Regional search, selection and geological characterization of a large anticlinal structure, as a candidate site for CO2-storage in northern Germany

This paper reports on the regional screening, selection and geological characterisation of a potential on-shore CO₂ storage site (saline aquifer) in north-eastern Germany. The main objective of this study was to identify and investigate a candidate storage site, capable to accommodate the total amount of approximately 400 million tons of CO₂. Such a volume is produced by a modern, lignite-fired power plant within its operation lifetime of approximately 40 years. Within north-eastern Germany, several saline aquifers of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous age have been evaluated with respect to their regional occurrence, storage potential and basic reservoir properties. Subsequent to a ranking, considering different criteria, the anticlinal structure Schweinrich holding suitable saline aquifers of the uppermost Triassic and lowest Jurassic has been selected from a number of identified candidate sites. According to results of the geological site characterisation, including structural geological investigations and 3D reservoir modelling, the structure Schweinrich seems to be a suitable site for industrial large scale CO₂ storage. Further data acquisition (new wells and 3D seismics) and research (more detailed and comprehensive modelling) is needed in order to prove the structural integrity of the storage site and assure long-term safety.     

Detection and hydrologic modeling of aquifers in unconsolidated alluvial plains through combination of borehole data sets: a case study of the Arao area, Southwest Japan

In addition to spatial distribution of groundwater-flow parameters, aquifer properties of location and shape are also significant for assessing groundwater resources because they strongly affect water flow. We present a selection of geologic data suitable for aquifer analysis, a mathematical method of processing them, and a combination of several maps produced by it. The data used in the analysis are typically obtained by borehole investigation. Our targets are the areas underlain by geologic bodies with different ages and lithologies; the spatial correlation structures of geologic data over the areas tend to change locally. The processing method should be a versatile one that is applicable to areas where geostatistical stationarity is not satisfied. The aquifer analysis consistent with that requirement consists of two steps: the first is the transformation of screen locations, locations of sand and gravel layers, and resistivity by electric logging into indicator values, and the second is three-dimensional interpolation of these using the optimization principle method to produce three kinds of distribution models. A stochastic simulation is also used for modeling the resistivity distribution. The three distribution models are integrated to generate a value for evaluating the possibility of aquifer existence. A case study of an alluvial coastal plain, situated in southwest Japan, describes an aquifer model that contains three permeable layers. Each layer has about 10-m thickness and is lens shaped. To confirm the validity of the model, we have drilled two wells that reached one of the middle and bottom permeable layers, observing the water level change. Low correlation of the temporal changes of levels between the wells indicates that the two layers are hydrologically independent of each other. Additionally, groundwater-flow patterns have been estimated by transforming the simulation model parameter into hydraulic conductivity through a simple function and using a finite difference method for flow analysis. The procedure proposed by this study can be applied to other areas by changing the weights assigned to each geologic and geotechnical factor in the generation of the coefficient for aquifer existence, considering the reliability of each factor and hydrologic properties of study area.     

Potential assessment of CO2 geological storage based on injection scenario simulation: A case study in eastern Junggar Basin

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is one of the effective means to deal with global warming, and saline aquifer storage is considered to be the most promising storage method. Junggar Basin, located in the northern part of Xinjiang and with a large distribution area of saline aquifer, is an effective carbon storage site. Based on well logging data and 2D seismic data, a 3D heterogeneous geological model of the Cretaceous Donggou Formation reservoir near D7 well was constructed, and dynamic simulations under two scenarios of single-well injection and multi-well injection were carried out to explore the storage potential and CO₂ storage mechanism of deep saline aquifer with real geological conditions in this study. The results show that within 100 km² of the saline aquifer of Donggou Formation in the vicinity of D7 well, the theoretical static CO₂ storage is 71.967 × 10⁶ tons (P50)^①, and the maximum dynamic CO₂ storage is 145.295 × 10⁶ tons (Case2). The heterogeneity of saline aquifer has a great influence on the spatial distribution of CO₂ in the reservoir. The multi-well injection scenario is conducive to the efficient utilization of reservoir space and safer for storage. Based on the results from theoretical static calculation and the dynamic simulation, the effective coefficient of CO₂ storage in deep saline aquifer in the eastern part of Xinjiang is recommended to be 4.9%. This study can be applied to the engineering practice of CO₂ sequestration in the deep saline aquifer in Xinjiang.     

