Articles | Volume 23, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-427-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-427-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
24 Jan 2019
Research article |
| 24 Jan 2019
| 24 Jan 2019
Application of environmental tracers for investigation of groundwater mean residence time and aquifer recharge in fault-influenced hydraulic drop alluvium aquifers
Bin Ma
School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences,
Wuhan, 430074, China
State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China
University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences,
Wuhan, 430074, China
State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China
University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
Laboratory of Basin Hydrology and Wetland Eco-restoration, China
University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
Xing Liang
School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences,
Wuhan, 430074, China
Hubei Key Laboratory of Wetland Evolution & Ecological Restoration,
China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
Jing Li
School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences,
Wuhan, 430074, China
Related subject area
Subject: Groundwater hydrology | Techniques and Approaches: Theory development
Towards a hydrogeomorphological understanding of proglacial catchments: an assessment of groundwater storage and release in an Alpine catchment
Effect of topographic slope on the export of nitrate in humid catchments: a 3D model study
Transit Time index (TTi) as an adaptation of the humification index to illustrate transit time differences in karst hydrosystems: application to the karst springs of the Fontaine de Vaucluse system (southeastern France)
In situ estimation of subsurface hydro-geomechanical properties using the groundwater response to semi-diurnal Earth and atmospheric tides
The Thiem team – Adolf and Günther Thiem, two forefathers of hydrogeology
Effects of aquifer geometry on seawater intrusion in annulus segment island aquifers
Depth to water table correction for initial carbon-14 activities in groundwater mean residence time estimation
Preferential pathways for fluid and solutes in heterogeneous groundwater systems: self-organization, entropy, work
Statistical characterization of environmental hot spots and hot moments and applications in groundwater hydrology
Technical note: Disentangling the groundwater response to Earth and atmospheric tides to improve subsurface characterisation
Flowing wells: terminology, history and role in the evolution of groundwater science
Asymmetric impact of groundwater use on groundwater droughts
New model of reactive transport in a single-well push–pull test with aquitard effect and wellbore storage
HESS Opinions: The myth of groundwater sustainability in Asia
Groundwater salinity variation in Upazila Assasuni (southwestern Bangladesh), as steered by surface clay layer thickness, relative elevation and present-day land use
Changes in groundwater drought associated with anthropogenic warming
HESS Opinions: Linking Darcy's equation to the linear reservoir
Effects of microarrangement of solid particles on PCE migration and its remediation in porous media
Hydrological connectivity from glaciers to rivers in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: roles of suprapermafrost and subpermafrost groundwater
Temporal variations of groundwater tables and implications for submarine groundwater discharge: a 3-decade case study in central Japan
Consequences and mitigation of saltwater intrusion induced by short-circuiting during aquifer storage and recovery in a coastal subsurface
Understanding groundwater – students' pre-conceptions and conceptual change by means of a theory-guided multimedia learning program
The referential grain size and effective porosity in the Kozeny–Carman model
Approximate analysis of three-dimensional groundwater flow toward a radial collector well in a finite-extent unconfined aquifer
Technical Note: The use of an interrupted-flow centrifugation method to characterise preferential flow in low permeability media
Shallow groundwater thermal sensitivity to climate change and land cover disturbances: derivation of analytical expressions and implications for stream temperature modeling
Confronting the vicinity of the surface water and sea shore in a shallow glaciogenic aquifer in southern Finland
Residence times and mixing of water in river banks: implications for recharge and groundwater–surface water exchange
Using 14C and 3H to understand groundwater flow and recharge in an aquifer window
Hydrogeology of an Alpine rockfall aquifer system and its role in flood attenuation and maintaining baseflow
Mobilisation or dilution? Nitrate response of karst springs to high rainfall events
Transferring the concept of minimum energy dissipation from river networks to subsurface flow patterns
Spectral induced polarization measurements for predicting the hydraulic conductivity in sandy aquifers
Transient analysis of fluctuations of electrical conductivity as tracer in the stream bed
Teaching hydrogeology: a review of current practice
Transient flow between aquifers and surface water: analytically derived field-scale hydraulic heads and fluxes
Influence of initial heterogeneities and recharge limitations on the evolution of aperture distributions in carbonate aquifers
Impact of climate change on groundwater point discharge: backflooding of karstic springs (Loiret, France)
Stream depletion rate with horizontal or slanted wells in confined aquifers near a stream
Tidal propagation in an oceanic island with sloping beaches
Tom Müller, Stuart N. Lane, and Bettina Schaefli
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 6029–6054, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-6029-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-6029-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This research provides a comprehensive analysis of groundwater storage in Alpine glacier forefields, a zone rapidly evolving with glacier retreat. Based on data analysis of a case study, it provides a simple perceptual model showing where and how groundwater is stored and released in a high Alpine environment. It especially points out the presence of groundwater storages in both fluvial and bedrock aquifers, which may become more important with future glacier retreat.
