Terrestrial Laser Scanner Acquisition For Snow Depth and Groundwater Recharge Quantification in an Alpine Basin

Climate change is the main factor that induces alterations in the hydrological cycle and mountains represent its first indicators, because they respond rapidly and intensely to climatic and environmental modifications. Obtaining reliable scenarios on water resources availability is a prerequisite to planning management measures. The snowfall and the resulting seasonal snow cover represent an important source of water, including surface and subsurface flows. A terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) was employed to measure snow depth and snow cover in the Mascognaz basin at 1850 m (Ayas municipality, Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta, Italy). We choose this site because the Politecnico di Torino installed an advanced meteorological station in 2010 (equipped with sensors measuring snow depth, snow density and snow water equivalent). Furthermore downstream the area are located two springs, both equipped with probes measuring water level, temperature and electrical conductivity. The aim of this study is to recognize the accumulation areas from melting areas through the generation of high dense digital snow elevation model. In this way is possible better understand the snowmelt process that contributes widely to the groundwater recharge. We used the Riegl VZ 4000 that is very powerful for measurements of snowcovered surfaces in high alpine catchment thanks to the long-range acquisition. The TLS monitoring consists in three phases: a summer acquisition, with the purpose to obtain a DSM (Digital Surface Model); a winter acquisition, that aims to evaluate accurately the snow cover and the snow accumulation areas and a spring acquisition with the purpose to investigate the snow-pack development and evaluate the available volume of water generate by snow during the melting phenomena. Finally, we used the ArcGIS 10.2 software to improve spatial analysis evaluation, estimate the Snow Water Equivalent (SWE). and obtain important information on the amount of water resources available for human consumption

A frequency and time domain approach to analyze springs monitoring data: application on porous and shallow aquifers in mountain areas (Aosta Valley)

Aquifers in mountain areas are a strategic resource for the people who live there. To optimize future management, it is vital to understand hydrogeological systems from both geological and hydrogeological perspectives. In these aquifers there are often very few wells which permit hydrogeological observation. In great part, therefore, studies on the functioning and hydrodynamics of aquifers have been based on analyzing the hydrograph (depletion and/or recession) or on the complete hydrograph corresponding to an identifiable rainfall event. In order to compensate for this lack of data of the aquifer system analysis in time and frequency domain have been applied. The aim of this paper was to apply these methods, usually applied in karst systems, to small mountain springs supplied by porous and shallow aquifers. The applications of these analysis enable the study of the whole of the hydrographs of the mountain springs and their relationship with the input function (precipitation, essentially), as opposed to many other methods which use only recession or another part of the hydrograph. The methodology proposed treats the series at the time and frequency level, and thus differentiates between short and long periods of rainfall and discharge, which are impossible to differentiate using deconvolution or simple visualization of the unit hydrograph, or with any other method which does not discriminate the spectral variation. The application of this method to six mountain springs, located in the Italy North-Western Alps in the Aosta Valley Region, has served to test the usefulness of these tools in porous and shallow systems. This analysis offers quantifiable and objective criteria for differentiation and comparisons of aquifer systems

Groundwater-level risk assessment by using statistical and geographic information system (GIS) techniques: a case study in the Aosta Valley region, Italy

In the present study, groundwater-level monitoring has been carried out on 26 observation dug wells in the Aosta Valley region, Italy, during the dry season (June 2013) and wet season (November 2013) in order to assess the water-level fluctuation (WLF). The depth to water level varied from 3.04 to 28.70 metres below ground level (mbgl) in the dry season and from 2.92 to 25.62 mbgl in the wet season. The WLF of the study area varied from 0.01 to 6.80 mbgl, and the western and north-western regions of the study area showed higher WFL. The WLF map was validated with a statistical analysis and elevation value of the area in a geographic information system environment, and this indicated that validation can be accepted for the WLF in the Aosta Valley. The results of the study demonstrated that the eastern region could be considered as a safe and good recharge zone for the groundwater in the Aosta Valley region. The WLF map generated in this study could also be used for the management of future groundwater resources and environmental planning of the area

Terrestrial Laser Scanner Acquisition For Snow Depth and Groundwater Recharge Quantification in an Alpine Basin

