Groundwater flow and capture zone analysis of the Central Passaic River Basin, New Jersey

Delineating capture zones of pumping wells is an important part of safe drinking water and well protection programs. Capture zones or contributing areas of a groundwater extraction well are the parts of the aquifer recharge areas from which the wells draw their water. Their extent and location depend on the hydrogeologic conditions such as groundwater recharge, pumping scenario and the aquifer properties such as hydraulic conductivity, porosity, heterogeneity of the medium and hydraulic gradient. Different methods of delineation can be used depending on the complexity of the hydrogeologic conditions. In this study, a 3-dimensional transient numerical MODFLOW model was developed for the Central Passaic River Basin (CPRB), and used with a MODPATH particle tracking code to determine 3-dimensional transient capture zones. Analytically calculated capture zones from previous studies at the site were compared with the new numerically simulated capture zones. The study results revealed that the analytical solution was more conservative, estimating larger capture zones than the numerical models. Of all the parameters that can impact the size, shape and location of a capture zone, the hydraulic conductivity is one of the most critical. Capture zones tend to be smaller in lower hydraulic conductivity areas.     

Evaluation of a capture zone overlay method for designing groundwater remediation systems

 Simplified approaches are often used to model the removal of groundwater contamination. These approaches can yield poor remediation schemes because they incorrectly portray the effects of multiple pumping wells. In this study, a pumping configuration designed by graphically overlaying capture zones having an identical, quasi-elliptical shape was evaluated with a numerical mass transport model. After a 3-year period (within which the hypothetical aquifer was to be remediated) the contaminant mass had been reduced by 77%. Due to stagnation zones which developed between extraction wells, approximately 15 years of pumping was required to remediate the aquifer with the overlay configuration. An alternative design, consisting of an extraction well between two injection wells along the long axis of the plume, removed the contaminant within the 3-year design period. Received: 23 October 1995 · Accepted: 18 June 1996     

In-well time-of-travel approach to evaluate optimal purge duration during low-flow sampling of monitoring wells

A common assumption with groundwater sampling is that low (<0.5 L/min) pumping rates during well purging and sampling captures primarily lateral flow from the formation through the well-screened interval at a depth coincident with the pump intake. However, if the intake is adjacent to a low hydraulic conductivity part of the screened formation, this scenario will induce vertical groundwater flow to the pump intake from parts of the screened interval with high hydraulic conductivity. Because less formation water will initially be captured during pumping, a substantial volume of water already in the well (preexisting screen water or screen storage) will be captured during this initial time until inflow from the high hydraulic conductivity part of the screened formation can travel vertically in the well to the pump intake. Therefore, the length of the time needed for adequate purging prior to sample collection (called optimal purge duration) is controlled by the in-well, vertical travel times. A preliminary, simple analytical model was used to provide information on the relation between purge duration and capture of formation water for different gross levels of heterogeneity (contrast between low and high hydraulic conductivity layers). The model was then used to compare these time–volume relations to purge data (pumping rates and drawdown) collected at several representative monitoring wells from multiple sites. Results showed that computation of time-dependent capture of formation water (as opposed to capture of preexisting screen water), which were based on vertical travel times in the well, compares favorably with the time required to achieve field parameter stabilization. If field parameter stabilization is an indicator of arrival time of formation water, which has been postulated, then in-well, vertical flow may be an important factor at wells where low-flow sampling is the sample method of choice.     

自流井有限差分模拟的校正模型

自流井是井孔-含水层系统的一种典型水文地质现象, 但在地下水资源评价和管理模型中研究较少.目前地下水数值模拟对自流井的3种处理方法均不合理, 也缺乏验证.常规地下水流有限差分法既不能准确地求出抽水井的井中水位, 也不能准确地求出自流井的流量, 必须进行校正.考虑自流井周围的径向流, 通过与井点附近地下水流的解析解相结合, 提出了矩形网格有限差分模拟的自流井校正模型, 其中考虑了自流井周围含水层存贮量的释放.算例表明, 即使用千米级大尺度网格, 本校正模型也能够获得相当精确的自流井流量, 绝大多数情况下相对误差小于5%.      

水资源和环境工程中水平井研究简介

简单介绍了水平井在水资源和环境工程中的近期研究进展, 重点介绍了在不同含水层(如承压含水层、潜水含水层、越流含水层及河下含水层) 中, 水平井抽水条件下降深的半解析解, 同时分析了降深随抽水时间变化的标准曲线和微分标准曲线.这些半解析解可用于分析小流量水平井在中长时段的降深特性.分析了用于排水和供水的大流量水平井的水力学特征, 并介绍了求解渗流-管流耦合井流系统的一种新方法.同时介绍了在非饱和含水层中水平井抽取气体的动力学特征, 并分析了地面覆盖和未覆盖2种情况下的气体清除效率, 报告了在不同饱和含水层条件下水平井的捕获区和捕获时间的计算.      

Evaluation of unconfined aquifer parameters from flow to partially penetrating wells in Tailan River basin, China

Effective evaluation, management and abstraction of groundwater resources of any aquifer require accurate and reliable estimates of its hydraulic parameters. This study, therefore, looks at the determination of hydraulic parameters of an unconfined aquifer using both analytical and numerical approaches. A long-duration pumping test data obtained from an unconfined aquifer system within the Tailan River basin in Xinjiang Autonomous Region in the northwest of China is used, in this study, to investigate the best method for estimating the parameters of the aquifer. The pumping test was conducted by pumping from a radial collector well and measuring the response in nine observation wells; all the wells used in the test were partially penetrating. Using two well-known tools, namely AquiferTest and MODFLOW, as an aid for the analytical and numerical approaches, respectively, the parameters of the aquifer were determined and their outputs compared. The estimated horizontal hydraulic conductivity, vertical hydraulic conductivity, and specific yield for the analytical approach are 38.1–50.30 m/day, 3.02–9.05 m/day and 0.204–0.339, respectively, while the corresponding numerical estimates are 20.50–35.24 m/day, 0.10–3.40 m/day, and 0.27–0.31, respectively. Comparing the two, the numerical estimates were found to be more representative of the aquifer in the study area since it simulated the groundwater flow conditions of the pumping test in the aquifer system better than the analytical solution.     

Fractional flow dimensions and hydraulic properties of a fracture-zone aquifer, Leppävirta, Finland

 In order to characterize the hydraulic properties of an aquifer in Finland comprising two subvertical fracture zones, observation-well responses were matched with generalized radial flow (GRF) type curves. The responses in six wells out of seven are consistent with the GRF model. The fractional flow dimensions (1–1.2 and 1.5) were determined by regression analysis of straight-line slopes and type-curve matching. In each test, the flow dimensions in the neighboring fracture zone range from 2–2.25. Comparisons of the late-time responses with the asymptotic GRF solution and the flow dimensions obtained by reversing the pumping and observation points suggest homogeneous hydraulic properties. Deviations in responses can be explained by flow-path tortuosity. After assessments of the extent of the flow and radial distances along the fracture system, hydraulic conductivities and storativities were determined from the results of the type-curve matching procedure. The obtained hydraulic conductivities are 1.3×10^–5 to 7.9×10^–5 m/s and 5.0×10^–6 to 2.5×10^–5 m/s for the western and the eastern fracture zones, respectively. The results were verified by applying them to analytical solutions for pumping wells. The calculated pumping-well responses are consistent with the observations. The analysis of flow dimension also enhances qualitative interpretations on the hydrogeology of fracture zones. Received, April 1997 · Revised, September 1997 · Accepted, May 1998     

应用水热运移数值模拟优化地下水源热泵系统抽灌井布局

合理布局抽水井和回灌井是地下水源热泵系统长期有效运行的关键因素。以郑州市郑东新区为例,利用HST3D软件建立水热运移数值模型,优化设计地下水源热泵系统抽灌水井布局,预测地下水源热泵系统长期运行后对含水层的水热影响。结果表明:介质比热容及渗透率分别对含水层温度及水位影响显著,是较敏感的参数。方案3(3个回灌井垂直天然流向分布且位于抽水井下游)为最佳布井方式。抽灌量900,1 200,1 500及2 000m3/d所对应的合理布井间距分别为50,65,70及75m。相应布井方案的水源热泵系统运行20a,对含水层温度场的影响仅限于200m×200m的范围,抽水井温度变化小于1℃。     

Controls on groundwater flow in the Bengal Basin of India and Bangladesh: regional modeling analysis

Groundwater for domestic and irrigation purposes is produced primarily from shallow parts of the Bengal Basin aquifer system (India and Bangladesh), which contains high concentrations of dissolved arsenic (exceeding worldwide drinking water standards), though deeper groundwater is generally low in arsenic. An essential first step for determining sustainable management of the deep groundwater resource is identification of hydrogeologic controls on flow and quantification of basin-scale groundwater flow patterns. Results from groundwater modeling, in which the Bengal Basin aquifer system is represented as a single aquifer with higher horizontal than vertical hydraulic conductivity, indicate that this anisotropy is the primary hydrogeologic control on the natural flowpath lengths. Despite extremely low hydraulic gradients due to minimal topographic relief, anisotropy implies large-scale (tens to hundreds of kilometers) flow at depth. Other hydrogeologic factors, including lateral and vertical changes in hydraulic conductivity, have minor effects on overall flow patterns. However, because natural hydraulic gradients are low, the impact of pumping on groundwater flow is overwhelming; modeling indicates that pumping has substantially changed the shallow groundwater budget and flowpaths from predevelopment conditions.     

