Groundwater flows in weathered crystalline rocks: Impact of piezometric variations and depth-dependent fracture connectivity

- Depth-dependent fracture connectivity in weathered crystalline rocks.
- Fractured interface between saprolite and granite controls groundwater flows.
- Compartmentalization of the aquifer under low water level conditions.
- Conceptual groundwater flow model at watershed scale.
- Vulnerability of groundwater resources to consumption and climate change.

SummaryGroundwater in shallow weathered and fractured crystalline rock aquifers is often the only perennial water resource, especially in semi-arid region such as Southern India. Understanding groundwater flows in such a context is of prime importance for sustainable aquifer management. Here, we describe a detailed study of fracture properties and relate the hydraulic connectivity of fractures to groundwater flows at local and watershed scales. Investigations were carried out at a dedicated Experimental Hydrogeological Park in Andhra Pradesh (Southern India) where a large network of observation boreholes has been set up. Twenty-height boreholes have been drilled in a small area of about 18,000 m2 in which borehole loggings and hydraulic tests were carried out to locate the main flowing fractured zones and investigate fractures connectivity. Several hydraulic tests (nineteen slug tests and three pumping tests) performed under two water level conditions revealed contrasting behavior. Under high water level conditions, the interface including the bottom of the saprolite and the first flowing fractured zone in the upper part of the granite controls groundwater flows at the watershed-scale. Under low water level conditions, the aquifer is characterized by lateral compartmentalization due to a decrease in the number of flowing fractures with depth. Depending on the water level conditions, the aquifer shifts from a watershed flow system to independent local flow systems. A conceptual groundwater flow model, which includes depth-dependent fracture connectivity, is proposed to illustrate this contrasting hydrological behavior. Implications for watershed hydrology, groundwater chemistry and aquifer vulnerability are also discussed.