A large-scale simulation model to assess karstic groundwater recharge over Europe and the Mediterranean

Hartmann, Andreas; Gleeson, Tom; Rosolem, Rafael; Pianosi, Francesca; Wada, Yoshihide; Wagener, Thorsten

doi:10.5194/gmd-8-1729-2015

Cited by 112 publications

(137 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…1B). Because large-scale information on subsurface heterogeneity in carbonate rock regions is not available, a procedure to estimate the VarKarst-R model parameters was developed (15). Based on cluster analysis and the concept of hydrological landscapes that includes climate and topographic information (15,48), carbonate rock regions are divided into four regions: humid (HUM), mountains (MTN), Mediterranean (MED), and deserts (DES).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because large-scale information on subsurface heterogeneity in carbonate rock regions is not available, a procedure to estimate the VarKarst-R model parameters was developed (15). Based on cluster analysis and the concept of hydrological landscapes that includes climate and topographic information (15,48), carbonate rock regions are divided into four regions: humid (HUM), mountains (MTN), Mediterranean (MED), and deserts (DES). A large sample of initial model parameter sets (n = 25,000) is iteratively reduced using prior information [e.g., the FAO Digital Soil Map of the World (42)], FLUXNET (the global network of micrometeorological tower sites) (49) latent heat flux observations, and soil moisture observations of the International Soil Moisture Network (50) in each of the regions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For validation we compare the recharge simulations of the two models driven by the 5 climate models for the present period (1991-2010) with independent recharge observations for 38 karst systems in Europe for which we could obtain recharge values from the literature (ref. 15 and Table S1). To better understand how much subsurface heterogeneity is actually responsible for the differences of recharge estimations of the two models, we additionally compare the observations from our literature review with simulations of a version of the heterogeneous model where the heterogeneity processes are turned off (i.e., homogeneous subsurface, no lateral flow concentration but surface runoff leaves the grid cell).…”

Section: Realism Of Heterogeneity Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…and desert karst regions (15). These processes are not included in the PCR-GLOBWB model or other comparable large-scale hydrological models.…”

Section: Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…We divide all carbonate rock areas into four regions defined by cluster analysis using climatic and topographic descriptors (15): humid (HUM), mountains (MTN), Mediterranean (MED), and deserts (DES). Recharge sensitivities to climate variability are calculated for the time period of 1991-2010.…”

Section: Recharge Sensitivity To Climate Variabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Enhanced groundwater recharge rates and altered recharge sensitivity to climate variability through subsurface heterogeneity

Hartmann

Gleeson

Wada

et al. 2017

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Our environment is heterogeneous. In hydrological sciences, the heterogeneity of subsurface properties, such as hydraulic conductivities or porosities, exerts an important control on water balance. This notably includes groundwater recharge, which is an important variable for efficient and sustainable groundwater resources management. Current large-scale hydrological models do not adequately consider this subsurface heterogeneity. Here we show that regions with strong subsurface heterogeneity have enhanced present and future recharge rates due to a different sensitivity of recharge to climate variability compared with regions with homogeneous subsurface properties. Our study domain comprises the carbonate rock regions of Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East, which cover ∼25% of the total land area. We compare the simulations of two large-scale hydrological models, one of them accounting for subsurface heterogeneity. Carbonate rock regions strongly exhibit "karstification," which is known to produce particularly strong subsurface heterogeneity. Aquifers from these regions contribute up to half of the drinking water supply for some European countries. Our results suggest that water management for these regions cannot rely on most of the presently available projections of groundwater recharge because spatially variable storages and spatial concentration of recharge result in actual recharge rates that are up to four times larger for present conditions and changes up to five times larger for potential future conditions than previously estimated. These differences in recharge rates for strongly heterogeneous regions suggest a need for groundwater management strategies that are adapted to the fast transit of water from the surface to the aquifers.groundwater recharge | subsurface heterogeneity | water resources | climate variability | climate change

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Realism Of Heterogeneity Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…and desert karst regions (15). These processes are not included in the PCR-GLOBWB model or other comparable large-scale hydrological models.…”

Section: Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Recharge Sensitivity To Climate Variabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Enhanced groundwater recharge rates and altered recharge sensitivity to climate variability through subsurface heterogeneity

Hartmann

Gleeson

Wada

et al. 2017

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

Self Cite

170

109

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Quantifying the importance of spatial resolution and other factors through global sensitivity analysis of a flood inundation model

Savage

Pianosi

Bates

et al. 2016

Water Resources Research

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116

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Where high-resolution topographic data are available, modelers are faced with the decision of whether it is better to spend computational resource on resolving topography at finer resolutions or on running more simulations to account for various uncertain input factors (e.g., model parameters). In this paper we apply global sensitivity analysis to explore how influential the choice of spatial resolution is when compared to uncertainties in the Manning's friction coefficient parameters, the inflow hydrograph, and those stemming from the coarsening of topographic data used to produce Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). We apply the hydraulic model LISFLOOD-FP to produce several temporally and spatially variable model outputs that represent different aspects of flood inundation processes, including flood extent, water depth, and time of inundation. We find that the most influential input factor for flood extent predictions changes during the flood event, starting with the inflow hydrograph during the rising limb before switching to the channel friction parameter during peak flood inundation, and finally to the floodplain friction parameter during the drying phase of the flood event. Spatial resolution and uncertainty introduced by resampling topographic data to coarser resolutions are much more important for water depth predictions, which are also sensitive to different input factors spatially and temporally. Our findings indicate that the sensitivity of LISFLOOD-FP predictions is more complex than previously thought. Consequently, the input factors that modelers should prioritize will differ depending on the model output assessed, and the location and time of when and where this output is most relevant.

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Estimating groundwater recharge for an arid karst system using a combined approach of time-lapse camera monitoring and water balance modelling

et al. 2015

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Abstract:Groundwater is the principal water resource in semi-arid and arid environments. Therefore, quantitative estimates of its replenishment rate are important for managing groundwater systems. In dry regions, karst outcrops often show enhanced recharge rates compared with other surface and sub-surface conditions. Areas with exposed karst features like sinkholes or open shafts allow point recharge, even from single rainfall events. Using the example of the As Sulb plateau in Saudi Arabia, this study introduces a cost-effective and robust method for recharge monitoring and modelling in karst outcrops. The measurement of discharge of a representative small catchment (4.0 · 10 4 m 2 ) into a sinkhole, and hence the direct recharge into the aquifer, was carried out with a time-lapse camera. During the monitoring period of two rainy seasons (autumn 2012 to spring 2014), four recharge events were recorded. Afterwards, recharge data as well as proxy data about the drying of the sediment cover are used to set up a conceptual water balance model. The model was run for 17 years (1971 to 1986 and 2012 to 2014). Simulation results show highly variable seasonal recharge-precipitation ratios between 0 and 0.27. In addition to the amount of seasonal precipitation, this ratio is influenced by the interannual distribution of rainfall events. Overall, an average annual groundwater recharge for the doline (sinkhole) catchment on As Sulb plateau of 5.1 mm has estimated for the simulation period. Copyright

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A large-scale simulation model to assess karstic groundwater recharge over Europe and the Mediterranean

Cited by 112 publications

References 81 publications

Enhanced groundwater recharge rates and altered recharge sensitivity to climate variability through subsurface heterogeneity

Enhanced groundwater recharge rates and altered recharge sensitivity to climate variability through subsurface heterogeneity

Quantifying the importance of spatial resolution and other factors through global sensitivity analysis of a flood inundation model

Estimating groundwater recharge for an arid karst system using a combined approach of time-lapse camera monitoring and water balance modelling

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