Geostatistical mapping of leakance in a regional aquitard, Oak Ridges Moraine area, Ontario, Canada

The Newmarket Till forms a regionally extensive aquitard separating two major aquifer systems in the Greater Toronto area, Canada. The till is incised, and sometimes eroded entirely, by a network of sand- and gravel-filled channels forming productive aquifers and, locally, high-conductivity windows between aquifer systems. Leakage through the till may also be substantial in places. This study investigates the spatial variability of aquitard leakance in order to assess the relative importance of recharge processes to the lower aquifers. With a large database derived from water-well records and containing both hard and soft information, the Sequential Indicator Simulation method is used to generate maps of aquitard thickness and window probability. These can be used for targeting channel aquifers and for identifying potential areas of recharge to the lower aquifers. Conductivities are modeled from sparse data assuming that their correlation range is much smaller than the grid spacing. Block-scale leakances are obtained by upscaling nodal values based on simulated conductivity and thickness fields. Under the "aquifer-flow' assumption, upscaling is performed by arithmetic spatial averaging. Histograms and maps of upscaled leakances show that heterogeneities associated with aquitard windows have the largest effect on regional groundwater flow patterns. Electronic Publication     

Mapping an aquitard breach using shear-wave seismic reflection

In multi-layered hydrostratigraphic systems, aquitard breaches caused by faulting or paleo-erosion can allow substantial quantities of water of differing quality to be exchanged between aquifers. Seismic reflection technology was used to map the extent and orientation of an aquitard breach connecting a shallow alluvial aquifer to the deeper semi-confined Memphis aquifer in southwestern Tennessee, USA. Geophysical well logs indicate the presence of the aquitard at borehole locations that define the beginning and end points on two seismic survey lines, which intersect at a borehole where the aquitard is absent. A SE–NW-oriented paleochannel, 350 m wide and approximately 35–40 m deep, is interpreted from the seismic reflection surveys. The paleochannel cuts through the aquitard and into the upper part of the Memphis aquifer, thus creating a hydraulic connection between the shallow unconfined and deeper, semi-confined aquifers. The results indicate the potential of the shear-wave seismic reflection methods to resolve shallow breaches through fine-grained aquitards given availability of sufficient well control.     

Field scale heterogeneity of redox conditions in till-upscaling to a catchment nitrate model

Point scale studies in different settings of glacial geology show a large local variation of redox conditions. There is a need to develop an upscaling methodology for catchment scale models. This paper describes a study of field-scale heterogeneity of redox-interfaces in a till aquitard within an area of 600?×?600 m. The results showed significant variation of the depths to the redox-interface and thickness of the aquitard. Nitrate was present above the redox-interface but reduced to non-detectable levels a few metres below the interface. An upscaling approach for an area of 92 km² is proposed. Two models are proposed to predict the depth to the redox-interface in the aquitard and the resulting nitrate recharge concentrations to an underlying aquifer. The first model assumes that the depth to the redox-interface reflects the hydraulic head in the aquitard, and the second model assumes that the depth of the redox-interface is randomly distributed according to a log-normal probability distribution function. The upscaling approach using the random redox model estimated recharge concentrations comparable to the observed concentration in the underlying aquifer. The presented upscaling approach is applicable in distributed catchment models where sub-grid variability cannot be represented by the large grids.     

Groundwater flow underneath mound spring tufas from geophysical surveys in the southwestern Great Artesian Basin,Australia

Artesian springs, which form carbonate mounds at the surface, occur in groups along the southwestern edge of the Great Artesian Basin (GAB), in northern South Australia. Their underground structure and relationship to faulting are not well understood. This study investigated four mound spring groups (Beresford Spring, Warburton Spring, the Bubbler Spring group, and Freeling Springs), which have different geological settings, using a range of geophysical techniques: self-potential (SP), magnetotellurics (MT) and time-domain electromagnetics (TEM). The results confirmed that despite generally similar mound morphologies at the surface, spring vents in different groups have different mechanisms for sourcing water from the GAB aquifer. SP measurements effectively showed where most of the vertical flow occurs at all groups, while MT and TEM models identified the location of faults, other geological structures and the thickness of the Bulldog Shale aquitard. Beresford and Warburton springs are similar in that the spring locations at both are directly related to points on a regional-scale fault, which appears to provide a low permeability pathway to the surface. At the Bubbler Springs group, a regionally aligned fault identified in MT data seems to be bounding an area where the aquifer is much closer to the surface (and the overlying aquitard has been thinned) where the spring abundance is highest. SP responses indicate that shallow flow paths feeding individual vents are unrelated to the fault. At Freeling Springs, the SP suggests that groundwater is flowing up within shallow aquifers, and that spring location is offset from this upward flow, instead located on range-front faults that provide the final conduit to the surface.     

