BRITO, Adriano Leal de. Oxigênio-18 e deutério traçadores do sistema de aqüíferos na Bacia Sedimentar do Araripe. 2012. 96 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Física) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Física, Departamento de Física, Centro de Ciências, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2012. / Submitted by Edvander Pires (edvanderpires@gmail.com) on 2015-10-21T21:30:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2012_dis_albrito.pdf: 1763548 bytes, checksum: 4fe45ca63d81b9f56baf5d804acb37a4 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Edvander Pires(edvanderpires@gmail.com) on 2015-10-22T21:31:50Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2012_dis_albrito.pdf: 1763548 bytes, checksum: 4fe45ca63d81b9f56baf5d804acb37a4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-22T21:31:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2012_dis_albrito.pdf: 1763548 bytes, checksum: 4fe45ca63d81b9f56baf5d804acb37a4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / The natural tracers deuterium and oxygen-18 were used to identify the dynamic characteristics of the groundwater reserves in the Araripe Sedimentary Basin, through the analysis of water samples collected in 40 wells in January, April, July and October 2011. The sampling points are located in 08 municipalities and electrical conductivity measurements, which expresses water salinity, were also performed. The results show spatial and temporal variation of the parameters analyzed, but the average values of δ18O in samples from 33 wells is -3.22 ± 0.05 (‰) which is the average rainfall in the region today. Samples of the remaining seven wells showed higher fluctuations and four had values below -3.2 ‰. The meteoric lines that express measures of deuterium versus oxygen-18, constructed with values of each sample show a mean slope of 7.87 ± 0.60 ‰ about the value of the World Meteoric Line. The excess of deuterium in the sample period increased from 7.26 to 9.38 ‰ reflecting internal processes in the aquifer. Samples with values of δ18O in meteoric waters below the current mix of show paleowater already identified with modern recharge water, the samples with these values are not distinguishable by their electrical conductivities that are current in the range of samples characterizing the importance of isotopic tracers / Os traçadores naturais oxigênio-18 e deutério foram utilizados para identificar características dinâmicas das reservas hídricas subterrâneas na Bacia Sedimentar do Araripe, através da análise de amostras de água coletadas em 40 poços nos meses de janeiro, abril, julho e outubro de 2011. Os pontos de amostragem localizam-se em 08 municípios e medidas de condutividade elétrica, que expressa salinidade das águas, também foram realizadas. Os resultados mostram variação espacial e temporal dos parâmetros analisados, mas a média dos valores de δ18O em amostras de 33 poços é de -3,22 ± 0,05 (‰) que é o valor médio das chuvas atuais na região. As amostras dos sete poços restantes apresentaram maiores flutuações e quatro deles apresentaram valores abaixo de -3,2‰. As retas meteóricas, que expressam medidas de deutério versus oxigênio-18, construídas com valores de cada coleta mostram coeficiente angular com média de 7,87 ± 0,60 ‰ cerca do valor da Reta Meteórica Mundial. O excesso de deutério cresceu no período de amostragem de 7,26 a 9,38 ‰ refletindo processos internos no aquífero. As amostras com valores de δ18O em abaixo do das águas meteóricas atuais mostram mistura de paleoáguas já identificadas com águas de recargas modernas; as amostras com estes valores não são distinguíveis pelas suas condutividades elétricas que estão na faixa das amostras atuai caracterizando a importância dos traçadores isotópicos.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / Os traÃadores naturais oxigÃnio-18 e deutÃrio foram utilizados para identificar caracterÃsticas dinÃmicas das reservas hÃdricas subterrÃneas na Bacia Sedimentar do Araripe, atravÃs da anÃlise de amostras de Ãgua coletadas em 40 poÃos nos meses de janeiro, abril, julho e outubro de 2011. Os pontos de amostragem localizam-se em 08 municÃpios e medidas de condutividade elÃtrica, que expressa salinidade das Ãguas, tambÃm foram realizadas. Os resultados mostram variaÃÃo espacial e temporal dos parÃmetros analisados, mas a mÃdia dos valores de δ18O em amostras de 33 poÃos à de -3,22  0,05 (â) que à o valor mÃdio das chuvas atuais na regiÃo. As amostras dos sete poÃos restantes apresentaram maiores flutuaÃÃes e quatro deles apresentaram valores abaixo de -3,2â. As retas meteÃricas, que expressam medidas de deutÃrio versus oxigÃnio-18, construÃdas