Research Trends in Groundwater and Stable Isotopes

Abstract

Groundwater is essential in the management of water resources globally. The water quality of aquifers is affected by climate change and population growth, aspects that can be addressed with stable isotope analysis. This study aims to carry out an analysis of the scientific information related to groundwater and stable isotopes (GSI) using scientific databases (Scopus and Web of Science) to evaluate the intellectual structure of the subject and the emerging research lines. The methodology includes: (i) topic search selection, (ii) tools in databases processing, (iii) bibliometric analysis, and (iv) review by clustering technique. The results showed that the scientific production of GSI can be addressed through three evolution periods: I (1969–1990), II (1991–2005), and III (2006–2021). Periods I and II did not significantly contribute to publications because, in the past, most of the student’s thesis (M.Sc. and Ph.D) consisted of writing a report that summarizes their works. Therefore, the researcher was not obliged to publish their results in a professional journal. Finally, the third period showed exponential growth, representing 82.34% of the total publications in this theme because, in the last years, institutions require at least one scientific article depending on the country and university, in order to graduate with an M.Sc. and PhD. Finally, the contribution of this study is reflected in the recognition of new research lines and their applicability by the knowledge of recharge sources, environmental aspects, infiltration, knowledge of the aquifer-meteoric water system, and groundwater-superficial water interaction. These aspects offer the possibility of analyzing integrated water resources management at the watershed or river-aquifer systems level.

Mapping Groundwater Potential Zones for Sustainable Agricultural Development in Entre Ríos, Ecuador

“…( 2)-( 5), respectively. The water deficit was calculated by subtracting actual evapotranspiration from potential evapotranspiration [16,40].…”

“…Multi-criteria analysis that includes the analytical hierarchical process (AHP) allows the preparation of maps with Groundwater Potential Zones (GWPZ) from data collected or estimated as geological and geophysical information [15][16][17][18][19].…”

“…Semi-arid areas are supplied mainly with water from aquifers. In these zones, hydrogeological characterizations are vital because they help identify potential groundwater zones, locate optimal sites for constructing exploratory wells, know the water resource availability, and plan sustainable exploitation strategies [16]. On the coast of Ecuador, specifically, the communes of Manglaralto and Olón (province of Santa Elena) are supplied exclusively by coastal aquifers.…”

Bibliometric Analysis of Earthquake Research in America: A Comparative Study Using Web of Science and Scopus Databases

“…One of these is the April 18, 1906 earthquake of Mw=7.8, with a hypocenter in an SW-NE trending zone crossing the Offshore San Andreas fault system west of San Francisco [11,12]. The focus of this earthquake is associated with a right extensional step in the San Andreas fault system, a zone of ocean bed subsidence and complex normal and slip faults [13,14], causing a moderate tsunami that resulted in a 10cm drop in sea level, many deaths and damage [15,16].…”

Investigating rare earth elements and water stable isotopes dynamics in forest ecosystems

“…1.1) from the groundwater to the canopy level, including water stable isotopes, chemical tracers, geologic and hydrometric measurements (e.g. Muir and Coplen, 1981;Gourdol et al, 2021;Kuglerovà et al, 2014;Hissler et al, 2014 and2016;Galewsky et al, 2016;Pfister et al, 2017;Carrión-Mero et al, 2022;Martínez-Carreras et al, 2016 andBonanno et al, 2021;Douinot et al, 2022;Fabiani et al, 2022). These techniques have been extensively used to investigate water movement in various forest ecosystems, ranging from tropical rainforests to boreal forests.…”