Estimation of relative recharge sequence to groundwater with minimum entropy deconvolution

This study applies the minimum entropy deconvolution (MED) for the estimation of the sequential groundwater recharge rate. Groundwater recharge rates have conventionally been estimated as an average value over some period of time, e.g. annual or seasonal recharge rates. Such estimates however, are not suitable for the analysis of the dynamic sequential behavior of the groundwater head fluctuation. If the sequential groundwater recharge rate is obtained, numerical groundwater models can be effectively applied to evaluate the effect of any change in the groundwater system following the change in natural or artificial components. This study successfully applies MED to estimate the sequential recharge rates. As recharge rates are obtained by relative values, a series of timed observations are necessary. The validity of the estimated sequences of relative recharge rates can be checked by cross-referencing. Cross-correlations between the applied recharge sequence and the estimated results are above 0.985 in all study cases. Through the numerical test, the suitability of MED in the estimation of the recharge sequence to groundwater is investigated.