MODFLOW procedure to simulate axisymmetric flow in radially heterogeneous and layered aquifer systems

A procedure is outlined to simulate axisymmetric groundwater flow in radially heterogeneous and layered aquifer systems using the unmodified version of MODFLOW. The procedure is straightforward, as it only requires correction of some of the input parameters. In contrast to other MODFLOW procedures to simulate axisymmetric flow, no restrictions are imposed on the type of flow, the discretization of radial distance, or the parameter values. Hence, the method can deal with both confined and unconfined flow, wellbore storage, and axisymmetric aquifer inhomogeneities including effects of finite-thickness skin and gravel pack. Several test cases are presented, which compare the calculated results with existing analytical solutions, the analytic element solver TTim, and the axisymmetric, finite-difference model MAxSym. It is concluded that the MODFLOW procedure is capable of simulating accurately axisymmetric flow in radially heterogeneous multi-aquifer systems.     

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.     

Inactive supply wells as conduits for flow and contaminant migration: conditions of occurrence and suggestions for management

Water supply wells can act as conduits for vertical flow and contaminant migration between water-bearing strata under common hydrogeologic and well construction conditions. While recognized by some for decades, there is little published data on the magnitude of flows and extent of resulting water quality impacts. Consequently, the issue may not be acknowledged widely enough and the need for better management persists. This is especially true for unconsolidated alluvial groundwater basins that are hydrologically stressed by agricultural activities. Theoretical and practical considerations indicate that significant water volumes can migrate vertically through wells. The flow is often downward, with shallow groundwater, usually poorer in quality, migrating through conduit wells to degrade deeper water quality. Field data from locations in California, USA, are presented in combination with modeling results to illustrate both the prevalence of conditions conducive to intraborehole flow and the resulting impacts to water quality. Suggestions for management of planned wells include better enforcement of current regulations and more detailed consideration of hydrogeologic conditions during design and installation. A potentially greater management challenge is presented by the large number of existing wells. Monitoring for evidence of conduit flow and solute transport in areas of high well density is recommended to identify wells that pose greater risks to water quality. Conduit wells that are discovered may be addressed through approaches that include structural modification and changes in operations.     

Characterization of regional land subsidence in Yangtze Delta, China: the example of Su-Xi-Chang area and the city of Shanghai

Su-Xi-Chang area and the city of Shanghai, located in the south of Yangtze Delta, China, has subsided due to groundwater overpumping. Because of the regional scale of the groundwater exploitation, cone of depression and land subsidence at present, Su-Xi-Chang area and Shanghai are treated as a single area for a land subsidence study, which could more clearly elaborate the relationships between the deformation features of hydrostratigraphic units and the different sites of the cone of depression. All hydrostratigraphic units in the study area were discussed throughout. Based on the field data, including data on compression of individual strata from groups of extensometers and groundwater levels from observation wells, the relationship between the deformation and the groundwater level was analyzed. The results indicate that the deformation features of the hydrogeologic units are greatly related to hydrogeologic properties and groundwater-level variations. An identical hydrogeologic unit may exhibit different deformation features in different locations such as along the periphery and in the center of the cone of depression. In addition, in the same location, a hydrogeologic unit also exhibits different features in different periods because of different groundwater level variations. The delay phenomenon of the sandy aquifer is not specific but occurs widely.     

低渗透地层专门水文地质孔成建井工艺探讨

本文结合多年来施工专门水文地质孔的经验教训,探讨和总结了专门水文地质孔清水钻进工艺和孔内局部扩径工艺的特点,常用洗井方法及注意事项,以期在今后工作中把专门水文地质孔的成建井工作做得更好、更趋合理。     

Postaudit evaluation of conceptual model uncertainty for a glacial aquifer groundwater flow and contaminant transport model