Jie Yang, Qiaoyu Wang, Ingo Heidbüchel, Chunhui Lu, Yueqing Xie, Andreas Musolff, and Jan H. Fleckenstein
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 5051–5068, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5051-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5051-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We assessed the effect of catchment topographic slopes on the nitrate export dynamics in terms of the nitrogen mass fluxes and concentration level using a coupled surface–subsurface model. We found that flatter landscapes tend to retain more nitrogen mass in the soil and export less nitrogen mass to the stream, explained by the reduced leaching and increased potential of degradation in flat landscapes. We emphasized that stream water quality is potentially less vulnerable in flatter landscapes.
Leïla Serène, Christelle Batiot-Guilhe, Naomi Mazzilli, Christophe Emblanch, Milanka Babic, Julien Dupont, Roland Simler, Matthieu Blanc, and Gérard Massonnat
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 5035–5049, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5035-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5035-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This work aims to develop the Transit Time index (TTi) as a natural tracer of karst groundwater transit time, usable in the 0–6-month range. Based on the fluorescence of organic matter, TTi shows its relevance to detect a small proportion of fast infiltration water within a mix, while other natural transit time tracers provide no or less sensitive information. Comparison of the average TTi of different karst springs also provides consistent results with the expected relative transit times.
Gabriel C. Rau, Timothy C. McMillan, Martin S. Andersen, and Wendy A. Timms
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 4301–4321, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4301-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4301-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This work develops and applies a new method to estimate hydraulic and geomechanical subsurface properties in situ using standard groundwater and atmospheric pressure records. The estimated properties comply with expected values except for the Poisson ratio, which we attribute to the investigated scale and conditions. Our new approach can be used to cost-effectively investigate the subsurface using standard monitoring datasets.
Georg J. Houben and Okke Batelaan
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 4055–4091, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4055-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4055-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Unbeknown to most hydrologists, many methods used in groundwater hydrology today go back to work by Adolf and Günther Thiem. Their work goes beyond the Dupuit–Thiem analytical model for pump tests mentioned in many textbooks. It includes, e.g., the development and improvement of isopotential maps, tracer tests, and vertical well constructions. Extensive literature and archive research has been conducted to identify how and where the Thiems developed their methods and how they spread.
Zhaoyang Luo, Jun Kong, Chengji Shen, Pei Xin, Chunhui Lu, Ling Li, and David Andrew Barry
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 6591–6602, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-6591-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-6591-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Analytical solutions are derived for steady-state seawater intrusion in annulus segment aquifers. These analytical solutions are validated by comparing their predictions with experimental data. We find seawater intrusion is the most extensive in divergent aquifers, and the opposite is the case for convergent aquifers. The analytical solutions facilitate engineers and hydrologists in evaluating seawater intrusion more efficiently in annulus segment aquifers with a complex geometry.
Dylan J. Irvine, Cameron Wood, Ian Cartwright, and Tanya Oliver
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 5415–5424, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-5415-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-5415-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
It is widely assumed that 14C is in contact with the atmosphere until recharging water reaches the water table. Unsaturated zone (UZ) studies have shown that 14C decreases with depth below the land surface. We produce a relationship between UZ 14C and depth to the water table to estimate input 14C activities for groundwater age estimation. Application of the new relationship shows that it is important for UZ processes to be considered in groundwater mean residence time estimation.
Erwin Zehe, Ralf Loritz, Yaniv Edery, and Brian Berkowitz
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 5337–5353, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-5337-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-5337-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This study uses the concepts of entropy and work to quantify and explain the emergence of preferential flow and transport in heterogeneous saturated porous media. We found that the downstream concentration of solutes in preferential pathways implies a downstream declining entropy in the transverse distribution of solute transport pathways. Preferential flow patterns with lower entropies emerged within media of higher heterogeneity – a stronger self-organization despite a higher randomness.
Jiancong Chen, Bhavna Arora, Alberto Bellin, and Yoram Rubin
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 4127–4146, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-4127-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-4127-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We developed a stochastic framework with indicator random variables to characterize the spatiotemporal distribution of environmental hot spots and hot moments (HSHMs) that represent rare locations and events exerting a disproportionate influence over the environment. HSHMs are characterized by static and dynamic indicators. This framework is advantageous as it allows us to calculate the uncertainty associated with HSHMs based on uncertainty associated with its contributors.
Gabriel C. Rau, Mark O. Cuthbert, R. Ian Acworth, and Philipp Blum
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 6033–6046, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-6033-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-6033-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
This work provides an important generalisation of a previously developed method that quantifies subsurface barometric efficiency using the groundwater level response to Earth and atmospheric tides. The new approach additionally allows the quantification of hydraulic conductivity and specific storage. This enables improved and rapid assessment of subsurface processes and properties using standard pressure measurements.
Xiao-Wei Jiang, John Cherry, and Li Wan
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 6001–6019, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-6001-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-6001-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The gushing of water from flowing wells is a natural phenomenon of interest to the public. This review demonstrates that this spectacular phenomenon also instigated the science of groundwater and can be considered a root of groundwater hydrology. Observations of flowing wells not only led to the foundation of many principles of traditional groundwater hydrology but also played a vital role in the paradigm shift from aquitard-bound flow to cross-formational flow driven by topography.
