How water isotopes (18O, 2H, 3H) within an island freshwater lens respond to changes in rainfall

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dc.contributor.authorBryan, Een_AU
dc.contributor.authorMeredith, KTen_AU
dc.contributor.authorBaker, AAen_AU
dc.contributor.authorAndersen, MSen_AU
dc.contributor.authorPost, VEAen_AU
dc.contributor.authorTreble, PCen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2023-02-10T00:29:42Zen_AU
dc.date.available2023-02-10T00:29:42Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2020-03-01en_AU
dc.date.statistics2022-11-25en_AU
dc.description.abstractCoastal aquifers provide an important source of water globally. Understanding how groundwater responds to changes in rainfall recharge is important for sustainable development. To this end, we investigate how water isotopes (18O, 2H, 3H) and chloride (Cl) concentrations within an island freshwater lens respond under varying rainfall conditions in a region experiencing climate change. Uniquely, this study presents a three year dataset of groundwater collected seasonally between May 2013 and August 2016 from ten wells. Variation in all tracers was observed. The Cl and tritium (3H) show opposing seasonal variation in some sections of the lens, with higher Cl observed in the austral summer when less rainfall occurs and evapotranspiration is highest. The opposite occurs in the austral winter months when 3H increases from atmospheric input via rainfall recharge, and Cl is diluted. An overall decline in 3H values and enrichment in stable water isotopes over the study period was also observed. This study shows that understanding groundwater of freshwater lenses should not rely on a single sampling campaign because seasonal variability is large. The identification of a dual recharge regime, with contributions from both winter rainfall and episodic events, has important implications for understanding the future fate of the freshwater lens on Rottnest Island. The finding that episodic rainfall is a major contributor to groundwater recharge is important and can only be assessed with a multi-year isotope dataset for groundwater and rainfall. © 2019 Elsevier Ltden_AU
dc.description.sponsorshipThis research was partially funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage Project LP150100144 to AB and KM. EB was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program postgraduate award. Groundwater loggers were funded by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).en_AU
dc.identifier.articlenumber115301en_AU
dc.identifier.citationBryan, E., Meredith, K. T., Baker, A., Andersen, M. S., Post, V. E. A., & Treble, P. C. (2020). How water isotopes (18O, 2H, 3H) within an island freshwater lens respond to changes in rainfall. Water Research, 170, 115301. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2019.115301en_AU
dc.identifier.issn0043-1354en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleWater Researchen_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2019.115301en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/14643en_AU
dc.identifier.volume170en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherElsevieren_AU
dc.subjectFresh wateren_AU
dc.subjectGround wateren_AU
dc.subjectSeawateren_AU
dc.subjectWater influxen_AU
dc.subjectIsotopesen_AU
dc.subjectIslandsen_AU
dc.subjectRainen_AU
dc.subjectCoastal watersen_AU
dc.titleHow water isotopes (18O, 2H, 3H) within an island freshwater lens respond to changes in rainfallen_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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