Assessing groundwater quality using GIS

Assessing the quality of groundwater is important to ensure sustainable safe use of these resources. However, describing the overall water quality condition is difficult due to the spatial variability of multiple contaminants and the wide range of indicators (chemical, physical and biological) that could be measured. This contribution proposes a GIS-based groundwater quality index (GQI) which synthesizes different available water quality data (e.g., Cl⁻, Na⁺, Ca²⁺) by indexing them numerically relative to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Also, introduces an objective procedure to select the optimum parameters to compute the GQI, incorporates the aspect of temporal variation to address the degree of water use sustainability and tests the sensitivity of the proposed model. The GQI indicated that the groundwater quality in the Nasuno basin, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, is generally high (GQI <90). It has also displayed the natural (depth to groundwater table, geomorphologic structures) and/or anthropogenic (land-use and population density) controls over the spatial variability of groundwater quality in the basin. Temporally, groundwater quality is more variable in the upper and lower parts of the basin (variation, V, 15–30%) compared to the middle part (V, <15%) probably attributed to the seasonality of precipitation and irrigation of rice. In the lower southeastern part of the Nasuno basin and the vicinity of the Naka and Houki rivers the sustainable use of groundwater is constrained by the relatively low and variable groundwater quality. The model sensitivity analysis indicated that parameters which reflect relatively lower water quality (high mean rank value) and those of significant spatial variability imply larger impacts on the GQI and must be carefully and accurately mapped. Optimum index factor technique allows the selection of the best combination of parameters dictating the variability of groundwater quality and enables an objective and fair representation of the overall groundwater quality.     

Geostatistical Assessment of Groundwater Nitrate Contamination with Reflection on DRASTIC Vulnerability Assessment: The Case of the Upper Litani Basin, Lebanon

Groundwater constitutes the largest single source of fresh water in many parts of the world and provides a risk buffer to sustain critical water demands during cyclic and prolonged dry periods, especially in semi-arid and arid regions. However, unprecedented socio-economical growths are threatening the viability of these precious resources through fast depletion of already critically low stocks accompanied by persistent degradation of water quality due to salinization, and contamination by pesticides and fertilizers, urban sewage and industrial waste. These circumstances are particularly true of the Upper Litani Basin (ULB), which houses over 500,000 of Lebanon’s 4 million population and provides the bulk of the country’s agricultural output. Uncontrolled urban, agricultural and industrial growths following a prolonged civil strife and foreign occupation have resulted in the deterioration of the quality of the basin’s surface water and potentially its groundwater resources. An assessment study of groundwater quality conditions in the ULB was conducted in support of efforts to manage water quality in the basin. Geostatistical analysis of groundwater nitrate levels was conducted using data collected through an extensive basin-wide water quality survey sponsored by the USAID and covered two periods representing the summer and winter periods. The results of analysis include maps of nitrate contamination and probability of exceedance of drinking-water nitrate regulatory limit. The results indicate a significant, widespread and persistent nitrates contamination of groundwater in the ULB. Nitrate levels in groundwater exceed standard limits for drinking water in many parts of the basin. These findings were examined with respect to those of a DRASTIC groundwater vulnerability assessment conducted by the USAID BAMAS project. Comparative analysis of the two assessments shed the light on several issues related to the application and interpretation of DRASTIC scores and the groundwater nitrate contamination process.     

Determination of processes affecting groundwater quality in the coastal aquifer beneath Puri city, India: a multivariate statistical approach

