Geologica Belgica

1374-8505 2034-1954

 

Impact factor: 1.8 (2022)

since 05 February 2011 :
View(s): 601 (5 ULiège)
Download(s): 431 (5 ULiège)
print        
Marc VAN CAMP, Kristine MARTENS & Kristine WALRAEVENS

Impact of recent climate variability on an aquifer system in north Belgium

(volume 15 (2012) — number 1-2)
Article
Open Access

Attached document(s)

Annexes

Mots-clés : Neogene, modelling, hydrodynamics, evolution

Abstract

The last decade it has been realised that climate and global change can (and very likely will affect) groundwater reserves. This will have impact on both the economical (groundwater exploitation) and ecological (ecosystems) aspects of aquifer systems. A key issue is the intrinsic variability in hydrodynamics due to natural fluctuations of meteorological conditions. In this paper the results of a modelling study are presented that reconstructs the hydrodynamic evolution of the important Neogene aquifer system in North-East Belgium, between 1833 and 2005. Boundary conditions are defined on a monthly basis. The results show that besides the yearly seasonal fluctuations also multi-year to decadal variations occur. These are especially important in the topographic higher regions like on the Campine plateau and the Campine cuesta, and can severely affect local groundwater dependent ecosystems as found in some protected areas and nature reserves. The same cyclicity is recognized in the intensity and extent of seepage of deep Neogene groundwater in the Nete basin.

To cite this article

Marc VAN CAMP, Kristine MARTENS & Kristine WALRAEVENS, «Impact of recent climate variability on an aquifer system in north Belgium», Geologica Belgica [En ligne], volume 15 (2012), number 1-2, URL : https://popups.uliege.be/1374-8505/index.php?id=3528.

About: Marc VAN CAMP

Laboratory for Applied Geology and Hydrogeology, University of Gent, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Gent, Belgium

About: Kristine MARTENS

Laboratory for Applied Geology and Hydrogeology, University of Gent, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Gent, Belgium

About: Kristine WALRAEVENS

Laboratory for Applied Geology and Hydrogeology, University of Gent, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Gent, Belgium