Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Analysis of Large-Scale Groundwater-Driven Cooling Zones in Rivers Using Thermal Infrared Imagery and Radon Measurements

Fakhari, Milad; Raymond, Jasmin; Martel, Richard; Drolet, Jean Philippe; Dugdale, Stephen J.; Bergeron, Normand

Analysis of Large-Scale Groundwater-Driven Cooling Zones in Rivers Using Thermal Infrared Imagery and Radon Measurements Thumbnail


Authors

Milad Fakhari

Jasmin Raymond

Richard Martel

Jean Philippe Drolet

Normand Bergeron



Abstract

The role of groundwater (GW) discharge on surface water (SW) quantity, quality and temperature is known to be important. Moreover, the effect of GW contributions to river thermal budgets is critical in natural rivers considering that water temperature plays a vital role in fish survival during extreme heat events. The identification of zones with GW input in rivers can, thus, help river management plans. However, detecting these zones at the watershed scale can be a challenge. This work combines thermal infrared (TIR) imagery of rivers and water sampling for radon measurements for better documentation of GW in rivers. The Sainte-Marguerite and Berard Rivers, both located in Quebec, Canada, are known for their abundance of salmonids. Their water temperature profiles were plotted using TIR imagery, and five cooling zones in the Berard River and two for the Sainte-Marguerite River were identified in which notable GW–SW exchange was the suspected cause. Radon concentrations measured within the cooling zones showed clear GW contribution to SW. TIR imagery is an effective and fast way to identify GW seepage at the watershed scale. Radon can be used as a complementary natural tracer of GW in rivers at finer scales. The combination of both methods was shown to be reliable for the identification of GW in rivers. This can help for a better anticipation of GW effects in management plans to deal with extreme heat waves that are predicted to occur more frequently under future climate change scenarios.

Citation

Fakhari, M., Raymond, J., Martel, R., Drolet, J. P., Dugdale, S. J., & Bergeron, N. (2023). Analysis of Large-Scale Groundwater-Driven Cooling Zones in Rivers Using Thermal Infrared Imagery and Radon Measurements. Water, 15(5), Article 873. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15050873

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 17, 2023
Online Publication Date Feb 24, 2023
Publication Date Feb 24, 2023
Deposit Date Mar 6, 2023
Publicly Available Date Mar 14, 2023
Journal Water
Electronic ISSN 2073-4441
Publisher MDPI
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 15
Issue 5
Article Number 873
DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/w15050873
Keywords Surface water, ground water, aerial imagery, river temperature, thermal refuge, geochemical tracer
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/17947674
Publisher URL https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/5/873

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations