How to measure groundwater recharge? - Unsaturated zone

4 important questions on How to measure groundwater recharge? - Unsaturated zone

Name two 'historical' chemical tracers used for measuring recharge in the vadose zone.


Nuclear testing in the 1950s and 1960s lead to a peak in radioactive
isotopes in the Northern hemisphere atmosphere.


CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) are released from refrigerators, and air
conditioning systems.

How can historical tracers be used to measure recharge in the vadose zone?


Precipitation will contain these constituents and make their way in to the vadose zone.

Since these were released as ‘events’, in particular 3H (Tritium) and
36Cl, their presence can be tracked through the system.

For what is this the formula and for which recharge measurement technique can it be used? What could be the parameters of the formula?

Used for historical tracers
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When considering the groundwater water balance in a sustianable yield concept. Deepening of groundwater abstraction likely leads to... (name 2) 


• enhanced fluxes towards deeper aquifers from the
shallower groundwater system
• potentially the up coning of deep saline groundwater

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