Numerical groundwater-flow modeling to evaluate potential effects of pumping and recharge: implications for sustainable groundwater management in the Mahanadi delta region,India

Process-based groundwater models are useful to understand complex aquifer systems and make predictions about their response to hydrological changes. A conceptual model for evaluating responses to environmental changes is presented, considering the hydrogeologic framework, flow processes, aquifer hydraulic properties, boundary conditions, and sources and sinks of the groundwater system. Based on this conceptual model, a quasi-three-dimensional transient groundwater flow model was designed using MODFLOW to simulate the groundwater system of Mahanadi River delta, eastern India. The model was constructed in the context of an upper unconfined aquifer and lower confined aquifer, separated by an aquitard. Hydraulic heads of 13 shallow wells and 11 deep wells were used to calibrate transient groundwater conditions during 1997–2006, followed by validation (2007–2011). The aquifer and aquitard hydraulic properties were obtained by pumping tests and were calibrated along with the rainfall recharge. The statistical and graphical performance indicators suggested a reasonably good simulation of groundwater flow over the study area. Sensitivity analysis revealed that groundwater level is most sensitive to the hydraulic conductivities of both the aquifers, followed by vertical hydraulic conductivity of the confining layer. The calibrated model was then employed to explore groundwater-flow dynamics in response to changes in pumping and recharge conditions. The simulation results indicate that pumping has a substantial effect on the confined aquifer flow regime as compared to the unconfined aquifer. The results and insights from this study have important implications for other regional groundwater modeling studies, especially in multi-layered aquifer systems.     

Uncertainty in simulated groundwater-quality trends in transient flow

In numerical modeling of groundwater flow, the result of a given solution method is affected by the way in which transient flow conditions and geologic heterogeneity are simulated. An algorithm is demonstrated that simulates breakthrough curves at a pumping well by convolution-based particle tracking in a transient flow field for several synthetic basin-scale aquifers. In comparison to grid-based (Eulerian) methods, the particle (Lagrangian) method is better able to capture multimodal breakthrough caused by changes in pumping at the well, although the particle method may be apparently nonlinear because of the discrete nature of particle arrival times. Trial-and-error choice of number of particles and release times can perhaps overcome the apparent nonlinearity. Heterogeneous aquifer properties tend to smooth the effects of transient pumping, making it difficult to separate their effects in parameter estimation. Porosity, a new parameter added for advective transport, can be accurately estimated using both grid-based and particle-based methods, but predictions can be highly uncertain, even in the simple, nonreactive case.     

Sources of dissolved oxygen in monitoring and pumping wells

Groundwater monitoring and pumping wells set in anoxic aquifers require attention to keep the groundwater free of dissolved oxygen (DO). In properly constructed monitoring or pumping wells, two processes can however still introduce oxygen to anoxic groundwater: (1) permeation of oxygen through polymer materials such as silicone, PVC, HDPE or Teflon, and (2) thermally driven convection, which can occur in all types of piezometers or wells, regardless of construction material, when the water table or pressure head is close (<10 m) to the land surface. Here, field measurements (temperature and DO well loggings) from a monitoring well in Bilthoven, the Netherlands, are combined with analytical and numerical modelling to investigate the role of both processes on oxygenation of anoxic groundwater in wells. The results of numerical and analytical modeling show that both permeation and convection can introduce oxygen into anoxic wells to near saturation concentrations. In the field data gathered, convection is primarily responsible for oxygen intrusion up to a depth of around 12 m. Oxygen intrusion through convection and permeation in monitoring and pumping wells may influence groundwater sampling and analyses, and may contribute to well clogging, depending on site conditions. The combination of field and modelling provides new insights into these processes, which can be used for both groundwater sampling and pumping well design.     