Variability of groundwater quality parameters is linked to various processes such as weathering, organic matter degradation, aerobic respiration, iron reduction, mineral dissolution and precipitation, cation exchange and mixing of salt water with fresh water. Multivariate statistical analyses such as principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were applied to the standardized data set of eleven groundwater quality parameters (i.e. pH, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Fe3+, alkalinity, NO3-, Cl-, SO4(2-), TDS) collected during the post-monsoon and the summer seasons in order to elicit hydrologic and biogeochemical processes affecting water quality in the unconfined aquifer beneath Puri city in eastern India. The application of PCA resulted in four factors explaining 73% variance in post-monsoon and 81% variance in summer. The HCA using Ward's method and squared Euclidean distance measure classified the parameters into four clusters based on their similarities. PCA and HCA allowed interpretation of processes. During both post-monsoon and summer seasons, anthropogenic pollution and organic matter degradation/Fe(III) reduction were found dominant due to contribution from on-site sanitation in septic tanks and soak pits in the city. Cation exchange and mineral precipitation were possible causes for increase in Na+ and decrease in Ca2+ concentration in summer. Fresh water recharge during monsoon and Sea water intrusion in summer are attributed as significant hydrologic processes to variations of the groundwater quality at the study site.     

Seasonal and inter‐annual variability in hyporheic water quality revealed by continuous monitoring in a salmon spawning stream

Over a 3.5 year period, levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) saturation were continuously monitored in surface waters and at depths of 150 and 300 mm in the hyporheic zone of a riffle in a montane stream where Atlantic salmon spawn. Throughout this period, DO in surface waters remained close to 100% saturation, but exhibited daily variations related to CO₂ cycling driven by diurnal patterns of respiration and photosynthesis. However, in the hyporheic zone, variations were much more dynamic over storm event, seasonal and inter‐annual timescales. At 300 mm, DO saturation was generally close to 100% during summer low flows, though levels occasionally fell during warm periods which appeared to be related to diffusion gradients caused by benthic respiration. Such DO decreases at low flows were much more common and marked at 150 mm. During wetter conditions, DO saturation at 300 mm fell to zero for prolonged periods; this is consistent with increased fluxes of groundwater discharging through the hyporheic zone. During the wettest periods this also affects DO saturation at 150 mm. However, during hydrological events, hyporheic water quality is ‘re‐set’ as head reversals cause streamwater ingress which results in transient periods of re‐oxygenation, which end during the hydrograph recession. This is consistent with stream‐ward hydraulic gradients being re‐established in riparian ground water as the stream stage falls. The connectivity between groundwater and streamwater through the hyporheic zone is driven by climatic conditions and is reflected in marked inter‐annual variability in water quality characteristics. In some cases, this variability may have implications for the ecology of the hyporheic environment—including the survival of salmon eggs—particularly if oxygen levels are affected. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Catchment Storage and its Influence on Summer Low Flows in Central European Mountainous Catchments

The objective of this study was to determine the role of spring catchment water storage on the evolution of low flows in central European mountainous catchments. The study analysed 58 catchments for which catchment storage, represented by snow, soil water and groundwater storages, was determined by the HBV hydrological model over a 35-year period. The spring catchment storage was related to several streamflow indices describing low flow periods using the mutual information criterion. The mean runoff in the summer and autumn periods was mostly related to rainfall sums from the respective season. The median relative contribution of rainfall to the total mutual information value was 48.4% in summer, and 44.2% in autumn period, respectively. The relative contribution of soil water and groundwater storages was approximately 25% for each of the components. In contrast, the minimum runoff, its duration and deficit runoff volume, were equally related to both catchment storage and seasonal rainfall, especially in the autumn period.

     

Mapping of Conjunctive Water Use Productivity Pattern in an Irrigation Command Using Temporal IRS WiFS Data

Irrigated agriculture in many areas of the world is currently being practiced from multiple water sources such as precipitation, canal, wetlands, ground aquifer, etc. This study highlights the use of high temporal remote sensing data [IRS-1D; Wide Field Sensor (WiFS), 188-m resolution] to assess conjunctive water use pattern and its productivity in the 6 Main Canal command of Damodar Irrigation Project West Bengal, India. In this command three sources of water (canal water, groundwater and wetland) were used for the rice growing system during the summer season. A multi-date (ten dates, two bands) image stack was prepared. Using this image stack and an unsupervised classification (Fuzzy k-means) backed by space–time spiral curve (ST-SCs) technique, canal release and wetlands information was used to prepare irrigated classes (canal, groundwater or wetlands) map for summer 2000. ST-SCs have been used to analyze temporal WiFS data to continuously monitor class dynamics over time and space and to determine class separability (different types of irrigated-classes) at various time periods within the season. Results showed that the area under agriculture, non-agriculture and water were 81%, 18.5% and 0.5%, of the total area respectively. While, groundwater, canal water and wetland irrigated rice were 67.6%, 25.6% and 6.8%, respectively out of the total agriculture area. Classification results found to have more than 89.3% overall accuracy for broad land cover, while sub-classes of rice i.e. irrigated classes found have reasonably good accuracy of 85.7%. A productivity index (LAI/water-requirement) was also developed. Productivity index was high for the wetland and groundwater irrigated rice as compared to the rice irrigated through canal water. These results were weighed against the observed yield data.     

