Evaluating the effects of managed aquifer recharge using the MODFLOW model: A case study of the gash aquifer, Kassala, Sudan

IF 4.7 2区地球科学 Q1 WATER RESOURCES

Journal of Hydrology-Regional Studies Pub Date : 2025-07-22 DOI:10.1016/j.ejrh.2025.102617

Mojahid Almahi , Haishen Lü , Yonghua Zhu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Study region

The Gash aquifer, located in the drought-prone Kassala region of eastern Sudan

Study focus

Groundwater resources face growing global threats from over-extraction, limited recharge, and climate change—especially in arid and semi-arid regions like Kassala—highlighting the need for sustainable management approaches. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is a promising strategy to mitigate groundwater depletion. This study evaluates the effects of MAR using a numerical groundwater flow model developed in MODFLOW through Processing MODFLOW (PMWIN), calibrated over a nine-year period (2008–2017) using data from the Directorate of Groundwater, Kassala. The model simulates three MAR scenarios targeting different zones of the Gash aquifer: upstream (Scenario 1), central Kassala (Scenario 2), and downstream (Scenario 3).

New hydrological insights for the region

Scenario 2 produced the most significant improvements in groundwater levels, with spatial variations based on recharge location. The total volume required for artificial recharge—defined as the annual gap between groundwater demand and the lowest recorded natural recharge—was estimated at 109 million m³ annually. An average annual recharge of 19 million m³ would stabilize groundwater levels to those observed in June 2017. Without intervention, groundwater levels may decline by about 20 m by June 2045, particularly in northern Kassala. These findings emphasize the importance of optimal recharge placement for sustaining groundwater resources. These insights support MAR planning in similarly arid, water-stressed regions.

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利用MODFLOW模型评价含水层补给管理的效果：以苏丹Kassala地区的裂隙含水层为例

研究区域位于苏丹东部易干旱的卡萨拉地区的Gash含水层研究重点地下水资源面临着日益严重的全球威胁，包括过度开采、补给有限和气候变化，特别是在像卡萨拉这样的干旱和半干旱地区，这突出了可持续管理方法的必要性。含水层管理补给（MAR）是一种很有前途的缓解地下水枯竭的策略。本研究使用MODFLOW通过Processing MODFLOW （PMWIN）开发的数值地下水流动模型来评估MAR的影响，该模型使用Kassala地下水管理局的数据校准了9年（2008-2017）。该模型模拟了三种针对Gash含水层不同区域的MAR情景：上游（情景1）、卡萨拉中部（情景2）和下游（情景3）。在区域情景2中，新的水文见解对地下水水位产生了最显著的改善，其空间变化基于补给地点。人工补给所需的总水量（定义为地下水需求与最低自然补给量之间的年缺口）估计为1.09亿立方米 每年。平均每年补给1900万立方米 将使地下水位稳定在2017年6月的水平。如果不采取干预措施，到2045年6月，地下水位可能下降约20 米，特别是在卡萨拉北部。这些发现强调了最佳补给位置对维持地下水资源的重要性。这些见解为类似干旱缺水地区的MAR规划提供了支持。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Hydrology-Regional Studies Earth and Planetary Sciences-Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)

CiteScore

6.70

自引率

8.50%

发文量

284

审稿时长

60 days

期刊介绍： Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies publishes original research papers enhancing the science of hydrology and aiming at region-specific problems, past and future conditions, analysis, review and solutions. The journal particularly welcomes research papers that deliver new insights into region-specific hydrological processes and responses to changing conditions, as well as contributions that incorporate interdisciplinarity and translational science.