Spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity of the Cretaceous aquifer in Belgium
Study region: Flanders (Belgium). Study focus: The Cretaceous aquifer—consisting of chalk sediments and other forms of carbonates—is an important source of fresh water for drinking water and industry in Flanders. Therefore, maintaining optimal water quality and quantity in this aquifer is critical....
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Elsevier
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581825002873 |
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| author | Miguel Moreno Gómez Gert Ghysels Syed M.T. Mustafa Simon Six Alexander Vandenbohede Tom Diez Dirk Gijsbert Cirkel Marijke Huysmans |
| author_facet | Miguel Moreno Gómez Gert Ghysels Syed M.T. Mustafa Simon Six Alexander Vandenbohede Tom Diez Dirk Gijsbert Cirkel Marijke Huysmans |
| author_sort | Miguel Moreno Gómez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Study region: Flanders (Belgium). Study focus: The Cretaceous aquifer—consisting of chalk sediments and other forms of carbonates—is an important source of fresh water for drinking water and industry in Flanders. Therefore, maintaining optimal water quality and quantity in this aquifer is critical. However, uncertainty of the Cretaceous hydrogeological parameters is high due to its depth, confinement, scarce observation wells, and the complex lithostratigraphic formations and members, resulting in limited information on the aquifer hydrogeological properties. New hydrogeological insights from the region: This work provides novel insights on the Cretaceous characterization, focused on the spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivity estimated through multiple pumping tests, geophysics, and flowmeter logs. A correlation between hydraulic conductivity and depth displays decreasing values as depth increases towards northern regions. The analysis indicates that the high heterogeneity of the Cretaceous and the spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity is led by lithological differences, including the presence of a hardground layer with variable thickness and permeability. This correlation also highlights the influence of fractures and karstification, enhancing hydraulic conductivity at shallower regions while decreasing it at deeper sections of the aquifer given the lower fracture density due to higher overburden pressures. Results demonstrate the influence of depth, lithology, and fracture development controlling the hydraulic conductivity variability within the Cretaceous, providing important insights for further research on water extraction and aquifer storage capacity, among others. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c4ca55e1b4d94653af408db0979871d2 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2214-5818 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies |
| spelling | doaj-art-c4ca55e1b4d94653af408db0979871d22025-08-20T03:08:28ZengElsevierJournal of Hydrology: Regional Studies2214-58182025-08-016010246210.1016/j.ejrh.2025.102462Spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity of the Cretaceous aquifer in BelgiumMiguel Moreno Gómez0Gert Ghysels1Syed M.T. Mustafa2Simon Six3Alexander Vandenbohede4Tom Diez5Dirk Gijsbert Cirkel6Marijke Huysmans7Department of Water and Climate, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium; Corresponding author.AGT Advanced Groundwater Techniques, Kontich 2550, BelgiumHydrology and Environmental Hydraulics Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, AA 6700, the NetherlandsDe Watergroep, Vooruitgangstraat 189, Brussel 1030, BelgiumDe Watergroep, Vooruitgangstraat 189, Brussel 1030, BelgiumDe Watergroep, Vooruitgangstraat 189, Brussel 1030, BelgiumKWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, PE 3433, the NetherlandsDepartment of Water and Climate, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, BelgiumStudy region: Flanders (Belgium). Study focus: The Cretaceous aquifer—consisting of chalk sediments and other forms of carbonates—is an important source of fresh water for drinking water and industry in Flanders. Therefore, maintaining optimal water quality and quantity in this aquifer is critical. However, uncertainty of the Cretaceous hydrogeological parameters is high due to its depth, confinement, scarce observation wells, and the complex lithostratigraphic formations and members, resulting in limited information on the aquifer hydrogeological properties. New hydrogeological insights from the region: This work provides novel insights on the Cretaceous characterization, focused on the spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivity estimated through multiple pumping tests, geophysics, and flowmeter logs. A correlation between hydraulic conductivity and depth displays decreasing values as depth increases towards northern regions. The analysis indicates that the high heterogeneity of the Cretaceous and the spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity is led by lithological differences, including the presence of a hardground layer with variable thickness and permeability. This correlation also highlights the influence of fractures and karstification, enhancing hydraulic conductivity at shallower regions while decreasing it at deeper sections of the aquifer given the lower fracture density due to higher overburden pressures. Results demonstrate the influence of depth, lithology, and fracture development controlling the hydraulic conductivity variability within the Cretaceous, providing important insights for further research on water extraction and aquifer storage capacity, among others.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581825002873Hydraulic conductivityCretaceous aquiferChalkFlandersBelgium |
| spellingShingle | Miguel Moreno Gómez Gert Ghysels Syed M.T. Mustafa Simon Six Alexander Vandenbohede Tom Diez Dirk Gijsbert Cirkel Marijke Huysmans Spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity of the Cretaceous aquifer in Belgium Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies Hydraulic conductivity Cretaceous aquifer Chalk Flanders Belgium |
| title | Spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity of the Cretaceous aquifer in Belgium |
| title_full | Spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity of the Cretaceous aquifer in Belgium |
| title_fullStr | Spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity of the Cretaceous aquifer in Belgium |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity of the Cretaceous aquifer in Belgium |
| title_short | Spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity of the Cretaceous aquifer in Belgium |
| title_sort | spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity of the cretaceous aquifer in belgium |
| topic | Hydraulic conductivity Cretaceous aquifer Chalk Flanders Belgium |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581825002873 |
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