Doris E. Wendt, Anne F. Van Loon, John P. Bloomfield, and David M. Hannah
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 4853–4868, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-4853-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-4853-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Groundwater use changes the availability of groundwater, especially during droughts. This study investigates the impact of groundwater use on groundwater droughts. A methodological framework is presented that was developed and applied to the UK. We identified an asymmetric impact of groundwater use on droughts, which highlights the relation between short-term and long-term strategies for sustainable groundwater use.
Quanrong Wang, Junxia Wang, Hongbin Zhan, and Wenguang Shi
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 3983–4000, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-3983-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-3983-2020, 2020
Franklin W. Schwartz, Ganming Liu, and Zhongbo Yu
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 489–500, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-489-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-489-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We are concerned about the sad state of affairs around groundwater in the developing countries of Asia and the obvious implications for sustainability. Groundwater production for irrigated agriculture has led to water-level declines that continue to worsen. Yet in the most populous countries, China, India, Pakistan, and Iran, there are only token efforts towards evidence-based sustainable management. It is unrealistic to expect evidence-based groundwater sustainability to develop any time soon.
Floris Loys Naus, Paul Schot, Koos Groen, Kazi Matin Ahmed, and Jasper Griffioen
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 1431–1451, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-1431-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-1431-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, we postulate a possible evolution of the groundwater salinity around a village in southwestern Bangladesh, based on high-density fieldwork. We identified that the thickness of the surface clay layer, the surface elevation and the present-day land use determine whether fresh or saline groundwater has formed. The outcomes show how the large groundwater salinity variation in southwestern Bangladesh can be understood, which is valuable for the water management in the region.
John P. Bloomfield, Benjamin P. Marchant, and Andrew A. McKenzie
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 1393–1408, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-1393-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-1393-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Groundwater is susceptible to drought due to natural variations in climate; however, to date there is no evidence of a relationship between climate change and groundwater drought. Using two long groundwater level records from the UK, we document increases in frequency, magnitude and intensity and changes in duration of groundwater drought associated with climate warming and infer that, given the extent of shallow groundwater globally, warming may widely effect changes to groundwater droughts.
Hubert H. G. Savenije
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 22, 1911–1916, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-1911-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-1911-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
This paper provides the connection between two simple equations describing groundwater flow at different scales: the Darcy equation describes groundwater flow at pore scale, the linear reservoir equation at catchment scale. The connection between the two appears to be very simple. The two parameters of the equations are proportional, depending on the porosity of the subsoil and the resistance for the groundwater to enter the surface drainage network.
Ming Wu, Jianfeng Wu, Jichun Wu, and Bill X. Hu
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 22, 1001–1015, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-1001-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-1001-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Fractal models of regular triangle arrangement (RTA) and square pitch arrangement (SPA) are developed in this study. Results suggest RTA can cause more groundwater contamination and make remediation more difficult. In contrast, the cleanup of contaminants in aquifers with SPA is easier. This study demonstrates how microscale arrangements control contaminant migration and remediation, which is helpful in designing successful remediation schemes for subsurface contamination.
Rui Ma, Ziyong Sun, Yalu Hu, Qixin Chang, Shuo Wang, Wenle Xing, and Mengyan Ge
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 4803–4823, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-4803-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-4803-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The roles of groundwater flow in the hydrological cycle within the alpine area characterized by permafrost or seasonal frost are poorly known. We investigated the role of permafrost in controlling groundwater flow and hydrological connections between glaciers and river. The recharge, flow path and discharge of permafrost groundwater at the study site were explored. Two mechanisms were proposed to explain the significantly seasonal variation in interaction between groundwater and surface water.
Bing Zhang, Jing Zhang, and Takafumi Yoshida
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 3417–3425, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-3417-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-3417-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Since groundwater is the linkage between climate changes and fresh submarine groundwater discharge, the variations of and relationships among monthly groundwater table, rainfall, snowfall, and climate change events from 1985 to 2015 were analyzed by wavelet coherence to discuss the implications for climate changes. The results show the increase in precipitation and the groundwater table, indicating that fresh submarine groundwater discharge flux may increase under climate change.
Koen Gerardus Zuurbier and Pieter Jan Stuyfzand
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 1173–1188, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-1173-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-1173-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The subsurface is increasingly perforated for exploitation of water and energy. This has increased the risk of leakage between originally separated aquifers. It is shown how this leakage can have a very negative impact on the recovery of freshwater during aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) in brackish-saline aquifers. Deep interception of intruding brackish-saline water can mitigate the negative effects and buoyancy of freshwater to some extent, but not completely.
Ulrike Unterbruner, Sylke Hilberg, and Iris Schiffl
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 2251–2266, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-2251-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-2251-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Studies show that young people have difficulties with correctly understanding groundwater. We designed a multimedia learning program about groundwater and tested its learning efficacy with pupils and teacher-training students. A novelty is the theory-guided designing of the program on the basis of hydrogeology and science education. The pupils and students greatly benefited from working through the multimedia learning program.
Kosta Urumović and Kosta Urumović Sr.
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 1669–1680, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-1669-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-1669-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Calculation of hydraulic conductivity of porous materials is crucial for further use in hydrogeological modeling. The Kozeny–Carman model is theoretically impeccable but has not been properly used in recent scientific and expert literature. In this paper, proper use of the Kozeny-Carman formula is given through presentation of geometric mean grain size in the drilled-core sample as the referential mean grain size. Also, procedures for identification of real effective porosity of porous media are presented.
