Impact of historic and future climate on spring recharge and discharge based on an integrated numerical modelling approach: Application on a snow-governed semi-arid karst catchment area
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Publication Date
10-1-2018
Publication Title
Journal of Hydrology
Volume Number
565
Abstract
Flow in a karst system in Lebanon (Important water supply source; Assal Spring; discharge 0.2–2.5 m3/s yearly volume of 22–30 Mm3), which is dominated by snow and semi-arid conditions, was simulated using an integrated numerical model (Mike She, 2016). The calibrated model (Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient of 0.77) is based on high resolution input data (2014–2017) and detailed catchment characterization. A sensitivity analysis of individual climatic parameters shows that spring hydrograph characteristics are most sensitive to temperature. A forward simulation using the IPS_cm5 model with the RCP6.0 scenario for future climate change (Global Climate Models GCM; daily downscaled bias and altitude corrected time series for Lebanon 2020–2099) unravel that precipitation, recharge, and discharge have moderate to highly significant decreasing trends with time over the 21st century. Moreover, recession flowrates are expected to drop drastically starting in the year 2070 to 1 l/s with shortage periods reaching up to six months. The latter is due to a temperature rise of +1.5–2.5 °C and subsequent shrinking of snow cover by almost 100% (e.g., 2073–2074). Furthermore, this is accompanied by a decline in annual spring volume by 73% with respect to the current status, with real evapotranspiration consisting of up to 50% from total water budget (currently around 12–17% in 2014–2017). Moreover, decreasing snow accumulation and a more prominent flushing of precipitation event waters into fast preferential pathways will lead to peak spring discharges. This study allows decision makers to implement best informed practices for future water resources management especially for karst systems under semi-arid conditions in the regions.
Keywords
Karst, Aquifers, Springs, Climatic changes, Hydrologic models
Document Type
Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.08.062
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Doummar, Joanna; Hassan Kassem, Assaad; and Gurdak, Jason J., "Impact of historic and future climate on spring recharge and discharge based on an integrated numerical modelling approach: Application on a snow-governed semi-arid karst catchment area" (2018). KIP Articles. 8387.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/kip_articles/8387
