How to consider groundwater flow systems in the Earth's Critical Zone? - Demonstration in the Central Pannonian Basin, Hungary

Study region: Central Pannonian Basin, Hungary. Study focus: Critical Zone (CZ) Science generally focuses on the soil and weathered bedrock in a few or tens of meters depth, thus influence of deeper groundwater on the CZ is understudied. Here we aim to introduce a hydrogeological methodology that can separate normal and abnormal pressure regimes and determine the groundwater flow pattern to characterize the connection of different groundwater flow systems to the CZ. Basin-scale evaluation of about 5500 measured hydraulic data were carried out by p(z) and h(z) profiles, tomographic maps and hydraulic cross sections. New hydrological insights for the Region: Three flow domains were separated and characterized. Namely, i) the uppermost topography-driven flow systems, which penetrate only a few hundred meters, ii) a deep overpressured regime below 1600-2100 m depth, which drives fluids upward; and iii) a newly identified transition zone between the former two, which gains its energy from overpressure dissipation and contains non-renewable water resources. Topography-driven flow systems and discharge areas of the transition zone, where its upwelling saline water contributes to surface salinization, are parts of the CZ. Discharge areas of the transition zone cover about 50% of the Great Hungarian Plain. The overpressured system can only influence the CZ through the transition zone. The approach and methodology can be used in any terrestrial sedimentary basin where a deep overpressured regime exists.