scholarly journals Climate-Dependent Groundwater Discharge on Semi-Arid Inland Ephemeral Wetlands: Lessons from Holocene Sediments of Lagunas Reales in Central Spain

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1911
Author(s):  
Rosa Mediavilla ◽  
Juan I. Santisteban ◽  
Ignacio López-Cilla ◽  
Luis Galán de Frutos ◽  
África de la Hera-Portillo

Wetlands are environments whose water balance is highly sensitive to climate change and human action. This sensitivity has allowed us to explore the relationships between surface water and groundwater in the long term as their sediments record all these changes and go beyond the instrumental/observational period. The Lagunas Reales, in central Spain, is a semi-arid inland wetland endangered by both climate and human activity. The reconstruction of the hydroclimate and water levels from sedimentary facies, as well as the changes in the position of the surface water and groundwater via the record of their geochemical fingerprint in the sediments, has allowed us to establish a conceptual model for the response of the hydrological system (surface water and groundwater) to climate. Arid periods are characterized by low levels of the deeper saline groundwater and by a greater influence of the surface freshwater. A positive water balance during wet periods allows the discharge of the deeper saline groundwater into the wetland, causing an increase in salinity. These results contrast with the classical model where salinity increases were related to greater evaporation rates and this opens up a new way of understanding the evolution of the hydrology of wetlands and their resilience to natural and anthropogenic changes.

2012 ◽  
Vol 212-213 ◽  
pp. 647-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guo Zhen Zhang ◽  
Qian Wang ◽  
Fu Ping Wu

This article focuses on the tunnel construction process in arid and semi-arid regions which producing water environment problems ,proposing to initialize the control for the water pollution, containment of surface water and groundwater quality deterioration and loss of water and soil in the process of tunnel construction.The water eco-system of tunnel engineering in the arid and semi-arid regions is researched and established, so as to achieve the control for the surface water and groundwater pollution problems of tunnel project in arid and semi-arid regions, and to provide relevant guidance for the tunnel project.


2020 ◽  
pp. 161-199
Author(s):  
Nadhir Al-Ansari ◽  
Sabbar Saleh ◽  
Twana Abdullahand ◽  
Salwan Ali Abed

Insufficiency of water resources in the Middle East Region represents vital factors that influence the stability of the region and its progress. Expectations indicate that the condition will be dimmer and more complicated, especially in Iraqi territory. Iraq, which is situated in the Middle East, it covers an area of 433,970 square kilometers and populated by about 32 million inhabitants. Iraq greatly relies in its water resources on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers as a surface water resources, and several productive groundwater aquifers in which from the hydrogeological point of view divided into several major aquifer units including Foothill, Al-Jazira, Aquifer System, Mandali-Badra-Teeb, Mesopotamian and Desert Aquifer system. Recently, Iraq is suffering from water shortage problems. This is due to external and internal factors affecting the water quality of water resources; they are controlled and uncontrolled factors. The uncontrolled factors are climate change and its consequences, such as reduction of precipitation and temperature increasing. The controlled factors have a significantly negative influence on water resources, but their effects involve more specific regions. The controlled factors are mainly represented by building dams and irrigation projects within the upper parts of the Tigris and Euphrates catchments, Al-Tharthar Scheme, waste water, solid wastes and wastes from wars, which has a significant effect on surface water in Iraq because about 80% of the water supply to Euphrates and Tigris Rivers come from Turkey. In addition, the pressures resulting from the high demand for water resources, and the continued decline in their quantity rates have led to major changes in the hydrological condition in Iraq during the past 30 years. The decrease in surface water levels and precipitation during these three decades reflects the drop in the levels of water reservoirs, lakes, and rivers to the unexpected levels. The level of main country’s water source, Tigris, and Euphrates Rivers has fallen to less than a third of its natural levels. As storage capacity depreciates, the government estimates that its water reserves have been reduced precariously. According to the survey from the Ministry of Water Resources, millions of Iraqi people have faced a severe shortage of drinking water. Since of the importance of water for human life and the need to monitor temporal and spatial changes in quality and quantity, there is a need to develop a general Iraqi Water Quality Index (Iraq WQI) to monitor surface water and groundwater and classify it into five categories, very good, good, acceptable, bad and very bad, in terms of suitability for domestics, irrigation and agriculture depending on the Iraqi and WHO standards for drinking water. In addition, strict establishment for the regular quantitative monitoring surface water and groundwater setting and processes. Prospects are more negative for all riparian countries. This implies that solving these problems requires actual and serious international, regional, and national cooperation to set a prudent plan for water resources management of the two basins. Iraq being the most affected country should seriously set a prudent, scientific, and strategic plan for the management and conservation of its water resources. Keywords: Pollution, Water Quality, Waste, Surface water, Groundwater, Iraq.