Pumping-induced Well Hydraulics and Groundwater Budget in a Leaky Aquifer System with Vertical Heterogeneity in Aquitard Hydraulic Properties

In groundwater hydrology, aquitard heterogeneity is often less considered compared to aquifers, despite its significant impact on groundwater hydraulics and groundwater resources evaluation. A semi-analytical solution is derived for pumping-induced well hydraulics and groundwater budget with consideration of vertical heterogeneity in aquitard hydraulic conductivity (K) and specific storage (Ss). The proposed new solution is innovative in its partitioning of the aquitard into multiple homogeneous sub-layers to enable consideration of various forms of vertically heterogeneous K or Ss. Two scenarios of analytical investigations are explored: one is the presence of aquitard interlayers with distinct K or Ss values, a common field-scale occurrence; another is an exponentially depth-decaying aquitard Ss, a regional-scale phenomenon supported by statistical analysis. Analytical investigations reveal that a low-K interlayer can significantly increase aquifer drawdown and enhance aquifer/aquitard depletion; a high-Ss interlayer can noticeably reduce aquifer drawdown and increase aquitard depletion. Locations of low-K or high-Ss interlayers also significantly impact well hydraulics and groundwater budget. In the context of an exponentially depth-decaying aquitard Ss, a larger decay exponent can enhance aquifer drawdown. When using current models with a vertically homogeneous aquitard, half the sum of the geometric and harmonic means of exponentially depth-decaying aquitard Ss should be used to calculate aquitard depletion and unconfined aquifer leakage.     

Modeling of water–rock interactions in an aquitard of sandy clay in the coastal area near Beihai,China

Unconsolidated sand, gravel and clay deposits near Beihai and in the Leizhou Peninsula in southern China form an unconfined aquifer, aquitard and a confined aquifer. Water and soil samples were collected from the two aquifers in the coastal Beihai area for the determination of chemical compositions, minerals and soluble ions. Hydrogeochemical modeling of three flow paths through the aquitard are carried out using PHREEQC to determine water–rock interactions along the flow paths. The results indicate that the dissolution of anorthite, fluorite, halite, rhodochrosite and CO₂, and precipitation of potash feldspar and kaolinite may be occurring when groundwater leaks through the aquitard from the unconfined aquifer to the confined aquifer. Cation exchanges between Na and Ca can also happen along the flow paths.     

Distribution of nitrate in groundwater affected by the presence of an aquitard at an agricultural area in Chiba, Japan

Geological and geographical parameters including land use, stratigraphic structure, groundwater quality, and N- and O-isotopic compositions of nitrate in groundwater were investigated to elucidate the mechanism of groundwater pollution by NO₃ ^? in the agricultural area of Katori, Chiba, Japan. An aquitard distributed in the western part of the study area has produced two unconfined aquifers. The average concentrations of NO₃ ^? and dissolved oxygen (DO) were high in the aquifer above the aquitard (7.5 and 7.6 mg/L, respectively) and in the aquifer of the eastern part of the study area that was not influenced by the aquitard (11.9 and 7.8 mg/L, respectively); however, the levels in the aquifer under the aquitard were relatively low (2.2 and 3.7 mg/L, respectively). The δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O values of NO₃ ^? generally increased exponentially in the groundwater that flowed into the aquifer under the aquitard as the concentration of NO₃ ^? decreased, although this decrease in NO₃ ^? also occasionally occurred without isotopic changes. These results indicated that the aquitard prevented the penetration of NO₃ ^?, DO, and gaseous O₂. Under the aquitard, denitrification and dilution with unpolluted water that entered from natural forested areas reduced the NO₃ ^? concentrations in the groundwater. The major sources of NO₃ ^? in groundwater in the study area were estimated to be NH₄-chemical fertilizer, livestock waste, and manure.     

Assessing the vulnerability of over-exploited volcanic aquifer systems using multi-parameter analysis,Toluca Basin,Mexico

The potential for contamination of groundwater in an over-exploited system led to this investigation on aspects of aquifer vulnerability in the Toluca Basin, Mexico. This study involved the use of various hydrogeological, geochemical and isotopic tools to better understand the susceptibility to contamination where heavy groundwater extraction along with industrial extensive development is concentrated. Geochemical and isotopic analyses of groundwater from production wells along the mountain boundary show little evidence of contamination at present time. Radiocarbon and tritium data collected in piezometers and wells penetrating the Lower basalt aquifer indicate that the groundwater is of varying age and quality. These data, in addition to stable isotope and chemical data also indicate evidence of contamination in the Lower aquifer; which could be associated with fast recharge in the mountains or injection of waste water by illegal wells. Evidence found in this study of low downward gradients in the valley fill sediments and the presence of low permeability aquitard deposits suggest that the aquifer system is currently not highly threatened by surface sources of contamination. However, where urban and industrial development occurs, in the centre of the valley and along the flanks of the Basin, the vulnerability of the aquifer system increases significantly.     

