Numerical analysis of the groundwater regime in the western Dead Sea escarpment, Israel + West Bank

Water is scarce in the semi-arid to arid regions around the Dead Sea, where water supply mostly relies on restricted groundwater resources. Due to increasing population in this region, the regional aquifer system is exposed to additional stress. This results in the continuous decrease in water level of the adjacent Dead Sea. The interaction of an increasing demand for water due to population growth and the decrease of groundwater resources will intensify in the near future. Thus, the water supply situation could worsen significantly unless sustainable water resource management is conducted. In this study, we develop a regional groundwater flow model of the eastern and southern Judea Group Aquifer to investigate the groundwater regime in the western Dead Sea drainage basin of Israel and the West Bank. An extensive geological database was developed and consequently a high-resolution structural model was derived. This structural model was the basis for various groundwater flow scenarios. The objective was to capture the spatial heterogeneity of the aquifer system and to apply these results to the southern part of the study area, which has not been studied in detail until now. As a result we analyzed quantitatively the flow regime, the groundwater mass balance and the hydraulic characteristics (hydraulic conductivity and hydraulic head) of the cretaceous aquifer system and calibrated them with PEST. The calibrated groundwater flow model can be used for integrated groundwater water management purposes in the Dead Sea area, especially within the framework of the SUMAR-Project.     

The chemical evolution of Kurnub Group paleowater in the Sinai-Negev province—a mass balance approach

The chemical evolution of the Kurnub Group paleowater was studied starting from rainwater in recharge areas of the Sinai and along groundwater flowpaths leading to the natural outlets of this regional aquifer. This was achieved by investigating the chemical composition of groundwater, ionic ratios, degrees of saturation with common mineral species, normative analysis of dissolved salts and by modeling of rock/water interaction and mixing processes occurring along groundwater flow paths. The initial groundwater composition used is from the Nakhel well in Sinai. It evolves from desert rainwater percolating through typical Kurnub Group lithology in Sinai. This rainwater dissolves mainly gypsum, halite and dolomite together with smaller amounts of marine aerosol and K-feldspar. At the same time it precipitates calcite, SiO₂, smectite and degasses CO₂. Between the area of Nakhel and the northern Negev the chemistry of Kurnub Group waters is influenced by dissolution of halite and lesser amounts of gypsum of surficial origin in recharge areas, small amounts of feldspars and of dolomite cement in sandstones eroded from the Arabo-Nubian igneous massif of Sinai and organic degradation-derived CO₂. Concomitantly, there is precipitation of calcite, smectite, SiO₂ and probably analcime characteristic of sediments in continental closed basins. North of the Negev, the Kurnub Group fluids are diluted and altered by mixing with Judea Group aquifer groundwaters. On the E there is mixing with residual brines from the water body ancestral to the Dead Sea, prior to discharge into the Arava valley. Rock/water interaction indicated by NETPATH and PHREEQC modeling is in agreement with lithology and facies changes previously observed in the Kurnub Group sequence.     

The impact of salt diapirs on the quality of carbonate karst waters,Bastak, Iran

The Gavbast karstic aquifer located in southern Iran is in direct contact with an exposed salt diapir. To assess the influence of the diapir on the quality of groundwater in the karstic aquifer, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, flow rate, temperature and major ion concentrations were measured at 57 sampling sites, including springs, surface waters and wells. A conceptual model of groundwater flow is proposed for the Gavbast karstic aquifer based on the geological setting, water budget, local base of erosion, and hydrochemistry of the sampling sites. The model suggests two subbasins in the Gavbast Anticline draining into two distinct discharging alluvial sections. Unexpectedly, groundwater discharging from the carbonate Gavbast aquifer is saline or brackish and water is of chloride type. The study indicates that the source of salinity of the Gavbast aquifers is infiltration of surface diapir-derived brine into the aquifer. The contribution of the diapir brine in the Gavbast karst aquifer is calculated about 4 L/s, using chloride mass balance. Construction of salt basins to evaporate brine discharging from the diapir springs is proposed to reduce the salinity of karst water. A row of strategically placed wells in the Gavbast karst aquifer would potentially exploit large volumes of fresh groundwater before it is contaminated by the salt. Such low-cost remediation should allow the agricultural exploitation of 40 km² of currently barren land.     

