| Title |
Isotope Hydrology for estimating groundwater recharge in water-limited environments: potential and limits (Isotopenhydrologische Methoden (2H, 18O) zur Bestimmung der Grundwasserneubildung in Trockengebieten: Potenzial und Grenzen) |
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| Author |
Beyer, M., Gaj, M., Koeniger, P., Hamutoko, J.T., Wanke, H., Wallner, M., Himmelsbach, T. |
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| Abstract |
The estimation of groundwater recharge in water-limited environments is challenging due to climatic conditions, the occurrence of deep unsaturated zones, and specialized vegetation. We critically examined two methods based on stable isotopes of soil water: i) the interpretation of natural isotope depth-profiles and subsequent approximation of recharge using empirical relationships and ii) the use of deuterium-enriched water (2H2O) as tracer. Numerous depth-profiles were measured directly in the field in semiarid Namibia using a novel in-situ technique. Additionally, 2H2O was injected into the soil and its displacement over a complete rainy season monitored. Estimated recharge ranges between 0 mmy-1 and 29 mmy-1 for three rainy seasons experiencing seasonal rainfall of 660 mm (2013/14), 313 mm (2014/15) und 535 mm (2015/16). The results of this study fortify the suitability of water stable isotope-based approaches for recharge estimation and highlight an enormous potential for future studies of water vapor transport and ecohydrological processes. |
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| Citation |
Beyer, M., Gaj, M., Koeniger, P., Hamutoko, J.T., Wanke, H., Wallner, M., Himmelsbach, T. (2018) Isotope Hydrology for estimating groundwater recharge in water-limited environments: potential and limits, GRUNDWASSER 23, 73-90 |
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