Aquifer modelling of the Ganga–Mahawa sub‐basin,a part of the Central Ganga Plain,Uttar Pradesh,India

The Ganga–Mahawa sub‐basin, which has an area of 1280 km² forms the western part of the Central Ganga Plain in the Moradabad and Badaun districts of western Uttar Pradesh, India. The Bundelkhand granite forms the basement complex, overlain unconformably by the upper Vindhyan sequence, which is further overlain by the Neogene (Middle and Upper) Siwaliks and finally by Quaternary alluvium. Four geomorphological units, the Varanasi older alluvial plain, Aligarh older alluvial plain, terrace zones and the Ganga recent floodplain, abandoned channels, channel scars and meander scars represent various landforms. The hydrogeological cross‐sections indicate the occurrence of a single aquifer down to 120 m. Some influent seepage from the River Ganga could be seen around Gangeswari, but the rest of the River Ganga is effluent. Groundwater‐flow modelling was carried out to assess the degree of Ganga river and aquifer interaction. The River Ganga marks the western boundary; boundaries to the northeast and southeast are set as fixed heads to simulate lateral inflow into and outflow from the sub‐basin respectively. The eastern boundary is simulated as a no‐flow condition. The Mahawa and Badmar rivers are considered to be effluent. The area modelled is covered by a grid of 34 rows×46 columns with three layers, viz., an unconfined aquifer, an aquitard which is underlain by a semi‐confined to confined aquifer. The permeability distribution was inferred from morphometric analysis and pumping tests. Natural recharge due to monsoon rainfall forms the main input. The River Ganga stage data at Ahar, Naora and Ramghat has been used for assigning surface water levels and river bed elevations in the model. Abstraction from all existing deep and shallow tube wells has been assigned as output at various cells. A steady state flow simulation was carried out and calibrated against the June 1986 water level; subsequent transient conditions were calibrated up to May 1995. The computed groundwater balance was comparable to that estimated from field investigations. The aquifer modelling study has attempted to integrate all available information and provided a tool that could be used for predictive simulation. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The occurrence and behaviour of fluoride in the groundwater of the Lower Vamsadhara River basin,India

Abstract

Reports on the occurrence of fluoride in natural water resources and the associated health hazards due to human consumption have been made from many parts of India during the last decade. With the objective of organizing a systematic scientific programme to understand the behaviour of fluoride in natural water resources in relation to the local hydrogeological and climatic conditions and agricultural use, a typical area constituting the lower Vamsadhara River basin was chosen for a detailed study. High fluoride concentrations in the groundwater reaching a maximum of 3.4 mg 1^?1 were observed to be associated with weathered formations of pyroxene amphibolites and pegmatites. The groundwater in the clayey soils contained much less fluoride as compared to the sandy soils. The complex depositional pattern of these sandy and clayey soils plays an important role in the uneven spatial distribution of fluoride in the groundwater. The contribution of fluoride from geological formations is far greater than that from agriculture: the maximum yield of fluoride by superphosphate fertilizer to irrigation water is observed to be 0.34 mg 1^?1. The fluoride concentration is expected to be increased in the future as the groundwater is subsaturated with respect to fluorite. An inverse relationship between F and Ca and positive relationships of F with Na, HCO₃, PO₄ and electrical conductivity were observed. Best relationships were obtained in the fluoride range of 1.0–3.4 mg 1^?1.     

Estimating groundwater recharge from water isotope (δ2H, δ18O) depth profiles in the Densu River basin,Ghana