Results from the Big Spring basin water quality monitoring and demonstration projects,Iowa, USA

Agricultural practices, hydrology, and water quality of the 267-km² Big Spring groundwater drainage basin in Clayton County, Iowa, have been monitored since 1981. Land use is agricultural; nitrate-nitrogen (-N) and herbicides are the resulting contaminants in groundwater and surface water. Ordovician Galena Group carbonate rocks comprise the main aquifer in the basin. Recharge to this karstic aquifer is by infiltration, augmented by sinkhole-captured runoff. Groundwater is discharged at Big Spring, where quantity and quality of the discharge are monitored. Monitoring has shown a threefold increase in groundwater nitrate-N concentrations from the 1960s to the early 1980s. The nitrate-N discharged from the basin typically is equivalent to over one-third of the nitrogen fertilizer applied, with larger losses during wetter years. Atrazine is present in groundwater all year; however, contaminant concentrations in the groundwater respond directly to recharge events, and unique chemical signatures of infiltration versus runoff recharge are detectable in the discharge from Big Spring. Education and demonstration efforts have reduced nitrogen fertilizer application rates by one-third since 1981. Relating declines in nitrate and pesticide concentrations to inputs of nitrogen fertilizer and pesticides at Big Spring is problematic. Annual recharge has varied five-fold during monitoring, overshadowing any water-quality improvements resulting from incrementally decreased inputs. Electronic Publication     

Chemical evolution of saline waters in the Jordan-Dead Sea transform and in adjoining areas

The Ca–Mg relationship in groundwaters strongly points to the overall dolomitization and local albitization. The Mg/Ca ratios reveal two trends by which saline waters develop: increase of Mg/Ca ratio by evaporation and decreasing Mg/Ca ratios due to dolomitization and albitization. Br/Cl vs. Na/Cl ratios demonstrate that albitization does not play a major role which leaves dolomitization to be the main source for decreasing Mg/Ca ratios in saline waters. In the eastern and southern Region of Lake Kinneret, salinization occurs by mixing with a Ca/Mg molar ratio <1 brine (Ha’On type). Along the western shoreline of the Lake, a Ca/Mg > 1 dominates, which developed by the albitization of plagioclase in abundant mafic volcanics and the dolomitization of limestones. The most saline groundwater of the Tabgha-, Fuliya-, and Tiberias clusters could be regional derivatives of at least two mother brines: in diluted form one is represented by Ha’On water, the other is a Na-rich brine of the Zemah type. Additionally, a deep-seated Ca-dominant brine may ascend along the fractures on the western side of Lake Kinneret, which is absent on the eastern side. Groundwaters of the Lower Jordan Valley are chemically different on both sides of the Jordan River, indicating that the exchange of water is insignificant. All saline waters from the Dead Sea and its surroundings represent a complex mixture of brines, and precipitation and local dissolution of halite and gypsum. Many wells of the Arava/Araba Valley pump groundwater from the Upper Cretaceous limestone aquifer, the origin of the water is actually from the Lower Cretaceous Kurnub Group sandstones. Groundwater drawn from the Quaternary alluvial fill either originates from Kurnub Group sandstones (Eilat 108, Yaalon 117) or from altered limestones of the Judea Group. The origin of these waters is from floods flowing through wadis incised into calcareous formations of the Judea Group. On the other hand, as a result of step-faulting, hydraulic contact is locally established between the Kurnub- and the Judea Groups aquifers facilitating the inter-aquifer flow of the confined Kurnub paleowater into the karstic formations of the Judea Group. Two periods of Neogene brine formation are considered: the post-Messinan inland lagoon resulting in drying up of the Sdom Sea and the evaporation of the Pleistocene Samra Lake, which went further through the stage of Lake Lisan to the present Dead Sea. For the first period, major element hydrochemistry suggests that the saline waters and brines in the Jordan-Dead Sea–Arava Valley transform evolved from the gradual evaporation of an accumulating mixture of sea-, ground-, and surface water. Due to the precipitation of carbonates, gypsum, and halite, such an evaporating primary water body was strongly enriched in Mg, Br, and B and shows high molar ratios of Br/Cl, B/Cl, and Mg/Ca but low Na/Cl ratios. The development of the Br/Cl ratio is chemically modelled, showing that indeed brine development is explicable that way. Along with the evaporation brine, evaporites formed which are leached by infiltrating fresh water yielding secondary brines with Na/Cl ratios of 1. When primary brines infiltrated the sub-surface, they were subjected to Mg–Ca exchange in limestones (dolomitization) and to chloritization and albitization in basic igneous rocks turning them into Ca-Cl brines. These tertiary brines are omnipresent in the Rift. The brines of the late Lisan and Dead Sea were generated by evaporating drainage waters, which leached halite, gypsum, and carbonates from the soil and from the sub-surface. All these brines are still being flushed out by meteoric water, resulting in saline groundwaters. This flushing is regionally enhanced by intensive groundwater exploitation. In variable proportions, the Neogene and late Lisan Lake and Recent Dead Sea brines have to be considered as the most serious sources of salinization of groundwaters in the Rift. Deep-seated pre-Sdom brines cannot strictly be excluded, but if active they play a negligible role only. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Hydrogeology of karst aquifer systems in SW Turkey and an assessment of water quality and contamination problems

The aim of this research is to determine the relationship between groundwater flow and water quality of different ground and surface water basins in the southwest Turkey. In addition, groundwater vulnerability is assessed taking into consideration groundwater flow and quality. The autochthonous Beydaglari limestone is the major karstic aquifer in the region. According to the groundwater level map of alluvium aquifers in the basins, groundwater discharge toward the carbonate aquifer is direct and indirect. The hydrogeological connection between ground and surface water basins occurs via the karstic aquifer located at the bottom of the alluvium bottom. In Egirdir lake, water also discharges in the karstic aquifer via karstic sinkholes at the western border of the lake. In the research area, general groundwater discharge is toward the Mediterranean Sea by means of autochthonous carbonate system, according to hydrogeological investigations, research of lineament and hydraulic conductivities. This result is supported by the locations of lineaments and shore springs discharging from the limestone. In addition, spreading of contaminants via karstic aquifer to great distance has been clearly identified.     

Groundwater-flow modeling in the Yucatan karstic aquifer, Mexico

The current conceptual model of the unconfined karstic aquifer in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, is that a fresh-water lens floats above denser saline water that penetrates more than 40 km inland. The transmissivity of the aquifer is very high so the hydraulic gradient is very low, ranging from 7–10 mm/km through most of the northern part of the peninsula. The computer modeling program AQUIFER was used to investigate the regional groundwater flow in the aquifer. The karstified zone was modeled using the assumption that it acts hydraulically similar to a granular, porous medium. As part of the calibration, the following hypotheses were tested: (1) karstic features play an important role in the groundwater-flow system; (2) a ring or belt of sinkholes in the area is a manifestation of a zone of high transmissivity that facilitates the channeling of groundwater toward the Gulf of Mexico; and (3) the geologic features in the southern part of Yucatan influence the groundwater-flow system. The model shows that the Sierrita de Ticul fault, in the southwestern part of the study area, acts as a flow barrier and head values decline toward the northeast. The modeling also shows that the regional flow-system dynamics have not been altered despite the large number of pumping wells because the volume of water pumped is small compared with the volume of recharge, and the well-developed karst system of the region has a very high hydraulic conductivity. Electronic Publication     

Impact of multi-purpose aquifer utilisation on a variable-density groundwater flow system in the Gippsland Basin, Australia

The Latrobe aquifer in the Gippsland Basin in southeastern Australia is a prime example for emerging resource conflicts in Australian sedimentary basins. The Latrobe Group forms a major freshwater aquifer in the onshore Gippsland Basin, and is an important reservoir for oil and gas in both onshore and offshore parts of the basin. The Latrobe Group and overlying formations contain substantial coal resources that are being mined in the onshore part of the basin. These may have coal-seam-gas potential and, in addition, the basin is considered prospective for its geothermal energy and CO₂ storage potential. The impacts of groundwater extraction related to coal-mine dewatering, public water supply, and petroleum production on the flow of variable-density formation water has been assessed using freshwater hydraulic heads and impelling force vectors. Groundwater flows from the northern and western edges towards the central part of the basin. Groundwater discharge occurs mainly offshore along the southern margin. Post-stress hydraulic heads show significant declines near the petroleum fields and in the coal mining areas. A hydrodynamic model of the Latrobe aquifer was used to simulate groundwater recovery in the Latrobe aquifer from different scenarios of cessation of groundwater and other fluid extractions.     

