Influence of rainfall infiltration on groundwater recharge in hydrogeological region La Yana, Cuba

Assessment of groundwater recharge owing to intense rainfall allows correlating these processes. The influence of rainfall infiltration on replenishment of groundwater resources in hydrogeological region La Yana, Cuba is studied. Parameters of infiltration in soil layer are analyzed using data of a few series of rainfall. The hydrometeorological data on the rainfall series, which were nonsequential and nonuniform, were harmonized using the double mass curve analysis. The double mass curve analysis provided corrected data bases for investigative modeling. The studies determined typical relationships between the maximum amount and duration for three types of daily rainfall. It is found that rainfall is characterized by two periods: dry and wet, and the processes of infiltration and replenishment of groundwater resources have a seasonal nature. Assessment of possible groundwater reserves includes, among other things, the in-place reserves appraisal—amount of taken water with regard to water replenishment, which is schematized using the water balance equation. In this research, the balance valuation is carried out in the root layer in the vadoze zone. Essentiality of the further research in this area is governed by climate change and by reduced availability of water resources.