Abstract
Conventional methods for recharge estimation have limitations when applied to arid and semi-arid regions; the use of tritium profiles is also not always applicable. Unsaturated zone solute profiles, using a reference solute such as chloride, offer an alternative technique. Sampling may be undertaken by percussion drilling, augering or from dug wells; the methods developed are described and examples discussed. Recharge estimates using chloride profiles from Cyprus (420 mm mean annual rainfall) are in good agreement with results estimated from tritium profiles and indicate a mean annual recharge of around 50 mm/year. In Central Sudan (180 mm mean annual rainfall), good agreement was found between adjacent unsaturated zone chloride profiles and these indicated a net annual direct recharge via interfluve areas of around 1 mm/year. It is concluded that solute profiles offer a cheap and effective tool for estimating direct recharge in porous lithologies of semi-arid regions and also for investigating recharge history, providing input data for chloride are available. In more arid regions, however, a component of discharge may occur during hyperarid episodes. Further validation of moisture composition using stable isotope techniques is required under such conditions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
ALLISON G.B. and HUGHES M.W. 1974. Environmental tritium in the unsaturated zone: estimation of recharge to an unconfined aquifer.Proc. Symp. Isotope Techniques in Groundwater Hydrology, Vol I, 57–72. IAEA Vienna.
ALLISON G.B. and HUGHES M.W. 1978. The use of environmental chloride and tritium to estimate total recharge to an unconfined aquifer. Aust. J. Soil Res., 16, 181–95.
ALLISON G.B., STONE W.J. and HUGHES M.W. 1985. Recharge in karst and dune elements of a semi-arid landscape as indicated by natural isotopes and chloride. J. Hydrol. 76, 1–25.
DARLING W.G.,EDMUNDS W.M., KINNIBURGH D.G. and KOTOUB S. (in press). Sources of recharge to the basal Nubian Sandstone aquifer Butana area, Sudan. Proc. Symp. Isotope Hydrology 1987. IAEA Vienna.
DINCER T., AL MUGRIN A. and ZIMMERMAN U. 1974. Study of the infiltration and recharge through the sand dunes in arid zones with special reference to the stable isotopes and thermonuclear tritium. J. Hydrol., 23, 79–105.
EDMUNDS W.M. 1983. Use of geochemical methods to determine current recharge and recharge history in semi-arid zones. Proc. Ileme symposium arabe sur les ressources en eau, Rabat 1981.pp 282–301. Arab Centre for Semi Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), Damascus.
EDMUNDS W.M. and WALTON N.R.G. 1980. A geochemical and isotopic approach to recharge evaluation in semi-arid zones - past and present. ’Arid Zone Hydrology: Investigations with Isotope Techniques’, pp 47–68. IAEA Vienna.
EDMUNDS W.M., DARLING W.G. and KINNIBURGH D.G. (in prep.). Recharge to the shallow aquifer system at Abu Delaig, Sudan.
ERIKSSON E. 1976. The distribution of salinity in groundwaters in the Delhi region and recharge rates of groundwater. Interpretation of Environmental Isotope and Hydrochemical Data in Groundwater Hydrology, IAEA Vienna. pp 171–178.
KITCHING R., EDMUNDS W.M., SHEARER T.R., WALTON N.R.G. and JACOVIDES J. 1980. Assessment of recharge to aquifers. Hydrol. Sci.Bull., 25, 217–235.
SHARMA M.I. and HUGHES M.W. 1985. Groundwater recharge estimation using chloride, deuterium and oxygen-18 profiles in the deep coastal sands of Western Australia. J. Hydrol, 81, 93–109.
SMITH D.B., WEARN D.L., RICHARDS H.J. and ROWE P.C. 1970. Water movement in the unsaturated zone of high and low permeability strata by measuring natural tritium. ’Isotope Hydrology 1970’, pp 73–87, IAEA, Vienna.
SUKHIJA B.S. and SHAH C.R. 1975. Conformity of groundwater recharge rate by tritium method and mathematical modelling. J. Hydrol. 30, 167–178.
WELLINGS S.R. and BELL J.P. 1980. Movement of water and nitrate in the unsaturated zone of Upper Chalk near Winchester, Hants, England. J. Hydrol., 48, 119–136.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1988 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Edmunds, W.M., Darling, W.G., Kinniburgh, D.G. (1988). Solute Profile Techniques for Recharge Estimation in Semi-Arid and Arid Terrain. In: Simmers, I. (eds) Estimation of Natural Groundwater Recharge. NATO ASI Series, vol 222. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-7780-9_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-7780-9_9
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-481-8444-6
Online ISBN: 978-94-015-7780-9
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive