Rainfall and groundwater isotopes to investigate aquifer recharge mechanisms and seasonality in the Mediterranean region. Implications for long-term groundwater sustainability in the climate change context

IF 5 2区地球科学 Q1 WATER RESOURCES

Journal of Hydrology-Regional Studies Pub Date : 2025-08-13 DOI:10.1016/j.ejrh.2025.102671

B. Nlend , F. Huneau , E. Garel , S. Santoni , T. Leydier

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Study region

The Western Mediterranean Region with a focus on Corsica Island.

Study focus

Groundwater recharge, a complex component of the water cycle, highly sensitive to climate change and controlled by other several factors. Based on long-term records of precipitation stable isotopes and groundwater through different sites, this paper aims to analyze the groundwater response to rainfall input and thus to define the different recharge mechanisms in various geomorphological and geological settings.

New hydrological insights for the region

Results show various patterns of groundwater recharge in alluvium, limestone and basement with greatest variability in rainwater infiltration in alluvial systems. Groundwater recharge ratios in coastal areas are similar in winter and summer periods while in inland areas the summer recharge is negligible. An assessment of the rainwater signal damping was conducted and revealed a limited influence of plants while the direct control of climatic regime through snowpack, precipitation intensity and evaporation is highlighted. The evaporation mechanism in groundwater, investigated using deuterium-excess and line-conditioned excess, is mainly related to a connection between rivers and aquifers. This work provides a clear understanding of aquifer response to meteorological conditions in the Mediterranean region. Groundwater is not just a weighted mean of rainfall events but rather reflects a complex eco-hydro-meteorological system. These results are beneficial for the development of sustainable water management practices according to the climate scenarios.

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降雨和地下水同位素研究地中海地区含水层补给机制和季节性。气候变化背景下地下水长期可持续性的影响

研究区域西地中海区域，重点是科西嘉岛。地下水补给是水循环的一个复杂组成部分，对气候变化高度敏感，并受其他几个因素的控制。基于不同地点降水稳定同位素和地下水的长期记录，分析了不同地貌地质条件下地下水对降雨输入的响应，从而明确了不同补给机制。结果表明，在冲积层、石灰岩和基底中，地下水补给模式多种多样，冲积系统中雨水入渗变化最大。沿海地区冬季和夏季地下水补给比相似，而内陆地区夏季补给可以忽略不计。对雨水信号阻尼进行了评估，发现植物的影响有限，而通过积雪、降水强度和蒸发直接控制气候状态。地下水的蒸发机制主要与河流和含水层之间的联系有关。这项工作为了解地中海地区含水层对气象条件的响应提供了清晰的认识。地下水不仅是降雨事件的加权平均值，而且反映了一个复杂的生态水文气象系统。这些结果有助于根据气候情景制定可持续的水资源管理措施。

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.