C.-S. Huang, J.-J. Chen, and H.-D. Yeh
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 55–71, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-55-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-55-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Existing solutions for the problem of pumping at a radial collector well (RCW) in unconfined aquifers either require laborious calculation or predict divergent results at a middle period of pumping. This study relaxes the above two limitations to develop a new analytical solution for the problem. The application of the solution is convenient for those who are not familiar with numerical methods. New findings regarding the responses of flow to pumping at RCW are addressed.
R. A. Crane, M. O. Cuthbert, and W. Timms
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 19, 3991–4000, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-3991-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-3991-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
We present an interrupted-flow centrifugation technique to characterise the vertical hydraulic properties of dual porosity, low permeability media. Use of large core samples (100mm diameter) enables hydraulic-conductivity-scale issues in dual porosity media to be overcome. Elevated centrifugal force also enables simulating in situ total stress conditions. The methodology is an important tool to assess the ability of dual porosity aquitards to protect underlying aquifer systems.
B. L. Kurylyk, K. T. B. MacQuarrie, D. Caissie, and J. M. McKenzie
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 19, 2469–2489, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-2469-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-2469-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Changes in climate and land cover are known to warm streams by altering surface heat fluxes. However, the influence of these disturbances on shallow groundwater temperature are not as well understood. In small streams, groundwater discharge may also exert a control on stream temperature, and thus groundwater warming may eventually produce additional stream warming not considered in most existing models. This study investigates these processes and suggests stream temperature model improvements.
S. Luoma, J. Okkonen, K. Korkka-Niemi, N. Hendriksson, and B. Backman
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 19, 1353–1370, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-1353-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-1353-2015, 2015
N. P. Unland, I. Cartwright, D. I. Cendón, and R. Chisari
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 5109–5124, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-5109-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-5109-2014, 2014
Short summary
Short summary
Periodic flooding of rivers should result in increased groundwater recharge near rivers and thus - younger and fresher groundwater near rivers. This study found the age and salinity of shallow groundwater to increase with proximity to the Tambo River in South East Australia. This appears to be due to the upwelling of older, regional groundwater closer the river. Other chemical parameters are consistent with this. This is a process that may be occurring in other similar river systems.
A. P. Atkinson, I. Cartwright, B. S. Gilfedder, D. I. Cendón, N. P. Unland, and H. Hofmann
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 4951–4964, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-4951-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-4951-2014, 2014
Short summary
Short summary
This research article uses of radiogenic isotopes, stable isotopes and groundwater geochemistry to study groundwater age and recharge processes in the Gellibrand Valley, a relatively unstudied catchment and potential groundwater resource. The valley is found to contain both "old", regionally recharged groundwater (300-10,000 years) in the near-river environment, and modern groundwater (0-100 years old) further back on the floodplain. There is no recharge of the groundwater by high river flows.
U. Lauber, P. Kotyla, D. Morche, and N. Goldscheider
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 4437–4452, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-4437-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-4437-2014, 2014
M. Huebsch, O. Fenton, B. Horan, D. Hennessy, K. G. Richards, P. Jordan, N. Goldscheider, C. Butscher, and P. Blum
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 4423–4435, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-4423-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-4423-2014, 2014
S. Hergarten, G. Winkler, and S. Birk
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 4277–4288, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-4277-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-4277-2014, 2014
M. Attwa and T. Günther
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 17, 4079–4094, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-4079-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-4079-2013, 2013
C. Schmidt, A. Musolff, N. Trauth, M. Vieweg, and J. H. Fleckenstein
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 16, 3689–3697, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-3689-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-3689-2012, 2012
T. Gleeson, D. M. Allen, and G. Ferguson
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 16, 2159–2168, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-2159-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-2159-2012, 2012
G. H. de Rooij
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 16, 649–669, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-649-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-649-2012, 2012
B. Hubinger and S. Birk
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 15, 3715–3729, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-15-3715-2011, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-15-3715-2011, 2011
E. Joigneaux, P. Albéric, H. Pauwels, C. Pagé, L. Terray, and A. Bruand
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 15, 2459–2470, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-15-2459-2011, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-15-2459-2011, 2011
P.-R. Tsou, Z.-Y. Feng, H.-D. Yeh, and C.-S. Huang
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 14, 1477–1485, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-14-1477-2010, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-14-1477-2010, 2010
Y.-C. Chang, D.-S. Jeng, and H.-D. Yeh
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 14, 1341–1351, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-14-1341-2010, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-14-1341-2010, 2010
Cited articles
Aggarwal, P. K.: Introduction, in: Isotope Methods for Dating Old
Groundwater, edited by: Suckow, A., Aggarwal, P. K., and Araguas-Araguas, L.,
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, 1–4, 2013.
Appelo, C. A. J. and Postma, D.: Geochemistry, groundwater and pollution,
2nd ed., Balkema, Dordrecht, Netherlands, 2005.
