scholarly journals Fresh and saline submarine groundwater discharge in a large coastal inlet affected by seasonal upwelling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Severino P. Ibánhez ◽  
Xosé Antón Álvarez‐Salgado ◽  
Mar Nieto‐Cid ◽  
Carlos Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Submarine Groundwater Discharge ◽  
Groundwater Discharge ◽  
Submarine Groundwater ◽  
Coastal Inlet

scholarly journals Thermal Imaging Shows Submarine Groundwater Discharge Plumes Associated with Ancient Settlements on Rapa Nui (Easter Island, Chile)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 2531
Author(s):  
Robert J. DiNapoli ◽  
Carl P. Lipo ◽  
Timothy S. de Smet ◽  
Terry L. Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Fresh Water ◽  
Submarine Groundwater Discharge ◽  
Groundwater Discharge ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Easter Island ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Rapa Nui ◽  
Hydrologic Processes ◽  
Submarine Groundwater ◽  
Aerial Systems

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is an important component of many coastal environments and hydrologic processes, providing sources of nutrients to marine ecosystems, and potentially, an important source of fresh water for human populations. Here, we use a combination of unpiloted aerial systems (UAS) thermal infrared (TIR) imaging and salinity measurements to characterize SGD on the remote East Polynesian island of Rapa Nui (Easter Island, Chile). Previous research has shown that coastal freshwater seeps are abundant on Rapa Nui and strongly associated with the locations of ancient settlement sites. We currently lack, however, information on the differential magnitude or quality of these sources of fresh water. Our UAS-based TIR results from four locations on Rapa Nui suggest that locations of variably-sized SGD plumes are associated with many ancient settlement sites on the island and that these water sources are resilient to drought events. These findings support previous work indicating that ancient Rapa Nui communities responded to the inherent and climate-induced hydrological challenges of the island by focusing on these abundant and resilient freshwater sources. Our results highlight the efficacy of using UAS-based TIR for detecting relatively small SGD locations and provide key insights on the potential uses of these water sources for past and current Rapa Nui communities.

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