Analytical and Numerical Modeling of a Double Well Capture Zone

Closed-form steady-state analytical solutions for capture times are derived considering both pumping–injecting and pumping–pumping double-well systems. Numerical simulations are used to obtain capture times and the numerical results agree with analytical solutions. The influences of regional flows upon the capture zones are analyzed numerically. In a heterogeneously stratified aquifer, the mean and the variance of the capture time are calculated. It is found that hydraulic conductivity distribution plays an important role in determining the mean and the variance of the capture time.     

Groundwater resources assessment for irrigable agricultural lands in the Wadi Araba area, southern Jordan

The main target of this research paper was to the hydrogeological assessment of the groundwater resources to irrigate 600 ha of irrigable agricultural lands, distributed along the Dead Sea–Aqaba Highway in Umm, Methla, Wadi Musa, Qa’ Saideen and Rahma, southern Jordan. Therefore, a comprehensive groundwater study was commenced by drilling eight new wells which can be used to supply irrigable areas with the existing groundwater that would be enriched by the yield of three proposed recharge dams on Wadi Musa, Wadi Abu-Burqa, and Wadi Rahma. The evaluation of the pumping test data of the drilled was carried out using the standard methods of pumping test interpretation. This was based on the available water table measurements at well locations and knowledge of water flow in the general. The sustainable yield of each well was calculated based on the pumping test parameters. The obtained results indicate that pumping out of Beer Mathkor wells should not exceed 1,100 m³/day in the case of continuous pumping and 8,700 m³/day in the case of intermittent pumping. Since the water table did not significantly change with small changes in pumping (it took eightfolds of magnitude increase in pumping from approximately 1,100 to 8,700 m³/day to show a significant drop in the water table equivalent to about 5.5 MCM per year from the aquifer.     

The effect of typical geological heterogeneities on the performance of managed aquifer recharge: physical experiments and numerical simulations

Understanding the role of geological heterogeneity on the performance of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) in terms of effective groundwater storage is crucial to design MAR systems. Natural aquifers are affected by a variety of geologic strata and structures at different scales, which are responsible for wide ranging hydraulic properties. This study combines physical experiments and numerical modeling to investigate the effect of geologic structures commonly encountered in sedimentary environments, on MAR-induced groundwater flow patterns using injection wells. Models were conceptualized and parametrized based on the hydrogeological conditions of Tailan River basin in arid NW China, which hosts a typical, structurally complex, alluvial-fan aquifer system affected by sediment layering, clay lenses and anticline barriers, and is extensively studied for the strategic potential of MAR in addressing water shortages in the region. Results showed that, compared to a homogeneous scenario, high-permeability aquifer layers shortened groundwater ages, decreased the thickness of the artificially recharged water lenses (ARWLs), and shifted the stagnation points downstream. Clay lenses increased groundwater residence times but had little effect on spatial flow patterns due to their elongation parallel-to-flow direction. Overall groundwater ages, as well as the thickness of ARWLs created through injection on the upstream side of an anticline, increased, and this to a larger extent than through injection on the downstream side, which did not increase significantly compared to the homogeneous scenario. Results provide insights for MAR optimization in naturally heterogeneous aquifer systems, along with a benchmark tool for application to a wide range of typical geological conditions.

     

水力层析法与克立金法估算非均质含水层渗透系数场比较

含水层非均质性空间分布特征的识别,是准确模拟地下水流和污染物运移的前提.基于室内非均质含水层砂箱实验,分别利用水力层析法和克立金插值法刻画了非均质含水层渗透系数场.研究结果表明:(1) 水力层析法与克立金法相比,不仅可以更好地刻画非均质含水层渗透系数场,还可以更高精度地预测地下水流过程;(2) 水力层析抽水实验中,通过增加抽水实验组数可以有效地提高水力层析参数反演的精度,但是抽水实验组数增加到一定程度以后,再增加抽水组数不会显著提升参数反演的效果.后续需要进一步研究水力层析抽水实验合适的组数,进一步对抽水井进行优化布设.      

Inverse modelling of aquifer parameters in basaltic rock with the help of pumping test method using MODFLOW software