Atkinson, A. P., Cartwright, I., Gilfedder, B. S., Cendón, D. I., Unland,
N. P., and Hofmann, H.: Using 14C and 3H to understand
groundwater flow and recharge in an aquifer window, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.,
18, 4951–4964, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-4951-2014, 2014.
Barletta, B., Meinardi, S., Simpson, I. J., Rowland, F. S., Chan, C. Y.,
Wang, X., Zou, S., Chan, L. Y., and Blake, D. R.: Ambient halocarbon mixing
ratios in 45 Chinese cities, Atmos. Environ., 40, 7706–7719,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2006.08.039, 2006.
Batlle-Aguilar, J., Banks, E. W., Batelaan, O., Kipfer, R., Brennwald, M. S.,
and Cook, P. G.: Groundwater residence time and aquifer recharge in
multilayered, semi-confined and faulted aquifer systems using environmental
tracers, J. Hydrol., 546, 150–165, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2016.12.036,
2017.
Benettin, P., Volkmann, T. H. M., von Freyberg, J., Frentress, J., Penna, D.,
Dawson, T. E., and Kirchner, J. W.: Effects of climatic seasonality on the
isotopic composition of evaporating soil waters, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.,
22, 2881–2890, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-2881-2018, 2018.
Beyer, M., Jackson, B., Daughney, C., Morgenstern, U., and Norton, K.: Use of
hydrochemistry as a standalone and complementary groundwater age tracer, J.
Hydrol., 543, 127–144, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2016.05.062, 2016.
Carlson, M. A., Lohse, K. A., McIntosh J. C., and McLain, J. E. T.: Impacts
of urbanization on groundwater quality and recharge in a semi-arid alluvial
basin, J. Hydrol., 409, 196–211, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2011.08.020, 2011.
Cartwright, I. and Morgenstern, U.: Transit times from rainfall to baseflow
in headwater catchments estimated using tritium: the Ovens River, Australia,
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 19, 3771–3785,
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-3771-2015, 2015.
Cartwright, I. and Morgenstern, U.: Contrasting transit times of water from
peatlands and eucalypt forests in the Australian Alps determined by tritium:
implications for vulnerability and the source of water in upland catchments,
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 4757–4773,
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-4757-2016, 2016.
Cartwright, I., Cendón, D., Currell, M., and Meredith, K.: A review of
radioactive isotopes and other residence time tracers in understanding
groundwater recharge: Possibilities, challenges, and limitations, J. Hydrol.,
555, 797–811, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2017.10.053, 2017.
Cartwright, I., Irvine, D., Burton, C., and Morgenstern, U.: Assessing the
controls and uncertainties on mean transit times in contrasting headwater
catchments, J. Hydrol., 557, 16–29, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2017.12.007, 2018.
Chen, Z., Qi, J., Xu, J., X, J., Ye, H., and Nan, Y.: Paleoclimatic
interpretation of the past 30 ka from isotopic studies of the deep confined
aquifer of the North China Plain, Appl. Geochem., 18, 997–1009,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-2927(02)00206-8, 2003.
Clark, I. D. and Fritz, P.: Environmental Isotopes in Hydrogeology, Lewis,
New York, USA, 1997.
Cook, P. G. and Böhlke, J. K.: Determining timescales for groundwater
flow and solute transport, in: Environmental Tracers in Subsurface Hydrology,
edited by: Cook, P. G. and Herczeg, A. L., Kluwer, Boston, Netherlands,
1–30, 2000.
Cook, P. G. and Solomon, D. K.: Transport of atmospheric tracer gases to the
water table: Implications for groundwater dating with chlorofluorocarbons and
krypton 85, Water Resour. Res., 31, 263–270, https://doi.org/10.1029/94WR02232, 1995.
Cook, P. G., Plummer, L. N., Solomon, D. K., Busenberg, E., and Han, L. F.:
Effects and processes that can modify apparent CFC age, in: Use of
Chlorofluorocarbons in Hydrology: A Guidebook, edited by: Gröning, M.,
Han, L. F., and Aggarwal, P., International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna,
Austria, 31–58, 2006.
Cook, P., Dogramaci, S., McCallum, J., and Hedley, J.: Groundwater age,
mixing and flow rates in the vicinity of large open pit mines, Pilbara
region, northwestern Australia, Hydrogeol. J., 25, 39–53,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-016-1467-y, 2017.
Craig, H.: Isotopic variations in meteoric waters, Science, 133, 1702–1703,
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.133.3465.1702, 1961.
Cui, W. G., Mu, G. J., Wen, Q., and Yue, J.: Evolution of alluvial fans and
reaction to the regional activity at rage front of Manas River Valley, Res.
Soil Water Conserv., 14, 161–163, 2007.
Custodio, E., Jódar, J., Herrera, C., Custodio-Ayala, J., and Medina, A.:
Changes in groundwater reserves and radiocarbon and chloride content due to a
wet period intercalated in an arid climate sequence in a large unconfined
aquifer, J. Hydrol., 556, 427–437, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2017.11.035, 2018.
Dansgaard, W.: Stable isotopes in precipitation, Tellus, 16, 436–468,
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2153-3490.1964.tb00181.x, 1964.