The distribution of saline groundwater and its relation to the hydraulic conditions of aquifers and aquitards: examples from Israel

The effect of separation by aquitard layers on the distribution of saline groundwater in coastal aquifers has been demonstrated in two Israeli coastal aquifers: the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea aquifers. There is vertical separation in the Dead Sea area, even where the clayey aquitard layers are <1?m thick, exhibited by large differences in hydraulic head (2?C5?m), salinity (TDS of 50?C340?g/L) and chemical composition (e.g. Na/Cl range 0.28?C0.55). Similar features are found in the Mediterranean coastal aquifer, where the separating aquitard layers are thicker (??5?C10?m). Here, the different subaquifers host fresh and saline groundwater of different ages (tritium and ¹⁴C ages range from tens to thousands of years), as well as different chemical compositions. This high resolution of results can be obtained only by drilling without fluids; otherwise, the spatial information may lead to incorrect representation of the studied aquifer. This is especially important in saline systems where only partial flushing occurs and, thus, large variations in salinity and chemical composition are expected. The main factors controlling the salinity of groundwater in subaquifers in coastal aquifers are their connection to the sea or saline lakes, existence of brines, salinization and flushing rates, and separation by aquitard layers.     

Aquifer system response to intensive pumping in urban areas of the Gangetic plains,India: the case study of Patna

A significant component of domestic demand for water of urban areas located in the Gangetic plains is met by heavy pumping of groundwater. The present study is focused on the Patna municipal area, inhabited by 17 million people and spanning over 134 km², where entire urban water demand is catered from pumping by wells of various capacities and designs. The present study examines the nature of the aquifer system within the urban area, the temporal changes in the water/piezometric level and the recharge mechanism of the deeper aquifers. The aquifer system is made up of medium-to-coarse unconsolidated sand, lying under a ~40-m-thick predominantly argillaceous unit holding 8- to 13-m-thick localised sand layers and continues up to 220 m below ground. Groundwater occurs under semi-confined condition, with transmissivity of aquifers in 5,500–9,200 m² day^?1 range. Hydraulic head of the deeper aquifer remains in 9–19 m range below ground, in contrast to 1–9 m range of that of the upper aquitard zone. The estimated annual groundwater extraction from the deeper aquifer is ~212.0 million m³, which has created a decline of 3.9 m in the piezometric level of the deeper aquifer during the past 30 years. Unregulated construction of deep tube wells with mushrooming of apartment culture may further exacerbate the problem. The sand layers within the aquitard zone are experiencing an annual extraction of 14.5 million m³ and have exhibited stable water level trend for past one and half decades. This unit is recharged from monsoon rainfall, besides contribution from water supply pipe line leakage and seepage from unlined storm water drains.     

Logging in deep water wells in central Jutland, Denmark

During a search for unpolluted resources, new wells have been drilled to a deep confined aquifer in central Jutland. Since little is known about the extent and vulnerability of the deep reservoir, geophysical logging was used to supplement hydraulic well-testing. Gamma-ray, SP and resistivity logs were recorded in the boreholes. Gamma-logs were also recorded in two cased wells. Analysis of the logs, combined with information from samples, shows an unconfined aquifer of quartz and mica sand to a depth of about 55 m at Grindsted. Below this level there is a 40 m thick aquitard with an apparent southerly dip. The aquitard is composed of interbedded sand, silt and clay. The deep confined aquifer extends from 95 to 110 m below the surface at Grindsted. Both the aquitard and the deep aquifer are provisionally dated as Early/Middle Miocene. The electrical logs discriminate well between sand, silt and clay beds. If a suitable mud is used in the well it is possible to calculate the formation water resistivities in good agreement with water samples obtained after completion. From the resistivity logs formation factors were calculated in the range 3–5 using no-invasion departure curves. The high content of heavy mineralsin the Tertiary deposits makes it impossible to obtain precise lithological information from the gamma-ray log. On the other hand this log provides clear markers for identifying the hydrogeological units in the well-bores.     

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.     

