Estimating groundwater evapotranspiration rates using diurnal water-table fluctuations in a semi-arid riparian zone

In semi-arid climates, phreatophytes draw on shallow aquifers, and groundwater evapotranspiration (ET_G) is a principal component of groundwater budgets. Diurnal water table fluctuations, which often are a product of ET_G, were monitored in the riparian zone of Red Canyon Creek, Wyoming, USA. These fluctuations were higher in a riparian wetland (2–36 mm) than a grass-covered meadow (1–6 mm). The onset and cessation of water-table fluctuations correspond to daily temperatures relative to freezing. Spatial differences were due to vegetation type and specific yield, while temporal changes were due to vegetation dormancy. Ratios of ET_G to potential evapotranspiration (PET), K _c,GW, were similar to ratios of actual evapotranspiration (ET) to PET, K _c, in semi-arid rangelands. Before vegetation senescence, K _c,GW increased between precipitation events, suggesting phreatophytes pull more water from the saturated zone as soil moisture decreases. In contrast, K _c decreases with soil moisture following precipitation events as ET becomes increasingly water-limited. Error in ET_G is primarily from estimates of specific yield (S _y), which is difficult to quantify in heterogeneous sediments. ET_G values may be more reliable because the range of acceptable S _y is smaller than K _c and S _y does not change with vegetation type or soil moisture.     

Water balance in the playa-lakes of an arid environment,Monegros, NE Spain

The playa-lakes of the Monegros desert in north-east Spain are saline wetlands in an arid environment, a rare phenomenon in Europe. These extremely valuable habitats are threatened by changes associated with agricultural expansion and incorporation of new irrigated areas. An understanding of the present hydrologic regime will enable changes to be identified, particularly those brought about by flooding and pollution caused by irrigation surplus. This study sets out to show the results of applying a daily water balance in three selected playa-lakes. The balance was in two parts and consisted of: (1) the average balance for all the endorheic basin using the BALAN_11 program, and (2) the water balance in some playa-lakes, applying discharge flows obtained from the previous balance. The resulting volumes of water were converted to water depths and contrasted with reference volumes taken from field and Landsat images. The model was calibrated by applying various hypotheses of function which enabled the results to be adjusted. The proposed balance is an acceptable reproduction of field water measurements during this period, and underlines the consistency of the conceptual model. The methodology used is appropriate for understanding the playa-lakes function and for monitoring them for conservation purposes.     

Evaluation of distributed recharge in an upland semi-arid karst system: the West Bank Mountain Aquifer,Middle East

Assessment of recharge in a structurally complex upland karst limestone aquifer situated in a semi-arid environment is difficult. Resort to surrogate indicators such as measurement of spring outflow and borehole discharge, is a common alternative, and attempts to apply conventional soil moisture deficit analysis may not adequately account for the intermittent spate conditions that arise in such environments. A modelling approach has been made using the West Bank Mountain Aquifer system in the Middle East as a trial. The model uses object oriented software which allows various objects to be switched on and off. Each of the main recharge processes identified in the West Bank is incorporated. The model allows either conventional soil moisture deficit analysis calculations or wetting threshold calculations to be made as appropriate, and accommodates both direct recharge and secondary recharge. Daily time steps enable recharge and runoff routing to be calculated for each node. Model runs have enabled a series of simulations for each of the three aquifer basins in the West Bank and for the whole of the West Bank. These provide recharge estimates comparable to those prepared by earlier workers by conventional means. The model is adaptable and has been successfully used in other environments.     

A continuous/discontinuous Galerkin framework for modeling coupled subsurface and surface water flow

We consider conjunctive surface-subsurface flow modeling, where surface water flow is described by the shallow water equations and ground water flow by Richards’ equation for the vadose zone. Coupling between the models is based on the continuity of flux and water pressure. Numerical approximation of the coupled model using the framework of discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods is formulated. In the subsurface, the local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) method is used to approximate ground water velocity and hydraulic head; a DG method is also used to approximate surface water velocity and elevation. This approach allows for a weak coupling of the models and the use of different approximating spaces and/or meshes within each regime. A simplified LDG method based on continuous approximations to water head is also described. Numerical results that investigate physical and numerical aspects of surface–subsurface flow modeling are presented. This work was supported by National Science Foundation grant DMS-0411413.     

