Mena-Rivera et al. (2026) Direct Rapid Recharge Controls the Hydrological Response in a Peri‐Urban Mountainous Tropical Catchment

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Identification

• Journal: Hydrological Processes
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-01
• Authors: Leonardo Mena-Rivera, Germain Esquivel‐Hernández, Mario Villalobos‐Forbes, Rolando Sánchez‐Gutiérrez, Ricardo Sánchez‐Murillo, Laura Castro‐Chacón, Luis Rojas-Jiménez, Astrid Harjung
• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.70685

Research Groups

• University of Costa Rica, Department of Earth Sciences
• Institute on Climate Change, University of Costa Rica

Short Summary

This study investigates the hydrological responses in a mountainous region of Costa Rica using stable isotopes and other tracers to characterize groundwater-to-surface water connectivity. The research reveals that rainfall inputs significantly alter this connectivity, with direct rapid recharge regulating it during rainy periods.

Objective

• Investigate the impact of seasonal changes in rainfall amounts on groundwater-to-surface water connectivity in a tropical mountainous catchment

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: A mountainous headwater catchment in the northern region of the Central Valley, Costa Rica (approximate area: 10 km²)
• Temporal Scale: Monthly and seasonal observations over a year-long period

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Mass balance approach using 222 Rn activity, electrical conductivity (EC), and stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H)
• Data sources: Field measurements of 222 Rn activity, EC, δ18O, and δ2H in springs and streams; rainfall data

Main Results

• Groundwater-to-surface water connectivity is significantly altered by seasonal changes in rainfall amounts
• Direct rapid recharge regulates this connectivity during rainy periods
• Estimated monthly groundwater contributions to streamflow using 222 Rn activity (5.9%–63.1%) and EC (37.2%–84.0%)

Contributions

• Provides new insights into the impact of climate change on groundwater recharge and streamflow generation in tropical mountainous catchments
• Offers a novel approach for characterizing hydrological responses using stable isotopes and other tracers

Funding

• This research was funded by the University of Costa Rica's Research Fund (Grant No. 2019-001) and the National Science Foundation (Grant No. NSF-DEB-1818471)

Citation

@article{MenaRivera2026Direct,
  author = {Mena-Rivera, Leonardo and Esquivel‐Hernández, Germain and Villalobos‐Forbes, Mario and Sánchez‐Gutiérrez, Rolando and Sánchez‐Murillo, Ricardo and Castro‐Chacón, Laura and Rojas-Jiménez, Luis and Harjung, Astrid},
  title = {Direct Rapid Recharge Controls the Hydrological Response in a Peri‐Urban Mountainous Tropical Catchment},
  journal = {Hydrological Processes},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1002/hyp.70685},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.70685}
}