Numerical groundwater flow and contaminant transport modeling incorporating three alternative conceptual models was conducted in 2005 to assess remedial actions and predict contaminant concentrations in an unconfined glacial aquifer located in Milford, Michigan, USA. Three alternative conceptual models were constructed and independently calibrated to evaluate uncertainty in the geometry of an aquitard underlying the aquifer and the extent to which infiltration from two manmade surface water bodies influenced the groundwater flow field. Contaminant transport for benzene, cis-DCE, and MTBE was modeled for a 5-year period that included a 2-year history match from July 2003 to May 2005 and predictions for a 3-year period ending in July 2008. A postaudit of model performance indicates that predictions for pumping wells, which integrated the transport signal across multiple model layers, were reliable but unable to differentiate between alternative conceptual model responses. In contrast, predictions for individual monitoring wells with limited screened intervals were less consistent, but held promise for evaluating alternative hydrogeologic models. Results of this study suggest that model conceptualization can have important practical implications for the delineation of contaminant transport pathways using monitoring wells, but may exert less influence on integrated predictions for pumping wells screened over multiple numerical model layers.     

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.     

Correlation of hydraulic conductivity with stratigraphy in a fractured-dolomite aquifer, northeastern Wisconsin, USA

This study integrated surface and subsurface stratigraphic data with geophysical logs and hydrogeologic data in order to characterize the hydraulic properties of the Silurian dolomite in northeastern Wisconsin. Silurian stratigraphy consists of predictable alternations of characteristic facies associations. A vertical profile of hydraulic conductivity, obtained from short-interval packer tests in a core hole that penetrates a majority of the Silurian section, indicates that hydraulic conductivity ranges over five orders of magnitude (10^–1 to 10^–6 cm/s). Matrix conductivity is generally low and varies with texture; the finer-grained restricted-marine and transitional facies being less permeable than the coarser-grained open-marine facies. High-conductivity values are generally associated with bedding-plane fractures, and fracture frequency is greater in the restricted-marine facies. High-flow features in 16 wells were identified using fluid-temperature/resistivity and heat-pulse flowmeter logs. Natural-gamma logs were used to identify the stratigraphic position of flow features in each well and to correlate flow features to specific stratigraphic horizons. By combining stratigraphic, geophysical, and hydrogeologic data, 14 high-permeability zones within the Silurian aquifer have been identified and correlated in wells more than 16 km apart. These zones parallel bedding, appear most pronounced at contacts between contrasting lithologies, and are most abundant in restricted-marine lithologies. Electronic Publication     

集束式监测井成井工艺研究

随着人类经济社会活动的加剧,地下水遭受污染的范围和强度不断加大,尤其是浅层地下水面临污染的风险更大。如何及时发现并科学评价浅层地下水污染程度和治理的效果,迫切需要简单易行、有效可靠的浅层地下水分层监测井。传统的浅层地下水分层监测井存在占地多,监测层位少等问题,巢式监测井监测5层,连续多通道监测井口径小,因此有必要研究即占地少,又能监测多层,而且监测井井管口径能满足不同种类监测仪器的安装要求。通过室内和野外试验,研究了集束式浅层地下水分层监测井建设过程中止水方法、止水材料、粒径、止水层厚度及止水效果检验、下管方式等关键技术,实现同一孔内监测100 m以内的多层含水层或多个含水段的分层监测,施工口径小,占用土地少,建设成本经济。集束式监测井可以应用到地下水监测、环境污染调查研究等多个领域,该研究将为集束式浅层地下水分层监测井建设施工提供理论依据和技术支撑,使未来的监测更加精细化、准确化,为今后监测井的发展提供新的思路和研究方向。     

吉大一院基础工程在粘性土层水文地质求参的尝试

本文着重在粘性土(隔水)层中进行水文地质抽水试验,通过施工6眼试验井,测得地层渗透系数、涌水量等水文地质参数,为深基坑开挖工程提供安全、可靠的设防,并满足抗浮设计计算所需的准确数据。     

广西岩溶峰林区地下水赋存特征及钻探成井模式

通过梳理广西岩溶峰林区近年来抗旱找水成井的钻孔资料,分析水文地质条件与成井的关系,结果表明:构造、岩性和岩溶发育层位是控制钻孔是否成井的主要因素。断层破碎带、向（背）斜以及含水层和相对隔水层的接触带等蓄水构造为有利的成井位置;石炭系地层（C1、C2）和上泥盆系地层（D3）为主要的成井地层,占成井总数的55.24%,平均单井出水量为261 m3·d-1,平均开采深度为37.67 m。通过对区内的岩溶水赋存特征及规律分析总结,归纳成6种钻探成井模式:压扭性断裂旁侧富水模式、相对隔水岩层阻水模式、挡水墙阻水模式、圈团褶皱蓄水构造模式、向/背斜轴部富水模式、自垩系红层盘地找水模式,并提出了几种常见的地形地貌特征找水标识。      