穆兴平原北部地下水年龄及更新性

地下水年龄结构是了解一个地区地下水资源开采可持续性的重要基础。穆兴平原地下水开采量增加以及地下水环境恶化,对该地区可持续发展有一定制约,为此在2016年采集CFCs样品31组和3H样品60组,估算了研究区地下水年龄。结果表明,穆兴平原北部地下水年龄为21年到大于65年,由西北部和穆棱河向平原中部及乌苏里江逐渐变老,更新性变差,主要受到大气降水和地表河水补给,但是由于地表覆盖一层黏性土,地下水中缺失小于10年的水;不同井深样品中二者及NO_3~-浓度的变化,表明在60 m以上地下水的防污性能较差,而在100 m以下则较好,饮用水源井深需超过100 m。     

The influence of Zihe Stream on the groundwater resources of the Dawu well field and on the discharge at the Heiwang iron mine, Zibo City area, Shandong Province, China

 The Dawu well field, one of the largest in China, supplies most of the water for the Zibo City urban area in Shandong Province. The field yields 522,400–535,400 m³/d from an aquifer in fractured karstic Middle Ordovician carbonate rocks. Much of the recharge to the aquifer is leakage of surface water from Zihe Stream, the major drainage in the area. Installation of the Taihe Reservoir in 1972 severely reduced the downstream flow in Zihe Stream, resulting in a marked reduction in the water table in the Dawu field. Since 1994, following the installation of a recharge station on Zihe Stream upstream from the well field that injects water from the Taihe Reservoir into the stream, the groundwater resources of the field have recovered. An average of 61.2×10³ m³/d of groundwater, mostly from the Ordovician aquifer, is pumped from the Heiwang iron mine, an open pit in the bed of Zihe Stream below the Taihe Reservoir. A stepwise regression equation, used to evaluate the role of discharge from the reservoir into the stream, confirms that reservoir water is one of the major sources of groundwater in the mine. Received, May 1998 / Revised, May 1999 / Accepted, June 1999     

Understanding groundwater processes by representing aquifer heterogeneity in the Maules Creek Catchment, Namoi Valley (New South Wales, Australia)

A FEFLOW three-dimensional (3D) groundwater model is developed to enhance the understanding of groundwater processes in the complex alluvial stratigraphy of Maules Creek Catchment (New South Wales, Australia). The aquifer vertical heterogeneity is replicated by indexing 204 lithological logs into units of high or low hydraulic conductivity, and by developing a 3D geological conceptual model with a vertical resolution based on the average lithological unit thickness for the region. The model mesh is populated with the indexed geology using nearest neighbour gridding. The calibrated model is successful in simulating the observed flow dynamics and in quantifying the important water-budget components. This indicates that the lateral groundwater flow from the mountainous region is the main inflow component of the system. Under natural conditions, the Namoi River acts as a sink of water, but groundwater abstraction increasingly removes a large amount of water each year causing dewatering of the system. The pumping condition affects the river–aquifer interaction by reversing the flow, from gaining to losing river conditions during the simulation period. The procedure is relevant for the development of groundwater models of heterogeneous systems in order to improve the understanding of the interplay between aquifer architecture and groundwater processes.     

广东三坑地热田形成条件及开发潜力分析

广东三坑地热田位于吴川－四会深大断裂带的东北侧,三坑向斜岩溶盆地内。地下热水主要赋存于ＮＥ与ＮＷ向断裂构造及其交汇部位的岩溶裂隙发育带中。根据地热地质条件及水热对流系统分析,地下热水是在水热对流系统中由深循环高温构造裂隙水与浅循环８常温岩溶水混合而成。三坑地热田热水资源具有水温适中、水量丰富、水质良好、动态稳定等特点。开发潜力很大。     