Abstract

Accurate estimation of groundwater recharge is essential for the proper management of aquifers. A study of water isotope (δ²H, δ¹⁸O) depth profiles was carried out to estimate groundwater recharge in the Densu River basin in Ghana, at three chosen observation sites that differ in their altitude, geology, climate and vegetation. Water isotopes and water contents were analysed with depth to determine water flow in the unsaturated zone. The measured data showed isotope enrichment in the pore water near the soil surface due to evaporation. Seasonal variations in the isotope signal of the pore water were also observed to a depth of 2.75 m. Below that depth, the seasonal variation of the isotope signal was attenuated due to diffusion/dispersion and low water flow velocities. Groundwater recharge rates were determined by numerical modelling of the unsaturated water flow and water isotope transport. Different groundwater recharge rates were computed at the three observation sites and were found to vary between 94 and 182 mm/year (± max. 7%). Further, the approximate peak-shift method was applied to give information about groundwater recharge rates. Although this simple method neglects variations in flow conditions and only considers advective transport, it yielded mean groundwater recharge rates of 110–250 mm/year (± max. 30%), which were in the same order of magnitude as computed numerical modelling values. Integrating these site-specific groundwater recharge rates to the whole catchment indicates that more water is potentially renewed than consumed nowadays. With increases in population and irrigation, more clean water is required, and knowledge about groundwater recharge rates – essential for improving the groundwater management in the Densu River basin – can be easily obtained by measuring water isotope depth profiles and applying a simple peak-shift approach.

Citation Adomako, D., Maloszewski, P., Stumpp, C., Osae, S. & Akiti, T. T. (2010) Estimating groundwater recharge from water isotope (δ²H, δ¹⁸O) depth profiles in the Densu River basin, Ghana. Hydrol. Sci. J. 55(8), 1405–1416.     

Recharge and mineralization of groundwater of the Upper Cretaceous aquifer in Orontes basin,Syria

Abstract

Chemical and isotopic data of groundwater of the Upper Cretaceous aquifer in the Orontes basin, Syria, have been used to assess the groundwater geochemistry, the origin of groundwater recharge and groundwater residence time. The chemical data indicate that dissolution of evaporite minerals is the main process controlling groundwater mineralization. The composition of stable isotopes δ¹⁸O and δ²H, together with ¹⁴C activity, reflect the existence of three different groups: (a) groundwater in the Coastal Mountains with δ¹⁸O of –6.65‰, quite similar to modern-day precipitation, and high ¹⁴C (>50 pmC); (b) groundwater in the unconfined aquifer of the Hama Uplift, which has δ¹⁸O of –5.52‰ and ¹⁴C near 20 pmC, and is recharged locally; and (c) groundwater from the confined aquifer of the Homs Depression, which is characterized by more depleted δ¹⁸O,, –8.01‰, and low ¹⁴C (<7 pmC), and might be recharged in the northern piedmont of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains. The distinctive isotope signatures of the latter two groups indicate different recharge elevations and palaeoclimatic effects. The low recharge rate of the groundwater in the Hama Uplift aquifer, and the even slower recharge rate in the Homs Depression aquifer, are reflected by groundwater ¹⁴C residence times of 5 and over 22 Ka BP, respectively.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis

Citation Al-Charideh, A., 2013. Recharge and mineralization of groundwater of the Upper Cretaceous aquifer in Orontes basin (Syria). Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (2), 452–467.     

The role of run-on for overland flow and the characteristics of runoff generation in the Loess Plateau,China

Abstract

The Loess Plateau in China is overlain by deep and loose soil. As in other semi-arid regions, convective precipitation produces storms, typically of short duration, relatively high intensity and limited areal extent. Infiltration excess (Hortonian mechanism) of precipitation is conventionally assumed to be more prominent than saturation excess (Dunne mechanism) for storm runoff generation. This assumption is true at a point during the storm. However, the runoff generation mechanism is altered when the runoff is conditioned by a lateral redistribution movement of water, i.e. run-on, as the spatial scale increases. In the Loess Plateau, the effects of run-on may be significant, because of the deep and loose surface soil layer. In this study, the role of run-on for overland flow in the Upper Wei River basin, located in the Loess Plateau, is evaluated by means of a simple numerical model at the hillslope scale. The results show that almost all the Hortonian overland flow infiltrates into the soil along the flat hillslope and dry gully before it reaches the river channel. Most of the runoff is generated from the saturated soil near the river channel and from the subsurface. The run-on process takes much longer than the infiltration, facilitating rainfall–runoff modelling at a daily time step. A hydrological model is employed to investigate the characteristics of runoff generation in the Upper Wei River basin. The analysis shows that the subsurface flow contribution to total streamflow is more than 53% from October to March, while the overland flow contribution exceeds 72% from April to September.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Associate editor Dawen Yang

