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Methodology for groundwater recharge assessment in carbonate aquifers: application to pilot sites in southern Spain

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Abstract

Aquifer recharge can be determined by conventional methods such as hydrodynamic or hydrologic balance calculations, or numerical, hydrochemical or isotopic models. Such methods are usually developed with respect to detrital aquifers and are then used on carbonate aquifers without taking into consideration their hydrogeological particularities. Moreover, such methods are not always easy to apply, sometimes requiring data that are not available. Neither do they enable determination of the spatial distribution of the recharge. For eight regions in southern Spain, the APLIS method has been used to estimate the mean annual recharge in carbonate aquifers, expressed as a percentage of precipitation, based on the variables altitude, slope, lithology, infiltration landform, and soil type. The aquifers are representative of a broad range of climatic and geologic conditions. Maps of the above variables have been drawn for each aquifer, using a geographic information system; thus they can be superimposed to obtain the mean value and spatial distribution of the recharge. The recharge values for the eight aquifers are similar to those previously calculated by conventional methods and confirmed by discharge values, which corroborates the validity of the method.

Résumé

L’alimentation des aquifères peut être déterminée par des méthodes conventionnelles telles que les calculs de balances hyrologiques ou hydrodynamiques, ou les modèles numériques, hydrochimiques ou isotopiques. De telles méthodes sont habituellement développées en aquifères détritiques mais sont également utilisées pour des aquifères carbonatés sans prendre en compte leurs spécificités hydrogéologiques. De telles méthodes peuvent de surcroît être difficilement applicables, car des données essentielles sont parfois manquantes. Elles ne permettent pas non plus de déterminer la distribution spatiale de l’alimentation. Sur huit régions du Sud de l’Espagne, la méthode APLIS a été utilisée pour estimer l’alimentation moyenne annuelle d’aquifères carbonatés, exprimée en pourcentage des précipitations, en utilisant les variables suivantes : altitude, pente, lithologie, modelé d’infiltration et type de sol. Les aquifères sont représentatifs d’un large éventail de conditions climatiques et géologiques. Pour chaque paramètre sus-cité, des cartes ont été établies par aquifère en utilisant un système d’information géographique, afin de pouvoir les superposer et aboutir à la moyenne et la distribution de l’alimentation. Les valeurs d’alimentation pour les huit aquifères sont comparables à celles obtenues par les méthodes conventionnelles et confirmées par les valeurs de flux sortants, ce qui corrobore la validité de la méthode.

Resumen

La recarga de los acuíferos puede ser determinada por métodos convencionales de tipo hidrodinámico, balance hidrológico o numéricos y por técnicas hidroquímicas e isotópicas. Tales métodos han sido desarrollados en acuíferos detríticos y después han sido aplicados en acuíferos carbonatados sin tener en consideración las particularidades hidrogeológicas de éstos. Además, dichos métodos no son siempre fáciles de aplicar, algunas veces requieren datos que no están disponibles. Tampoco permiten determinar la distribución espacial de la recarga. En ocho áreas del Sur de España se ha aplicado el método APLIS para estimar la recarga media anual en acuíferos carbonatados, expresada como porcentaje de la precipitación, a partir de las variables altitud, pendiente, litología formas de infiltración y tipo de suelo. Los acuíferos son representativos de un amplio rango de condiciones climáticas y geológicas. Se han realizado los mapas de las variables anteriores mediante Sistemas de Información Geográfica y se han superpuesto para obtener el valor medio y la distribución espacial de la recarga. Los valores de recarga obtenidos son similares a los calculados previamente por métodos convencionales y confirmados con los valores de descarga, lo cual corrobora la validez del método.

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Acknowledgements

This report was produced in the framework of the Associate Unit “Advanced Hydrogeologic Studies” between the Hydrogeology and Groundwater Directorate of IGME and the Hydrogeology Group at the University of Málaga. It is a contribution to projects CGL 2005-05427 of DGICYT, IGCP-513 of UNESCO and P06-RNM 2161 of the Junta de Andalucía and to Groups RNM 308 and HUM 778 of Junta de Andalucía. The comments of two anonymous reviewers and editorial revision from Sue Duncan have improved the original version of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hydrogeology Group of the University of Malaga (GHUMA), Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geology, University of Malaga, 29071, Málaga, Spain

    B. Andreo, J. Vías, P. Jiménez & F. Carrasco

  2. Department of Hydrogeology and Groundwater, Spanish Geological Survey (IGME), Ríos Rosas, 21003, Madrid, Spain

    J. J. Durán & J. A. López-Geta

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  1. B. Andreo
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  2. J. Vías
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  5. J. A. López-Geta
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  6. F. Carrasco
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Correspondence to B. Andreo.

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Andreo, B., Vías, J., Durán, J.J. et al. Methodology for groundwater recharge assessment in carbonate aquifers: application to pilot sites in southern Spain. Hydrogeol J 16, 911–925 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-008-0274-5

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