Groundwater resources in the Jabal Al Hass region,northwest Syria: an assessment of past use and future potential

In many cases, the development of groundwater resources to boost agricultural production in dry areas has led to a continuous decline in groundwater levels; this has called into question the sustainability of such exploitation. In developing countries, limited budgets and scarce hydrological data often do not allow groundwater resources to be assessed through groundwater modeling. A case study is presented of a low-cost water-balance approach to groundwater resource assessments in a 1,550 km² semi-arid region in northwestern Syria. The past development of irrigated agriculture and its effect on the groundwater system were studied by analysis of Landsat images and long-term groundwater level changes, respectively. All components of the groundwater balance were determined. Groundwater recharge was estimated using the chloride mass balance method. Over the past three decades, groundwater levels have declined, on average, 23 m, coinciding with a two-fold increase in the groundwater-irrigated area. Groundwater resources are currently depleted by a value that lies between 9.5×10⁶ and 118×10⁶ m³ year^?1, which is larger than can be compensated for by a future decrease in natural discharge or changes in boundary conditions. However, groundwater resources are likely to be sufficient to supply domestic and livestock needs in the area.     

滇西沘江流域水体中重金属元素的地球化学特征

通过测定流经兰坪金顸铅锌矿区的沘江水体中Pb、Zn、Cd、As的含量和底泥中重金属元素的化学形态的含量,分析了重金属元素的分布和化学形态的变化。结果表明,沘江水遭到了Cd污染,底泥已经成为重金属元素的蓄积库,以国家土壤环境质量标准（Ⅲ级）衡量,Pb、Zn、Cd和舡分别超标3．4倍、15．8倍、106倍和2．6倍。沘江水中重金属元素含量的峰值在矿山附近的下游,而底泥中重金属元素的峰值在矿山下游30-50km的地方,矿业活动、水流变缓、pH等水体环境条件的变化都能影响水和底泥中重金属元素的含量。底泥中的Pb以碳酸盐结合态为主,Zn和Cd以铁锰氧化物结合态为主,而As以残渣态为主。Pb、Cd、Zn三种元素的环境有效态含量比较高,对沘江流域生态环境具有潜在的巨大的危害。     

双作用水泵泡沫增压装置应用及前景分析

双作用水泵泡沫增压装置是利用双缸双作用水泵的高压能力将低压空气和泡沫液二次增压至水泵的额定压力,并混合产生泡沫.采用BWZ-1200双作用水泵泡沫增压装置在北京地区深度为1 000 m以下的地热井钻探中,成功地克服了地热井钻进中井内漏失和洗井的难题;在极度缺水的宁夏南部地区水井钻探中,采用BWZ-1100双作用水泵泡沫增压装置解决了水井孔内严重漏失和施工用水的难题.该装置可代替价格昂贵的高压空压机实现气举反循环钻探,应用于深地热井、深水井和油气井钻探.     

黑河流域水资源系统演变和人类活动影响

黑河流域降水集中于山区,平原稀少。50多年来,除了20世纪70—80年代上游的中东部地区降水偏多外,其它区域为正常变化;蒸发量从山区向平原逐渐增大,除了中游蒸发量显示稳定变化外,山区和下游区表现为减少趋势;黑河多年出山径流量呈现稳定变化,但在中下游盆地间的正义峡水文站,径流量自20世纪80年代中期以来,出现了非常明显的减少过程:这是受到中游地区地下水开采量增加、补给量减少和水位下降的影响,主要是中游地区人口数量增多、大规模扩耕灌溉和水工建设作用的结果。计算表明,人类活动影响强度:20世纪50年代占18%,60—70年代占28%,80—90年代占54%;上游占1%,中游占87%,下游占12%。这说明黑河中游80—90年代是人类活动影响强度达到最大的地区。因此,提出了充分认识流域水资源系统演变规律性,约束人类活动的影响,均衡保护利用流域水资源的有关建议。     

河南荥巩矿区岩溶水发育规律研究

通过对矿区地层、构造以及水文地质条件的分析,认为寒武-奥陶系岩溶裂隙含水层是矿区的主要含水层。岩溶水受地层岩性、构造的作用明显,岩溶发育程度在矿区呈现出西弱东强,浅部强、深部弱的发育规律。岩溶水动态受大气降水和矿井排水的双重控制,大气降水是岩溶水的主要补给来源,矿井排水是主要排泄方式,水位动态属于降水-矿排型。在天然状态下,岩溶水主要接受南部露头区大气降水的补给,然后自南向北、自西向东径流,经过新中-三李一带的岩溶水强径流带,在三李一带以岩溶大泉的方式向外排泄。     

贵州糯东井田水文地质条件分析

通过对井田内泉和暗河流量的调查研究,认为永宁镇组一、三段碳酸盐岩裂隙溶洞水为井田的主要含水层,含水层主要接受大气降水及河流的渗透补给;煤层上覆地层飞仙关组为相对隔水层,厚度大于500m,下覆无强含水层,其地下水对煤层的开采影响不大,井田水文地质条件较简单。采用比拟法对井田的涌水量进行了预算,推算该矿井开采设计涌水量为13 238m^3/d。