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Relative importance and chemical effects of diffuse and focused recharge in an eogenetic karst aquifer: an example from the unconfined upper Floridan aquifer, USA

Importance relative et effets sur la qualité de l’eau associés à une recharge diffuse et ponctuelle d’un aquifère karstique de type éogène: l’exemple de l’aquifère supérieur libre de Floride, Etats Unis d’Amérique

La importancia relativa y los efectos químicos de la recarga difusa o focalizada en un acuífero kárstico cogenético: un ejemplo del acuífero superior no confinado de Florida, EEUU

Importância relativa e efeitos químicos da recarga pontual e difusa num aquífero cársico eogenético: O exemplo do aquífero livre superior Floridan, EUA

扩散和集中补给对表生喀斯特含水层的相对重要性和化学效应 : 美国佛罗里达潜水层实例

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Abstract

Karst aquifer studies often focus on allogenic water inputs and large conduit flow. However, diffuse recharge can be significant, particularly in unconfined eogenetic karst aquifers that retain high matrix permeability. This study examines an unconfined region of the upper Floridan aquifer (USA) that hosts a sinking stream, its resurgence, and a large conduit system. Daily diffuse recharge was approximated using a water-budget method and ranged from 17% of precipitation during a low precipitation year to >53% during the highest precipitation year, illustrating the highly variable nature of diffuse recharge in this region. The total allogenic input via the sinking stream over the 5 years of the study was significantly larger than the volume of diffuse recharge. However, only about 2% of the allogenic recharge flows from the conduit into the surrounding aquifer. That flow is restricted to storm events when hydraulic heads in the conduits exceed those in the surrounding aquifer. The estimated volume of dissolution is similar for allogenic recharge and diffuse recharge to the unconfined region surrounding the conduits, but dissolution from the diffuse recharge is distributed over a larger area than dissolution from allogenic recharge. These results exemplify how recharge type impacts flow and water–rock interactions in eogenetic karst aquifers.

Résumé

Les études des aquifères karstiques très souvent se concentrent sur la caractérisation des apports allogéniques et les écoulements au sein de conduits de grande dimension. Cependant, la recharge diffuse peut être importante, particulièrement dans des aquifères libres de type éogène, caractérisés par la présence d’une conductivité hydraulique de matrice élevée. Cette étude concerne l’aquifère supérieur libre de Floride (Etats-Unis d’Amérique) qui comprend un cours d’eau qui s’infiltre, sa résurgence et un système de conduits. La recharge diffuse quotidienne a été évaluée à partir de l’établissement du bilan hydrologique; elle correspondait à 17% des précipitations lors des faibles précipitations et pouvait atteindre plus de 53% pour les années fortement excédentaires en précipitations, illustrant ainsi la forte variabilité temporelle de la recharge diffuse dans cette région. La recharge totale assurée par les pertes du cours d’eau sur une période de 5 ans étudiée est supérieure de manière significative, à la recharge diffuse. Cependant, seul environ 2% de la recharge provenant des pertes s’écoule du conduit vers la matrice environnante au sein de l’aquifère. Ce flux concerne les événements occasionnant des crues, lorsque la charge hydraulique au sein du conduit est supérieure à celle de la matrice environnante. Le volume dissous estimé par la recharge allogénique et la recharge diffuse, est comparable dans les régions situés autour des conduits au sein de l’aquifère libre, cependant la dissolution issue de la recharge diffuse concerne une zone plus grande que celle due à la recharge par les pertes. Les résultats mettent en exergue l’influence du type de recharge sur les flux et les interactions eau-roche au sein d’un aquifère karstique de type éogène.

