Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
3.7 Anthropogenic Influences on Surface Water and Groundwater
Urbanization has a profound influence on the hydrogeology of an urban area because
urbanization creates an anthropogenic infrastructure. This infrastructure is intended to
mimic the natural systems it replaces, but ends up changing many or all of the character-
istics of the surface water and groundwater in developed areas (Vuono and Hallenbeck
1995; Zaporozec and Eaton 1996; Kibel 1998). For example, surface water drainage patterns
are changed, runoff velocity increases, groundwater levels are raised and lowered, and
groundwater recharge areas can expand or disappear (Burn et al. 2007; Garcia-Fresca 2007;
Howard et al. 2007; Mohorlok et al. 2007). While many of us are aware of anthropogenic
influences on surface water, it is much more difficult to recognize, evaluate, and monitor
anthropogenic influences on groundwater because they are not readily observable, and a
limited amount of research on urban groundwater exists.
3.7.1 Anthropogenic Surface Water Influences
A more detailed accounting of the anthropogenic influences on surface water can be found
in Kaufman and Marsh (1997) and Winter et al. (2008), and includes
• Changing drainage patterns, most notably the creation of ephemeral drainage net-
works (e.g., driveways and streets) in the headwater zones of streams
• Increasing runoff volume and velocity
• “First flush” pollution; occurring when road oil and other auto-related liquids are
washed off the pavement during intense thunderstorms
• Increased erosion and sediment loading
• Wetland destruction
• Dam construction for hydroelectric power and reservoirs
• Rising groundwater elevations in areas near dams and reservoirs
• Contaminated groundwater discharging to surface water in urban areas
• Using surface water for irrigation
• Discharge of industrial and sanitary wastewater to surface water
• Diversion of polluted stormwater into surface water bodies
•
Combined sewer overflows
• Infiltration/inflow problems within the sewer and water supply pipe networks of
older urban areas
• Decreased baseflow resulting from the construction of impervious surfaces such
as roads and buildings
• Pruning (removal) of streams due to new development
• Direct and indirect discharges of contaminants to surface water
Some of the motive forces behind drainage pattern modification include:
• Flood control through (1) construction of levees, (2) deepening of streams and
rivers through dredging, (3) construction of stormwater retention ponds, and
Search WWH ::
Custom Search