Citation Liu, D.F., Tian, F.Q., Hu, H.C., and Hu, H.P., 2012. The role of run-on for overland flow and the characteristics of runoff generation in the Loess Plateau, China. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (6), 1107–1117.     

Adsorption of metal ions on bed sediments

Abstract

The adsorption of lead and zinc ions on bed sediments of the River Kali in western Uttar Pradesh, India, has been studied. The role of the coarser sediment fraction (210–250 μm) in controlling metal pollution has been elucidated and compared to those of the clay and silt fractions. The parameters controlling metal uptake, viz., solution pH, sediment dose, contact time, and particle size have been evaluated. The optimum contact time needed to reach equilibrium is of the order of 45 min for both the metal ions. The extent of adsorption increases with an increase of pH. Furthermore, the adsorption of the metal ions increases with increasing adsorbent doses and decreases with adsorbent particle size. The two geochemical phases of iron and manganese oxide act as the active support material for the adsorption of the metal ions.     

Hydrogeochemical evaluation of high-fluoride groundwaters: a case study from Mehsana District,Gujarat, India

Abstract

Groundwater quality problems have emerged in many geographical areas due to natural environmental processes and human intervention in the geosystems. Hydrogeochemical appraisal of fluoride contaminated groundwater in Mehsana District, Gujarat State, India is carried out by means of groundwater quality investigations together with X-ray diffraction analysis of soil samples in the delineated high fluoride areas. Results show that fluoride has negative relationships with calcium, whereas relationships with sodium, alkalinity and sulphate are positive. Results obtained from aqueous speciation modelling using PHREEQC reveal that the groundwater is undersaturated with fluorite and oversaturated with calcite. The factor analysis indicates that sodium plus potassium bicarbonate groundwater have high factor loading for fluoride, whereas that for calcium chloride and magnesium chloride groundwater is low. The plausible geochemical reactions in the study area are precipitation of calcite and dissolution of dolomite, carbon dioxide and sulphate minerals with ion exchange.     

Rainfall–runoff–inundation analysis of the 2010 Pakistan flood in the Kabul River basin

Abstract

Pakistan has suffered a devastating flood disaster in 2010. In the Kabul River basin (92 605 km²), large-scale riverine and flash floods caused destructive damage with more than 1100 casualties. This study analysed rainfall–runoff and inundation in the Kabul River basin with a newly developed model that simulates the processes of rainfall–runoff and inundation simultaneously based on two-dimensional diffusion wave equations. The simulation results showed a good agreement with an inundation map produced based on MODIS for large-scale riverine flooding. In addition, the simulation identified flash flood-affected areas, which were confirmed to be severely damaged based on a housing damage distribution map. Since the model is designed to be used even immediately after a disaster, it can be a useful tool for analysing large-scale flooding and to provide supplemental information to agencies for relief operations.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz

Citation Sayama, T., Ozawa, G., Kawakami, T., Nabesaka, S. and Fukami, K., 2012. Rainfall–runoff–inundation analysis of the 2010 Pakistan flood in the Kabul River basin. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (2), 298–312.     

