Mass balance simulation and its application to refining flow field in Binchang area,China

Groundwater flow fields in aquifers are often determined by water level data measured in monitoring wells. The flow field can be further refined by mass balance simulations, especially when groundwater level data is limited. The mass balance simulation is based on the principle of mass conservation and relies on water quality data in the same aquifer. The approach is applied to the Luohe aquifer in the Binchang area, China. The water-rock interactions and the hydrogeochemical evolution were studied along four typical flow paths. The study indicates that groundwater in the Luohe formation flows from the southern border to the interior of the Ordos Basin. The southern border, approximately 1,400 km², is a recharge zone, where the Luohe formation outcrops. The total dissolved solids of the groundwater in the southern boarder are less than 1 g/l, and the hydrochemistry type is HCO₃–Na. This new finding refines the flow field of the water-bearing formation, and an additional 1,400 km² is included in the water resource planning of the area.     

A Geochemical study of the groundwater in the Misli basin and environmental implications

The aim of this study was to determine geochemical properties of groundwater and thermal water in the Misli Basin and to assess thermal water intrusion into shallow groundwater due to over-extraction. According to isotope and hydrochemical analyses results, sampled waters can be divided into three groups: cold, thermal, and mixed waters. Only a few waters reach water–rock chemical equilibrium. Thermal waters in the area are characterized by Na⁺–Cl⁻–HCO₃⁻, while the cold waters by CaHCO₃ facies. On the basis of isotope results, thermal waters in the Misli basin are meteoric origin. In particular, δ¹⁸O and δ²H values of shallow groundwater vary from −10.2 to −12.2‰ and −71.2 to −82‰, while those of thermal waters range from −7.8 to −10.1‰ and from −67 to −74‰, respectively. The tritium values of shallow groundwater having short circulation as young waters coming from wells that range from 30 to 70 m in depth vary from 10 to 14 TU. The average tritium activity of groundwater in depths more than 100 m is 1.59 ± 1.16, which indicates long circulation. The rapid infiltration of the precipitation, the recycling of the evaporated irrigation water, the influence of thermal fluids and the heterogeneity of the aquifer make it difficult to determine groundwater quality changes in the Misli Basin. Obtained results show that further lowering of the groundwater table by over-consumption will cause further intrusion of thermal water which resulted in high mineral content into the fresh groundwater aquifer. Because of this phenomenon, the concentrations of some chemical components which impairs water quality in terms of irrigation purposes in shallow groundwaters, such as Na⁺, B, and Cl⁻, are highy probably expected to increase in time.     

The use of bromide and chloride mass ratios to differentiate salt-dissolution and formation brines in shallow groundwaters of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin

In the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, the petroleum industry handles two geochemically distinctive brines that are traceable in the environment: formation brines extracted along with hydrocarbons from the basin, and salt-dissolution brines, produced by dissolving deep halite formations to create caverns for petroleum product storage. The concentrations of the conservative ions chloride (Cl) and bromide (Br) in many formation brines plot closely to the seawater evaporation trajectory of previous studies. These brines contain Cl/Br mass ratios of around 300, while salt-dissolution brines are relatively Br depleted, having Cl/Br mass ratios in excess of 20,000. An oilfield site in central Alberta had experienced nearby releases of both salt-dissolution and formation brines. Geochemical mixing trends were defined by theoretically mixing samples of local salt-dissolution and formation brine sources with background shallow groundwater. Most site monitoring wells and local surface water samples plotted directly on a salt-dissolution brine dilution trend, while results from four monitoring wells, all located directly downgradient of formation brine spills, suggested the mixing of formation brines into shallow groundwater. This work indicates that there is a large-scale salt-dissolution brine plume beneath the site and reinforces the use of Cl and Br concentrations and mass ratios as environmental tracers.     

