Spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity of the Cretaceous aquifer in Belgium

“Study region: Flanders (Belgium).
Study focus: The Cretaceous aquifer-consisting of chalk sediments and other forms of carbonates—is an important source of fresh water for drinking water and industry in Flanders. Therefore, maintaining optimal water quality and quantity in this aquifer is critical. However, uncertainty of the Cretaceous hydrogeological parameters is high due to its depth, confinement, scarce observation wells, and the complex lithostratigraphic formations and members, resulting in limited information on the aquifer hydrogeological properties.

New hydrogeological insights from the region
This work provides novel insights on the Cretaceous characterization, focused on the spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivity estimated through multiple pumping tests, geophysics, and flowmeter logs. A correlation between hydraulic conductivity and depth displays decreasing values as depth increases towards northern regions. The analysis indicates that the high heterogeneity of the Cretaceous and the spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity is led by lithological differences, including the presence of a hardground layer with variable thickness and permeability. This correlation also highlights the influence of fractures and karstification, enhancing hydraulic conductivity at shallower regions while decreasing it at deeper sections of the aquifer given the lower fracture density due to higher overburden pressures. Results demonstrate the influence of depth, lithology, and fracture development controlling the hydraulic conductivity variability within the Cretaceous, providing important insights for further research on water extraction and aquifer storage capacity, among others.”

(Citation: Gómez, M.M., Ghysels, G., Mustafa, S.M., et.al. – Spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity of the Cretaceous aquifer in Belgium – Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies 60(2025)102462 – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2025.102462 – (Open Access))

© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. – Under a Creative Commons license