Estimation of Groundwater Recharge from the Rainfall and Irrigation in an Arid Environment Using Inverse Modeling Approach and RS

A modified Water-Table Fluctuation (WTF) method is developed to quantitatively characterize the regional groundwater discharge patterns in stressed aquifers caused by intensive agricultural pumping. Two new parameters are defined to express the secondary information in the observed data. One is infiltration efficiency and the other is discharge modulus (recurring head loss due to aquifer discharge). An optimization procedure is involved to estimate these parameters, based on continuous groundwater head measurements and precipitation records. Using the defined parameters and precipitation time series, water level changes are calculated for individual wells with fidelity. The estimated parameters are then used to further address the characterization of infiltration and to better quantify the discharge at the regional scale. The advantage of this method is that it considers recharge and discharge simultaneously, whereas the general WTF methods mostly focus on recharge. In the case study, the infiltration efficiency reveals that the infiltration is regionally controlled by the intrinsic characteristics of the aquifer, and locally distorted by engineered hydraulic structures that alter surface water-groundwater interactions. The seasonality of groundwater discharge is characterized by the monthly discharge modulus. These results from individual wells are clustered into groups that are consistent with the local land use pattern and cropping structures.

Section: Data Processing and Parameterizationmentioning

confidence: 61%

Section: Parameterization Of Valuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Data Processing and Parameterizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Modified Water-Table Fluctuation Method to Characterize Regional Groundwater Discharge

Yang

Chen

et al. 2018

“…The values obtained for the vertical hydraulic communication were around 55% of the total flow, which indicates that these values are worthy of some consideration. The scarcity of data related to this work, despite the progress that has been made with regard to real extractions from pumping, indicates continued uncertainty, so MODFLOW is an adequate tool in this study [42]. The levels of recharge and extractions by pumping require future, more in-depth studies, as the uncertainty of these parameters indicates that the obtained results should be treated with caution.…”

Section: Calculation Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 98%

Long Term Hydrodynamic Effects in a Semi-Arid Mediterranean Multilayer Aquifer: Campo de Cartagena in South-Eastern Spain

Domingo-Pinillos

Senent‐Aparicio

Aróstegui

et al. 2018

The Mediterranean basin contains many semi-arid environments where aquifers are subject to intensive exploitation, generally to meet irrigation demands. The Campo de Cartagena aquifer is a clear example from such a semi-arid environment, and its hydrodynamic effects have aroused great scientific interest. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the hydrodynamic effects that have occurred in the last century of anthropogenic activity in this aquifer system. This aquifer is subject to intensive exploitation and shows clear deficits in times of drought, with recharge by irrigation playing an important role. This study’s methodology includes groundwater modelling to reconstruct the transient evolution of the aquifer system during the last century, to generate water balances and to illustrate how the evolution of irrigation has, in many ways, changed the aquifer’s groundwater flow pattern. The results delineate the hydraulic communication of the aquifer stratums through specific geological structures, as well as the flow transfer from the Quaternary layer to the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean Sea. The reconstruction of the entire system’s temporal evolution shows a fragile water balance that is supported by surface-water contributions.

“…Liu et al [12] technically supported by a lysimeter with controlled groundwater depth, determined the deficit irrigation schedule for crops under different groundwater depths. Relevant researchers pointed out that groundwater action was particularly critical in the analysis of the soil-crop-atmosphere system water balance in an arid oasis [13][14][15][16][17][18]. The deficit irrigation schedule in shallow groundwater areas could improve groundwater utilization but limited the influence on yield [19][20][21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimization of Spring Wheat Irrigation Schedule in Shallow Groundwater Area of Jiefangzha Region in Hetao Irrigation District

Peng

Zhang

Cai

et al. 2019

Due to the large spatial variation of groundwater depth, it is very difficult to determine suitable irrigation schedules for crops in shallow groundwater area. A zoning optimization method of irrigation schedule is proposed here, which can solve the problem of the connection between suitable irrigation schedules and different groundwater depths in shallow groundwater areas. The main results include: (1) Taking the annual mean groundwater depth 2.5 m as the dividing line, the shallow groundwater areas were categorized into two irrigation schedule zones. (2) On the principle of maximizing the yield, the optimized irrigation schedule for spring wheat in each zone was obtained. When the groundwater depth was greater than 2.5 m, two rounds of irrigation were chosen at the tillering-shooting stage and the shooting-heading stage with the irrigation quota at 300 mm. When the groundwater depth was less than 2.5 m, two rounds of irrigation were chosen at the tillering-shooting stage, and one round at the shooting-heading stage, with the irrigation quota at 240 mm. The main water-saving effect of the optimized irrigation schedule is that the yield, the soil water use rate, and the water use productivity increased, while the irrigation amount and the ineffective seepage decreased.