Salinization of groundwater in the Nefzawa oases region,Tunisia: results of a regional-scale hydrogeologic approach

Groundwater pumped from the semi-confined Complexe Terminal (CT) aquifer is an important production factor in irrigated oases agriculture in southern Tunisia. A rise in the groundwater salinity has been observed as a consequence of increasing abstraction from the aquifer during the last few decades. All sources of contamination were investigated using hydrochemical data available from the 1980s. Water samples were taken from drains and observation wells tapping both the CT and the phreatic aquifers and analyzed with regard to chemistry, temperature, isotopes and other environmental tracers. Local salinization mechanisms are suggested, i.e. the upwelling of saline water from the underlying, confined Continental Intercalaire (CI) aquifer, as well as backflow of agricultural drainage water. At this stage, the main salt pan, the Chott el Djerid, is not a contamination source. A finite difference model was also developed to simulate groundwater flow and contaminant transport in the oases. Calibration for the period 1950–2000 was carried out in order to adjust geological and chemical system parameters. The simulation of planned extraction projects predicts a worsening of the present situation. Maintenance of the present abstraction regime will not reduce or stop the salinity increase.

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Résumé L’eau souterraine pompée dans l’aquifère semi-captif du Complexe Terminal (CT) est un facteur de production important pour l’agriculture des oasis irriguées du sud de la Tunisie. Une augmentation de la salinité de l’eau souterraine a été considérée comme la conséquence de l’augmentation des prélèvements dans l’aquifère au cours des dernières décades. Toutes les sources de contamination ont été étudiées à l’aide de données hydro-chimiques disponibles depuis les années 80. Des échantillons d’eau ont été prélevés dans des drains et des puits d’observation qui captent à la fois le CT et les aquifères phréatiques; la chimie, la température, les isotopes ainsi que d’autres traceurs environnementaux ont été analysés. Des processus locaux de salinisation sont proposés, comme par exemple la remontée d’eau salée en provenance de l’aquifère captif du Continental Intercalaire (CI) sous-jacent, ainsi que le reflux des eaux du drainage agricole. A ce stade, le principal marais salé, le Chott el Djerid, n’est pas une source de contamination. Un modèle aux différences finies a également été élaboré pour simuler les écoulements souterrains et le transport de contaminants dans les oasis. Une calibration pour la période 1950–2000 a été effectuée afin d’ajuster les paramètres des systèmes géologique et chimique. La simulation de projets planifiés d’extraction prédit une aggravation de la situation actuelle. La conservation du régime d’extraction actuel ne réduira ou ne stoppera pas l’augmentation de la salinité.

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Resumen El agua subterránea que se bombea del acuífero semi-confinado Terminal Complejo (CT) es un importante factor de producción en la agricultura de riego con oasis en el sur de Túnez. Se ha observado un incremento en la salinidad del agua subterránea como consecuencia de la abstracción creciente del acuífero durante las últimas décadas. Se investigaron todas las fuentes de contaminación usando datos hidroquímicos disponibles de la década de 1980s. Las muestras de agua se tomaron de drenajes y pozos de observación alojados tanto en el CT como los acuíferos freáticos y se analizaron en relación con química, temperatura, isótopos y otros trazadores ambientales. Se sugieren mecanismos de salinización local, i.e. el ascenso de agua salada a partir del acuífero confinado subyacente Intercalado Continental (CI), así como también retorno de flujo de agua de drenaje agrícola. En esta etapa, el pan salado principal, el Chott el Djerid, no es una fuente de contaminación. También se desarrolló un modelo de diferencia finita para simular el flujo de agua subterránea y el transporte de contaminantes en los oasis. Se calibró el modelo para el periodo 1950–2000 para de este modo ajustar parámetros del sistema químico y geológico. La simulación de los proyectos de extracción que se han planeado predice un empeoramiento de la situación actual. El mantenimiento del régimen de extracción actual no reducirá o detendrá el incremento de salinidad.