Managing Saline Water Intrusion in the Lower Indus Basin Aquifer

In view of the declining surface water sources for irrigated agriculture in Pakistan, farmers are compelled to extract groundwater in order provide to security against uncertain canal supplies during critical crop growth periods. However saline water intrusion can be a major hindrance to the sustainable groundwater development. Against this background, a study was conducted with a three dimensional finite element model (FEMGWST) based on the Galerkin weighted residual method being developed to simulate groundwater flow and the saline water intrusion from underlying poor quality aquifer in response to groundwater pumping through low capacity partially penetrated wells. The model was calibrated with field data collected in the district Khairpur of the Lower Indus Basin. The stability of the model for transient groundwater flow and solute transport against different time marching schemes were evaluated. This study showed that the explicit and the Crank-Nicolson time marching schemes developed the numerical oscillating, the global error and the convergence problem. The calibrated model was applied to predict the impacts of different well configurations on the pumped water quality and on the development of saline water mound at the bottom of the well. It was observed that the saline water intrusion into the fresh groundwater layer was directly related to the well discharge, pumping time and inversely to the thickness of fresh-saline water interface and the number of well strainers installed. The model results suggested that intermittent pumping through multi strainer wells could effectively be used to suppress the saline water intrusion. However multi strainers wells were found to induce saline water intrusion when the thickness of fresh-saline water interface was reduced to 4 m.     

Fresh Water Lens Persistence and Root Zone Salinization Hazard Under Temperate Climate

In low lying deltaic areas in temperate climates, groundwater can be brackish to saline at shallow depth, even with a yearly rainfall excess. For primary production in horticulture, agriculture, and terrestrial nature areas, the fresh water availability may be restricted to so-called fresh water lenses: relatively thin pockets of fresh groundwater floating on top of saline groundwater. The persistence of such fresh water lenses, as well as the quantity and quality of surface water is expected to be under pressure due to climate change, as summer droughts may intensify in North-West Europe. Better understanding through modelling of these fresh water resources may help anticipate the impact of salinity on primary production. We use a simple model to determine in which circumstances fresh water lenses may disappear during summer droughts, as that could give rise to enhanced root zone salinity. With a more involved combination of expert judgement and numerical simulations, it is possible to give an appraisal of the hazard that fresh water lenses disappear for the Dutch coastal regions. For such situations, we derive an analytical tool for anticipating the resulting salinization of the root zone, which agrees well with numerical simulations. The provided tools give a basis to quantify which lenses are in hazard of disappearing periodically, as well as an impression in which coastal areas this hazard is largest. Accordingly, these results and the followed procedure may assist water management decisions and prioritization strategies leading to a secure/robust fresh water supply on a national to regional scale.     

Experimental Investigation of Water Quality and Inorganic Solids in Malaysian Urban Lake,Taman Tasik Medan Idaman

Water scarcity is a persistent crisis during dry weather periods in the Gombak area, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Drinking and household water supply in Gombak is usually based on groundwater sources, with the lack of rainfall in key catchment areas during the dry period causing groundwater levels to decline, temporarily resulting in inability of the water pumping system to supply water. To address this issue, the present study investigated an alternative surface water supply source, namely Tasik Taman Idaman Lake. The study objective was to analyse the physicochemical characteristics of the lake water and determine the water standard for potability. A range of water quality parameters were measured in the present study, many being outside the desired levels, based on the standard “Class I” according to Malaysian EQA (Environmental Quality Act 2009). Of these parameters, only pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were within drinkable level, while the other parameters would have to undergo purification processes to attain the standard “Class I” status.     

