Abstract
In Gyeongju, South Korea, local magnitude ML5.1 and ML5.8 earthquakes occurred on 12 September 2016; ML4.5 aftershocks and >500 aftershocks with ML > 1.5 were observed over the next 3 months. Responses of the aquifers were compared using hydrological and environmental tracer data (noble gases, δ18O, δD, 3H, and 13C). To assess the hydrologic response to the earthquake activity by the shallow (alluvial) and deep (bedrock) aquifers, time series data from the national groundwater monitoring wells were compared. Groundwater-level changes were not observed in most alluvial wells, while groundwater level and electrical conductivity (EC) increased in the confined igneous rock for several days to months after the earthquake activity. Noble gas anomalies in groundwater were closely related to the epicentral distance, lithology, and aquifer type. The relatively low concentration of 3H (<0.8 TU) and depleted values of δ18O and δD in the alluvial and bedrock aquifers suggest they were affected by upwelling of deep and old water. Elevated values of δ13C and 222Rn were observed in wells close to the epicenter. Groups resulting from cluster analysis using environmental tracer data were closely related to the responses of the earthquake on the aquifers of different types (alluvial and bedrock), lithologies, and distances from the epicenter. Groundwater-level change and geochemical response after the earthquake activity showed different correlations depending on aquifer and fault types. Combined use of groundwater level, EC, and environmental tracer data in groundwater can be useful to understand the origin and preferential flow paths of water during and after earthquakes.
Résumé
A Gyeongju, Corée du Sud, des séismes de magnitude locale ML 5.1 et ML 5.8 ont eu lieu le 12 septembre 2016; des répliques ML 4.5 et >500 répliques avec ML > 1.5 ont été observées pendant les trois mois suivant. Les réponses des aquifères ont été comparées avec l’utilisation de données hydrologiques et de traceurs environnementaux (gaz rares, δ18O, δD, 3H, et 13C). Pour évaluer la réponse hydrologique des aquifères superficiels (alluviaux) et profonds (socle) à l’activité sismique, les séries temporelles de données de puits d’observations nationaux ont été comparées. Des changements de niveaux des eaux souterraines n’ont pas été observés dans la plupart des puits des alluvions, alors que le niveau d’eau souterraine et la conductivité électrique (EC) ont augmenté dans les aquifères captifs de roches ignées pendant plusieurs jours à plusieurs mois après l’activité sismique. Les anomalies en gaz rares dans les eaux souterraines étaient étroitement liées à la distance à l’épicentre, à la lithologie et au type d’aquifère. Les concentrations relativement faibles de 3H (<0.8 TU) et les valeurs appauvries de δ18O et δD dans les aquifères alluviaux et de socle suggèrent qu’ils ont été affectés par une remontée d’eau profonde et ancienne. Les valeurs élevées de δ13C et 222Rn ont été observées aux puits proches de l’épicentre. Les groupes qui résultent d’une analyse de classification en utilisant les données de traceurs environnementaux étaient étroitement liés aux réponses des aquifères de différents types (alluviaux et socle), aux lithologies, et aux distances à l’épicentre. Le changement de niveau d’eau souterraine et la réponse géochimique après l’activité sismique ont montré différentes corrélations qui dépendent des types d’aquifères et de failles. L’utilisation conjointe du niveau d’eau souterraine, de CE, et des données de traceurs environnementaux dans les eaux souterraines peut être utile à la compréhension de l’origine et des chemins d’écoulements préférentiels de l’eau pendant et après les séismes.
Resumen
En Gyeongju, Corea del Sur, se produjeron terremotos de magnitud local (ML5.1 y ML5.8) el 12 de septiembre de 2016; en los tres meses siguientes se observaron réplicas (ML4.5 y >500 réplicas (ML > 1.5). Las respuestas de los acuíferos se compararon utilizando datos hidrológicos y ambientales (gases nobles, δ18O, δD, 3H, y 13C). Para evaluar la respuesta hidrológica a la actividad sísmica de los acuíferos superficiales (aluviales) y profundos (basamento), se compararon datos de series cronológicas de los pozos de monitoreo de aguas subterráneas a nivel nacional. No se observaron cambios en el nivel del agua subterránea en la mayoría de los pozos aluviales, mientras que el nivel del agua subterránea y la conductividad eléctrica (EC) aumentaron en la roca ígnea confinada durante varios días o meses después de la actividad sísmica. Las anomalías de los gases nobles en el agua subterránea estaban estrechamente relacionadas con la distancia al epicentro, la litología y el tipo de acuífero. La concentración relativamente baja de 3H (<0.8 TU) y los valores empobrecidos de δ18O y δD en los acuíferos aluviales y del basamento sugieren que fueron afectados por el afloramiento de aguas profundas y viejas. Se observaron valores elevados de δ13C y 222Rn en pozos cercanos al epicentro. Los grupos resultantes del análisis de clústeres utilizando datos de trazadores ambientales estaban estrechamente relacionados con las respuestas de los acuíferos de diferentes tipos (aluviales y de basamento), litologías y distancias desde el epicentro. El cambio en el nivel del agua subterránea y la respuesta geoquímica después de la actividad sísmica mostraron diferentes correlaciones dependiendo de los tipos de acuíferos y el fallamiento. El uso combinado de datos sobre el nivel del agua subterránea, la CE y el trazador ambiental en el agua subterránea puede ser útil para comprender el origen y las trayectorias del flujo preferencial del agua durante y después de los terremotos.
