Groundwater-lake interactions in semi-arid environments

• Published in: Journal of geochemical exploration Vol. 69-70; no. 1-3; pp. 423 - 427
• Main Authors: URBANO, L. D, PERSON, M, HANOR, J
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier 01-06-2000; Amsterdam; New York, NY
• Subjects: Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Freshwater; Hydrogeology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Marine and continental quaternary; Surficial geology; Murray Basin; Australia; Australia, Murray Basin; paleohydrology; Australasia; numerical models; ground water; hydrodynamics; seepage; semi-arid environment; paleoclimate
• ISSN: 0375-6742; 1879-1689
• DOI: 10.1016/S0375-6742(00)00079-0

A free-surface paleohydrologic model was developed along a cross-section across the Murray Basin in SE Australia to study the effects of groundwater flow on paleoclimate records in semi-arid environments, over millennial time scales. We demonstrate that the interaction between the groundwater table and regional topography is the primary factor controlling the location and timing of seepage fluxes within discharge zones. The groundwater system communicates regional effects between lake basins that are unconnected by surface water. This interaction can have a significant influence on the interpretation of paleoclimatic records, since lake-groundwater interactions are crucial to the formation of limnologic paleoclimatic indicators in arid environments.