Journal article
Groundwater responses to recharge and flood in riparian zones of layered aquifers: An analytical model
Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam), Vol.614, p.128547
11/2022
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2022.128547
Abstract
•A novel model for groundwater flow in layered aquifers was developed.•Heterogeneity enhances lateral flow and causes vertical flow between two layers.•Traditional equivalent hydraulic conductivity generally underestimates discharges.
A riparian zone is an important element in a river-aquifer system, controlling water exchange and other chemical and biological processes between a river and an aquifer. Complex groundwater flow patterns may occur due to aquifer heterogeneity within a riparian zone. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of layered heterogeneity on water exchange in the riparian zone using a mathematical model for groundwater flow in a two-layer aquifer that is recharged by precipitation and floods. A semi-analytical solution is derived for the hydraulic head, lateral discharge, and fluxes between the layers. Results demonstrate that the hydraulic conductivity difference between the two layers enhances lateral flow in the higher permeable layer and, more importantly, generates vertical flow between the two layers. The vertical flow induced by the recharge event is downward while it could be upward or downward induced by the flood event, which is determined by the contrast in permeabilities of the two layers. Using an equivalent hydraulic conductivity approach underestimates discharge of the two-layer aquifer due to recharge or flood. The analytical solution closely matched the observed hydraulic heads in riparian zone well of White Clay Creek and provided reasonable estimates of aquifer parameters. The present solution provides a valuable basis for further study of chemical and biological processes in riparian zone.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Groundwater responses to recharge and flood in riparian zones of layered aquifers: An analytical model
- Creators
- Jiangwei Zhang - School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, ChinaXiuyu Liang - School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, ChinaYou-Kuan Zhang - School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, ChinaXiaohui Chen - University of LeedsEnze Ma - School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, ChinaKeith Schilling - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam), Vol.614, p.128547
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2022.128547
- ISSN
- 0022-1694
- eISSN
- 1879-2707
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/2022
- Academic Unit
- Earth and Environmental Sciences; IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984383915202771
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