Aquifer recharge: epistemology and interdisciplinarity

Abstract

Abstract:The environmental issues related to aquifer recharge and discharge present challenges that require an interdisciplinary approach. This paper reports an epistemological study on the contribution of different fields of knowledge to the research on hydrogeological processes. The study is based on the hypothesis that this dialog is essential to the resolution of current and future environmental problems, including those related to water use. The first proposition is to discuss epistemological and information management approaches that may contribute to a better spatial, qualitative and quantitative characterization of aquifer recharge. Preliminary conceptual models are developed to demonstrate the possibilities of interdisciplinary collaboration to solve the environmental issues presented here. The paper concludes with a discussion of the possibilities of incorporating knowledge on aquifer recharge into environmental and water resources policies.

Water loss in transit in an intermittent river in brazilian semi-arid

“…Several analytical solutions can be found in the literature to describe the interaction of confined, semi-confined and free aquifers with their adjacent rivers. For example, Jordan (1977), Lane (1983) and Vasconcelos et al (2013), analyzed specific river-aquifer systems, and quantified the decrease of river flow along its course. In the Brazilian semi-arid region, the works of Araújo and Ribeiro (1996), Lima et al (2007) and Costa et al (2012; have been pioneering in this line of research.…”

“…Outros trabalhos, devido, em grande parte, à complexidade dos fenômenos inerentes aos sistemas rio-aquífero, procuraram quantificar a interação rio-aquífero (LIMA et al 2007;WALTERS, 1990;HUANG et al, 2015) Diversas soluções analíticas podem ser encontradas na literatura para descrever a interação de aquíferos confinados, semiconfinados e livres com rios adjacentes. Por exemplo, Jordan (1977), Lane (1983) e Vasconcelos et al (2013), analisaram sistemas rio-aquífero específicos a partir da quantificação da diminuição da vazão dos rios ao longo do seu curso. No Semiárido brasileiro, os trabalhos de Araújo e Ribeiro (1996), Lima et al (2007) e Costa et al (2012; apresentam-se como pioneiros nessa linha de pesquisa.…”

What maintains the waters flowing in our rivers?

“…Second, the dynamics of groundwater circulation have been harder to understand and monitor, which makes it difficult to regulate. An example of the persistence of these contrasting approaches in the management of surface and groundwater is that in many countries, including Brazil, the laws on surface water basins that cross internal federal units (more than one state) attribute management to the Union (the federal government), but the management of groundwater remains restricted to State management (Vasconcelos et al 2013a).…”

“…18 does not represent a one-way linear path of knowledge dissemination. As discussed by Vasconcelos et al (2013a), much of the construction of hydrogeological knowledge has occurred due to interdisciplinary dialog. In addition, the methods of reasoning and of diffusing, incorporating and applying hydrogeological knowledge in practical terms depend on the educational and professional background of each of the shareholders participating in this process, who are involved in each of the following activities to varying degrees:…”