鄂尔多斯白垩系地下水盆地水文地质概念模型

水文地质概念模型是地下水模拟与水资源评价的基础。为了构建地下水数值模拟模型,以鄂尔多斯白垩系地下水盆地为研究对象,以丰富翔实的勘查资料为依据,从白垩系地下水系统边界条件、水文地质结构、水流系统、水文地质参数、源汇项等方面进行概化,联合采用ArcGIS、RS、GMS同位素、基流分割、地质统计学、随机模拟等技术方法,建立了一组水文地质概念模型及其相应的空间离散表达,并讨论了地下水模拟面临的问题与发展趋势。     

Denitrification capacity in a subterranean estuary below a Rhode Island fringing salt marsh

Coastal waters are severely threatened by nitrogen (N) loading from direct groundwater discharge. The subterranean estuary, the mixing zone of fresh groundwater and sea water in a coastal aquifer, has a high potential to remove substantial N. A network of piezometers was used to characterize the denitrification capacity and groundwater flow paths in the subterranean estuary below a Rhode Island fringing salt marsh.¹⁵N-enriched nitrate was injected into the subterranean estuary (in situ push-pull method) to evaluate the denitrification capacity of the saturated zone at multiple depths (125–300 cm) below different zones (upland-marsh transition zone, high marsh, and low marsh). From the upland to low marsh, the water table became shallower, groundwater dissolved oxygen decreased, and groundwater pH, soil organic carbon, and total root biomass increased. As groundwater approached the high and low marsh, the hydraulic gradient increased and deep groundwater upwelled. In the warm season (groundwater temperature >12 °C), elevated groundwater denitrification capacity within each zone was observed. The warm season low marsh groundwater denitrification capacity was significantly higher than all other zones and depths. In the cool season (groundwater temperature <10.5 °C), elevated groundwater denitrification capacity was only found in the low marsh. Additions of dissolved organic carbon did not alter groundwater denitrification capacity suggesting that an alternative electron donor, possibly transported by tidal inundation from the root zone, may be limiting. Combining flow paths with denitrification capacity and saturated porewater residence time, we estimated that as much as 29–60 mg N could be removed from 11 of water flowing through the subterranean estuary below the low marsh, arguing for the significance of subterranean estuaries in annual watershed scale N budgets.     

Water balance and water quality in the Çürüksu basin, western Turkey

The purpose of this study is to determine the hydrological properties, groundwater potential, and water quality of the Çürüksu basin, western Turkey, and to contribute to the efforts of providing an adequate water supply for the city of Denizli. To achieve these objectives, the study consisted of mapping the geology and hydrogeology, determining the water balance, and defining the water quality. The basement rock units in the study area include several impervious metamorphic rock types and Mesozoic karstic limestone, which are overlain by Oligocene fluvial and lacustrine strata, Pliocene travertine and limestone, and Quaternary alluvium. The karstic limestone and the travertine and limestone strata constitute potential aquifers in the Çürüksu basin. The discharge regimes of the 22 springs in the two basins show little change through the year. The flow systems of the springs also have a large storage capacity and drainage occurs very slowly. The discharge of the springs does not appear to be affected immediately by monthly variations in precipitation. According to the water balance, the precipitation in the Çürüksu basin cannot provide all of the measured surface runoff. Excess runoff is 2?m3?s–1 in the Çürüksu basin, and in the adjacent Gökp?nar basin the deficit in surface runoff is also 2?m3?s–1. Thus, the underground catchment area of the springs extends beyond the surface drainage area of the Çürüksu basin. Although the P?narba??, Kazanp?nar, and Böceli springs emerge from the karstic limestone aquifer in the Çürüksu basin, these springs are fed from the adjacent Gökp?nar basin. The spring waters emerging from karstic limestone are fresh, of the calcium bicarbonate type, soft, and potable. The spring waters emerging from the travertine and limestone aquifer are low-temperature, brackish, of the calcium sulfate type, very hard, and not potable but useful for the irrigation. The occurrences of coal strata and hydrothermal activity have caused some deterioration of groundwater quality.     