Author(s):  
Fanao Meng ◽  
Changlai Xiao ◽  
Xiujuan Liang ◽  
Ge Wang ◽  
Ying Sun ◽  
...  

Abstract In this study, the surface water balance method was used to calculate the interaction between surface water and groundwater (SGW) in the Taoer River alluvial fan in Jilin Province, China, from 1956 to 2014. The automatic linear model was used to determine the key and non-key influencing factors, and correlation analysis was performed to evaluate their relationship with one another. River runoff and groundwater level were the key factors affecting the SGW interaction, and sand–gravel exposure in the fan was more conducive to SGW interaction. There was a positive correlation between runoff and SGW interaction, and the relationship between the groundwater and surface water levels was correlated and affected by groundwater exploitation and groundwater runoff. Groundwater exploitation and evaporation and precipitation indirectly influenced the SGW interaction by affecting the groundwater level and river runoff key factors, respectively, and were considered non-key factors.


Irriga ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doris Elise Wendt ◽  
Lineu Neiva Rodrigues ◽  
Roel Dijksma ◽  
Jos C Van Dam

ASSESSING GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL USE FOR EXPANDING IRRIGATION IN THE BURITI VERMELHO WATERSHED  DORIS ELISE WENDT1; LINEU NEIVA RODRIGUES2; ROEL DIJKSMA3; JOS C VAN DAM4 [1] Wageningen University, the Netherlands. [email protected];2Embrapa Cerrados, BR020, km18, CEP 73310970, Planaltina, DF.  [email protected];3 Hydrology and Quantative Water Management Group, Wageningen University, the Netherlands. [email protected];4 Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University, the Netherlands. [email protected];  1 ABSTRACT In Brazil, the increasing middle class has raised food demand substantially. The Brazilian Savannah (Cerrados) is one of the rare places where agriculture can expand and address this new demand without jeopardizing the environment. Cerrados has a strictly divided dry and wet season. The dry season lasts from May to September. This long period contributes to various problems such as water shortages, conflicts and insecure food production. Without irrigation, only two crops can be grown per year in this region. Production suffers with a recurrent drought. Because agricultural production is uncertain, irrigation has an important role in this context, but its expansion is limited by water availability. Water conflicts have already occurred in some watersheds, which may jeopardize agriculture and decrease the livelihood of rural communities. In general, water for irrigation is limited to surface water. Therefore, it is important to investigate alternative sources of water, like groundwater. The purpose of this study is to assess the groundwater potential for expanding the irrigated area in a small-scale catchment (Buriti Vermelho, DF, Brazil). The current water demand was investigated and simulated by an Irrigation Strategies Simulation Model (MSEI). A daily water balance was computed, which quantified catchment storage over time. In addition, groundwater behavior and availability were investigated by recession curve analysis. The irrigated area was changed using two scenarios that showed different effects in both catchment surface water balance and groundwater levels. A decline in groundwater levels is seen in all scenarios one year after the beginning of extra extraction. With time, water levels may decline beyond the natural recovery capacity, which will certainly penalize poorer farmers and result in areas being taken out of agricultural production. Keywords: Base flow Recession, Catchment Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Crop Water Productivity  WENDT, D.E.; RODRIGUES, L.N.; DIJKSMA, R.; DAM, J.C. VANAVALIAÇÃO DO POTENCIAL DE USO DA ÁGUA SUBTERRÂNEA PARA EXPANSÃO DA IRRIGAÇÃO NA BACIA DO BURITI VERMELHO   2 RESUMO A demanda por alimentos no Brasil cresceu substancialmente devido, entre outras coisas, ao aumento da classe média. O Cerrado brasileiro é um dos poucos lugares no país onde a agricultura ainda pode expandir e atender a essa nova demanda, sem comprometer o meio ambiente. A região do Cerrado possui duas estações climáticas bem definidas, uma seca e outra chuvosa. O longo período da estação seca, que vai de maio a setembro, contribui para o surgimento de vários problemas, entre eles restrições hídricas, conflitos e insegurança na produção de alimentos. Sem irrigação, apenas dois plantios podem ser feitos por ano. Os cultivos sofrem com os veranicos e a produção é incerta. A irrigação é de fundamental importância nesse contexto, mas sua expansão é limitada pela disponibilidade de água. Em algumas bacias hidrográficas já se observam a ocorrência de conflitos, que podem comprometer a agricultura irrigada e a qualidade de vida das comunidades rurais. De maneira geral, a água para irrigação é de superfície. Desta forma, é importante investigar fontes alternativas de água, com vista ao crescimento da irrigação, tais como a água subterrânea. O Objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar a viabilidade de se utilizar água subterrânea para expandir a agricultura irrigada na bacia hidrográfica do Buriti Vermelho, DF, Brasil. A demanda atual de água foi estimada por meio de um modelo de simulação de estratégias de irrigação (MSEI). Um balanço diário da água no solo foi realizado. O comportamento e a disponibilidade de água subterrânea foram avaliados por meio de uma análise da curva de recessão. Para fins da análise, foram utilizados três cenários de área irrigada, que indicaram diferentes efeitos tanto no perfil do balanço de água no solo quanto no nível do lençol freático. Nos três cenários avaliados, em apenas um ano após a expansão da área irrigada, verificou-se um rebaixamento do lençol freático, que pode atingir níveis abaixo da sua capacidade natural de recuperação. Esse rebaixamento penalizará principalmente os agricultores menores. Em alguns casos haverá necessidade de interromper a produção em algumas áreas. Palavras-chave: Curva de recessão, hidrologia, hidrogeologia, produtividade do uso da água


