Hydrological processes in the Chalk unsaturated zone - Insights from an intensive field monitoring programme

Ireson, A. M.; Wheater, H. S.; Butler, A. P.; Mathias, S. A.; Finch, J.; Cooper, J. D.. 2006 Hydrological processes in the Chalk unsaturated zone - Insights from an intensive field monitoring programme. Journal of Hydrology, 330. 29-43. 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2006.04.021

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2006.04.021

Abstract/Summary

As part of the NERC lowland catchment research programme (LOCAR), the Pang-Lambourn catchments (Berkshire, UK) have been extensively instrumented to provide an improved understanding of the hydrological processes in the unsaturated zone of the Chalk – a subject of much debate over the past 30 years. To quantify the movement of water through the unsaturated zone it is necessary to measure matric potential and water content (as well as input and output fluxes from precipitation, evapotranspiration and groundwater recharge). Previous studies have indicated the need for fine temporal resolution data to monitor this system effectively. Due to the challenges faced in meeting this objective, a monitoring scheme was designed that combines a variety of instrumentation to provide the required range, accuracy and spatial and temporal resolution of data. This paper firstly presents an overview of the monitoring programme and a critical discussion of the instrumentation used. Subsequently, the field data are used to characterise the hydrological properties of the unsaturated zone and to gain insight into recharge processes. The interpretation of the data presented in this paper indicate that, in the Chalk unsaturated zone at West Ilsley, matrix flow is the dominant recharge mechanism.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.jhydrol.2006.04.021
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Water
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	_ Process Hydrology
ISSN:	0022-1694
Additional Keywords:	chalk, unsaturated zone, groundwater recharge, water content, matric potential, Field monitoring
NORA Subject Terms:	Hydrology
Date made live:	02 May 2008 10:34 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/2875

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.jhydrol.2006.04.021

Programmes:

CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Water

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

_ Process Hydrology

ISSN:

0022-1694

Additional Keywords:

chalk, unsaturated zone, groundwater recharge, water content, matric potential, Field monitoring