Chemical and isotopic assessment of surface water–shallow groundwater interaction in the arid Grande river basin,North-Central Chile

ABSTRACT

This paper analyses the composition of surface water and shallow groundwater in the Grande River basin, North-Central Chile, using this information to characterize water interactions. Chemical and isotopic data for surface water and groundwater (7 and 6 sampling locations, respectively) were obtained from three sampling campaigns performed in March–April (autumn), August–September (late winter) and December (early summer) 2012. Precipitation samples were also collected. Data was processed using spatial distribution charts, Piper and Stiff diagrams, and multivariate analysis. In general, the results for each method converge on a high degree of connectivity between surface water and shallow groundwater in the study area. Furthermore, approximately a 10% of groundwater contribution to the surface flow discharge was estimated for a particular reach. This multi-method approach was useful for the characterization of surface water–groundwater interactions in the Grande River basin, and may become a suitable and replicable scheme for studies in arid and semi-arid basins facing similar water management challenges.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Associate editor B. Dewals     

Modelling streamflow trends for a watershed with limited data: case of the Litani basin,Lebanon

Abstract

Streamflow variability in the Upper and Lower Litani basin, Lebanon was modelled as there is a lack of long-term measured runoff data. To simulate runoff and streamflow, daily rainfall was derived using a stochastic rainfall generation model and monthly rainfall data. Two distinct synthetic rainfall models were developed based on a two-part probabilistic distribution approach. The rainfall occurrence was described by a Markov chain process, while the rainfall distribution on wet days was represented by two different distributions (i.e. gamma and mixed exponential distributions). Both distributions yielded similar results. The rainfall data were then processed using water balance and routing models to generate daily and monthly streamflow. Compared with measured data, the model results were generally reasonable (mean errors ranging from 0.1 to 0.8?m³/s at select locations). Finally, the simulated monthly streamflow data were used to investigate discharge trends in the Litani basin during the 20th century using the Mann-Kendall and Sen slope nonparametric trend detection methods. A significant drying trend of the basin was detected, reaching a streamflow reduction of 0.8 and 0.7 m³/s per decade in January for the Upper and Lower basin, respectively.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Associate editor Sheng Yue

Citation Ramadan, H.H., Beighley, R.E., and Ramamurthy, A.S., 2012. Modelling streamflow trends for a watershed with limited data: case of the Litani basin, Lebanon. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (8), 1516–1529.     

Surface/groundwater interactions in the Bani and Nakambe rivers,tributaries of the Niger and Volta basins,West Africa

Abstract

The upper Niger and Volta rivers exhibit a great and highly contrasting variability of inter-annual runoff. The Bani River, the largest tributary to the Niger River in Mali, shows a dramatic decrease in runoff after the 1970s, with the result that many boreholes in the region have dried up since the drought began. In contrast, the Nakambe River (Upper Volta basin, in Burkina Faso) shows an increase in runoff for the same period, leading to unexpected flood peaks that damaged infrastructures. The contribution that the groundwater and its variability make to surface runoff variability is assessed in this study by comparing the data of the national groundwater monitoring networks of Mali and Burkina Faso to surface runoff. Several variables are compared at the basin scale: the date of the maximum level of the water table, the annual rainfall, discharge, low flows and depletion coefficients. Variability in the low flows of the Bani River is well correlated to a decrease in the water table. Since 1970, the greater decrease in runoff in comparison to the rainfall decrease is due to a reduction in the baseflow, related to the cumulated rainfall deficit. Concerning the Nakambe River, the runoff increase is not supported by a water table increase, but is due to the increase in runoff coefficient related to land degradation.     

Groundwater composition and recharge origin in the shallow aquifer of the Djerid oases,southern Tunisia: implications of return flow

Abstract

Major ions and stable isotopes in groundwaters of the Plio-Quaternary shallow aquifer of the Djerid oases, southern Tunisia, were investigated to elucidate the origin of groundwater recharge and the mineralization processes. It has been demonstrated that the groundwater composition is mainly controlled by the water–rock interaction, the encroachment of brines from the Chotts and the return flow of irrigation waters. The isotopically depleted groundwater samples suggest that the recharge waters derive from an old palaeoclimatic origin. However, the enriched groundwater samples reflect the presence of evaporated recharge water. Furthermore, the large negative deuterium-excess values indicate the effect of secondary evaporation processes, probably related to the return flow of irrigation waters pumped from the underlying aquifer.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Associate editor E. Custodio

Citation Tarki, M., Dassi, L. and Jedoui, Y., 2012. Groundwater composition and recharge origin in the shallow aquifer of the Djerid oases, southern Tunisia: implications of return flow. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (4), 790–804.     