Groundwater response to dual tidal fluctuations in a peninsula or an elongated island

Groundwater flow in a peninsula or an elongated island is influenced by tidal fluctuations on both sides of the peninsula or island, which is named as dual tidal fluctuations. In this study, semianalytical solutions of transient groundwater flow in response to dual tidal fluctuations in an aquifer–aquitard system were presented for cases with and without the aquitard storage. These solutions were first derived using the Laplace transform and subsequently computed by the Fourier series numerical inverse Laplace transform. The derived solutions were found to agree very well with the results of numerical simulations by MODFLOW. The solution ignoring the aquitard storage approached the quasi‐steady state solution quickly when the mean sea level initial condition was used. The solutions with and without the aquitard storage were nearly the same at the early time and were separated from each other during the intermediate time, and the difference of solutions became constant at late time for small aquifer/aquitard storativity ratio and large tidal frequency. The propagation bias, which is the departure from the theoretical ratio of tidal attenuation to tidal lag, was enhanced not only with increase of the dimensionless specific leakage (aquitard/aquifer hydraulic conductance ratio) but also with decrease of the aquifer/aquitard storativity ratio and with the increase of the dimensionless tidal frequency. The solution with the aquitard storage was more sensitive to these three parameters. The newly developed solutions were capable of handling realistic initial conditions that might be approximated by piecewise linear functions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Groundwater potential assessment in a sedimentary terrain,southwestern Nigeria

Geoelectrical resistivity techniques are increasingly being applied in addressing a wide range of hydrological, environmental, and geotechnical problems. This is due to their effectiveness in near-surface characterization. In the present study, a suite of vertical electrical soundings (VESs) was integrated with 2D geoelectrical resistivity and time-domain induced polarization (IP) imaging to characterize the near-surface and delineate the underlying aquifer in a sedimentary terrain. The geophysical survey was conducted as part of preliminary studies to evaluate the potential of groundwater resource in Iyana-Iyesi and Canaan Land area of Ota, southwestern Nigeria. A high-yield confined sandy aquifer overlain by a low-yield aquitard was delineated; overlying the aquitard is a very resistive and thick layer that is predominantly composed of kaolinitic swelling clay intercalated with phosphate mineral.     

Hydrogeological behaviour of some fault zones in a carbonate aquifer of Southern Italy: an experimentally based model

Complex flow circulation patterns are likely to be present in fault‐controlled groundwater flow systems, such as carbonate aquifers. Nevertheless, not much information is available for faults in carbonates, and their hydrogeological behaviour is often neglected in conceptual and numerical models. The understanding of this aspect of subsurface fluid flow has been improved in a carbonate aquifer, where hydrogeological investigations at site scale demonstrated the existence of fault zones that act as barriers. The hydraulic conductivity of the fault core is as low as that of siliciclastic rocks that represent the regional aquitard of the carbonate aquifer. Despite the lower permeability, the fault zones allow a significant groundwater flowthrough and a good interdependence of piezometric heads upgradient and downgradient of the faults. Because of this discontinuous heterogeneity, the aquifer looks like a basins‐in‐series system, where seasonal springs can be detected along some fault zones, as a function of groundwater level fluctuations.     

The relationship between the water table and the surface flow of a losing stream, lower Medano Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Monument, Colorado

 Proposed groundwater withdrawals in the San Luis Valley of Colorado may lower the water table in Great Sand Dunes National Monument. In response, the National Park Service initiated a study that has produced a generalized conceptual model of the hydrologic system in order to assess whether a lowering of the water table might decrease the surface flow of lower Medano Creek. Based upon information obtained during the drilling of several boreholes, there appear to be five important hydrostratigraphic units underlying lower Medano Creek within the upper 30 m of the ground surface: 1. a perched aquifer overlying an aquitard located between about 5 and 6 m below the ground surface; 2. the aquitard itself; 3. an unconfined aquifer located between the upper and lower aquitards; 4. an aquitard located between about 27 and 29 m below the ground surface; and 5. a confined underlying the lower aquitard. Because the areal extent of the aquitards cannot be determined from the borehole data, a detailed conceptual model of the hydrogeologic system underlying lower Medano Creek cannot be developed. However, a generalized conceptual model can be envisioned that consists of a complex system of interlayered aquifers and leaky aquitards, with each aquifer having a unique hydraulic head. Water levels in the perched aquifer rise rapidly to their annual maximum levels in response to the arrival of the flow terminus of Medano Creek during the spring runoff event, and the location of the flow terminus is directly dependent upon the discharge of the creek. Water levels in the deeper, non-perched aquifers do not appear to fluctuate significantly in response to the arrival of the flow terminus, demonstrating that it is unlikely that the proposed groundwater withdrawals will decrease the surface flow of lower Medano Creek. Received: 27 December 1995 · Accepted: 20 February 1996     

