Publication Details |
| Category | Text Publication |
| Reference Category | Journals |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10040-020-02225-8 |
Licence  |
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| Title (Primary) | Structural controls on the hydrogeological functioning of a floodplain |
| Author | Martin, S.; Klingler, S.; Dietrich, P.
; Leven, C.; Cirpka, O.A. |
| Source Titel | Hydrogeology Journal |
| Year | 2020 |
| Department | MET |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Page From | 2675 |
| Page To | 2696 |
| Language | englisch |
| Keywords | Groundwater flow; Conceptual models; Floodplain; Sedimentary architecture; Biogeochemical turnover |
| Abstract | Floodplains are often conceptualized as homogeneous sediment bodies which connect streams with their respective catchment and buffer agricultural inputs. This has led to a general bias within the hydrological community towards research on sites where the floodplain is a clear conduit for groundwater flow. In humid temperate regions of central Europe, floodplains have experienced rapid environmental changes since the last glaciation, yielding significant bedrock weathering and predominantly fine-grained, highly stratified hillslope and floodplain sediments. Such heterogeneous sedimentary architecture leads to conceptual ambiguities in the interpretation of the hydrogeological functioning of floodplains, thus raising the question: Do floodplains act as barriers or conduits to groundwater flow? This study analyzes the Ammer floodplain close to Tübingen in south-western Germany as a representative mid-section floodplain in a temperate climate where the regional bedrock-geology is dominated by mudstones. Geological, geophysical, and geochemical characterization and monitoring techniques were combined to shed light on the internal geological structure as a key control modulating the floodplain hydrology. Two partially separate groundwater systems were identified: a gravel body at the bottom of the Quaternary sediments and a Holocene confined tufaceous aquifer, separated by low-permeability clays. Despite flow being predominantly along-valley, sulfate concentrations in the floodplain aquifers showed evidence of a strong connection to the gypsum-bearing hillslope, particularly where tributary valley sediments are present (e.g., alluvial fans). Results from a floodplain water balance suggest the hillslope- and floodplain-aquifer material act as a barrier to hillslope groundwater recharge, where a large fraction may be bypassing the local floodplain groundwater system. |
| Persistent UFZ Identifier | https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=23629 |
| Martin, S., Klingler, S., Dietrich, P., Leven, C., Cirpka, O.A. (2020): Structural controls on the hydrogeological functioning of a floodplain Hydrogeol. J. 28 (8), 2675 - 2696 10.1007/s10040-020-02225-8 |
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