thickness of the potential aquifer horizon(s) and for identifying the position of potential recharge zones.     

A new indicator of movement direction during orogenesis: measurement technique and application to the Alps

The orientation of axes of sigmoidal, staircase or spiral inclusion trails within porphyroblasts provides an indicator of the direction of movement during deformation that is synchronous with metamorphism. A simple technique is presented in detail to find this axis in 3D by radially sectioning a horizontal slab cut from an oriented sample. When viewed from one direction, the switch in asymmetry of the porphyroblast inclusion trails in these sections defines the trend of the axis. Further radial sectioning of a vertical slab cut parallel to this trend determines the plunge of this axis.
This technique is independent of the model adopted for the formation of sigmoidal or spiral-shaped inclusion trails and can be used to evaluate the mechanism by which they form. It can also be used to evaluate theories of folding and orogenesis. Measurements of spiral and sigmoid axes in garnet porphyroblasts from the European Alps show that they reflect the movement of the African Plate relative to Europe better than linear indicators preserved within the same rocks.     

Radiomagnetotelluric mapping, groundwater numerical modelling and 18-Oxygen isotopic data as combined tools to determine the hydrogeological system of a landslide prone area

Three methods were combined to determine the groundwater recharge and transfer processes of a landslide prone area. First, the radiomagnetotelluric method was used to investigate the distribution of electrical resistivity (ρ) of the subsurface and build a three-dimensional model of permeability (k), through an experimental relation between ρ and k. Second, this structural model of permeability and additional climatologic data were used to fix boundary and recharge conditions to perform a three-dimensional and transient numerical simulation of the groundwater flow. Finally 18-Oxygen time series observed at the main springs were used to validate the model. This association of methods led to an improved characterization of the groundwater flow system at local scale and a better understanding of the role of this system on the landslide phenomenon. This structured approach is thought to be useful to design specific remediation strategies to drain the unstable mass.