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Conceptual hydrological approach to a geologically complex basin with scarce data: the Hula Valley, Middle East

Approche hydrologique conceptuelle d’un bassin géologiquement complexe aux données peu abondantes: Vallée de Hula, Middle East

Enfoque hidrológico conceptual de una cuenca geológicamente compleja con escasos datos: el Valle del Hula, Oriente Medio

稀缺数据的复杂地质盆地的概念性水文方法:以中东胡拉谷为例

Abordagem hidrológica conceitual de uma bacia geologicamente complexa com dados escassos: o Vale do Hula, no Oriente Médio

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Abstract

The Hula Valley in the Middle East is a cross-border hydrogeological system. A highly complex hydrogeological framework and the absence of production or even observation wells poses difficulties in modeling this hydrogeological basin. Various tools were used to overcome the scarcity of data and the hydrogeological complexity to create a reliable conceptual hydrological model. The isotopic δ18O ratio was used to distinguish between two hydrogeological units in the alluvium fill of the valley, which are recharged from the different regional and local aquifers surrounding it. Abundant gas boreholes that discharge a mixture of natural gas and groundwater were equipped, measured and sampled to obtain valuable hydrological data such as hydraulic head and transmissivity of the hydrogeological units in the valley. These findings were integrated with geological analyses of the subsurface flow domain to construct the first conceptual hydrological model of the unclear Hula Valley groundwater flow system. The described methodology to overcome lack of hydrogeological data might be relevant to complex hydrogeological basins worldwide with scarce hydrological information.

Résumé

La Vallée de Hula dans le Middle East est un système hydrogéologique transfrontalier. Une structure hydrogéologique extrêmement complexe et l’absence de puits de production ou même d’observation posent des difficultés pour la modélisation de ce bassin hydrogéologique. Différents outil ont été mis en oeuvre pour pallier la rareté des données et la complexité hydrogéologique afin de créer un modèle hydrologique conceptuel fiable. Le rapport isotopique δ18O a été utilisé pour distinguer entre deux unités hydrogéologiques du remplissage alluvial de la vallée qui sont alimentés par les différents aquifères régionaux et locaux qui l’entourent. Des forages de gaz abondants, qui débitent un mélange de gaz naturel et d’eau souterraine ont été équipés, mesurés et échantillonnés pour acquérir des données hydrologiques précieuses, telles la charge hydraulique et la transmissivité des unités hydrogéologiques de la vallée. Ces résultats ont été intégrés aux analyses géologiques du domaine de l’écoulement de sub-surface pour construire le premier modèle hydrologique conceptuel du système d’écoulement souterrain mal défini de la Vallée de Hula. La méthodologie décrite pour surmonter le manque de données hydrogéologiques pourrait être pertinente pour les bassins hydrogéologiques complexes du monde où l’information hydrologique est peu abondante.

Resumen

El Valle del Hula en el Oriente Medio es un sistema hidrogeológico transfronterizo. Un marco hidrogeológico muy complejo y la ausencia de pozos de producción o incluso de observación plantean dificultades para el modelado de esta cuenca hidrogeológica. Se utilizaron diversas herramientas para superar la escasez de datos y la complejidad hidrogeológica a fin de crear un modelo hidrológico conceptual confiable. La relación isotópica de δ18O se utilizó para distinguir entre dos unidades hidrogeológicas en el relleno aluvial del valle, que se recargan de los diferentes acuíferos regionales y locales que lo rodean. Abundantes pozos de gas que descargan una mezcla de gas natural y agua subterránea fueron equipados, medidos y muestreados para obtener datos hidrológicos valiosos, tales como la carga hidráulica y la transmisividad de las unidades hidrogeológicas en el valle. Estos hallazgos se integraron con análisis geológicos del dominio de los flujos subsuperficiales para construir el primer modelo hidrológico conceptual del poco claro sistema de flujo de agua subterránea del Valle de Hula. La metodología descripta para superar la falta de datos hidrogeológicos podría ser pertinente para cuencas hidrogeológicas complejas en todo el mundo con escasa información hidrológica.

摘要

中东的胡拉谷是一个跨境水文地质系统。高度复杂的水文地质框架和缺乏开采量甚至观测井信息为水文地质盆地建模带来了困难。使用各种工具来克服数据稀缺和水文地质的复杂性,以建立可靠的概念水文模型。同位素δ18O的比率用于区分山谷冲积层中两个水文地质单元的来源,这些单元从不同区域和周围局部含水层获得补给。排出天然气和地下水混合物的大量瓦斯钻孔被钻探,测试和取样,以期获得有价值的水文数据,例如山谷中水文地质单元的水头和导水系数。这些发现与地下流域的地质分析相结合起来,构建了不清楚的胡拉谷地下水流系统的第一个概念水文模型。阐述的克服缺乏水文地质数据的方法可用于世界范围内水文地质资料稀缺的复杂水文地质盆地。

Resumo

O Vale do Hula, no Oriente Médio, é um sistema hidrogeológico internacional. Um arcabouço hidrogeológico altamente complexo e a ausência de poços de produção ou mesmo de observação apresentam dificuldades na modelagem dessa bacia hidrogeológica. Várias ferramentas foram usadas para superar a escassez de dados e a complexidade hidrogeológica para criar um modelo hidrológico conceitual confiável. A relação isotópica de δ18O foi utilizada para distinguir duas unidades hidrogeológicas no enchimento de aluvião do vale, que são recarregadas a partir dos diferentes aquíferos regionais e locais que a circundam. Poços de gás abundantes que descarregam uma mistura de gás natural e água subterrânea foram equipados, medidos e amostrados para obter dados hidrológicos valiosos, como carga hidráulica e transmissividade das unidades hidrogeológicas no vale. Estas descobertas foram integradas com análises geológicas do domínio de fluxo subsuperficial para construir o primeiro modelo hidrológico conceitual do sistema de fluxo de águas subterrâneas do Vale de Hula. A metodologia descrita para superar a falta de dados hidrogeológicos pode ser relevante para bacias hidrogeológicas complexas em todo o mundo com escassa informação hidrológica.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. Israel Gev from the IWA for closely accompanying the research, Dr. Yossi Guttman from Mekorot (Israel National Water Co.) for sharing his vast knowledge and Dr. Doron Markel from the IWA for supporting the research. Special thanks to Eitan Israeli for his great effort in helping us with any task in the field and for inspiring us with his remarkable historical knowledge. The authors thank the GSI geochemical laboratory staff for efficient work and Haim Hemo whose blessed memory enabled the excellent field work.

Funding

This research was funded by the Israeli Water Authority (IWA) and the JNF.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 8499000, Beersheba, Israel

    Avshalom Babad & Eilon M. Adar

  2. The Dead Sea and Arava Science Center, Tamar Regional Council, Dead Sea Mobile Post, 86910, Jerusalem, Israel

    Avshalom Babad

  3. Geological Survey of Israel, 32 Yeshayahu Leibowitz St., 9692100, Jerusalem, Israel

    Avihu Burg

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  1. Avshalom Babad
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  2. Avihu Burg
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Correspondence to Avshalom Babad.

Appendix

Appendix

Table 5 Geochemical and isotopic data of water in the Hula Valley and in aquifers around the valley
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Babad, A., Burg, A. & Adar, E.M. Conceptual hydrological approach to a geologically complex basin with scarce data: the Hula Valley, Middle East. Hydrogeol J 28, 703–722 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-02031-x

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