Indosinian anatexis of Paleoproterozoic granites in the east Cathaysia Block,South China

Granulite facies metamorphism and crustal anatexis exist in the East Cathaysia Block, the exact timing of granulite facies partial melting and its link with orogenesis have not been well constrained. In this study, we carried out petrography, whole rock geochemistry, and zircon U–Pb dating, trace elements and Hf isotopes analyses on Dazhe gneissic granite and banded migmatite from the Badu Group in southwest Zhejiang province in the East Cathaysia Block. The melts were produced through the dehydration of biotite, such as biotite + quartz + plagioclase = orthopyroxene + K-feldspar + melt and biotite + quartz + plagioclase + sillimanite = garnet + K-feldspar + melt. Zircons from these rocks show clear core-rim structure and yield rim and core concordant ages at 233 Ma and 1.83 Ga, respectively. The zircon rims suggesting the melts and the cores are suggesting the protolith of Dazhe gneissic granite and banded migmatite were crystallized from an evolving magma. The zircon cores and rims have negative ε_Hf(t) = −2.2 ~ −6.3 and ε_Hf(t) = −22.8 ~ −32.4, and they give suggestion of the presence of Neoarchean components. Although the major-element compositions of the gneissic granite and banded migmatite are slightly different, the trace-element spider diagram and REE pattern show they are similar, and then we find that the protoliths are A-type granodiorite/diorite. Combined with the published data, we suggested that the Dazhe gneissic granite and banded migmatite were formed through granulite facies partial melting at 233 Ma, which was promoted by crustal shortening and thickening of the collision orogeny between East Cathaysia Block and an unknown terrane with a NNE trend structure line. The protoliths (granite or granodiorite) of Dazhe gneissic granite and banded migmatite crystallized at 1.83 Ga by reworking of the Neoarchean components of East Cathaysia Block. The Paleoproterozoic (1912–1819 Ma) collisional orogeny and the later intraplate rifting stage are corresponding to the aggregation and breakup of the Columbia supercontinent.     

Precipitation patterns and associated hydrological extremes in the Yangtze River basin,China, using TRMM/PR data and EOF analysis

Abstract

A decadal-scale study to retrieve the spatio-temporal precipitation patterns of the Yangtze River basin, China, using the Tropical Rain Mapping Mission, Precipitation Radar (TRMM/PR) data is presented. The empirical orthogonal function (EOF) based on monthly TRMM/PR data extracts several leading precipitation patterns, which are largely connected with physical implications at the basin scale. With the aid of gauge station data, the amplitudes of major principal components (PCs) were used to examine the generic relationships between precipitation variations and hydrological extremes (e.g. floods and droughts) during summer seasons over the past decade. The emergence of such major precipitation patterns clearly reveals the possible linkages with hydrological processes, and the oscillations in relation to the amplitude of major PCs are consistent with these observed hydrological extremes. Although the floods in some sections of the Yangtze River were, to some extent, tied to human activities, such as the removal of wetlands, the variations in major precipitation patterns are recognized as the primary driving force of the flow extremes associated with floods and droughts. The research findings indicate that long-distance hydro-meteorological signals of large-scale precipitation variations over such a large river basin can be successfully identified with the aid of EOF analysis. The retrieved precipitation patterns and their low-frequency jumps of amplitude in relation to PCs are valuable tools to help understand the association between the precipitation variations and the occurrence of hydrological extremes. Such a study can certainly aid in disaster mitigation and decision-making in water resource management.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Associate editor A. Montanari

Citation Sun, Z., Chang, N.-B., Huang, Q., and Opp, C., 2013. Precipitation patterns and associated hydrological extremes in the Yangtze River basin, China, using TRMM/PR data and EOF analysis. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (7), 1315–1324.     

Characterization of the aquifers of the Bangui urban area,Central African Republic,as an alternative drinking water supply resource

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a survey carried out in 2010 aimed at evaluating the type and quality of the groundwater resources of the Bangui region of the Central African Republic. This work is the first step towards the development of groundwater resources in the Central African Republic in order to find alternatives to direct pumping from the Ubangi River and provide the population of the suburbs with a safer drinking water supply from deep boreholes. By combining both geological and hydrogeochemical approaches, it appears that the geology of Bangui is favourable to the development of a secure and sustainable water supply from groundwater provided that the conditions of exploitation would be constrained by the local authorities. The deep Precambrian carbonate aquifers, known as the Bimbo and Fatima formations, are identified as target resources in view of the relatively good quality of their water from the chemical point of view, and the semi-confined structure of the aquifers that prevents the mixing with shallow aquifers that are already strongly affected by domestic and industrial pollution. The main difficulty in terms of exploitation is to appreciate the depth of the resource and the more or less fractured/palaeo-karstified type of the porosity.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz

Citation Djebebe-Ndjiguim, C.L., Huneau, F., Denis, A., Foto, E., Moloto-a-Kenguemba, G., Celle-Jeanton, H., Garel, E., Jaunat, J., Mabingui, J., and Le Coustumer, P., 2013. Characterization of the aquifers of the Bangui urban area, Central African Republic, as an alternative drinking water supply resource. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (8), 1760–1778.     

Effects of streamflow reductions on aquatic macroinvertebrates: linking groundwater withdrawals and assemblage response in southern New Jersey streams,USA

Abstract

A comprehensive hydro-ecological investigation was conducted to determine the ecological response of increased groundwater withdrawals from the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system, an important source of water supply in southern New Jersey, USA. Collocated observations were made of aquatic-macroinvertebrate assemblages and stream hydrologic attributes to develop flow–ecology response relations. A sub-regional transient groundwater flow model (MODFLOW) was used to simulate three plausible high-stress groundwater-withdrawal scenarios which resulted in stream baseflow reductions of approximately 0.12, 0.20, and 0.26 m³ s^-1. These reduction scenarios were used to construct flow-alteration ecological response models to evaluate aquatic-macroinvertebrate response to streamflow reduction. For example, flow-alteration ecological response models indicate that if groundwater withdrawals diminish mean annual streamflow from 1.1 to 0.6 m³ s^-1, the abundance of intolerant taxa could be reduced by as much as 20%. These flow-alteration ecological response modelling results could be used by resource professionals to evaluate alternative water management strategies to determine maximum basin withdrawal rates that meet ongoing human water demand while protecting biological integrity.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Guest editor M. Acreman

Citation Kennen, J.G., Riskin, M.L., and Charles, E.G., 2014. Effects of streamflow reductions on aquatic macroinvertebrates: linking groundwater withdrawals and assemblage response in southern New Jersey streams, USA. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 59 (3–4), 545–561.     

Cost of environmental flow during water scarcity in the arid Huasco River basin,northern Chile

Abstract

This investigation presents a new approach to estimate the costs resulting from the introduction of environmental flows in the arid Huasco River basin, located in the Atacama Region of Chile, one of the most sophisticated private water markets worldwide. The aim is to provide information to the water users, who hold the right to decide on water use, and thereby support the inclusion of environmental flows into decision-making. Costs are estimated by calculating the loss of agricultural productivity resulting from a trade-off between users and environmental flow requirements in times of water scarcity. Based on environmental flow requirements calculated by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and hydrological supply-and-demand modelling using the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model, economic parameters of water productivity are calculated for the main economic sectors and then included in hydrological analysis. The study presents concrete costs that might be imposed on the water users during times of water scarcity, and confirms that there are significant variations in water productivity between different sectors.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Guest editor M. Acreman

Citation Wagnitz, P., Núñez, J., and Ribbe, L., 2014. Cost of environmental flow during water scarcity in the arid Huasco River basin, northern Chile. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 59 (3–4), 700–712.     

