Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
(a)
Aquifer not used
R
ET
E
E
I
GROUND WATER TABLE
I
SALINE
SEA WATER
FRESH
GROUND WATER
FRESH
GROUND WATER
GWF
GWF
SWF
SWF
R - Rainfall
ET - Evapotranspiration
I - Infiltration
P - Pumping
E - Evaporation
GWF - Groundwater flow
SWF - Saline groundwater flow
SS - Saline soils
SALINE
GROUND WATER
SALINE
GROUND WATER
(b)
Aquifer pumped for irrigation, industrial and human use
R
ET
CROPS
CROPS
E
E
CROPS
I
P
I
SS
I
SS
P
SALINE
SEA WATER
SWF
SWF
FRESH
GROUND WATER
FRESH
GROUND WATER
GWF
GWF
SALINE
GROUND WATER
SALINE
GROUND WATER
Figure 25.14
Hydrological cycle in a coastal aquifer in the Mediterranean region: (a) non-exploited aquifer, (b) aquifer exploited
for domestic, industrial and irrigation uses.
abstraction, to re-establish a stronger seaward hydraulic
gradient. Artificial recharge of the aquifer is possible by
constructing recharge barriers to cause surface spreading
or by digging recharge wells. These control measures are
very costly, however, and in many cases the only option is
to cease using the aquifer and to develop entirely new
sources. As the lower reaches of rivers become controlled
and diked, natural flooding is prevented, and thus a
pathway of natural recharge is removed.
(10
9
m
3
yr
-1
)
Total water
Groundwater
Total
Country
resource
resource
consumption
Spain
31·0
9·1
12·2
France
74·0
31·0
2·0
Greece
58·6
12·0
3·7
Italy
187·0
30·0
14·8