摘要
在韩国庆州,2016年9月12日发生了震级ML5.1和ML5.8的地震;接下来的三个月中观察到ML4.5的余震和ML > 1.5的500余次的余震。使用水文和环境示踪剂数据(惰性气体,δ18O,δD,3H和13C)比较了含水层的响应。为了评估浅层(冲积层)和深层(基岩)含水层对地震活动的水文响应,比较了国家地下水监测井的时间序列数据。在大多数冲积井中未观察到地下水位变化,而地震活动后地下水位和电导率(EC)在承压火成岩中在数天至数月内增加。地下水中的惰性气体异常与震中距离、岩性和含水层类型密切相关。冲积层和基岩含水层中3H(<0.8 TU)浓度相对较低,而且δ18O和δD耗尽,表明它们受到深部老水上涌的影响。在靠近震中的井中观察到δ13C和222Rn升高。使用环境示踪剂数据进行聚类分析得到的类与不同类型含水层(冲积层和基岩)、岩性和距震中距离的响应密切相关。地震活动后的地下水位变化和地球化学响应表现出不同的相关性,这取决于含水层和断层类型。地下水中地下水位,EC和环境示踪剂数据的综合应用可以有助于弄清地震期间和之后水的补给来源和优先流动路径。
Resumo
Em Gyeongju, Coréia do Sul, terremotos de magnitude local ML5.1 e ML5.8 ocorreram em 12 de setembro de 2016; ML4.5 réplicas e >500 tremores secundários com ML > 1.5 foram observados nos próximos três meses. As respostas dos aquíferos foram comparadas usando dados de traçadores hidrológicos e ambientais (gases nobres, δ18O, δD, 3H, e 13C). Para avaliar a resposta hidrológica à atividade sísmica pelos aquíferos raso (aluvial) e profundo (leito de rocha), os dados das séries temporais dos poços nacionais de monitoramento das águas subterrâneas foram comparados. Mudanças no nível da água subterrânea não foram observadas na maioria dos poços aluviais, enquanto o nível do lençol freático e a condutividade elétrica (CE) aumentaram na rocha ígnea confinada por vários dias a meses após a atividade sísmica. Anomalias de gás nobres nas águas subterrâneas estavam intimamente relacionadas com a distância epicentral, litologia e tipo de aquífero. A concentração relativamente baixa de 3H (<0.8 TU) e os valores deplecionados de δ18O e δD nos aquíferos aluviais e fraturados sugerem que eles foram afetados pela ressurgência de águas profundas e antigas. Valores elevados de δ13C e 222Rn foram observados em poços próximos ao epicentro. Grupos resultantes da análise de agrupamento usando dados de traçadores ambientais foram intimamente relacionados com as respostas dos aquíferos de diferentes tipos (aluviais e rochosos), litologias e distâncias do epicentro. Mudanças no nível da água subterrânea e respostas geoquímicas após a atividade sísmica mostraram diferentes correlações dependendo dos tipos de aquíferos e falhas. O uso combinado dos dados do nível do lençol freático, da CE e do traçador ambiental nas águas subterrâneas pode ser útil para entender a origem e os caminhos de fluxo preferencial da água durante e após os terremotos.
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Acknowledgements
Suggestions provided by Dr. Rolf Kipfer at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology are kindly acknowledged.
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This study was supported by the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST) grant by the Korea government (MSIP; No. CAP-17-05-KIGAM).
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Kaown, D., Koh, DC., Kim, H. et al. Evaluating the responses of alluvial and bedrock aquifers to earthquakes (ML5.1 and ML5.8) using hydrological and environmental tracer data. Hydrogeol J 27, 2011–2025 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-01966-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-01966-5