NDLI: Regional hydrostratigraphy and groundwater flow modeling in the arsenic-affected areas of the western Bengal basin, West Bengal, India

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Mukherjee, Abhijit Fryar, Alan E. Howell, Paul D.
Copyright Year	2007
Abstract	The first documented interpretation of the regional-scale hydrostratigraphy and groundwater flow is presented for a ∼21,000-km$^{2}$ area of the arsenic-affected districts of West Bengal [Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas (including Calcutta)], India. A hydrostratigraphic model demonstrates the presence of a continuous, semi-confined sand aquifer underlain by a thick clay aquitard. The aquifer thickens toward the east and south. In the south, discontinuous clay layers locally divide the near-surface aquifer into several deeper, laterally connected, confined aquifers. Eight 22-layer model scenarios of regional groundwater flow were developed based on the observed topography, seasonal conditions, and inferred hydrostratigraphy. The models suggest the existence of seasonally variable, regional, north–south flow across the basin prior to the onset of extensive pumping in the 1970s. Pumping has severely distorted the flow pattern, inducing high vertical hydraulic gradients across wide cones of depression. Pumping has also increased total recharge (including irrigational return flow), inflow from rivers, and sea water intrusion. Consequently, downward flow of arsenic contaminated shallow groundwater appears to have resulted in contamination of previously safe aquifers by a combination of mechanical mixing and changes in chemical equilibrium.Pour la première fois une interprétation de l’hydrostratigraphie à l’échelle régionale et de l’écoulement des eaux souterraines est présenté sur une zone de ∼21,000-km$^{2}$ des districts affectés par l’arsenic dans l’Ouest du Bengal en Inde (Murshidabad, Nadia, Parganas Nord 24 et Parganas Sud 24 (incluant Calcutta)). Un modèle hydrostratigraphique démontre la présence d’un aquifère continu et semi-captif recouvrant un aquitard épais argileux. L’épaisseur de l’aquifère augmente vers l’est et le sud. Au sud, des couches discontinues d’argile partagent localement l’aquifère proche de la surface en plusieurs aquifères captifs, plus profonds et connectés latéralement. Huit scénarios de modèle d’écoulement régional à 22 couches ont été développés sur la base de la topographie, des conditions saisonnières et de l’hydrostratigraphie déduite. Les modèles suggèrent l’existence d’un écoulement régional variable selon les saisons, orienté nord-sud à travers le bassin avant l’intensification des pompages dans les années 1970. Le pompage a sévèrement modifié les lignes d’écoulement, induisant des gradients hydrauliques verticaux élevés au droit de larges cônes de rabattement. Le pompage a également augmenté la recharge totale (recharge par irrigation inclue, l’eau d’irrigation provenant des aquifères), l’écoulement par les rivières et l’intrusion d’eau de mer. Par conséquent, l’écoulement descendant des eaux phréatiques contaminées par l’arsenic apparaît comme le résultat de la combinaison de mécanismes de mélange et de changements des équilibres chimiques.Se presenta la primera interpretación documentada de hidroestratigrafía y flujo de agua subterránea a escala regional para un área de ∼21,000-km$^{2}$ de los distritos afectados con arsénico en Bengala Occidental (Murshidabad, Nadia, Parganas 24 Norte y Parganas 24 Sur -incluyendo Calcuta-, India. El modelo hidroestratigráfico demuestra la presencia de un acuífero de arena continuo semi-confinado que sobreyace un acuitardo grueso de arcilla. El acuífero aumenta su espesor hacia el oriente y el sur. En el sur, las capas discontinuas de arcilla dividen localmente el acuífero cercano a la superficie en varios acuíferos confinados más profundos conectados lateralmente. Se desarrollaron ocho escenarios de modelos con 22 capas de flujo regional de agua subterránea en base a la topografía observada, condiciones estacionales, e hidroestratigrafía inferida. Los modelos sugieren la existencia de flujo regional norte-sur con variación estacional a través de la cuenca antes del inicio de bombeo extensivo durante los 1970s. El bombeo ha distorsionado fuertemente el patrón de flujo induciendo gradientes hidráulicos verticales altos a través de anchos conos de depresión. El bombeo también ha incrementado la recarga total (incluyendo el flujo de retorno por riego), entrada de ríos, e incursión de agua de mar. En consecuencia, el flujo descendente de flujo de agua subterránea somera contaminada con arsénico parece dar por resultado la contaminación de acuíferos previamente seguros mediante una combinación de mezcla mecánica y cambios en equilibrio químico.
Starting Page	1397
Ending Page	1418
Page Count	22
File Format	PDF
ISSN	14312174
Journal	Hydrogeology Journal
Volume Number	15
Issue Number	7
e-ISSN	14350157
Language	English
Publisher	Springer-Verlag
Publisher Date	2007-08-15
Publisher Institution	International Association of Hydrogeologists
Publisher Place	Berlin, Heidelberg
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	India Hydrostratigraphy Groundwater flow Arsenic Western Bengal basin Waste Water Technology Water Pollution Control Water Management Aquatic Pollution Geology Hydrogeology
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Earth and Planetary Sciences Water Science and Technology

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