Using vadose-zone water stable isotope profiles for assessing groundwater recharge under different climatic conditions

Considering three sites under different climate conditions (arid, semiarid, and subhumid), this study aims to use the vadose-zone water stable isotope profiles to estimate the groundwater recharge rate. High-resolution vertical subsurface soil sampling along the vadose zone of the investigated sites was conducted. The collected samples were analysed to determine their stable isotopes ratios (δ2H and δ18O) that were used in the piston displacement method for estimating recharge. Annual recharge rates of 0.2% (±0.1%), 2.5 %, and 18% of the total annual precipitation were obtained for the arid, semiarid, and subhumid sites, respectively. Recharge rates at the semiarid and subhumid sites are comparable to those previously estimated using water balance-based methods. The recharge rate at the arid site is lower than that previously estimated for that site using the water budget-based method, revealing difficulties in applying the piston displacement method under an arid regime