Resumen

Los estudios de acuíferos kársticos a menudo se enfocan sobre las entradas de aguas alóctonas y los grandes conductos de flujo. Sin embargo la recarga difusa puede ser significativa, particularmente en acuíferos kársticos cogenéticos no confinados que retienen una matriz de alta permeabilidad. Este estudio examina una región no confinada del acuífero superior de Florida (EEUU) que aloja una corriente que se infiltra, su resurgencia y un gran sistema de conducción. La recarga difusa diaria fue aproximada usando un método de balance hídrico y oscila entre 17% de la precipitación durante un año de precipitaciones bajas a >53% durante el año de precipitaciones más altas, lo que ilustra la naturaleza altamente variable de la recarga difusa en esta región. El total ingresado en forma alóctona vía las corrientes infiltradas durante los 5 años de estudio fue significativamente mayor que el volumen de la recarga difusa. Sin embargo, solamente alrededor del 2% de la recarga alóctona fluye desde el conducto hacia el acuífero circundante. Este flujo está restringido a eventos de tormentas cuando la carga hidráulica en los conductos excede a aquellos del acuífero circundante. El volumen estimado de disolución es similar para las recargas alóctona y difusa a la región no confinada que rodea a los conductos, pero la disolución de la recarga difusa está distribuida sobre un área mayor que la disolución de la recarga alóctona. Estos resultados ejemplifican como los tipos de recarga influyen en el flujo y en las interacciones entre el agua y la roca en acuíferos kársticos cogenéticos.

Resumo

Os estudos de aquíferos cársicos focam frequentemente entradas de água pontuais e grandes condutas de fluxo. No entanto, a recarga difusa pode ser significativa, particularmente em aquíferos cársicos livres eogenéticos que apresentem uma matriz de alta permeabilidade. Este estudo analisa uma zona livre do aquífero superior Floridan (EUA), o qual alberga um sumidouro, a sua ressurgência e um extenso sistema de condutas. A recarga difusa diária foi estimada, utilizando um método de balanço hídrico, tendo variado de 17% durante um ano de precipitação anual reduzida, a mais de 53% durante o ano de precipitação anual mais elevada, o que ilustra a natureza altamente variável da recarga difusa na região. O total de entradas através do sumidouro durante os 5 anos do estudo foi significativamente maior do que o volume de recarga difusa. No entanto, apenas cerca de 2% da recarga pontual flui da conduta principal para recarregar o aquífero. Esse fluxo encontra-se restrito a eventos de tempestade, quando o potencial hidráulico nas condutas excede o potencial hidráulico no aquífero circundante. O volume estimado de dissolução é semelhante para a recarga pontual e para a recarga difusa para a zona livre que rodeia as condutas principais, mas a dissolução provocada pela recarga difusa é distribuída sobre uma área maior do que a dissolução provocada pela recarga pontual. Estes resultados exemplificam como o tipo de recarga influencia o fluxo e as interacções água-rocha em aquíferos cársicos eogenéticos.

摘要

喀斯特含水层的研究常集中在外源水补给和大管道流. 但扩散补给, 尤其是对于具高基质渗透率的表生潜水含水层, 是非常显著的. 本研究考察了美国佛罗里达含水层上部无压区中的一个伏流, 其出口和大管道系统. 日扩散补给用水均衡方法估算, 波动范围从枯水年降雨量的17%到最丰水年份的>53%, 反映了该区扩散补给高度变化的属性. 在研究进行的五年之中, 由伏流得到的总外源补给比扩散补给大很多. 但仅有2%的外源补给经管道流入周围的含水层. 该水流受暴雨事件控制, 此时管道中的水头超过周围含水层. 外源水补给和扩散补给对管道周围无压区的溶蚀体积近似, 但较之外源水补给, 扩散补给所引起的溶蚀分布面积广大. 这些结果解释了补给类型在表生喀斯特含水层中是如何影响水流和水岩相互作用的.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the staff of O’Leno State Park for their cooperation. The research was funded by the National Science Foundation grants EAR-003360 and EAR-0510054 and by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Grants numbers S00060, S0141, and S0181. Helpful reviews by Len Vacher and an anonymous reviewer greatly improved this manuscript.

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  1. M. Ritorto

    Present address: Roux Associates, Islandia, NY, 11749, USA

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  1. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    M. Ritorto, E. J. Screaton, J. B. Martin & P. J. Moore

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Correspondence to E. J. Screaton.

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Ritorto, M., Screaton, E.J., Martin, J.B. et al. Relative importance and chemical effects of diffuse and focused recharge in an eogenetic karst aquifer: an example from the unconfined upper Floridan aquifer, USA. Hydrogeol J 17, 1687–1698 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-009-0460-0

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