指示娘子关泉群水动力环境的水化学—同位素信息分析

本文依据宏量组分、微量元素和氢氧同位氧组成监测资料，分析了娘子关泉群水动力环境及其水文地质演化趋势。除国家和城西泉主要排泄局部流动系统的地下水外，其它各泉均为不同空间尺度流动系统地下水混合、排泄之产物。在人类活动影响下，娘子关泉群水质恶化，流量衰减，水帘洞、程家泉断流，城西、坡底泉也面临断流之危险。目前抽取的水帘洞泉的水资源量组成已与五龙泉和苇泽关泉相似，以区域和中间流动系统地下水为主。     

Relative permeability of CBM reservoirs: Controls on curve shape

Relative permeability to gas and water for 2-phase flow coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs has long been known to exhibit a strong control on (gas and water) production profile characteristics. Despite its important control on both primary and enhanced recovery of CBM for coal seams that have not been fully dewatered, relative permeability in coal has received little attention in the literature in the past decade. There are few published laboratory-derived curves; these studies and their resulting data represent a small subset of the commercial CBM reservoirs and do not allow for a systematic investigation of the physical controls on relative permeability curve shape. Other methods for estimation of relative permeability curves include derivation from simulation history-matching, and production data analysis. Both of these methods will yield pseudo-relative permeability curves whose shapes could be affected by several dynamic CBM reservoir and operating characteristics.The purpose of the current work is to perform a systematic investigation of the controls on CBM relative permeability curve shape, including non-static fracture permeability and porosity, multi-layer effects and transient flow. To derive the relative permeability curves, effective permeability to gas and water are obtained from flow equations, flow rates and pressure data. Simulated cases are analyzed so that derived and input curves may be compared allowing for investigation of CBM reservoir properties on curve shape. One set of relative permeability curves that were input into the simulator were obtained from pore-scale modeling. Field cases from two basins are also examined and controls on derived relative permeability curve shape inferred. The results of this work should be useful for future CBM development and greenhouse gas sequestration studies, and it is hoped that it will spark additional research of this critical CBM flow property.     

Python编程及Google Earth平台在地球物理勘探中的应用

在地球物理勘探工作,野外的数据采集是非常关键的环节,工区的地形地貌对野外的施工质量和进度都有很大的影响。故而在物探项目的踏勘、设计、数据采集以及资料处理解释的整个过程中,都需要详细了解地质、地形地貌等信息,并及时快速的进行查看和再现。Google Earth平台能直观显示卫星图、航空照相和GIS数据等三维场景,但如何精确地实现点、线和区的定位和识别是地球物理勘探的关键。运用Python编程实现用户自定义KML地标文件,然后导入Google Earth来实景化测点、测线、区域的周围的地形地貌特征,直观精确地指导勘探工作。实例表明,Python和Google Earth的应用能提高地球物理勘查的工作效率,节省项目成本。     

The Role of Groundwater Leakage through Deep Wells for the Deformation of Groundwater Flow: a Case Study in Cangzhou Area

Overexploitation of groundwater in Cangzhou area has attracted wide attention. Different layers of the aquifer may be connected through wells, since most wells of the deep aquifer have screens in several layers. This study proved the existence of vertical flow through wells, calculated the flow velocity and quantity of vertical flow in wells with methods of both field measurement and numerical simulation. Further, the recharge of deep groundwater by vertical flow through wells was estimated. An annual recharge of 1.5×108-2.8×108m3 from the third aquifer to the forth aquifer in Cangzhou area was estimated, according to the in-well measurement by heat pulse flowmeter sonde.     