Darling, W. G., Gooddy, D. C., MacDonald, A. M., and Morris, B. L.: The
practicalities of using CFCs and SF6 for groundwater dating and tracing,
Appl. Geochem., 27, 1688–1697, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2012.02.005, 2012.
Dawson, T. E. and Ehleringer, J. R.: Streamside trees do not use stream
water, Nature, 350, 335–337, 1991.
de Dreuzy, J. R. and Ginn, T. R.: Residence times in subsurface hydrological
systems, introduction to the Special Issue, J. Hydrol., 543, 1–6,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2016.11.046, 2016.
Edmunds, W. M., Ma, J., Aeschbach-Hertig, W., Kipfer, R., and Darbyshire, D.
P. F.: Groundwater recharge history and hydrogeochemical evolution in the
Minqin Basin, North West China, Appl. Geochem., 21, 2148–2170,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2006.07.016, 2006.
Gleeson, T., Befus, K. M., Jasechko, S., Luijendijk, E., and Cardenas, M. B.:
The global volume and distribution of modern groundwater, Nat. Geosci., 9,
161–167, https://doi.org/10.1038/NGEO2590, 2016.
Green, C. T., Jurgens, B. C., Zhang, Y., Starn, J. J., Singleton, M. J., and
Esser, B. K.: Regional oxygen reduction and denitrification rates in
groundwater from multi-model residence time distributions, San Joaquin
Valley, USA, J. Hydrol., 543, 155–166, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2016.05.018,
2016.
Guo, H., Wen, D., Liu, Z., Jia, Y., and Guo, Q.: A review of high arsenic
groundwater in Mainland and Taiwan, China: Distribution, characteristics and
geochemical processes, Appl. Geochem., 41, 196–217,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2013.12.016, 2014.
Guo, Q., Planer-Friedrich, B., Liu, M., Li, J., Zhou, C., and Wang, Y.:
Arsenic and thioarsenic species in the hot springs of the Rehai magmatic
geothermal system, Tengchong volcanic region, China, Chem. Geol., 453,
12–20, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2017.02.010, 2017.
Han, L., Hacker, P., and Gröning, M.: Residence times and age distributions
of spring waters at the Semmering catchment area, Eastern Austria, as
inferred from tritium, CFCs and stable isotopes, Isot. Environ. Healt. S.,
43, 31–50, https://doi.org/10.1080/10256010601154015, 2007.
Han, D., Song, X., Currell, M. J., Cao, G., Zhang, Y., and Kang, Y.: A survey
of groundwater levels and hydrogeochemistry in irrigated fields in the
Karamay Agricultural Development Area, northwest China: Implications for soil
and groundwater salinity resulting from surface water transfer for
irrigation, J. Hydrol., 405, 217–234, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2011.03.052,
2011.
Han, D. M., Song, X. F., Currell, M. J., and Tsujimura, M.: Using
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and tritium to improve conceptual model of
groundwater flow in the South Coast Aquifers of Laizhou Bay, China, Hydrol.
Process., 26, 3614–3629, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.8450, 2012.
Han, D., Cao, G., McCallum, J., and Song, X.: Residence times of groundwater
and nitrate transport in coastal aquifer systems: Daweijia area, northeastern
China, Sci. Total Environ., 538, 539–554,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.08.036, 2015.
Horneman, A., Stute, M., Schlosser, P., Smethie Jr., W., Santella, N., Ho, D.
T., Mailloux, B., Gorman, E., Zheng, Y., and van Geen, A.: Degradation rates
of CFC-11, CFC-12 and CFC-113 in anoxic shallow aquifers of Araihazar
Bangladesh, J. Contam. Hydrol., 97, 27–41,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2007.12.001, 2008.
Hrachowitz, M., Soulsby, C., Tetzlaff, D., Dawson, J. J. C., Dunn, S. M., and
Malcolm, I. A.: Using long-term data sets to understand transit times in
contrasting headwater catchments, J. Hydrol., 367, 237–248,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2009.01.001, 2009.
Huang, T., Pang, Z., Li, J., Xiang, Y., and Zhao, Z.: Mapping groundwater
renewability using age data in the Baiyang alluvial fan, NW China, Hydrogeol.
J., 25, 743–755, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-017-1534-z, 2017.
Jelinowska, A., Tucholka, P., Gasse, F., and Fontes, J. C.: Mineral magnetic
record of environment in Late Pleistocene and Holocene sediments, Lake Manas,
Xinjiang, China, Geophys. Res. Lett., 22, 953–956, https://doi.org/10.1029/95GL00708,
1995.
Ji, L.: Using stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope to research the conversion
relationship of surface water and groundwater in Manas River Basin, MS
thesis, Shihezi University, China, 58 pp., 2016.
Jurgens, B. C., Böhlke, J. K., and Eberts, S. M.: TracerLPM (Version 1):
An Excel® workbook for interpreting
groundwater age distributions from environmental tracer data: U.S. Geological
Survey Techniques and Methods Report 4–F3, Reston, USA, 60 pp., 2012.
Kirchner, J. W.: Aggregation in environmental systems – Part 1: Seasonal
tracer cycles quantify young water fractions, but not mean transit times, in
spatially heterogeneous catchments, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 279–297,
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-279-2016, 2016.
