The effect of hydraulic anisotropies on intensely exploited groundwater resources: the numerical evaluation of a hydrothermal transboundary aquifer system in the Middle East

摘要: Previous investigations postulate the presence of a zone high hydraulic anisotropy parallel to principle axis Lower Yarmouk Gorge (LYG) in Middle East. Driven by mixed convection, heated fresh groundwaters ascend within gorge from confined Cretaceous units through artesian wells and Hammat Gader springs. Two-dimensional transient numerical simulations coupled fluid flow heat transport processes are used investigate impact (1) (2) abstraction on heads temperature profiles shallow aquifers. The models successfully reproduce head distribution pre- post-groundwater abstraction; dominance conductive advective is also shown. further support existence structural feature along gorge, which hydraulically connects both flanks, while cross prevented. That implies subsurface anisotropic zone, lets act as complex conduit-barrier system where adjacent N–S S–N flow-fields confluence get drained towards Jordan Rift. present hypothesis that, most likely, features that represent physical anisotropies control hydrothermal LYG. Furthermore, study provides an example investigation transboundary aquifer system, with emphasis existent anisotropies, ambivalence restricted field accessibility.