Hydrogeological Mapping in Europe – a cornerstone for WISE ?

Hydrogeological Mapping in Europe – a cornerstone for WISE ?

Wilhelm Struckmeier, BGR, Germany

Hydrogeology

( rock units and structures of the upper earth crust ) responsible for groundwater setting ( = aquifers containing and transmitting groundwater )

• Quantity,

e. g. flow systems, flow directions, recharge, storage, travel time, safe yield, groundwater dependent ecosystems

• Quality,

e. g. rock-groundwater reaction, vulnerability, contaminant transport, quality of spring and low flow river water, or groundwater in ecoystems

Hydrogeological Maps

generally dealing with

• unsaturated zone ( overburden of aquifers )

• aquifers, aquitards, aquicludes

• hydrogeological structures, (e. g. synclines / basins or anticlines /

ridges, faults, graben structures, uplifts, etc.)

require

common terminology

mapping strategy and legend (attributes)

+ correct and up-to-date topo base map

Towards Common Standards

( IAH, IAHS, UNESCO, CGMW )

Existing national hydrogeological maps

= no coherent picture

Tagung 3. Lieferung HAD – Freiburg 21.05.2003

International Hydrogeological Map of Europe 1 / 1 500 000

• harmonised trans-boundary representation for entire Europe and areas adjacent to the East ( = future EU states )

• long-term scientific cooperation of experts ( > 320 ) from all countries concerned

• good knowledge and expertise about mapping hydrogeology and groundwater

• complex information on lithology, aquifer characteristics, surface catchments and groundwater divides, springs, special features etc.

• hydrogeological regionalisation (explanatory notes)

….., but

• rather old ( 1970 – 1998 )

• only raster images available

European Workshop on Groundwater Bodies

Berlin (BMWA), 25 - 26 Oktober 2005

Themes

• Delineation and Classification of Groundwater Bodies (GWB)

• Indicators for Quantitative and Qualitative Status of GWB

• Monitoring Programmes and Requirements for Measures

• Transboundary Aquifer Systems in Europe

• Organised by BGR and EuroGeoSurveys

• 64 Participants from 26 Countries, 8 German States and 2 European Institutions

• Conclusions and Recommendations for Geological Surveys and the EU

Workshop on Groundwater BodiesWorkshop on Groundwater BodiesBerlin / Germany, 25 - 26 October 2005Berlin / Germany, 25 - 26 October 2005

Conclusions ( I )Conclusions ( I )

Groundwater Bodies (GWBs) should be addressed as consistent groundwater entities within subsurface systems. They must be

• as uniform and homogeneous as possible with regard to

- hydrogeology (structure)

- flow conditions (hydraulics)

- properties (quality)

• consistent with connected surface water bodies concerning

- hydraulic dependencies

- flow systems (recharge – discharge, age)


Conclusions ( II )Conclusions ( II )

The delineation of GWBs needs a conceptual model and a clear understanding of hydrological boundary conditions in order to:

• support the description and delineation of agreed management units

• allow monitoring requirements

• allow management of the quantitative status

• allow management of the qualitative status

• foster planning and operation of mediation and/or mitigation measures


Conclusions ( III )Conclusions ( III )

GWBs should be addressed everywhere in Europe based on the same features, i. e.

• hydrogeological (not necessarily aquifer) boundaries

• surface water - groundwater interaction

• groundwater highs (divides)

• groundwater lows (rivers, depressions)

Harmonised information systems about GWBs are required, to document GWB properties consistently and up-to-date, and to allow coherent views on transboundary GWBs


Conclusions ( IV )Conclusions ( IV )

The hydrogeological community contibutes relevant knowledge, expertise, information and data appropriate for political and management decisions.

The Berlin Workshop

• recognised the need for harmonising data in order to foster the inter-operability of data and information

• suggested a common groundwater typology for Europe

• required to include more complementary data (e.g. on land-use, discharges, regional information on water use)


Conclusions ( V )Conclusions ( V )

Monitoring and assessment must be addressed together

The goal of monitoring should be included more tightly into monitoring programmes, to address the dilemma between compliance versus uses and ecological status (calling for different methods and data sets and requiring the development of appropriate assessment methods)

Monitoring of groundwater (GW) should be deeper intertwined with other domains (surface water, human activities), because

• drivers and pressures are not sufficiently taken into account (changes in land-cover, agricultural activities)

• the linkage with surface water is insufficient


Recommendations ( I )Recommendations ( I )

to the Geological Surveys in Europeto the Geological Surveys in Europe

The Berlin Workshop suggested that the Geological Surveys in Europe

• develop a better understanding of flow and residence time in groundwater flow systems (particularly in large and deep flow systems)

• consider the damage of aquifers from overpumping and subsequent compaction

• take a preventive, long term view to avoid pollution of important aquifer systems


Recommendations ( II )Recommendations ( II )

Transboundary aquifer systems need to be identified in their natural setting, without regarding their present status of use

Anomalous GW systems (hydrothermal / volcanic activity, ore deposits, closed basins) need to be investigated

Research is needed for the assessment of hitherto unmonitored aquifers (comparable to the Prediction in Ungauged Basins (PUB) programme) in view of

- defining the (natural) background composition of groundwater

- assessing the natural potential of groundwater

Documents

Hydrogeological Mapping in Europe – a cornerstone for WISE ?