Kirchner, J. W., Tetzlaff, D., and Soulsby C.: Comparing chloride and water
isotopes as hydrological tracers in two Scottish catchments, Hydrol.
Process., 24, 1631–1645, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.7676, 2010.
Koh, D. C., Ha, K., Lee, K. S., Yoon, Y. Y., and Ko, K. S.: Flow paths and
mixing properties of groundwater using hydrogeochemistry and environmental
tracers in the southwestern area of Jeju volcanic island, J. Hydrol.,
432–433, 61–74, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.02.030, 2012.
Kong, Y. and Pang, Z.: A positive altitude gradient of isotopes in the
precipitation over the Tianshan Mountains: Effects of moisture recycling and
sub-cloud evaporation, J. Hydrol., 542, 222–230,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2016.09.007, 2016.
Li, J., Pang, Z., Froehlich, K., Huang, T., Kong, Y., Song, W., and Yun, H.:
Paleo-environment from isotopes and hydrochemistry of groundwater in East
Junggar Basin, Northwest China, J. Hydrol., 529, 650–661,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2015.02.019, 2015.
Ma, B., Liang, X., Jin, M., Li, J., and Niu, H.: Characteristics of
fractionation of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in evaporating water in the
typical region of the North China Plain, Adv. Water Sci., 26, 639–648,
2015.
Ma, B., Liang, X., Liu, S., Jin, M., Nimmo, J. R., and Li, J.: Evaluation of
diffuse and preferential flow pathways of infiltrated precipitation and
irrigation using oxygen and hydrogen isotopes, Hydrogeol. J., 25, 675–688,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-016-1525-5, 2017.
Ma, B., Jin, M., Liang, X., and Li, J.: Groundwater mixing and mineralization
processes in a mountain–oasis–desert basin, northwest China:
hydrogeochemistry and environmental tracer indicators, Hydrogeol. J., 26,
233–250, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-017-1659-0, 2018.
Mahlknecht, J., Hernández-Antonio, A., Eastoe, C. J., Tamez-Meléndez,
C., Ledesma-Ruiz, R., Ramos-Leal, J. A., and Ornelas-Soto, N.: Understanding
the dynamics and contamination of an urban aquifer system using groundwater
age (14C, 3H, CFCs) and chemistry, Hydrol. Process., 31,
2365–2380, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.11182, 2017.
Małoszewski, P.: Lumped–parameter models as a tool for determining the
hydrological parameters of some groundwater systems based on isotope data,
IAHS–AISH Publication, 262, 271–276, 2000.
Małoszewski, P. and Zuber, A.: Determining the turnover time of groundwater
systems with the aid of environmental tracers, 1. Models and their
applicability, J. Hydrol., 57, 207–231, https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1694(82)90147-0,
1982.
McGuire, K. J. and McDonnell, J. J.: A review and evaluation of catchment
transit time modeling, J. Hydrol., 330, 543–563,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2006.04.020, 2006.
McGuire, K. J., McDonnell, J. J., Weiler, M., Kendall, C., McGlynn, B. L.,
Welker, J. M., and Seibert, J.: The role of topography on catchment-scale
water residence time, Water Resour. Res., 41, 302–317,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2004WR003657, 2005.
Morgenstern, U. and Daughney, C. J.: Groundwater age for identification of
baseline groundwater quality and impacts of land-use intensification – The
National Groundwater Monitoring Programme of New Zealand, J. Hydrol.,
456–457, 79–93, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.06.010, 2012.
Morgenstern, U. and Taylor, C. B.: Ultra low-level tritium measurement using
electrolytic enrichment and LSC, Isot. Environ. Healt. S., 45, 96–117,
https://doi.org/10.1080/10256010902931194, 2009.
Morgenstern, U., Stewart, M. K., and Stenger, R.: Dating of streamwater using
tritium in a post nuclear bomb pulse world: continuous variation of mean
transit time with streamflow, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 14, 2289–2301,
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-14-2289-2010, 2010.
Morgenstern, U., Daughney, C. J., Leonard, G., Gordon, D., Donath, F. M., and
Reeves, R.: Using groundwater age and hydrochemistry to understand sources
and dynamics of nutrient contamination through the catchment into Lake
Rotorua, New Zealand, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 19, 803–822,
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-803-2015, 2015.
Négrel, P., Petelet-Giraud, E., and Millot, R.: Tracing water cycle in
regulated basin using stable δ2H–δ18O
isotopes: The Ebro river basin (Spain), Chem. Geol., 422, 71–81,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2015.12.009, 2016.
Oster, H., Sonntag, C., and Münnich, K. O.: Groundwater age dating with
chlorofluorocarbons, Water Resour. Res., 32, 2989–3001,
https://doi.org/10.1029/96WR01775, 1996.
Pearson, F. J. and Hanshaw, B. B.: Sources of dissolved carbonate species in
groundwater and their effects on carbon-14 dating, in: Proceedings of A
Symposium on Use of Isotopes in Hydrology, International Atomic Energy
Agency, Vienna, Austria, 271–286, 1970.
