The Role of Leaky Boreholes in the Contamination of a Regional Confined Aquifer. A Case Study: The Campo de Cartagena Region, Spain

Jiménez‐Martínez, Joaquín; Aravena, Ramón; Candela, Lucila

doi:10.1007/s11270-010-0480-3

Cited by 34 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 22 publications

(27 reference statements)

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“…More than 1200 private boreholes are officially numbered (Figure 1). Many of them are screened in several aquifers, allowing an artificial connection between the different water masses (Jiménez-Martinez et al, 2011). All possibilities of mixing in tube wells exist between the different layers.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of human activities on recharge in a multilayered semiarid aquifer (Campo de Cartagena, SE Spain)

Baudron

Barbecot

Aróstegui

et al. 2013

Hydrological Processes

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The development of intense agriculture in semiarid areas modifies intensity and spatial distribution of groundwater recharge by summing irrigation return flow to limited rainfall infiltration. Environmental tracers provide key information, but their interpretation is complicated by more complex groundwater flow patterns. In multilayered aquifers, the real origin of the groundwater samples is hard to assess because of local mixing processes occurring inside long‐screened boreholes. We use environmental tracers (14C, 13C, 2H, 18O, 3H) to investigate the long‐term evolution of recharge in the five‐layer Campo de Cartagena aquifer in South‐Eastern Spain, in addition to high‐resolution temperature loggings to identify the depth of origin of groundwater. Despite the complex background, this methodology allowed a reliable interpretation of the geochemistry and provided a better understanding of the groundwater flow patterns. The tritium method did not give good quantitative results because of the high variability of the recharge signal but remained an excellent indicator of recent recharge. Nonetheless, both pre‐anthropization and post‐anthropization recharge regime could be identified and quantified by radiocarbon. Before the development of agriculture, recharge varied from 17 mm.year‐1 at the mountain ranges to 6 mm.year‐1 in the plain, whereas the mean annual rainfall is about 300 mm. In response to the increase of agricultural activity, recharge fluxes to the plain were amplified and nowadays reach up to 210 mm.year‐1 in irrigated areas. These values are strengthened by global water budget and local unsaturated zone studies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of human activities on recharge in a multilayered semiarid aquifer (Campo de Cartagena, SE Spain)

Baudron

Barbecot

Aróstegui

et al. 2013

Hydrological Processes

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“…The tectonics of this zone, with its barriers and divisions, also affects the hydraulic continuity, giving rise to local hydrogeological independencies that cause general heterogeneity and that generate variability in the data obtained from nearby areas [10]-which is also incorporated into the developed model. In turn, more than 1200 private wells are officially registered, and many of them exploit several aquifers through internal communication, which allows for artificial connections between stretches of water [18].…”

Section: Geologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Long Term Hydrodynamic Effects in a Semi-Arid Mediterranean Multilayer Aquifer: Campo de Cartagena in South-Eastern Spain

Domingo-Pinillos

Senent‐Aparicio

Aróstegui

et al. 2018

Water

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The Mediterranean basin contains many semi-arid environments where aquifers are subject to intensive exploitation, generally to meet irrigation demands. The Campo de Cartagena aquifer is a clear example from such a semi-arid environment, and its hydrodynamic effects have aroused great scientific interest. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the hydrodynamic effects that have occurred in the last century of anthropogenic activity in this aquifer system. This aquifer is subject to intensive exploitation and shows clear deficits in times of drought, with recharge by irrigation playing an important role. This study’s methodology includes groundwater modelling to reconstruct the transient evolution of the aquifer system during the last century, to generate water balances and to illustrate how the evolution of irrigation has, in many ways, changed the aquifer’s groundwater flow pattern. The results delineate the hydraulic communication of the aquifer stratums through specific geological structures, as well as the flow transfer from the Quaternary layer to the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean Sea. The reconstruction of the entire system’s temporal evolution shows a fragile water balance that is supported by surface-water contributions.

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“…Viers et al (2012) and Mejia et al (2012) evaluated the potential for nitrate migration from shallow groundwater to deeper strata over broad geographic areas using algebraic and numerical modeling methods, respecitvely. The potential effects of intraborehole flow and transport on a regional scale have also been considered in Poland (Dragon et al 2009), Spain (Jiménez-Martínez et al 2011) and Taiwan (Lu et al 2008).…”

Section: Previous Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inactive supply wells as conduits for flow and contaminant migration: conditions of occurrence and suggestions for management

Gailey

2017

Hydrogeol J

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Water supply wells can act as conduits for vertical flow and contaminant migration between water-bearing strata under common hydrogeologic and well construction conditions. While recognized by some for decades, there is little published data on the magnitude of flows and extent of resulting water quality impacts. Consequently, the issue may not be acknowledged widely enough and the need for better management persists. This is especially true for unconsolidated alluvial groundwater basins that are hydrologically stressed by agricultural activities. Theoretical and practical considerations indicate that significant water volumes can migrate vertically through wells. The flow is often downward, with shallow groundwater, usually poorer in quality, migrating through conduit wells to degrade deeper water quality. Field data from locations in California, USA, are presented in combination with modeling results to illustrate both the prevalence of conditions conducive to intraborehole flow and the resulting impacts to water quality. Suggestions for management of planned wells include better enforcement of current regulations and more detailed consideration of hydrogeologic conditions during design and installation. A potentially greater management challenge is presented by the large number of existing wells. Monitoring for evidence of conduit flow and solute transport in areas of high well density is recommended to identify wells that pose greater risks to water quality. Conduit wells that are discovered may be addressed through approaches that include structural modification and changes in operations.

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The Role of Leaky Boreholes in the Contamination of a Regional Confined Aquifer. A Case Study: The Campo de Cartagena Region, Spain

Cited by 34 publications

References 22 publications

Impacts of human activities on recharge in a multilayered semiarid aquifer (Campo de Cartagena, SE Spain)

Impacts of human activities on recharge in a multilayered semiarid aquifer (Campo de Cartagena, SE Spain)

Long Term Hydrodynamic Effects in a Semi-Arid Mediterranean Multilayer Aquifer: Campo de Cartagena in South-Eastern Spain

Inactive supply wells as conduits for flow and contaminant migration: conditions of occurrence and suggestions for management

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