     

Hydrochemical framework of groundwater in the Ankobra Basin,Ghana

Hydrochemical and stable isotope (¹⁸O and ²H) analyses of groundwater samples were used to establish the hydrochemistry of groundwater in the Ankobra Basin. The groundwater was generally mildly acidic, low in conductivity and undersaturated with respect to carbonate phases. Major ions except bicarbonate were low and dissolved silica was moderately high. Silicate minerals weathering is probably the main process through which major ions enter the groundwater. Groundwater samples clustered tightly along the Global Meteoric Water Line suggesting integrative, smooth and rapid recharge from meteoric origin. The majority of the boreholes and a few hand dug wells cluster towards the Ca–Mg–HCO₃ dominant section of the phase diagram, in conformity with the active recharge and short residence time shown by the isotope data. Aluminium, arsenic, manganese, iron and mercury were the only trace metals analysed with concentrations significantly above their respective detection limits. Approximately 20%, 5%, 40% and 25% respectively of boreholes had aluminium, arsenic, iron and manganese concentrations exceeding the respective WHO maximum acceptable limits for drinking water. The relatively large percentage of boreholes with high concentration of aluminium reflects the acidic nature of the groundwater.     

Hydrogeochemical processes,mixing and isotope tracing in hard rock aquifers and surface waters from the Subarnarekha River Basin, (east Singhbhum District,Jharkhand State,India)

Geochemical observations, including major ion and trace element analysis, and isotopic tracing have been carried out in the Subarnarekha River system (northeastern India) during a surface-water- and groundwater-monitoring program aimed at evaluating impacts of mining. The aquifer is of fracture type. Groundwater flow conditions and pollutant transfer were observed through a network of 69 wells. δ¹⁸O and δ²H results suggest that transfer from rainfall towards groundwater storage through soils and the unsaturated zone is fast, without any major transformation like evaporation. The scatter of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr signatures in surface water and groundwater are explained by three end-members. One is compatible with rainwater inputs. The most mineralised end-member represents anthropogenic inputs (agricultural practices and ore processing). The third end-member, characterised by a high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr signature, is believed to be controlled by natural geochemical processes, although affected by human activities (e.g. drainage of mine waste). Potential flow paths, investigated north of the area, reveal that all groundwater types seem to evolve more in pockets than along a flow path. The limited extent of transfer and the predominance of natural phenomena help to explain the moderate level of groundwater contamination and the characteristics of surface water contamination by mining and the metallurgy industry.     

Dryland salinity processes within the discharge zone of a local groundwater system,southeastern Australia

Detailed study of a localised saline discharge zone in southeastern Australia shows that the salinisation is mostly due to the shallow water table (<1–2 m from the surface). Direct evaporation, particularly in summer, leads to extremely high soil–water salinities at the surface, even though the underlying groundwater is moderately fresh. Groundwater discharge is localised at a break of slope, where the water table intersects the surface, and where the transition from permeable sands to clay-rich sediments inhibits lateral groundwater flow. Higher salt concentrations build up in the clays because of the long residence times during which soil-waters are exposed to evapotranspiration and the reduced potential for salts to be flushed from the sediments. As a result the saline discharge area does not correspond to the part of the site with the largest salt store. Results of the study demonstrate that for dryland salinisation to occur, the groundwater beneath the discharge zone need not be saline, and the presence of a large salt store does not necessarily lead to problems of dryland salinisation if, as in the clay-rich sediments at the site, the salt lies below the pasture root zone. Furthermore, mobilisation of salt stores within low permeability sediments by rising groundwater may be minor.

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Résumé L’étude détaillée d’une zone localisée d’émergence salée au sud-est de l’Australie montre que la salinisation est surtout due à la nappe phréatique (<1–2 m sous la surface). L’évaporation directe, particulièrement durant l’été, conduit à des salinités de l’eau du sol extrêmement élevées à la surface, même si l’eau souterraine sous-jacente est modérément douce. L’émergence de l’eau souterraine est localisée à la rupture de pente, là où la nappe phréatique rencontre la surface du sol et où la transition entre sables perméables et sédiments riches en argiles inhibe les écoulements d’eau souterraine latéraux. Les plus fortes concentrations en sel s’accumulent dans les argiles du fait de temps de résidence élevés, durant lesquels les eaux du sol sont exposées à l’évapotranspiration et à un lessivage réduit des sédiments. Il en résulte que l’aire d’émergence des eaux salées ne correspond pas à la partie du site rencontrant la réserve de sel la plus importante. Les résultats de l’étude démontrent que pour que la salinisation d’une zone aride devienne effective, l’eau souterraine sous la zone ne doit pas être forcément salée, et la présence d’une zone étendue de réserve de sel ne conduit pas forcément à des problèmes de salinisation de zones arides si, comme dans les sédiments argileux du site, le sel ne repose pas sous la zone de pature. De plus, la mobilisation des réserves de sel dans les sédiments peu perméables par la montée du niveau de l’eau souterraine devrait être mineure.

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Resumen El estudio detallado de una zona local de descarga salina en el sudeste de Australia, muestra que la salinización es principalmente debido a un nivel freático poco profundo (<1–2 m de la superficie). La evaporación Directa, particularmente en verano, conlleva a salinidades de suelo-agua sumamente altas en la superficie, aunque el agua subterránea subyacente es moderadamente dulce. La descarga de Agua subterránea se localiza en una interrupción de la ladera, dónde el nivel freático intercepta la superficie, y donde la transición de las arenas permeables a los sedimentos ricos en arcilla inhibe el flujo lateral del agua subterránea. Las concentraciones de sal más altas se forman en las arcillas debido a los tiempos de residencia largos durante los cuales se exponen el conjunto suelo-agua a la evapotranspiración y también por el potencial reducido para las sales de ser expulsadas de los sedimentos. Como resultado el área de la descarga salina no corresponde a la parte del sitio con el contenido de sal más grande. Los resultados del estudio demuestran que para que ocurra la salinización en terrenos secos, el agua subterránea bajo la de zona de descarga no necesita ser salina, y que la presencia de un almacenamiento de sal grande, no necesariamente lleva a los problemas de salinización en terrenos secos si, como en los sedimentos ricos en arcilla del sitio, la sal yace debajo de la zona de raíz de la pastura. Además, la movilidad de depósitos de sal dentro de los sedimentos de permeabilidad baja pueden ser menores, por causa del agua subterránea ascendente.

     

Groundwater replenishment analysis by using natural isotopes in Ejina Basin, Northwestern China

The Ejina Basin underlying complex aquifers is located in the lower reaches of the Heihe River with an arid climate and 40 mm mean annual precipitation. As the balance of the natural ecosystem in the Ejina Basin is fragile and easily upset, it is very important to estimate and rationally use the limited groundwater resources to maintain the balance. Water samples were collected from the Heihe River and wells for chemical and isotopic measurements across the basin. The Piper diagram gives two main types of hydrochemical features. Against the background of the regional geology, combining isotope ¹⁸O, tritium, and chemical analysis with groundwater flows indicated by a shallow groundwater level contour map, different kinds of groundwater sources and ways to replenish groundwater were discovered. North of the study area are artesian wells that are replenished by the mountainous area at the boundary between China and Mongolia. Replenishment for most of the groundwater resources of the Gurinai oasis comes from the Heihe River seepage flow of the highly conductive paleochannel, not from the Badain Jaran Desert as indicated by TDS and tritium analysis. The different groundwater ages which are younger than 35 years were approximately estimated by radioactive isotope tritium (T). By such efforts, groundwater resources can be effectively evaluated with the engineering impact of the Heihe River Project.     

Hydrogeological and hydrochemical character of the regolith aquifer, northern Obudu Plateau, southern Nigeria

Photogeological, geoelectrical, and drill-hole data were used to determine the hydrogeological conditions of the regolith layer mantling the Precambrian rocks in the northern Obudu plateau of southern Nigeria. The regolith thickness is 3.8–89.5 m (mean 38 m). Water for domestic purposes is extracted by dug wells <15 m deep and shallow boreholes <50 m. The mean value for permeability of the saturated regolith is 7.5×10^–1 m/d and for transmissivity, 3.8×10^–1 m²/d. The regolith wells have a high specific capacity, 40–270 m³/d/m and a high yield, 700–4,050 m³/d. Using statistical analysis, well yields and specific capacities can be estimated if the saturated thickness and apparent resistivity of regolith layers are known from drill-hole data and vertical electrical sounding. Chemical data show that the major groundwater types are calcium-bicarbonate (Ca-HCO₃) and sodium+potassium bicarbonate [(Na+K)-HCO₃] and the water quality meets national and international standards for drinking, domestic and agricultural purposes. However, for future proper management of water resources in the area, care should be taken, that waste-disposal sites for both solid and human waste should not be located near waste sources.