Vertical movement of water in a High Plains Aquifer induced by a pumping well

Field observation and numerical simulations were carried out to evaluate the hydraulic relationship between the shallow and deep aquifer of a High Plains Aquifer system, in which shallow and deep aquifers are separated by an aquitard. Pumping from the lower aquifer resulted in a small drawdown in the upper aquifer and a larger drawdown in the aquitard; pumping from the shallow aquifer caused a small drawdown in the aquitard and the deep aquifer. Analysis of pumping test data gives the values of the hydraulic conductivity of the aquitard and the deep aquifer. Long-term observation of groundwater levels in the shallow and deep aquifers showed that a strong downward hydraulic gradient was maintained during an irrigation season. Numerical simulations were used to calculate the induced leakage of water from the shallow to the deep aquifer. Water budget analyses suggested that after pumping continues for a couple of days, the leakage from the overlying layers begins to supply the majority of the withdrawal from the deep aquifer. However, the induced leakage from the upper shallow aquifer can travel only a few meters into the aquitard, and it can not reach the lower aquifer during a 90 day pumping period. The major portion of the induced leakage occurred during the pumping period, but a small leakage can continue as a residual effect after the pumping period. The vertical hydraulic conductivity of the aquitard plays a major role in partitioning the ratio of the induced leakage for the pumping and after-pumping periods.     

连云港徐圩地面沉降BOTDR监测与评价

连云港市位于苏北沿海地区,地面沉降灾害面积较大,多地沉降速率超过20 mm/a,徐圩的沉降现状尤为严重。为了能够对徐圩地区的地面沉降进行精细化观测,文章采用BOTDR分布式光纤感测技术,对徐圩镇127 m深的钻孔地层进行了两年多的全断面精细化监测。结果表明:徐圩镇共有四个承压含水层组,I-1隔水层和I-2隔水层土体沉降量分别占总沉降量的70.29 %、24.59 %,抽水层的土体最大沉降量仅占比1.38 %。I-1隔水层和I-2隔水层的地层岩性包括淤泥质黏土（L2）、亚黏土（L3）、亚砂土夹粉砂（L4）,总厚度为44 m,由于抽水过程中隔水层向含水层失水,导致该隔水层土体固结压缩。同时,工程建设附加荷载对地面沉降的影响也不可忽视。徐圩地区现阶段的沉降仍在继续发生,但沉降速率有减小的趋势。BOTDR技术可有效获取地面沉降钻孔全断面的土层变形分布信息,为地面沉降评价提供了一种精细化的分布式监测手段。     

Hydrogeochemical and Flow Modeling of Aquitard Percolation in the Cariri Valley-Northeast Brazil

Flow modeling and hydrogeochemical inversion calculations were performed on the aquifer systems of the Crato-Juazeiro Graben in the Araripe Sedimentary Basin of the Cariri Valley, Northeast Brazil, in order to assess aquifer interconnections through an aquitard of the Araripe Plateau. Steady state hydraulic head numeric calculations with the finite difference method used Modflow software with hydrologically based boundary conditions and a piezometric surface as initial condition. Hydrogeochemical inversion with PHREEQC was performed for two water samples representing typical initial and final waters along the flow path. Flow simulation shows that approximately 20% of all recharge water from the superior aquifer system passes through the Santana aquitard reaching the middle aquifer system. Quantification of mineral dissolution/precipitation processes, ion exchange and microbiological redox reactions taking place in the aquifer systems also indicates hydraulic interconnection of the superior and middle aquifer systems through the Santana aquitard.     

Aquifer/aquitard interfaces: mixing zones that enhance biogeochemical reactions

Several important biogeochemical reactions are known to occur near the interface between aquifer and aquitard sediments. These reactions include O₂ reduction; denitrification; and Fe³⁺, SO₄ ^2–, and CO₂ (methanogenesis) reduction. In some settings, these reactions occur on the aquitard side of the interface as electron acceptors move from the aquifer into the electron-donor-enriched aquitard. In other settings, these reactions occur on the aquifer side of the interface as electron donors move from the aquitard into the electron-acceptor-enriched, or microorganism-enriched, aquifer. Thus, the aquifer/aquitard interface represents a mixing zone capable of supporting greater microbial activity than either hydrogeologic unit alone. The extent to which biogeochemical reactions proceed in the mixing zone and the width of the mixing zone depend on several factors, including the abundance and solubility of electron acceptors and donors on either side of the interface and the rate at which electron acceptors and donors react and move across the interface. Biogeochemical reactions near the aquifer/aquitard interface can have a substantial influence on the chemistry of water in aquifers and on the chemistry of sediments near the interface. Electronic Publication