Climate change effects on groundwater recharge and temperatures in Swiss alluvial aquifers

Climate change will have both quantitative and qualitative effects on groundwater resources. These impacts differ for aquifers in solid unconsolidated rock, urban or rural locations, the principal processes of recharge. Having knowledge about intrinsic key parameters (aquifer geometries, storage properties, renewal rates, residence times, etc.), recharge processes, temperature imprinting makes it possible to compare forecast sensitivity individual climate change. The future development selected projections was qualitatively investigated representative Swiss rock resources Central Plateau as well Jura Alpine region. For non-urban areas, is expected a strong overall impact temperatures. In however, direct anthropogenic influences are likely dominate. Increased thermal subsurface use waste heat from underground structures, adaptation strategies mitigate global warming, increase Likewise, measurements city Basel show that temperatures increased by an average 3.0 ± 0.7 °C period 1993 2016, they can exceed 18 °C, especially densely urbanized areas. Similarly, regarding shallow with low saturated zone thicknesses, such Davos (Canton Grisons), strongly be influenced changes regimes. contrast, within deep large Biel/Bienne Bern), some cases distances land surface table extended unsaturated zones, Winterthur Zurich), attenuated only over long time periods. context presented research we hypothesized associated primarily determined infiltrating waters (i.e. “river-fed aquifers”). We seasonal shifts could important factor affecting Moreover, interaction during high runoff periods influence Accordingly, “business usual” scenario end century, shift precipitation river flood events summer winter months accompanied comparatively cool seasons, which would tendency “cool down”