com valores de cada coleta mostram coeficiente angular com mÃdia de 7,87  0,60 â cerca do valor da Reta MeteÃrica Mundial. O excesso de deutÃrio cresceu no perÃodo de amostragem de 7,26 a 9,38 â refletindo processos internos no aquÃfero. As amostras com valores de δ18O em abaixo do das Ãguas meteÃricas atuais mostram mistura de paleoÃguas jà identificadas com Ãguas de recargas modernas; as amostras com estes valores nÃo sÃo distinguÃveis pelas suas condutividades elÃtricas que estÃo na faixa das amostras atuai caracterizando a importÃncia dos traÃadores isotÃpicos. / The natural tracers deuterium and oxygen-18 were used to identify the dynamic characteristics of the groundwater reserves in the Araripe Sedimentary Basin, through the analysis of water samples collected in 40 wells in January, April, July and October 2011. The sampling points are located in 08 municipalities and electrical conductivity measurements, which expresses water salinity, were also performed. The results show spatial and temporal variation of the parameters analyzed, but the average values of δ18O in samples from 33 wells is -3.22  0.05 (â) which is the average rainfall in the region today. Samples of the remaining seven wells showed higher fluctuations and four had values below -3.2 â. The meteoric lines that express measures of deuterium versus oxygen-18, constructed with values of each sample show a mean slope of 7.87  0.60 â about the value of the World Meteoric Line. The excess of deuterium in the sample period increased from 7.26 to 9.38 â reflecting internal processes in the aquifer. Samples with values of δ18O in meteoric waters below the current mix of show paleowater already identified with modern recharge water, the samples with these values are not distinguishable by their electrical conductivities that are current in the range of samples characterizing the importance of isotopic tracers.

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Environ & Water Science) / Studies have shown that the primary origin of salinity in river flows of the Sandspruit in the Berg Catchment located in the Western Cape Province of South Africa was mainly a result of atmospheric deposition of salts. The salts are transported to rivers through surface runoff and subsurface flow (i.e. through flow and groundwater flow). The purpose of this study was to determine the contributions of subsurface and surface flows to the total flows in the Sandspruit, Berg Catchment. Three rain events were studied. Water samples for two rain events were analysed for environmental tracers ?18O, Silica or Silicon dioxide (SiO2), Calcium (Ca2+) and Magnesium (Mg2+). Tracers used for two component hydrograph separation were ?18O and SiO2. The tracers, Ca2+ and Mg2+, revealed inconsistent contributions of both subsurface flow and surface flow. Two component hydrograph separations indicated is that groundwater is the dominant contributor to flow, while surface runoff mainly contributes during the onset of the storm event. Groundwater response to precipitation input indicated that boreholes near the river have a quicker response than boreholes further away from the river. Boreholes nearer to the river also indicate higher water levels in response to precipitation, in comparison to boreholes further from the river.

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Environ & Water Science) / Studies have shown that the primary origin of salinity in river flows of the Sandspruit in the Berg Catchment located in the Western Cape Province of South Africa was mainly a result of atmospheric deposition of salts. The salts are transported to rivers through surface runoff and subsurface flow (i.e. through flow and groundwater flow). The purpose of this study was to determine the contributions of subsurface and surface flows to the total flows in the Sandspruit, Berg Catchment. Three rain events were studied. Water samples for two rain events were analysed for environmental tracers ?18O, Silica or Silicon dioxide (SiO2), Calcium (Ca2+) and Magnesium (Mg2+). Tracers used for two component hydrograph separation were ?18O and SiO2. The tracers, Ca2+ and Mg2+, revealed inconsistent contributions of both subsurface flow and surface flow. Two component hydrograph separations indicated is that groundwater is the dominant contributor to flow, while surface runoff mainly contributes during the onset of the storm event. Groundwater response to precipitation input indicated that boreholes near the river have a quicker response than boreholes further away from the river. Boreholes nearer to the river also indicate higher water levels in response to precipitation, in comparison to boreholes further from the river.