Simulation of the development of karst aquifers: role of the epikarst

 The evolution of a karst aquifer is modelled taking into account the karst groundwater flow as well as the dissolution kinetics of calcite. In particular, infiltration of water from the epikarst is simulated which controls the temporal and spatial distribution of recharge to the phreatic zone. The results show that the evolution of karst conduits is initiated in the spring. The existence of preferential flow paths leads to the evolution of highly conductive so-called dendritic cave systems, i.e., single passages which concentrate the flow and drain the catchment. With time, the amount of undersaturated water flowing directly into the conduit system is increased leading to an acceleration of the conduits enlargement. Three phases are identified for the evolution of karst aquifers: (a) an initiation stage; (b) an enlargement stage; and (c) a stagnation phase. Received: 4 August 1997 / Accepted: 19 January 1998     

鄂尔多斯盆地都思兔河流域白垩系含水层特征及供水前景分析

在鄂尔多斯盆地都思兔河流域供水水文地质详查的基础上,通过水文地质钻探、抽水试验、样品分析等手段,查明了流域含水层的结构、埋深以及含水层和隔水层在水平和垂直方向上的变化规律,探讨了各含水层之间的水力联系,并求取了含水层的水文地质参数;对比圈定了包乐浩晓、巴彦布拉格、好勒包勒吉3处富水区;采用地下水流数值模拟方法对上述3处富水区地下水开采量进行计算,提出了27种地下水开采方案,并经过对比得到地下水开采推荐方案。结果表明：包乐浩晓、巴彦布拉格、好勒包勒吉3处富水区主要补给为侧向径流及大气降水入渗补给,排泄方式以潜水面蒸发及向河流排泄为主;在地下水浅埋区,结合含水层单井涌水量的大小,确定采用管井开采方式、中段悬挂式非完整井结构,平均布井,井深300m,单一开采白垩系环河组的地下水,最大限度夺取潜水蒸发排泄量;根据推荐方案,上述3个富水区总开采量达到123500m3／d,可为该地区地下水资源开发与利用提供技术保障。     

海河流域地下水资源保护

地下水资源在海河流域至关重要的资源。海河平原的浅层和深层含水层大面积处于严重超采状态。地下水资源的的过量开采造成了严重环境问题。为了保护地下水资源，评价了可行的技术。利用洪水和废水进行人工回灌已进行了试验。在很多地区可以应用地表回灌系统，城市地区实施深层含水层的回灌。更好地策略是减少地下水的抽取量，特别是为了减缓地面沉降和海水入侵。应该联合运用减少地下水抽水量和人工回灌，以解决地下水位持续下降和含水层恢复的问题。     

Groundwater circulation in the allochthonous limestone units between Lake Girdev and Kazanpınarı Spring, Antalya, southwestern Turkey

 The aim of the study is to investigate the interaction between waters of Lake Girdev and groundwater in the allochthonous limestone units exposed in the area between Lake Girdev and Kazanpınarı Spring, southwestern Turkey. The features analyzed include the flow direction and apparent groundwater velocity, their relationship with Lake Girdev, and the effect of lithological and structural features on the groundwater circulation. The results of a fluorescein tracer test indicate that groundwater flows east-northeast and the apparent flow velocity ranges from 26.2 to 35.6 m h^–1 between the injection site and various observation points. Tritium data suggest that the water of Lake Girdev and groundwater are probably similar in age, and oxygen-18 isotope data indicate that water derived from Lake Girdev is the main source of recharge to the aquifer. The aquifer is fed not only by Lake Girdev but also by rainfall percolating through allochthonous limestones; together, these provide the discharge of springs in Elmalı Polje. The permeability of the allochthonous limestone aquifer has been enhanced as a result of jointing and faulting. Received, June 1997 / Revised, June 1998, March 1999 / Accepted, July 1999     

陕北能源化工基地采煤对地下水资源的影响及对策

陕北能源化工基地侏罗纪煤田是中国煤炭工业战略西移的首选基地,采煤引起的地下水资源及生态环境响应的研究是一个不可逾越的课题。从分析水文地质工程地质条件入手,将煤田区划分为7个水文地质结构类型和5个含水系统,按照排泄基准面进一步将含水系统划分若干地下水流子系统。在经验公式和数值法预测结果的基础上,综合考虑研究区实际,提出了本区能够保障生态、水资源和采煤安全的冒裂带高度为240 m,"三带"安全高度为300 m,并据此将煤采区划分为非导水区、无水导水区、贫水导水区和富水导水区。从水资源的角度提出了"保水采煤"、"煤水共采"和"含水层再造"的煤炭资源开发近期和中远期对策。