Methodological procedure for evaluating storage reserves in carbonate aquifers subjected to groundwater mining: The solana aquifer (Alicante, SE Spain)

Abstract

A methodological procedure is proposed for evaluating the groundwater reserves in carbonate aquifers. It is applied to the Solana-Onteniente-Volcadores aquifer (Alicante, SE Spain), subjected to groundwater mining exploitation. The large amount of geological and geophysical information available (361 km2 of geological mapping, 84 lithological columns of boreholes, 47 km of seismic reflection profiles, 68 vertical electrical soundings [VES], 22 MT soundings and 1,600 gravity measurements) was integrated using two different 3D geological modelling codes: 3D Geomodeller and GOCAD. In addition, a petrophysical study of the rock matrix was accomplished with 39 rock samples, aiming to determine their storage capacity and calculate the total groundwater reserves. Information provided by the 3D model stands as a great advance in our hydrogeological knowledge of the region.