Assessment of climate change impacts on soil water balance and aquifer recharge in a semiarid region in south east Spain

JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY

卷:527

Article

Touhami, I.^1,5  Chirino, E.^2,4  Andreu, J. M.³  Sanchez, J. R.^1,4  Moutahir, H.¹  Bellot, J.^1,4 

[1] Univ Alicante, Dept Ecol, E-03080 Alicante, Spain

[2] Univ Alicante, CEAM Dept Ecol, Fdn CEAM, Mediterranean Ctr Environm Studies, E-03080 Alicante, Spain

[3] Univ Alicante, Dept Earth Sci & Environm, E-03080 Alicante, Spain

[4] Univ Alicante, Fdn CEAM, Joint Res Unit, E-03080 Alicante, Spain

[5] Univ Carthage, Lab Management & Valorisat Forest Resources, Natl Res Inst Rural Engn Water & Forestry, INRGREF, Ariana 2080, Tunisia

关键词: Climate change;    Soil water balance;    Aquifer recharge;    HYDROBAL model;    Semiarid region;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jhydrol.2015.05.012

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Climate change forecasts in a semiarid region are of much interest to academics, managers and governments. A significant decrease in annual precipitation and an increase in mean annual air temperature are expected; consequently, changes in the soil water balance and groundwater recharge to aquifers are expected as a response to climate change forecasts. In this context, our study aimed to assess the impact of climate changes on the soil water balance and natural groundwater recharge in a semiarid area (Ventos-Castellar aquifer, SE, Spain). To this end, we selected Global Climate Model HadCM3 after comparing it with two other models (ECHAM4 and CGCM2). The HadCM3 model climate data (air temperature and precipitation in two emission scenarios: A2-high and B2-low; 2011-2099) were coupled to a HYDROBAL hydrological model to determine the soil water balance. The HYDROBAL model results showed that climate change will have a significant impact on the soil water balance in the study area, especially on groundwater recharge during the latter period. In both the A2-high and B2-low scenarios, the selected years to run the HYDROBAL model showed a decrease in water balance components (precipitation, actual evapotranspiration, aquifer recharge and runoff) in relation to the baseline period (19611990). Over the projected period (2011-2099), we expect fewer rainfall events (>15 mm), which promote aquifer recharge, longer dry summer seasons and, consequently, reduced average annual recharge that ranged from 3% to 17%; 10-49 mm, if compared to the baseline period. The methodology developed in the present study can be beneficial for assessing the impact of predicted climate change on groundwater recharge, and can help managers and planners to devise strategies for the efficient use and conservation of freshwater resources. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

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