3D hydrogeophysical characterization of managed aquifer recharge basins

Aquifers are increasingly stressed. Managed aquifer recharge provides a potential solution to mitigate this stress and provide sustainable groundwater resources. Subsurface properties known have strong control on the infiltration rates that can be achieved. However, these often highly heterogeneous difficult assess with conventional probing techniques. Here, we show application of 3D geophysical imaging its variation across several basins used for managed recharge. We link in-situ measurements saturated hydraulic conductivity electrical resistivity subsurface establish petrophysical relationships use those estimate distribution throughout five basins. Our results considerable variability in properties, i.e., soil texture conductivity, direct impact rates. property distributions model estimates volumes, approach management activities performance. Having such data not only enables us predict rates, but also means optimizing water infrastructure.