Plummer, L. N., Busenberg, E., and Cook, P. G.: Principles of
Chlorofluorocarbon dating, in: Use of Chlorofluorocarbons in Hydrology: A
Guidebook, edited by: Gröning, M., Han, L. F., and Aggarwal, P.,
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, 17–29, 2006a.
Plummer, L. N., Busenberg, E., and Han, L. F.: CFCs in binary mixtures of
young and old groundwater, in: Use of Chlorofluorocarbons in Hydrology: A
Guidebook, edited by: Gröning, M., Han, L. F., and Aggarwal, P.,
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, 59–72, 2006b.
Polach, H. A.: Evaluation and status of liquid scintillation counting for
radiocarbon dating, Radiocarbon, 29, 1–11, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033822200043502,
1987.
Qin, D.: Decline in the concentrations of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC-11, CFC-12
and CFC-113) in an urban area of Beijing, China, Atmos. Environ., 41,
8424–8430, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.07.005, 2007.
Qin, D., Qian, Y., Han, L., Wang, Z., Li, C., and Zhao, Z.: Assessing impact
of irrigation water on groundwater recharge and quality in arid environment
using CFCs, tritium and stable isotopes, in the Zhangye Basin, Northwest
China, J. Hydrol., 405, 194–208, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2011.05.023, 2011.
Russell, A. D. and Thompson, G. M.: Mechanisms leading to enrichment of the
atmospheric fluorocarbons CCl3F and CCl2F2 in
groundwater, Water Resour. Res., 19, 57–60, https://doi.org/10.1029/WR019i001p00057,
1983.
Stewart, M. K., Morgenstern, U., and McDonnell, J. J.: Truncation of stream
residence time: how the use of stable isotopes has skewed our concept of
stream water age and origin, Hydrol. Process., 24, 1646–1659,
https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.7576, 2010.
Stewart, M. K., Morgenstern, U., Gusyev, M. A., and Maloszewski, P.:
Aggregation effects on tritium-based mean transit times and young water
fractions in spatially heterogeneous catchments and groundwater systems,
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 4615–4627,
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-4615-2017, 2017.
Stumpp, C. and Małoszewski, P.: Quantification of preferential flow and
flow heterogeneities in an unsaturated soil planted with different crops
using the environmental isotope δ18O, J. Hydrol., 394, 407–415,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2010.09.014, 2010.
Stumpp, C., Małoszewski, P., Stichler, W., and Fank, J.: Environmental
isotope (δ18O) and hydrological data to assess water flow in
unsaturated soils planted with different crops: Case study lysimeter station
“Wagna” (Austria), J. Hydrol., 369, 198–208,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2009.02.047, 2009.
Suckow, A.: The age of groundwater – Definitions, models and why we do not
need this term, App. Geochem, 50, 222–230,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2014.04.016, 2014.
Tadros, C. V., Hughes, C. E., Crawford, J., Hollins, S. E., and Chisari, R.:
Tritium in Australian precipitation: A 50 year record, J. Hydrol., 513,
262–273, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.03.031, 2014.
Visser, A., Broers, H. P., Purtschert, R., Sültenfuß, J., and de
Jonge, M.: Groundwater age distributions at a public drinking water supply
well field derived from multiple age tracers (85Kr,
3H∕3He, and 39Ar), Water Resour. Res., 49, 7778–7796,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2013WR014012, 2013.
Vogel, J. C.: Carbon-14 dating of groundwater, in: Proceedings of A Symposium
on Use of Isotopes in Hydrology, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna,
Austria, 225–239, 1970.
Wang, Y., Shvartsev, S. L., and Su, C.: Genesis of arsenic/fluoride–enriched
soda water: A case study at Datong, northern China, Appl. Geochem., 24,
641–649, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2008.12.015, 2009.
Wu, B.: Study on groundwater system evolvement law and water environment
effect of Shihezi City, PhD thesis, Xinjiang Agricultural University, China,
132 pp., 2007.
Zhao, B. F.: Recharge on water resources characteristics and its rational
development pattern for arid areas: a case of Manas River Basin, PhD thesis,
Chang'an University, China, 182 pp., 2010.
Zhou, H. C.: Groundwater system and recharge from the remote river in
Southwestern margin of the Jungger Basin, PhD thesis, Chinese Academy of
Geological Sciences, China, 116 pp., 1992.
Zuber, A., Witczak, S., Różański, K., Śliwka, I., Opoka, M.,
Mochalski, P., Kuc, T., Karlikowska, J., Kania, J., Jackowicz-Korczyński,
M., and Duliński, M.: Groundwater dating with 3H and SF6 in
relation to mixing patterns, transport modelling and hydrochemistry, Hydrol.
Process., 19, 2247–2275, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.5669, 2005.
Short summary
Groundwater supplies the most freshwater for industrial and agricultural production and domestic use in the arid northwest of China. This research uses environmental tracers to enhance one's understanding of groundwater, including aquifer recharge sources and groundwater mean residence times in the alluvium aquifers. The results provide valuable implications for groundwater resources regulation and sustainable development and have practical significance for other arid areas.
Groundwater supplies the most freshwater for industrial and agricultural production and domestic...
