Abstract
The unconfined aquifer supported by the extensive Holocene coastal plain of southern Brazil is found dissected at several places by tidally forced streams. One such unit of coastal plain, falling within the watershed limits of Perequê Stream in Paraná state, was analyzed using MODFLOW to assess the surface and subsurface water components under different stress conditions. The steady-state simulation suggests that ~23,000 m3/day of water forms the total budget of the designated aquifer zone and this zone discharges ~16,000 m3/day across the interface between the freshwater aquifer zone and the sea as direct submarine discharge. The maximum evaporation loss was assumed to be 2,700 m3/day. Any change in effective aquifer storage was insignificant, as there is no large-scale exploitation of local groundwater reserves. A calibration exercise, based on field measurements lasting 1 year, supports validity of the model considered. Simulations representing two different transient conditions point to the dynamic hydraulic response exhibited by the aquifer. A schematic map, showing directions and velocity of subsurface flows, and a three-dimensional model of the groundwater reserve helped to visualize the hydrogeologic changes and to formulate management plans.
Résumé
L’aquifère à nappe libre présent dans la plaine côtière holocène de grande étendue du Brésil méridional se trouve découpé en plusieurs endroits par des fleuves influencés par la marée. Une de ces unités de plaine côtière, appartenant au bassin versant du fleuve Perequê dans l’état de Paraná, a été analysée en utilisant MODFLOW, dans le but d’évaluer les composantes de l’eau de surface et souterraines sous différentes conditions. La simulation en régime permanent suggère que le bilan en eau sur la portion d’aquifère considérée est de ~23,000 m 3/jour et que des débits de ~16,000 m 3/jour traversent l’interface entre la zone d’eau douce et la mer sous la forme de pertes sous-marines directes. On a estimé que la perte maximum par évaporation est de 2,700 m 3/jour. Toute modification de l’emmagasinement de l’aquifère était sans effet, car il n’y a aucune exploitation à grande échelle des réserves locales d’eaux souterraines. Un exercice de calage, basé sur des mesures sur le terrain durant un an, conforte la validité du modèle considéré. Des simulations représentant deux conditions de régime transitoire différentes mettent en avant la dynamique de la réponse hydraulique dont fait preuve l’aquifère. Une carte schématique, montrant les directions et les vitesses d’écoulement des flux souterrains, ainsi qu’un modèle 3D de la réserve en eaux souterraines permettent de visualiser les changements hydrogéologiques et d’élaborer des plans de gestion.
Resumen
El acuífero libre localizado en la extensa planicie costera del Holoceno del sur de Brasil se encuentra disectado en varios sectores por cursos formados por las mareas. Una de tales unidades de la planicie costera, que corresponde a los límites de la cuenca del Arroyo Perequê en el Estado de Paraná, fue analizada usando MODFLOW a fin de evaluar los componentes de aguas superficiales y subterráneas sujetos a diferentes condiciones. La simulación en estado estacionario sugiere que unos ~23,000 m3/día constituyen el total del balance hídrico del acuífero, y que esta zona aporta unos ~16,000 m3/día a través de la interfase entre agua dulce y agua de mar en la forma de descarga submarina directa. Las pérdidas máximas por evaporación se supusieron en 2,700 m3/día. Los cambios en el almacenamiento efectivo del acuífero son insignificantes puesto que no existen explotaciones relevantes de las reservas locales de agua subterránea. Un ejercicio de calibración, basado en datos de campo tomados durante un año, apoya la validez del modelo considerado. Dos simulaciones que representan diferentes condiciones transitorias ayudan a justificar la respuesta hidráulica dinámica del acuífero. Un mapa esquemático, que muestra las direcciones y la velocidad del agua subterránea, y el modelo tridimensional de las reservas acuíferas ayudaron a visualizar los cambios hidrogeológicos y a formular los planes de manejo.
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Acknowledgments
Authors thank A. Virmond Bittencourt, UFPR and P. Lana, UFPR for guidance and beneficial discussions. Necessary funding for the study was provided by the Municipality of Pontal do Paraná, Paraná State, Brazil. J. George, Centre for Earth Science Studies has been quite helpful in finalizing the manuscript. The comments made by anonymous referees and the editors of Hydrogeology Journal were extremely useful.
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Suresh Babu, D.S., Sahai, A.K., Noernberg, M.A. et al. Hydraulic response of a tidally forced coastal aquifer, Pontal do Paraná, Brazil. Hydrogeol J 16, 1427–1439 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-008-0334-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-008-0334-x