Modelling Scenarios to Estimate the Potential Impact of Hydrological Standards on Nutrient Retention in the Tobacco Creek Watershed,Manitoba, Canada

Nutrient loading from agricultural drainage systems into downstream aquatic ecosystems, like Lake Winnipeg in the prairie province of Manitoba, Canada, represents a major challenge for water quality management. In order to improve water quality in downstream waterbodies, the Manitoba government is currently investigating the relationship between hydrological standard of agricultural drainage network and nutrient retention in the drainage systems. Briefly, oversized drains have more capacity to transport nutrients, which can increase nutrient loading to downstream waterbodies, especially during rainfall events. Currently, the hydrological standards of agricultural drainage design in Manitoba were mainly developed according to cost-benefit analysis without considering nutrient retention. The purpose of this study was to use computer modelling techniques to simulate the impact of drain size (based on different hydrological standards) on nutrient retention within an agricultural drainage network. The site chosen was the Tobacco Creek Watershed, an agricultural area which drains into the Red River, and thence into Lake Winnipeg. Suspended sediment, nutrient and flow data, from several locations along the Brown drain within this watershed, were used to calibrate a water quality model. Scenarios were then simulated with the model to estimate how different drain sizes affect nutrient transport and retention. Sampling took place during the spring and summer of 2013 starting with freshet and ending when the drains dried up near mid-summer. Study results indicated that the amount of nutrients transported was generally greater during freshet and summer rain storms. Occasionally, however, nutrients in summer discharge exceeded those transported during freshet. The water quality model was applied to the Brown drain to investigate the effects of different drain sizes for rainfall amounts under 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 year return periods. Generally the results indicate that as the return periods became larger (in larger channels) lower nutrients concentrations were predicted downstream (higher decay rates). On average, the model predicted a 15%–20% decline in nutrient concentration with a 20-year return channel design compared to a 2-year return. The research from this study may provide an impetus to the policy-making process of drainage design.     

Using CANARY event detection software for water quality analysis in the Milwaukee River

Urban water sources are susceptible to various contamination events as a result of natural, accidental, and human-induced occurrences. An early warning monitoring system provides timely information on changes in urban water quality. In this study, an analysis was made with CANARY event detection software (EDS) to monitor water quality parameters in river water and to identify the onset of anomalous water quality periods. Water quality signals including pH, conductivity, and turbidity from the Milwaukee River over specified periods during the summer season of 2018–2020 were employed as inputs to event detection algorithms in CANARY. The data analysis results show that CANARY can be useful as an early warning system for monitoring contamination in urban water sources and help to identify abnormal conditions quickly. The sensibility of the model relies on optimizing the configuration parameters, which involves selecting the ideal set of parameters for the event detection algorithm and adjusting the BED parameters to increase or decrease the probability of generating an alarm. The number of events reported between the Linear Prediction Correction Filter (LPCF) and Multivariate Nearest Neighbor (MVNN) algorithms varied as a result of different residual calculation mechanisms. Climate factors that contributed to the abnormal water quality events in the river were examined. The analysis of rainfall on water quality was carried out using a statistical method by determining whether there is a significant difference (p-value) between the seasonal mean water quality data and the mean value of water parameters during the sampling duration. Regression analysis was also performed to estimate the best model that describes the relationship between each of the water quality parameters and temperature.     

Temperature and precipitation changes in the Midwestern United States: implications for water management

The Midwestern United States is the heartland of agriculture production, and changes in the hydro-climatology may affect both the quantity and the quality of production. Seasonal temperature and precipitation were analyzed for trends and shifts. The results indicate an increasing trend in spring temperature (6.4 °F) and summer precipitation (1.2 inches). Shifts in the variables were dominant during two periods: 1920–1930 and 1970–1990. The observed changes not only provide scientific reference for assessing the impact on water resources as a result of climate change, but also help water managers and planners in taking proactive decisions to mitigate the water stress in the region.     