Foram realizadas análises isotópicas, físicas e químicas na água, no solo e nas plantas do Sistema de Produção Integrado Utilizando Efluentes de Dessalinização, criado pela Embrapa Semiárido, como uma alternativa para a reutilização desses efluentes na produção de alimentos e diminuição do impacto ambiental causado pelo descarte incorreto deste rejeito. O sistema avaliado se localiza no Campo Experimental da Caatinga, na Embrapa Semiárido (Petrolina-PE). Os resultados encontrados quanto à ciclagem dos nutrientes indicaram a ocorrência de uma contínua adição dos cátions Ca+2, Mg+2 , K+ e Na+ no solo durante o experimento, de 199 kg ha-1, 88 kg ha-1, 51 kg ha-1 e 142 kg ha-1, respectivamente. A eficiência de retirada do Ca+2, Mg+2 e Na+ pela Atriplex nummularia foi de 12,1, 4,3 e 23,9%, respectivamente; Ocorreu uma elevada perda de nitrogênio no sistema causado pelo processo de denitrificação, que diminuiu a concentração de nitrogênio em 72% do inicio ao final do sistema, levando este nutriente em quantidades insuficientes para a área agrícola. Estes resultados serão utilizados para indicar caminhos de melhorias no sistema. Ainda, quanto aos resultados isotópicos, foi possível concluir que: a água sofre um fracionamento durante o processo de osmose reversa na ordem de 1,87 para o 18O e 10,3 para o 2H; A água do poço é formada por uma mistura de águas recentes e paleoáguas; A relação 18O vs 2H; possui um coeficiente angular de 4,1, indicando elevada evaporação neste elemento; O solo avaliado possui uma média isotópica de -24 de 13C no solo de caatinga e -20 de 13C na área experimental, indicando uma troca da matéria orgânica desta área por material proveniente da Atriplex, que teve uma razão isotópica média de -13,7 .de 13C. / Isotopic, physical and chemical analysis were performed in water, soil and plants of the \" Integrated Production System Using Wastewater Desalination \", created Embrapa Semiarid, as an alternative to reuse of wastewater for food production and reducing the environmental impact caused by the incorrect disposal of the reject. The evaluated system is located in the Experimental Área Caatinga at Embrapa Semi-Arid (Petrolina-PE). The findings about the cycling of nutrients indicated the occurrence of a continuous addition of Ca+2, Mg+2, K+ and Na+ in the soil during the experiment of, 199 kg ha-1, 88 kg ha-1, 51 kg ha-1 and 142 kg ha-1, respectively. The efficiency of removal of Ca+2, Mg+2 and Na+ by Atriplex nummularia was 12,1, 4,3 and 23,9% respectively; Was observed high loss of nitrogen in the system caused by denitrification process, which decreased the concentration of nitrogen by 72% from beginning to end system, taking this nutrient in insufficient quantities to agricultural area. These results will be used for indicate ways to improve the system. Also, with the isotopic results was concluded that: water undergoes fractionation during the process of reverse osmosis the order of 1,87 to 18O and 10,3 for 2H; The well water is formed by a mixture of recent water and paleoáguas; The relationship 18O vs 2H; has a slope of 4,1, indicating high evaporation of this element; The soil has an average rated -24 in isotopic 13C in savanna soi and -20 of 13C in the experimental area, indicating an exchange of matter of this area of organic material from Atriplex, which had an average isotopic ratio of -13,7 . of 13C.

This study aims to determine the recharge, discharge and the mixing mechanisms of a complex aquifer system located above the Kazan trona ore field using the environmental isotopes of deuterium, oxygen-18, carbon-13 and carbon-14, chlorofluorocarbons (CFC- 11, CFC-12 and CFC-113) and the noble gas isotopes (He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe). The groundwater system consists of three different aquifers: shallow, middle and deep. The Akpinar formation lying between deep and middle systems acts as an aquitard. Oxygen-18 and deuterium data showed an isotopic contrast between the shallow and deeper aquifer systems and even between the unconfined and confined parts of the middle and deep aquifers. The Noble gas temperatures indicated the average yearly air temperatures in shallow aquifer system whereas the recharge temperatures came out to be lower than todays in deep groundwater system. This finding is also supported by the dissolved inorganic carbon&rsquo / s radiocarbon activities being close to the detection limits in the same system. These activities together with the stable isotope data revealed there might be evidence of recharge to the middle and deep aquifer systems under colder climate conditions during the late Pleistocene. CFC concentrations indicated modern recharge to the shallow aquifer system, whereas the concentrations were close to the detection limits therefore CFC&rsquo / s were unable to date the middle and deep aquifer systems however proved the existence of modern recharge to this system. Mantle-He escape to shallow aquifer system is believed to be along a deep buried fault system located in downgradient areas.

