Managed aquifer recharge to restore aquifers contaminated by marine intrusion - experiences in Catalonia, Spain
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.118.especial.009Keywords:
corrective measures, managed aquifer recharge, management strategies, marine intrusion, reclaimed waterAbstract
A good management of coastal aqüífers and, eventually, restoring them, should intend to integrate all the available conventional (surface water and groundwater) and non-conventional (reuse and desalination) water resources, subject to the environmental and socio-economical restrictions in the territory, mainly in arid regions. Catalonia (Spain) provides a good example of degradation of coastal aquifers, in spite of the usual references to their strategic role, but a conceptual change is taking place. This article presents approaches to face marine intrusion in three Catalan aquifers, based on two well-differenced strategies: substituting part of groundwater abstraction by external resources (Francolí-Gaià) and integral use of conventional and non-conventional resources (Tordera’s and Llobregat’s Delta). The article focuses on the latter, mainly on artificial groundwater recharge or managed aquifer recharge (MAR) through basins and injection wells. The author updates recent developments on MAR, including reclaimed water, and aims at defining the pending challenges for a rigorous implementation in our country.
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