Assessment and Prediction of Groundwater using Geospatial and ANN Modeling

In semi-arid regions, the deterioration in groundwater quality and drop in water level upshots the importance of water resource management for drinking and irrigation. Therefore geospatial techniques could be integrated with mathematical models for accurate spatiotemporal mapping of groundwater risk areas at the village level. In the present study, changes in water level, quality patterns, and future trends were analyzed using eight years (2012–2019) groundwater data for 171 villages of the Phagi tehsil, Jaipur district. Kriging interpolation method was used to draw spatial maps for the pre-monsoon season. These datasets were integrated with three different time series forecasting models (Simple Exponential Smoothing, Holt's Trend Method, ARIMA) and Artificial Neural Network models for accurate prediction of groundwater level and quality parameters. Results reveal that the ANN model can describe groundwater level and quality parameters more accurately than the time series forecasting models. The change in groundwater level was observed with more than 4.0 m rise in 81 villages during 2012–2013, whereas ANN predicted results of 2023–2024 predict no rise in water level?>?4.0 m. However, based on predicted results of 2024, the water level will drop by more than 6.0 m in 16 villages of Phagi. Assessment of water quality index reveals unfit groundwater in 74% villages for human consumption in 2024. This time series and projected groundwater level and quality at the micro-level can assist decision-makers in sustainable groundwater management.

     

Impact of Flood Spreading on Groundwater Level Variation and Groundwater Quality in an Arid Environment

In arid and semiarid areas, bimodal and high rainfall leads to infrequent flood that can be extremely damaging. To reduce the impacts of persistent intra-seasonal drought and also to reduce flood damaging in arid and semiarid areas, rainwater storage is a prerequisite that keeps water far from evapotranspiration, increases groundwater level and decreases flood hazards modification to exchange between surface water and groundwater through flood spreading, dams, etc. The purpose of this paper is to delineate and explain variations in groundwater recharge and groundwater quality along an ephemeral stream that has been modified by flood spreading. Groundwater samples were collected from 14 deep wells located at different distances from flood spreading projection area (FSPA) in 1 month interval during September 2005 to September 2008. Groundwater quality was followed via Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^-, Hco₃^- SO₄^2-, Electrical Conductivity (EC) and pH measurements for two time periods between 2005 and 2008. The results show significant impact of flood spreading in groundwater table and groundwater salinity variation. Groundwater table decreased in all study wells, but groundwater drawdown increased by increasing the distance to FSPA (during 4 years study, 11.02 m in the well located at 20 m of FSPA versus 38.88 in the well located at 1,825 m). Also ion concentration increased in all of the wells during the study period, but the increasing ion concentration was significantly less important in FSPA closeness.     

Multi‐objective analysis of boating and fishlife interests in Lake Sommen,Sweden

The conflicts between boating and fishlife interests in Lake Sommen and hydroelectric, irrigation and urban water supply uses in the Svartå river downstream of Lake Sommen are examined using a goal programming model. The desired water levels corresponding to boating and fishlife interests in Lake Sommen are specified as minimum goals. The hydroelectric, irrigation and water supply needs in the Svartå river are specified as minimum levels within the constraint set for the model. The model was applied for a range of levels of the hydroelectric, irrigation and urban water supply uses. During the winter periods the lake level goals for fishing and boating are always fulfilled. However, in the dry periods, in which fishing and boating interests are critical, the goals are not met during the summer. Furthermore there appears to be very little flexibility within the present operating system to improve boating and fishing conditions during these dry summer periods.     