韩城地区煤层气多层合采开发效果评价

单一煤层的煤层气资源丰度通常都比较低,且各向异性特征显著,为了提高单井产能,常把纵向上彼此邻近、特征相似的多个煤层组合在一起,以合采的方式进行开发。通过理论分析层间差异下的多层合采煤层气井开发动态,并基于韩城地区3号、5号和11号煤储层特征,经过分析该地区煤层气多层合采井的排采实例,对多层合采井的开发效果进行了评价。结果表明:低丰度煤层气藏的开发宜采用多层合采方式进行,但需注意多层合采的时机与顺序、水层倒灌与煤粉产出问题,应在生产过程中调整措施。      

煤层气田单/合层开发影响因素分析及应用

鄂尔多斯盆地东缘保德区块是国内中?低阶煤中首个完成5亿m3产能建设并达产的煤层气田,在中国煤层气行业树立了标杆地位。在区块开发过程中,大多数煤层气开发井两套主力煤层合层开发取得了良好的效果,均优于单层开发;但在局部区域,在相同的开发技术工艺条件下,部分开发井合层开发效果不理想,单层开发优于合层开发。从保德区块各煤层气单/合层开发井的地质条件、气藏特征及产气效果3个方面对区块进行整体评价,研究认为,煤层气地质条件是控制单/合层开发效果的根本因素,控制气藏特征并与之共同影响产气效果。根据主要量化指标确定单/合层排采效果差异性,优选1套确定煤层气井单/合层开发优选的量化评价指标,即对于2套煤层原始地层压力差值不超过0.6 MPa、临界解吸压力差值小于0.4 MPa、渗透率差值在2×10?3 μm2以内,适合煤层气合层开发。在此基础上,指出下步区域及层系开发调整的重点区域,即区块1单元西部、2单元中西部优先单层开发8+9号煤层更有利,3单元南部优先单层开发4+5号煤层更有利;针对区块8+9号煤层剩余未动用储量多的区域,可通过调整层系开发顺序的方式,即暂时封堵4+5号煤层、优先开发8+9号煤层。研究成果对多层系煤层气田高效开发具有重要指导意义。      

Impact of intense exploitation on the groundwater balance and flow within Mullusi aquifer (arid zone, west Iraq)

The main results that derived from this study is the quantitative determination of subsurface water balance and the water loses along flow line during drought decade (before 2000–2009), with intense exploitation of groundwater from water wells. The hydrogeological data are presented as spatial distribution maps and three dimensional models. The results are correlated with the main hydrogeologic control points including (storage and transmissivity coefficients, groundwater depths, aquifers thickness, lateral extensions, well productivity) to determine the preferable hydrogeologic districts for development and exploitations, avoiding groundwater depletion as captured zone flow. Based on the isotope analysis of deuterium, oxygen-18, tritium, carbon-13, and carbon-14, the recharge of the aquifer is originated to direct infiltration of atmospheric water through exposure outcrops within Hauran catchments area. The isotope compositions also show that the groundwater is a mixture of an old groundwater with modern recharge in the areas adjacent to Rutba. The fact that the Mullusi aquifer is of major importance as the water supply of people in Rutba region, particularly, for increasing demand of water resources and sustainability assessment in the future, this study developed a reliable strategic suggested plan in groundwater supply, based on groundwater exploitation and amount of safe yield within Dhabaa basin.     

An analytical study on groundwater flow in drainage basins with horizontal wells

Analytical studies on release/capture zones are often limited to a uniform background groundwater flow. In fact, for basin-scale problems, the undulating water table would lead to the development of hierarchically nested flow systems, which are more complex than a uniform flow. Under the premise that the water table is a replica of undulating topography and hardly influenced by wells, an analytical solution of hydraulic head is derived for a two-dimensional cross section of a drainage basin with horizontal injection/pumping wells. Based on the analytical solution, distributions of hydraulic head, stagnation points and flow systems (including release/capture zones) are explored. The superposition of injection/pumping wells onto the background flow field leads to the development of new internal stagnation points and new flow systems (including release/capture zones). Generally speaking, the existence of n injection/pumping wells would result in up to n new internal stagnation points and up to 2n new flow systems (including release/capture zones). The analytical study presented, which integrates traditional well hydraulics with the theory of regional groundwater flow, is useful in understanding basin-scale groundwater flow influenced by human activities.