Alfonso Rivera - Groundwater Modelling / Aquifer assessment

Name: Alfonso Rivera
Field of expertise: Groundwater Modelling / Aquifer assessment
Education: Ph.D. in Quantitative Hydrogeology, École Nationale Supérieures des Mines de Paris
Works at: Natural Resources Canada’s Geological Survey of Canada in Quebec, QC.

What he studies

Dr. Rivera studies the nature, the dynamics and the extent of aquifer systems in Canada to inventory its groundwater resources. Dr. Rivera and his team are mapping Canada’s most significant aquifers to determine their size, location, natural groundwater quality and sustainability. Mapping is being done through remote sensing technologies such as gravity measurements to interpret changes in groundwater, geological characterization and geophysical methods to define an aquifer’s geometry (i.e. porous or fractured aquifer) and hydro-geochemistry to characterize the quality of groundwater.

What is the importance of his research?

Dr. Rivera’s research will help to better manage groundwater resources and prevent their depletion and contamination. Understanding the scale and hydrodynamics of aquifers is key to the sustainable management of groundwater. His research activities include defining the three-dimensional nature of aquifers, building conceptual models, using remote sensing to estimate regional-scale water budgets, and simulating the sustainable yields of the aquifers.

Interesting fact

Using detailed measurements of the Earth’s gravity field from space, it is now possible to detect changes to water storage in rivers, lakes, glaciers and aquifers. Combining these measurements with a river’s base flow and aquifer modelling, Dr. Rivera and his team will soon be able to determine whether Canada’s groundwater reserves are declining, rising, or stable over time.

Current research project

Dr. Rivera is currently preparing a standardized assessment of the Milk River transboundary aquifer system using a 3D model. This study will serve as a basis to a joint transboundary groundwater management plan between the province of Alberta in Canada and the state of Montana in the USA following the United Nations Resolution on the Law of Transboundary Aquifers. The research will inform decisions about using the aquifer natural boundaries rather than jurisdictional borders.

Key publications

Rivera, A. (2012). Groundwater Resources in Canada, Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited,(in press).

Rivera, A. et al. (2012). Regional Strategy for the Management of the Transboundary Aquifer Systems in the Americas. A UNESCO Publication, (in press).

Rivera, A. (2008). Groundwater Sustainable Development in Canada – Emerging Issues. Canadian National Committee International Year of Planet Earth CNC-IYPE. Geoscience Canada, vol. 35, no. 2, p. 73-87.

Please note that the preceding links are provided for readers' convenience. Where NRCan does not hold the copyright, there may be a cost for downloading or purchasing the material.