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1281
Author(s):  
Muhammad Waseem ◽  
Frauke Kachholz ◽  
Wolfgang Klehr ◽  
Jens Tränckner

Lowland river basins are characterised by complex hydrologic and hydraulic interactions between the different subsystems (aerated zone, groundwater, surface water), which may require physically-based dynamically-coupled surface water and groundwater hydrological models to reliably describe these processes. Exemplarily, for a typical north-eastern Germany lowland catchment (Tollense river with about 400 km²), an integrated hydrological model, MIKE SHE, coupled with a hydrodynamic model, MIKE 11, was developed and assessed. Hydrological and hydraulic processes were simulated from 2010 to 2018, covering strongly varying meteorological conditions. To achieve a highly reliable model, the calibration was performed in parallel for groundwater levels and river flows at the available monitoring sites in the defined catchment. Based on sensitivity analysis, saturated hydraulic conductivity, leakage coefficients, Manning’s roughness, and boundary conditions (BCs) were used as main calibration parameters. Despite the extreme soil heterogeneity of the glacial terrain, the model performance was quite reasonable in the different sub-catchments with an error of less than 2% for water balance estimation. The resulted water balance showed a strong dependency on land use intensity and meteorological conditions. During relatively dry hydrological years, actual evapotranspiration (ETa) becomes the main water loss component, with an average of 60%–65% of total precipitation and decreases to 55%–60% during comparatively wet hydrological years during the simulation period. Base flow via subsurface and drainage flow accounts for an approximate average of 30%–35% during wet years and rises up to 35%–45% of the total water budget during the dry hydrological years. This means, groundwater is in lowland river systems the decisive compensator of varying meteorological conditions. The coupled hydrologic and hydraulic model is valuable for detailed water balance estimation and seasonal dynamics of groundwater levels and surface water discharges, and, due to its physical foundation, can be extrapolated to analyse meteorological and land use scenarios. Future work will focus on coupling with nutrient transport and river water quality models.


2012 ◽  
Vol 518-523 ◽  
pp. 4119-4125
Author(s):  
Jia Qiu Dong ◽  
Li He Yin

There is a close relationship between surface water and groundwater in semi-arid and arid areas of China, and thus researching on the interactions of them is of importance for reasonable water resources development. This paper took Bulang River basin as case study, analysis and discussion were conducted to water chemistry and isotopes tests results of water samples. The results show that surface water in Bulang River basin mainly relies on precipitation recharge, partially on groundwater recharge, the hydrochemistry type of surface water is mainly Ca-HCO3 with low salinity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Mozzi ◽  
Paul Pavelic ◽  
Mohammad F. Alam ◽  
Catalin Stefan ◽  
Karen G. Villholth

In semi-arid India, managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is often used to enhance aquifer storage, and by implication, water security, and climate resilience, by capturing surface runoff, mainly through check dams implemented at the community level. Despite their extensive use, the design of these structures typically does not follow a systematic method to maximize performance. To aid in the improvement of check dam design parameters and location siting, we develop a dynamic tool, which integrates the daily water balance of a check dam with analytical infiltration equations to assess check dam performance measured as temporal dynamics of storage, infiltration, and evaporation. The tool is implemented in R environment and requires meteorological and hydrogeological data, as well as check dam geometry and nearby well-abstractions, if any. The tool is applied to a case study in Saurashtra in Gujarat, where field visits were conducted. Simulations show that typical check dams in the area are able to store a volume between three and seven times their storage capacity annually. Infiltration volumes highly depend on hydroclimatic and hydrogeological conditions, as well as the formation of a clogging layer, highlighting the importance of site selection and periodic maintenance. The tool is validated with data from a previous study in Rajasthan, where daily water balance parameters were monitored. Validation results show an average R2 of 0.93 between the simulated and measured water levels. The results are adequate to suggest that the tool is able to assist in check dam planning in semi-arid environments.


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