Artificial Recharge of Fresh Water in the Belgian Coastal DunesAlexander Vandenbohede, Luc Lebbe and Emmanuel Van HoutteResearch Unit Groundwater ModellingGhent University, BelgiumIntermunicipal Water Company of the Veurne region (IWVA)
Very low mineralisation of source water for recharge: 50 mg/l
Extraction wells surrounding pondsInfiltration of 2.5 million m/yearExtraction of 3.5 million m/year
Borehole measurements
Sedimentological data
Head observations
Chemical data
Tracer test3D density dependent flow transport modelling
MOCDENS3D Visual MOCDENS3D
Hydrochemistry
Hydrosomes (water bodies) Important processes
Fresh water heads
Fresh water heads
Fresh water heads
Replacement of dune water withrecharged water
Residence times of recharged water
Residence times of recharged water
Hydrochemistry
Hydrochemistry
Hydrochemistry
Conclusions More water is extracted less water dune water is extracted
Positive effects on drawdowns Natural groundwater flow is partially restored Ecological implications
Conclusions Extracted water is mix of artificial recharged water and dune water
Extracted water is mix of water with a large spectrum of residence times (30 days to 5 years)
Conclusions Source water for artificial recharge is of very low mineralisation 50 mg/l vs 500 mg/l for dune water
Distinct water types: dune water, extracted water, recharge water, recharged water in aquifer
Most important reactions: carbonate dissolution consumption of oxygen/nitrate oxidation of sulphide minerals
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