Foram realizadas análises isotópicas, físicas e químicas na água, no solo e nas plantas do Sistema de Produção Integrado Utilizando Efluentes de Dessalinização, criado pela Embrapa Semiárido, como uma alternativa para a reutilização desses efluentes na produção de alimentos e diminuição do impacto ambiental causado pelo descarte incorreto deste rejeito. O sistema avaliado se localiza no Campo Experimental da Caatinga, na Embrapa Semiárido (Petrolina-PE). Os resultados encontrados quanto à ciclagem dos nutrientes indicaram a ocorrência de uma contínua adição dos cátions Ca+2, Mg+2 , K+ e Na+ no solo durante o experimento, de 199 kg ha-1, 88 kg ha-1, 51 kg ha-1 e 142 kg ha-1, respectivamente. A eficiência de retirada do Ca+2, Mg+2 e Na+ pela Atriplex nummularia foi de 12,1, 4,3 e 23,9%, respectivamente; Ocorreu uma elevada perda de nitrogênio no sistema causado pelo processo de denitrificação, que diminuiu a concentração de nitrogênio em 72% do inicio ao final do sistema, levando este nutriente em quantidades insuficientes para a área agrícola. Estes resultados serão utilizados para indicar caminhos de melhorias no sistema. Ainda, quanto aos resultados isotópicos, foi possível concluir que: a água sofre um fracionamento durante o processo de osmose reversa na ordem de 1,87 para o 18O e 10,3 para o 2H; A água do poço é formada por uma mistura de águas recentes e paleoáguas; A relação 18O vs 2H; possui um coeficiente angular de 4,1, indicando elevada evaporação neste elemento; O solo avaliado possui uma média isotópica de -24 de 13C no solo de caatinga e -20 de 13C na área experimental, indicando uma troca da matéria orgânica desta área por material proveniente da Atriplex, que teve uma razão isotópica média de -13,7 .de 13C. / Isotopic, physical and chemical analysis were performed in water, soil and plants of the \" Integrated Production System Using Wastewater Desalination \", created Embrapa Semiarid, as an alternative to reuse of wastewater for food production and reducing the environmental impact caused by the incorrect disposal of the reject. The evaluated system is located in the Experimental Área Caatinga at Embrapa Semi-Arid (Petrolina-PE). The findings about the cycling of nutrients indicated the occurrence of a continuous addition of Ca+2, Mg+2, K+ and Na+ in the soil during the experiment of, 199 kg ha-1, 88 kg ha-1, 51 kg ha-1 and 142 kg ha-1, respectively. The efficiency of removal of Ca+2, Mg+2 and Na+ by Atriplex nummularia was 12,1, 4,3 and 23,9% respectively; Was observed high loss of nitrogen in the system caused by denitrification process, which decreased the concentration of nitrogen by 72% from beginning to end system, taking this nutrient in insufficient quantities to agricultural area. These results will be used for indicate ways to improve the system. Also, with the isotopic results was concluded that: water undergoes fractionation during the process of reverse osmosis the order of 1,87 to 18O and 10,3 for 2H; The well water is formed by a mixture of recent water and paleoáguas; The relationship 18O vs 2H; has a slope of 4,1, indicating high evaporation of this element; The soil has an average rated -24 in isotopic 13C in savanna soi and -20 of 13C in the experimental area, indicating an exchange of matter of this area of organic material from Atriplex, which had an average isotopic ratio of -13,7 . of 13C.

