The Chalk Aquifers of Northern Europe
CONTAINS OPEN ACCESS
The Cretaceous Chalk aquifers of Northern Europe underlie and support many sensitive ecosystems whilst at the same time being an important source of drinking water. This volume brings together the outcomes of numerous projects and case studies to provide the latest applied and theoretical understanding of all aspects of Chalk hydrogeology in Northern Europe.
Middle Risle River Critical Zone Observatory: monitoring karst-process evolution and its impact on surface water and on aquatic ecosystems
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Published:September 07, 2023
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CiteCitation
Pierre-Yann David, Didier Pennequin, Jean-Baptiste Charlier, Bernard Ladouche, Baptiste Meire, Véronique Feeny-Fereol, Stephane Helouin, Matthieu Fournier, Camille Riviere, Germain Sanson, 2023. "Middle Risle River Critical Zone Observatory: monitoring karst-process evolution and its impact on surface water and on aquatic ecosystems", The Chalk Aquifers of Northern Europe, R. P. Farrell, N. Massei, A. E. Foley, P. R. Howlett, L. J. West
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Abstract
Rivers in karstic environments are known to be greatly influenced by surface water–groundwater interactions, with significant localized inflows during floods from springs, or with losses that can dry up rivers. The Middle Risle River is frequently affected by the development of sinkholes in a chalk karst area (Normandy, France). In the 2010s, two new major sinkholes in the riverbed caused a complete loss of water into the underlying phreatic aquifer, causing the river to dry up over several kilometres. The resulting changes in hydrogeological processes and surface water–groundwater interaction greatly affected water quality, water use and water-dependent ecosystems, causing a political crisis in this river-dependent touristic valley. To understand these phenomena and improve crisis management, the Middle Risle Critical Zone Observatory was set up to enhance monitoring, surveying and/or modelling of groundwater and river levels, river and spring flow, water temperature and conductivity, and ecosystem characteristics (fish, macro-invertebrates and vegetation). The results showed notable impacts on fish, macro-invertebrates and vegetation, some plants proving to be reliable indicators of surface-water–groundwater interaction. The dynamics of local hydrogeological processes were assessed and linked to the measured effects on ecosystems and water supply. Inverse modelling based on an analytical solution of the diffusive wave equation assessed lateral flow during floods, quantifying the spatial–temporal variability of surface-water and groundwater exchanges. It also highlighted the important role of karst zones in both storage and flood-peak attenuation processes, thereby protecting downstream villages against floods.
- aquatic environment
- aquifers
- Chalk Aquifer
- discharge
- ecosystems
- Europe
- floods
- fluid flow
- France
- geologic hazards
- ground water
- hydraulic conductivity
- hydrology
- karst
- monitoring
- natural hazards
- Normandy
- Paris Basin
- rivers and streams
- sinkholes
- solution features
- species diversity
- springs
- streamflow
- surface water
- temperature
- vegetation
- water supply
- Western Europe
- Middle Risle River
- Middle Risle Critical Zone Observatory