New modified chloride mass balance for hydrogeological applications

Groundwater recharge is an important parameter in water supply studies and toxic waste site assessments. Based on the theory of ideal gases and the chloride mass balance method, a new semi-empirical model for groundwater recharge assessment was developed. The model depends on three input parameters: precipitation, average annual temperature, and chloride concentration in groundwater. The model was adjusted to the geological settings of the  area of study to establish a map of groundwater recharge that can be used for water resources management and protection, also can be useful for waste site deposits selection. The results obtained show that recharge varies between 0.9 and 23 mm. This model will be of high interest to the scientific community it can replace the classical chloride mass balance method, and can be used in a many models to assess groundwater vulnerability (DRASTIC, GOD and SINTACS).