Deteriorating water quality in the face of a rising demand for agricultural products triggered interest in the groundwater resources of the Najd dessert, an arid region of southern Oman. Groundwater in this area usually is abstracted from one of the largest aquifers on the Arabian Peninsula, the Umm Er Radhuma aquifer. Increased discharge stands in contrast to limited precipitation: the monsoon is an annual event but it is regionally limited; cyclones infrequently occur within the range of three to seven years. Both are possible sources for groundwater recharge in the Najd. With these preconditions in mind, the present study investigates recharge to the Najd groundwaters as part of an active flow system and evaluates the mean residence time in the deep groundwaters. The tools of choice are a groundwater flow model combined with environmental isotope tracer data. The two-dimensional flow model replicates the characteristics of the aquifer system from the potential recharge area in the south (Dhofar Mountains) to the discharge area in the north (Sabkha Umm as Sammim). The south-to-north gradients and the observed artesian heads in the confined aquifer are reproduced. Simulation results indicate that changes between wet and dry periods caused transient responses in heads and head gradients lasting for several thousand years. Based on the used parameters the model calibration indicated, that a recharge rate of around 4 mm a−1 is sufficient to reproduce current groundwater levels. Since rising groundwater levels were documented after cyclone Keila in November 2011, modern recharge evidently occurs. 36-Cl concentrations and dissolved-helium concentrations indicate that the deep groundwaters in the central Najd are up to 550,000 years old. Thus, radiocarbon values indicating groundwater residence times for the central Najd up to 20,000 years and the northern Najd up to 35,000 years underestimate the groundwater residence times and seem to have been strongly affected by mixing during sampling. Decreasing 36-Cl and increasing 4-He concentrations confirm the expected trend in the direction of groundwater flow and prove to be more robust tracers for age dating of Najd groundwaters. Backward pathline tracking was used to simulate the groundwater ages. The tracking results show that a total porosity value between 15 and 20 % is consistent with the range of the observed chlorine-36 and heliumbased ages. The results and parameters obtained in the present study provide the basis for future 3D-groundwater models designed to evaluate the water resources available to the Najd’s agricultural complex. In addition, the developed 2D-model allows for studies of paleoclimate scenarios and their influence on the groundwater regime. / Ein steigender Bedarf nach landwirtschaftlichen Produkten - und damit Wasser - bei gleichzeitiger Abnahme des verfügbaren Wassers in Qualität und Menge in den bisherigen Anbaugebieten, führt zu einer intensiven Nutzung der Grundwasserressourcen der ariden Najd-Region in der Provinz Dhofar, im Süden des Sultanats Oman. Als Quelle dienen die Grundwasservorräte des Umm Er Radhuma-Aquifers, einer der Hauptaquifere auf der arabischen Halbinsel. Der steigenden Nutzung stehen mit dem jährlichen Monsoon, der regional limitiert ist, und unrgelmässigen, zwischen 3 und 7 Jahren auftretenden Unwettern (Zyklonniederschlag) nur begrenzte Niederschlagsmengen als Quellen für eine mögliche Zufuhr von Wasser (Grundwasserneubildung) zum Aquifersystem gegenüber. Der Ansatz der vorliegenden Arbeit besteht darin, mit Hilfe eines Grundwassermodells und der Einbeziehung von Umweltisotopen das tiefe und zur Nutzung geförderte Grundwasser in der Najd-Region als Teil eines aktiven Fließsystemes zu untersuchen und mittlere Verweilzeiten des Grundwassers abzuleiten. Ein 2D-Grundwassermodell entlang einer Fließlinie vom Dhofar Gebirge im Süden zur Sabkha Umm as Sammim im Nordosten wurde entwickelt. Das Modell reproduziert den Süd-Nord-Gradienten als auch den aufwärts gerichteten Gradienten mit höheren Grundwasserständen in den tiefen Grundwasserleitern. Die Simulationen zeigen, dass der Wechsel von ariden und humiden Phasen (wenig bzw. viel Grundwasserneubildung) zu Veränderungen der Grundwasseroberfläche führt die mehrere tausend Jahre anhalten können. Das kalibrierte Grundwassermodel zeigt, dass mit einer Neubildungsrate von 4 mm a−1 die natürlichen Grundwasserverhältnisse im Najd abgebildet werden können. Dass eine moderne Grundwasserneubildung stattfindet, konnte mittels Loggermessungen anhand steigender Grundwasserstände im tiefen Aquifersystem nach dem Extremunwetter im November 2011 (Zyklon Keila) eindeutig nachgewiesen werden. Die Analyse der 36Cl- und 4He-Konzentrationen zeigt, dass die tiefen Grundwasser im zentralen Najdgebiet bis 550 000 Jahren alt sein können. Das bedeutet allerdings, dass die über 14C Daten berechneten Grundwasseralter mit ca. 20 000 Jahren für das zentrale Najdgebiet und bis zu 35 000 Jahren für den nördlichen Najd, die Grundwasseralter deutlich unterschätzen. Die abnehmenden 36Cl und ansteigenden 4He Konzentrationen zeigen den erwarteten Trend in Grundwasserfließrichtung und können als aussagefähige Tracer für die Bewertung der Verweilzeiten und Alter des fossilen Grundwassers der Najd-Region angesehen werden. Mit Hilfe des Partickeltrackings wurden die Grundwasseralter, basierend auf den Isotopentracern, im Grundwassermodel simuliert. Die Porosität wurde dabei für das Aquifesystem mit Werten zwischen 15 und 20 % bestimmt. Die generierten Parameter und das gewonnene Systemverständnis sind eine wichtige Basis für zukünftige 3D-Modellstudien welche die Verfügbarkeit der Wasserresourcen im Najd untersuchen werden. Weitere Anwendungen für das in dieser Studie aufgebaute 2D-Modell sind Untersuchungen zum Paläoklima und dessen Einfluss auf das Grundwassersystem.

