Potential benefits of managed aquifer recharge MAR on the Island of Gotland, Sweden
Journal article, 2019

The Island of Gotland (3000 km2), east of mainland Sweden, suffers from insufficient water availability each summer. Thin soils and lack of coherent reservoirs in the sedimentary bedrock lead to limited reservoir capacity. The feasibility of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is explored by identifying suitable areas and estimating their possible contribution to an increased water availability. MARis compared to alternative water management measures, e.g., increased groundwater abstraction, in terms of costs and water availability potential. Results from GIS analyses of infiltration areas and groundwater storage, respectively proximity to surface water sources and surface water storage were classified into three categories of MAR suitability. An area of ca 7700 ha (2.5% of Gotland) was found to have good local conditions for MAR and an area of ca 22,700 ha (7.5% of Gotland) was found to have moderate local conditions for MAR. These results reveal the MAR potential on Gotland. The water supply potential of MAR in existing well fields was estimated to be about 35% of the forecasted drinking water supply and 7% of the total water demand gap in year 2045. It is similar in costs and water supply potential to increased surface water extraction.

Decision-support

Sweden

Groundwater

MAR

Gotland

Mapping

Author

Peter Dahlqvist

Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU)

Karin Sjöstrand

RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

Andreas Lindhe

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Geology and Geotechnics

Lars Rosen

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Geology and Geotechnics

Jakob Nisell

Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU)

Eva Hellstrand

Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU)

Björn Holgersson

Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU)

Water (Switzerland)

2073-4441 (ISSN) 20734441 (eISSN)

Vol. 11 10 2164

Subject Categories

Water Engineering

Water Treatment

Oceanography, Hydrology, Water Resources

DOI

10.3390/w11102164

More information

Latest update

10/14/2022