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Resumen Se utilizaron datos fotogeológicos, geoeléctricas y de barrenación para determinar las condiciones hidrogeológicas de la capa de regolito que cubre rocas precámbricas en la meseta obudu septentrional del sur de Nigeria. El regolito tiene un espesor de 3.8–89.5 m (promedio38m). El agua para uso doméstico se extrae medio de pozos excavados hasta profundidades de 15 metros y por barrenos no muy profundos de 50 metros. La permeabilidad promedio del regolito saturado es 7.5×10^–1 m/d, con transmisibilidad de 3.8×10^–1 m²/d. Los pozos dentro del regolito tienen alta capacidad específica de 40–270 mm²/d/m y un alto rendimiento de 700–4,050 mm³/d. Se puede estimar el rendimiento de los pozos y capacidades específicas usando análisis estadístico si el espesor saturado y la resistividad aparente de las capas de regolito se conocen a partir de los datos de barrenación y sondeo geoeléctrico. Los datos químicos muestran que los tipos de aguas subterráneas son principalmente de bicarbonato de calcio (Ca-HCO₃) y bicarbonato de sodio y potasio [(Na+K)-HCO₃] y el agua cumple las estándares de calidad nacional y internacional para agua potable y para uso doméstico y agrícola. Sin embargo para el futuro manejo apropriado del recurso de agua en el área es importante que se tenga cuidado de que los sitios de desechos de basura solida y humana no sean ubicados cerca de los fuentes de agua.

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Résumé Des données photogéologiques, géoélectriques et de forage ont été utilisées afin de déterminer les conditions hydrogéologiques de laquifère régolithique qui recouvre les roches précambriennes dans le plateau nord dObudu au sud du Nigeria. Lépaisseur de régolithe varie entre 3.8 et 89.5 m avec une moyenne de 38 m. Leau destinée aux usages domestiques est extraite de puits de surface (< 15 m de profondeur) et de puits artésiens (< 50 m). La valeur moyenne de perméabilité du régolithe saturé est de 7.5×10^–1 m/j et la transmissivité moyenne de 3.8×10^–1 m²/j. Les puits qui exploitent laquifère de régolithe ont une capacité spécifique variant entre 40 et 270 m²/j/m et un rendement élevé de 700 à 4 500 m³/j. Avec laide dune analyse statistique, le rendement et la capacité spécifique des puits peuvent être estimés si lépaisseur saturée et la résistivité apparente des couches de régolithe sont déterminées avec des forages et des relevés électriques verticaux. Des données sur la composition chimique de leau montrent que les types deau majeurs sont bicarbonaté-calcique et bicarbonaté sodique + potassique et que la qualité de leau rencontre les standards nationaux et internationaux pour leau potable, lutilisation domestique et à fins dagriculture. Malgré tout, dans loptique dune gestion appropriée des ressources en eau dans la région, une attention particulière doit être portée aux sites denfouissement des déchets solides et humains qui ne devraient pas être localisés près des sources deau.

     

Hydrochemical characteristics of Lastochka Spa (Primorye, Far East of Russia)

This study presents new data on major, trace and REE element concentration of groundwaters in Lastochka spa located in the northern part of Primorye, Far East of Russia. The studied area is characterized by two types of groundwaters issued from a spring and wells: fresh waters with low mineralization (Total Dissolved Solids is up to 400 mg/l) and high pCO₂ waters with high mineralization (TDS is up to 4700 mg/l). New data and previous δ¹³C_(TIC), oxygen (δ¹⁸O) and hydrogen (δ²H) isotope data indicate that these waters result from meteoric water infiltration in the Sikhote–Alin mountain, circulating at shallow depths in sedimentary rocks. CO₂ in groundwater is of mantle origin.