Deteriorating water quality in the face of a rising demand for agricultural products triggered interest in the groundwater resources of the Najd dessert, an arid region of southern Oman. Groundwater in this area usually is abstracted from one of the largest aquifers on the Arabian Peninsula, the Umm Er Radhuma aquifer. Increased discharge stands in contrast to limited precipitation: the monsoon is an annual event but it is regionally limited; cyclones infrequently occur within the range of three to seven years. Both are possible sources for groundwater recharge in the Najd. With these preconditions in mind, the present study investigates recharge to the Najd groundwaters as part of an active flow system and evaluates the mean residence time in the deep groundwaters. The tools of choice are a groundwater flow model combined with environmental isotope tracer data. The two-dimensional flow model replicates the characteristics of the aquifer system from the potential recharge area in the south (Dhofar Mountains) to the discharge area in the north (Sabkha Umm as Sammim). The south-to-north gradients and the observed artesian heads in the confined aquifer are reproduced. Simulation results indicate that changes between wet and dry periods caused transient responses in heads and head gradients lasting for several thousand years. Based on the used parameters the model calibration indicated, that a recharge rate of around 4 mm a−1 is sufficient to reproduce current groundwater levels. Since rising groundwater levels were documented after cyclone Keila in November 2011, modern recharge evidently occurs. 36-Cl concentrations and dissolved-helium concentrations indicate that the deep groundwaters in the central Najd are up to 550,000 years old. Thus, radiocarbon values indicating groundwater residence times for the central Najd up to 20,000 years and the northern Najd up to 35,000 years underestimate the groundwater residence times and seem to have been strongly affected by mixing during sampling. Decreasing 36-Cl and increasing 4-He concentrations confirm the expected trend in the direction of groundwater flow and prove to be more robust tracers for age dating of Najd groundwaters. Backward pathline tracking was used to simulate the groundwater ages. The tracking results show that a total porosity value between 15 and 20 % is consistent with the range of the observed chlorine-36 and heliumbased ages. The results and parameters obtained in the present study provide the basis for future 3D-groundwater models designed to evaluate the water resources available to the Najd’s agricultural complex. In addition, the developed 2D-model allows for studies of paleoclimate scenarios and their influence on the groundwater regime. / Ein steigender Bedarf nach landwirtschaftlichen Produkten - und damit Wasser - bei gleichzeitiger Abnahme des verfügbaren Wassers in Qualität und Menge in den bisherigen Anbaugebieten, führt zu einer intensiven Nutzung der Grundwasserressourcen der ariden Najd-Region in der Provinz Dhofar, im Süden des Sultanats Oman. Als Quelle dienen die Grundwasservorräte des Umm Er Radhuma-Aquifers, einer der Hauptaquifere auf der arabischen Halbinsel. Der steigenden Nutzung stehen mit dem jährlichen Monsoon, der regional limitiert ist, und unrgelmässigen, zwischen 3 und 7 Jahren auftretenden Unwettern (Zyklonniederschlag) nur begrenzte Niederschlagsmengen als Quellen für eine mögliche Zufuhr von Wasser (Grundwasserneubildung) zum Aquifersystem gegenüber. Der Ansatz der vorliegenden Arbeit besteht darin, mit Hilfe eines Grundwassermodells und der Einbeziehung von Umweltisotopen das tiefe und zur Nutzung geförderte Grundwasser in der Najd-Region als Teil eines aktiven Fließsystemes zu untersuchen und mittlere Verweilzeiten des Grundwassers abzuleiten. Ein 2D-Grundwassermodell entlang einer Fließlinie vom Dhofar Gebirge im Süden zur Sabkha Umm as Sammim im Nordosten wurde entwickelt. Das Modell reproduziert den Süd-Nord-Gradienten als auch den aufwärts gerichteten Gradienten mit höheren Grundwasserständen in den tiefen Grundwasserleitern. Die Simulationen zeigen, dass der Wechsel von ariden und humiden Phasen (wenig bzw. viel Grundwasserneubildung) zu Veränderungen der Grundwasseroberfläche führt die mehrere tausend Jahre anhalten können. Das kalibrierte Grundwassermodel zeigt, dass mit einer Neubildungsrate von 4 mm a−1 die