Sources of surface water for the Soncor ecosystem,Salar de Atacama basin,northern Chile

Abstract

The Salar de Atacama is located in the most arid desert in the world. Despite its extreme conditions, it has many ecosystems of high ecological value. The Soncor ecosystem, a sequence of lagoons, is the most important environment of the region as it acts as the centre for the breeding of the Andean Flamingo. This salt flat also contains significant mining deposits and is an important water source for the region. Freshwater and brine—enriched in lithium and potassium—are being pumped from the aquifers near to the Soncor ecosystem, which has so far not been greatly affected by this groundwater extraction. However, there is a potential risk that future anthropogenic effects may disturb this fragile environment. The objective of this study is to determine the origin of the water sources of the Soncor ecosystem so as to adequately manage its water resources. Three hypotheses previously proposed in the technical literature were investigated in order to determine proactive actions to protect this fragile ecosystem. The study utilized classic hydrogeological techniques, such as the construction of stratigraphic profiles, piezometric maps and stream gauging, combined with less-common isotopic techniques, such as the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio. The results confirmed the hypothesis that the origins of the water sources are associated with groundwater inputs coming from the east side of the salt flat, in the north of the basin.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Associate editor M. Acreman

Citation Ortiz, C., Aravena, R., Briones, E., Suárez, F., Tore, C., and Muñoz, J.F., 2014. Sources of surface water for the Soncor ecosystem, Salar de Atacama basin, northern Chile. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 59 (2), 336–350.     

Evaluation of an over-used coastal aquifer (Orissa,India) using statistical approaches

Abstract

This study evaluates an over-exploited aquifer (Balasor, India) and also explores the possibilities of sustainable management using several statistical approaches. First, bootstrap analysis indicates that groundwater pumping has resulted in the reduction of mean cultivated area as the average irrigation capacity per bore well dropped from 3.74 ha to 1.5 ha within a period of 10 years of operation. However, modelling the groundwater levels using the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) procedure showed no evidence of large-scale groundwater withdrawals. The derived models can be used for water table forecasting and also for infilling the missing observations. The empirical relationship among pumping test results indicated that well depth and aquifer thickness significantly influence the discharge from the aquifer. This discharge may have encouraged the resource-rich farmers to exploit the lower aquifer. Based on a contour plot, the zone of groundwater exploitation was estimated to vary from 25 to 60 m below the surface. Therefore, a uniform aquifer exploitation policy needs to be implemented to curb the vertical competition in exploiting the aquifer and to develop sustainable management of the groundwater.

Citation Panda, D. K. & Kumar, A. (2011) Evaluation of an over-used coastal aquifer (Orissa, India) using statistical approaches. Hydrol. Sci. J. 56(3), 486–497.     

Hydroclimate variability and long-lead forecasting of rainfall over Thailand by large-scale atmospheric variables

Abstract

The development of statistical relationships between local hydroclimates and large-scale atmospheric variables enhances the understanding of hydroclimate variability. The rainfall in the study basin (the Upper Chao Phraya River Basin, Thailand) is influenced by the Indian Ocean and tropical Pacific Ocean atmospheric circulation. Using correlation analysis and cross-validated multiple regression, the large-scale atmospheric variables, such as temperature, pressure and wind, over given regions are identified. The forecasting models using atmospheric predictors show the capability of long-lead forecasting. The modified k-nearest neighbour (k-nn) model, which is developed using the identified predictors to forecast rainfall, and evaluated by likelihood function, shows a long-lead forecast of monsoon rainfall at 7–9 months. The decreasing performance in forecasting dry-season rainfall is found for both short and long lead times. The developed model also presents better performance in forecasting pre-monsoon season rainfall in dry years compared to wet years, and vice versa for monsoon season rainfall.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz

Citation Singhrattna, N., Babel, M.S. and Perret, S.R., 2012. Hydroclimate variability and long-lead forecasting of rainfall over Thailand by large-scale atmospheric variables. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (1), 26–41.