Climate change is the main factor that induces alterations in the hydrological cycle and mountains represent its first indicators, because they respond rapidly and intensely to climatic and environmental modifications. Obtaining reliable scenarios on water resources availability is a prerequisite to planning management measures. The snowfall and the resulting seasonal snow cover represent an important source of water, including surface and subsurface flows. A terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) was employed to measure snow depth and snow cover in the Mascognaz basin at 1850 m (Ayas municipality, Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta, Italy). We choose this site because the Politecnico di Torino installed an advanced meteorological station in 2010 (equipped with sensors measuring snow depth, snow density and snow water equivalent). Furthermore downstream the area are located two springs, both equipped with probes measuring water level, temperature and electrical conductivity. The aim of this study is to recognize the accumulation areas from melting areas through the generation of high dense digital snow elevation model. In this way is possible better understand the snowmelt process that contributes widely to the groundwater recharge. We used the Riegl VZ 4000 that is very powerful for measurements of snowcovered surfaces in high alpine catchment thanks to the long-range acquisition. The TLS monitoring consists in three phases: a summer acquisition, with the purpose to obtain a DSM (Digital Surface Model); a winter acquisition, that aims to evaluate accurately the snow cover and the snow accumulation areas and a spring acquisition with the purpose to investigate the snow-pack development and evaluate the available volume of water generate by snow during the melting phenomena. Finally, we used the ArcGIS 10.2 software to improve spatial analysis evaluation, estimate the Snow Water Equivalent (SWE). and obtain important information on the amount of water resources available for human consumption

Role of Integrated Approaches in Water Resources Management: Antofagasta Region, Chile

: Water is essential for the survival of all living beings and plays a significant role in the growth of any country′s economy. At present, water depletion and pollution are a serious challenge due to anthropogenic, geogenic and climate change activities worldwide, including in Chile. The Antofagasta region is located in northern Chile and is the heart of its mining industry, playing a significant role in the country′s economy. The Antofagasta region′s main challenge is water shortage and contamination. Due to it, the region′s local population is facing major difficulties in obtaining the necessary water for domestic, industrial, irrigation, and other uses. Therefore, a water resources management plan is essential for the region to maintain a sustainable environment. Considering the above points, significant parameters, such as slope, aspect, elevation, hillshade, drainage, drainage density and river basin—maps of the Antofagasta region prepared using the digital elevation model (DEM) data in geographic information system (GIS) environment. Besides, a pollution risk level assessment of the study area′s cities/villages done using GIS application. The important created maps and the identification of pollution risk of cities/villages of the present study could provide significant information to policymakers and help them make a suitable water management plan for the are

Identification of suitable locations for artificial groundwater recharge in a mining area of India by using remote sensing and GIS techniques

Mining is one of the major activities causing water pollution and threating the quality and quantity of surface and groundwater resources in many parts of the world. Mining and related activities also damage the aquifer and decrease the water availability in the area. Groundwater may be considered as one of the most precious and basic needs for human existence and the survival of people providing the luxuries and comforts in addition to fulfilling the basic necessities of life. In India, more than 90% of the rural and nearly 30% of the urban populations depend on groundwater for drinking and domestic requirements. Historically, the overexploitation of groundwater resources is a major issue in Indian country. In fact in the last decades annual water demand has increased for agricultural and industrial activities. The hydrogeological system characterization and the artificial recharging of aquifers might help to solve the problem of the groundwater level decreasing. For this purpose, six important hydrogeological factors such as slope, infiltration, drainage, depth to groundwater, land use and geology have been considered to define the most suitable locations for artificial groundwater recharge in mining area. Different thematic maps were prepared from existing maps and data sets, remote-sensing images, and field investigations for identification of suitable locations for artificial recharge. Thematic layers for these parameters were organized as raster data, classified, weighted and integrated in a GIS environment using of Boolean and Fuzzy logic. The main objective of the present study is identifying artificial recharge site in West Bokaro coalfield of Jharkhand state using remote sensing and GIS applications, in order to make a proper planning and sustainable management of groundwater resources

Identification of suitable locations for artificial groundwater recharge in a mining area of India by using remote sensing and GIS techniques

Mining is one of the major activities causing water pollution and threating the quality and quantity of surface and groundwater resources in many parts of the world. Mining and related activities also damage the aquifer and decrease the water availability in the area. Groundwater may be considered as one of the most precious and basic needs for human existence and the survival of people providing the luxuries and comforts in addition to fulfilling the basic necessities of life. In India, more than 90% of the rural and nearly 30% of the urban populations depend on groundwater for drinking and domestic requirements. Historically, the overexploitation of groundwater resources is a major issue in Indian country. In fact in the last decades annual water demand has increased for agricultural and industrial activities. The hydrogeological system characterization and the artificial recharging of aquifers might help to solve the problem of the groundwater level decreasing. For this purpose, six important hydrogeological factors such as slope, infiltration, drainage, depth to groundwater, land use and geology have been considered to define the most suitable locations for artificial groundwater recharge in mining area. Different thematic maps were prepared from existing maps and data sets, remote-sensing images, and field investigations for identification of suitable locations for artificial recharge. Thematic layers for these parameters were organized as raster data, classified, weighted and integrated in a GIS environment using of Boolean and Fuzzy logic. The main objective of the present study is identifying artificial recharge site in West Bokaro coalfield of Jharkhand state using remote sensing and GIS applications, in order to make a proper planning and sustainable management of groundwater resources