natürlichen Grundwasserverhältnisse im Najd abgebildet werden können. Dass eine moderne Grundwasserneubildung stattfindet, konnte mittels Loggermessungen anhand steigender Grundwasserstände im tiefen Aquifersystem nach dem Extremunwetter im November 2011 (Zyklon Keila) eindeutig nachgewiesen werden. Die Analyse der 36Cl- und 4He-Konzentrationen zeigt, dass die tiefen Grundwasser im zentralen Najdgebiet bis 550 000 Jahren alt sein können. Das bedeutet allerdings, dass die über 14C Daten berechneten Grundwasseralter mit ca. 20 000 Jahren für das zentrale Najdgebiet und bis zu 35 000 Jahren für den nördlichen Najd, die Grundwasseralter deutlich unterschätzen. Die abnehmenden 36Cl und ansteigenden 4He Konzentrationen zeigen den erwarteten Trend in Grundwasserfließrichtung und können als aussagefähige Tracer für die Bewertung der Verweilzeiten und Alter des fossilen Grundwassers der Najd-Region angesehen werden. Mit Hilfe des Partickeltrackings wurden die Grundwasseralter, basierend auf den Isotopentracern, im Grundwassermodel simuliert. Die Porosität wurde dabei für das Aquifesystem mit Werten zwischen 15 und 20 % bestimmt. Die generierten Parameter und das gewonnene Systemverständnis sind eine wichtige Basis für zukünftige 3D-Modellstudien welche die Verfügbarkeit der Wasserresourcen im Najd untersuchen werden. Weitere Anwendungen für das in dieser Studie aufgebaute 2D-Modell sind Untersuchungen zum Paläoklima und dessen Einfluss auf das Grundwassersystem.

<div> <p>Despite its location in the rain shadow of the southern Sierra Nevada, the Panamint Range within Death Valley National Park, CA hosts a complex aquifer system that supports numerous springs. These springs, in turn, support unique groundwater-dependent ecological communities. Spring emergences range in elevation from 2434 m above sea level (within the mountain block) to 77 m below sea level (in the adjacent basins). Waters were collected from representative Panamint Range springs and analyzed for environmental isotopes and geochemical tracers to address the following questions: 1) What is the primary source of recharge for the springs? How much recharge occurs on the Panamint Range? 2) What groundwater flowpaths and geologic units support springflow generation? and 3) What are the residence times of the springs? The stable isotopic composition (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) of spring water and precipitation indicate that localized high-elevation snowmelt is the dominant source of recharge to these perennial springs, though recharge from rainfall is not wholly insignificant. Geochemical evolution was evaluated using principle component analysis to compare the concentrations of all major spring cations and anions in a multidimensional space and group them according to dominant geochemical signatures. These resulting geochemical groups are controlled primarily by topography. The Noonday Dolomite and other carbonate units in the range are identified as the water-bearing units in the mountain block based on the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of spring waters and rock samples. These units also offer higher hydraulic conductivities than other formations and are chemically similar. Radiocarbon- and ³H derived residence times of these spring waters range from modern to approximately 1840 years, with the shortest residence times at higher altitudes and Hanaupah Canyon and increasing residence times with decreasing altitude. This residence time-altitude relationship is likewise likely topography-driven though there are significant disparities in mountain block storage between the various canyons of the range resulting in variable residence times between drainages. Lower Warm Springs A and B, however, are the exceptions to this trend as they emerge at lower altitudes (750m above sea level) and are likely driven by the transport of groundwater to the surface along faults which increases both the temperature and groundwater residence times of waters from these springs. Benthic macroinvertebrates and benthic and planktonic microbes were also sampled for each spring studied. BMI and microbial community structure in the Panamint Range is likewise topography-controlled with more tolerant communities at lower elevations (within more chemically evolved waters) and less tolerant species in the unevolved waters at higher elevations.</p></div>