高开采强度下库尔勒市地下水位埋深动态与影响因素浅析

库尔勒市社会经济快速发展对水资源的需求使其地下水开发经历了临界超采期(2000—2006年)、超采增长期(2007—2011年)和高位超采稳定期(2012—2015年)过程。为探究高开采强度下的地下水位埋深动态特征,以库尔勒市地下水监测网覆盖区作为研究区,对以上3个开采强度时段地下水位埋深进行线性趋势分析。所有监测井地下水位埋深均呈持续增大趋势,研究区2000—2011年地下水位埋深总体呈“加速”增大状态;2012—2015年转变为“减速”增大状态。地下水长期超采已使山前倾斜平原地下水位埋深累计增大4.10～12.67 m,冲积平原累计增大9.07～22.26 m,天然生态受到威胁。逐步回归分析表明,研究区监测井地下水位埋深与径流量呈负相关关系,与地下水开采量呈正相关关系,径流量、开采量实质是研究区地下水补给项与排泄项的综合反映。地下水位埋深持续增大是地下水补给量减少、地下水开采强度增大共同作用的结果。研究成果可为库尔勒市水资源开发利用与保护提供一定的参考。     

Design of Managed Aquifer Recharge for Agricultural and Ecological Water Supply Assessed Through Numerical Modeling

The Walla Walla Basin, in Eastern Oregon and Washington, USA, faces challenges in sustaining an agricultural water supply while maintaining sufficient flow in the Walla Walla River for endangered fish populations. Minimum summer river flow of 0.71 m³/s is required, forcing irrigators to substitute groundwater from a declining aquifer for lost surface water diversion. Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) was initiated in 2004 attempting to restore groundwater levels and improve agricultural viability. The Integrated Water Flow Model (IWFM) was used to compute surface and shallow groundwater conditions in the basin under water management scenarios with varying water use, MAR, and allowable minimum river flow. A mean increase of 1.5 m of groundwater elevation, or 1.5 % of total aquifer storage, was predicted over the model area when comparing maximum MAR and no MAR scenarios where minimum river flow was increased from current level. When comparing these scenarios a 53 % greater summer flow in springs was predicted with the use of MAR. Results indicate MAR can supplement irrigation supply while stabilizing groundwater levels and increasing summer streamflow. Potential increase in long-term groundwater storage is limited by the high transmissivity of the aquifer material. Increased MAR caused increased groundwater discharge through springs and stream beds, benefiting aquatic habitat rather than building long-term aquifer storage. Judicious siting of recharge basins may be a means of increasing the effectiveness of MAR in the basin.     

古宋河对地下水环境污染影响研究

在对古宋河所在区域地下水污染物的下渗过程和在含水层中的径向迁移过程分析的基础上 ,选择古宋河关闸时段污水库作为地面输入污染源 ,采用黑箱模型 ,根据纳污水库污染物类型和区域地下水控制要求 ,选择高锰酸盐指数作为地下水预测的预测参数 ,对污水库水质与区域地下水环境质量响应关系进行了预测研究 ,提出古宋河及近岸区域地下水资源控制措施     

松花江佳木斯市区段江水对地下水补给程度分析

采用MODFLOW软件,在佳木斯市区建立了地下水流模拟模型。在地下水开采井正常运行和全部关闭两种情况下,分别对现状年和设计典型年,运用所建模型求解松花江水对研究区地下水的补给量,分析补给程度,从一个侧面探讨江水污染对地下水水质的影响程度。计算结果表明:从求解的年内总量上,通过关闭开采井的方式能够抑制近1/4的江水侧渗补给;关闭开采井初期并不能迅速降低江水的侧渗补给量。     

区域水土特性参数时空变异分布特征及相关分析

作者应用地质统计学原理与方法,在山东簸箕李引黄灌区开展大尺度区域水土特性参数时空变异性的研究,描述农田排水、地下水、表层土壤中含盐量的空间与时间变化分布趋势和特征,分析其间存在的相关关系。结果表明,在一个完整的水文循环年内,研究区域的水土特性参数之间具有相近的空间变异分布状态和特点,但却表现出不同的时间变异分布趋势与特征。农田排水和表层土壤的含盐量随季节变化的分布状态在灌区上、下游相对稳定,在中游却变化明显;地下水的盐分浓度在整个灌区的分布状况没有呈现出明显的时间变异性。在春季至初夏时段内,农田排水中含盐量的增加似乎对地下水水质的影响较小,而对表层土壤积盐状况影响较大。研究成果为灌区制定合理的水资源利用与农田水土管理策略提供了理论依据。