The origin and movement of groundwater are the fundamental questions that address both the temporal and spatial aspects of ground water run and water supply related issues in hydrological systems. As groundwater flows through an aquifer, its composition and temperature may variation dependent on the aquifer condition through which it flows. Thus, hydrologic investigations can also provide useful information about the subsurface geology of a region. But because such studies investigate processes that follow under the Earth's shallow, obtaining the information necessary to answer these questions is not continuously easy. Springs, which discharge groundwater table directly, afford to study subsurface hydrogeological processes.The present study of estimation of aquifer factors such as transmissivity (T) and storativity (S) are vital for the evaluation of groundwater resources. There are several methods to estimate the accurate aquifer parameters (i.e. hydrograph analysis, pumping test, etc.). In initial days, these parameters are projected either by means of in-situ test or execution test on aquifer well samples carried in the laboratory. The simultaneous information on the hydraulic behavior of the well (borehole) that provides on this method, the reservoir and the reservoir boundaries, are important for efficient aquifer and well data management and analysis. The most common in-situ test is pumping test performed on wells, which involves the measurement of the fall and increase of groundwater level with respect to time. The alteration in groundwater level (drawdown/recovery) is caused due to pumping of water from the well. Theis (1935) was first to propose method to evaluate aquifer parameters from the pumping test on a bore well in a confined aquifer. It is essential to know the transmissivity (T = Kb, where b is the aquifer thickness; pumping flow rate, Q = TW (dh/dl) flow through an aquifer) and storativity (confined aquifer: S = bS_s, unconfined: S = S_y), for the characterization of the aquifer parameters in an unknown area so as to predict the rate of drawdown of the groundwater table/potentiometric surface throughout the pumping test of an aquifer. The determination of aquifer's parameters is an important basis for groundwater resources evaluation, numerical simulation, development and protection as well as scientific management. For determining aquifer's parameters, pumping test is a main method. A case study shows that these techniques have been fast speed and high correctness. The results of parameter's determination are optimized so that it has important applied value for scientific research and geology engineering preparation.     

The dependence of stream depletion by seasonal pumping on various hydraulic characteristics and engineering factors

Compensation pumping is used to alleviate deficiencies in streamflow discharge during dry seasons. Short-term groundwater pumping can use aquifer storage instead of catchment-zone water until the drawdown reaches the edge of the stream. The capacitance is a complex, dimensionless parameter of an aquifer system that defines the delayed effect on streamflow when there is groundwater pumping. This parameter is a function of aquifer hydraulic characteristics, pumping time, and distance between the well and stream edge; the latter can involve stream leakance and vertical leakance of an associated aquitard. Three typical hydraulic cases of combined water systems (major catchment-zone wells close to the stream and compensation pumping wells) were classified depending on their capacitance structure (i.e. the relationship between surface water and groundwater): (1) perfect hydraulic connection between the stream and aquifer; (2) imperfect hydraulic connection between the stream and aquifer; and (3) essentially imperfect hydraulic connection between the stream and the underlying confined aquifer. The impact of various hydraulic characteristics and engineering factors on stream depletion was examined by conceptual and numerical modeling. To predict the suitability and efficiency of a combined water system application, regression tests were undertaken on unit stream depletion and capacitance, and power dependencies were defined.     

Characteristics of Valadares Island aquifer,Paranaguá coastal plain,Brazil

. Aquifer characterization in terms of geologic–geomorphological considerations, pumping test and hydrochemistry has been carried out to evaluate the groundwater potential of one of the delicate coastal island systems in Parana State, Brazil. The Valadares Island, lying in the Atlantic coastal zone, represents a stabilized beach ridge having a thickness of more than 20 m unconsolidated quartz-rich sand. Field and laboratory investigations suggest that this homogeneous coastal aquifer can partially meet the local domestic demand of fresh water even though it is in hydraulic continuity with the estuarine and tidal systems of Paranaguá bay. Efficiency of the aquifer to hold and release water was determined by conducting a pumping test in one of the partially penetrating wells in the island for 24 h. The physical, chemical and biological analyses of samples from 12 5-cm diameter wells of the area have indicated that groundwater needs purification for drinking purpose. It is advocated that the groundwater potential of the island aquifer is worth considering for sustained but controlled exploitation.     

盆地地下水流系统形成与影响因素分析

目前区域（盆地）地下水流系统模拟研究中,常用的定水头与通量两种上边界条件刻画方法与实际条件存在差距。通过对比两种方法的差异和各自适用条件,采用解析法讨论地下水位的形成控制机制,提出了改进后的变通量上边界数值模型,并以鄂尔多斯盆地北部白垩系地下水流系统为例分析了盆地地下水流系统的形成与影响因素。研究表明,鄂尔多斯盆地北部白垩系水流系统地下水位受地形、补给条件和渗透系数三者共同控制,同时特有的气候、地形和岩性组合通过控制地下水位影响地下水流系统的发育演化。采用变通量上边界法探讨上边界条件改变对盆地水流系统的影响,对深刻认识区域地下水流系统形成演化机制,揭示地下水系统与上边界气候变化、植被生态变化之间的相互作用关系具有一定优势。