Simulation of spatial and temporal trends in nitrate concentrations at the regional scale in the Upper Dyle basin,Belgium

Models are the only tools capable of predicting the evolution of groundwater systems at a regional scale, by taking into account a large amount of information. This study presents the association of a water balance model (WetSpass) with a groundwater flow and solute transport model (SUFT3D, saturated and unsaturated flow and transport in 3D) in order to simulate the present and future groundwater quality in terms of nitrate in the Upper Dyle basin (439 km²) Belgium. The HFEMC (hybrid finite element mixing cell) method implemented in the SUFT3D code is used to model groundwater flow and nitrate transport. Spatially distributed recharge, modelled with WetSpass, is considered for prescribing the recharge to the groundwater flow model. The feasibility of linking the WetSpass model with the finite-elements SUFT3D code is demonstrated. Time evolution and distribution of nitrate concentration are then simulated using the calibrated model. Nitrate inputs are spatially distributed according to land use. The spatial simulations and temporal trends are compared with previously published data on this aquifer and show good results.     

Modelling an inland Delta aquifer system to evolve pre-development management schemes: a case study in Upper Thamalakane River valley, Botswana, southern Africa

 Groundwater modelling studies have been found to be a potential tool in planning the pre-development management of groundwater resources in newly developing aquifer systems. One such study was attempted in Upper Thamalakane River valley, Okavango Delta, Botswana (southern Africa). There are three major aquifers separated by two aquitards in the valley portion. The top two aquifers are freshwater bearing zones and the bottom one is saline. The hydrological set-up of the basin is complex, as the groundwater flow directions are opposite in the upper-unconfined and in the lower-confined aquifers. A preliminary multilayer model was developed for this aquifer system by making use of only available data. The hydrodynamic behavior was then studied under two prediction scenarios to evolve appropriate management decisions for locating the well field (large diameter wells) in the upper aquifer by making use of induced river infiltration during the flood season. The aquifer response for variable river-flow conditions was studied and the induced river infiltration was quantified. Received: 27 August 1998 · Accepted: 8 March 1999     

The effects of geological heterogeneities and piezometric fluctuations on groundwater flow and chemistry in a hard-rock aquifer, southern India

Crystalline aquifers of semi-arid southern India represent a vital water resource for farming communities. A field study is described that characterizes the hydrodynamic functioning of intensively exploited crystalline aquifers at local scale based on detailed well monitoring during one hydrological year. The main results show large water-table fluctuations caused by monsoon recharge and pumping, high spatial variability in well discharges, and a decrease of well yields as the water table decreases. Groundwater chemistry is also spatially variable with the existence of aquifer compartments within which mixing occurs. The observed variability and compartmentalization is explained by geological heterogeneities which play a major role in controlling groundwater flow and connectivity in the aquifer. The position of the water table within the fracture network will determine the degree of connectivity between aquifer compartments and well discharge. The presented aquifer conceptual model suggests several consequences: (1) over-exploitation leads to a drop in well discharge, (2) intensive pumping may contribute to the hydraulic containment of contaminants, (3) groundwater quality is highly variable even at local scale, (4) geological discontinuities may be used to assist in the location of drinking-supply wells, (5) modeling should integrate threshold effects due to water-table fluctuations.     

Three-dimensional mineral prospectivity modeling for targeting of concealed mineralization within the Zhonggu iron orefield,Ningwu Basin,China

The Zhonggu iron orefield is one of the most important iron orefields in China, and is located in the south of the Ningwu volcanic basin, within the middle and lower Yangtze metallogenic belt of eastern China. Here, we present the results of new 3D prospectivity modeling that enabled the delineation of areas prospective for exploration of concealed and deep-seated Baixiangshan-type mineralization and Yangzhuang-type mineralization within the Zhonggu orefield; both of these deposits are Kiruna-type Fe-apatite deposits but are hosted by different formations within the Ningwu Basin. The modeling approach used during this study involves 3 steps: (1) combining available geological and geophysical data to construct 3D geological models; (2) generation of 3D predictive maps from these 3D geological models using 3D spatial analysis and 3D geophysical methods; (3) combining all of the 3D predictive maps using logistic regression to create a prospectivity map. This approach integrates a large amount of available geoscientific data using 3D methods, including 3D geological modeling, 3D/2D geophysical methods, and 3D spatial analysis and data integration methods. The resulting prospectivity model clearly identifies highly prospective areas that not only include areas of known mineralization but also a number of favorable targets for future mineral exploration. The 3D prospectivity modeling approach showcased within this study provides an efficient way to identify camp-scale concealed and deep-seated exploration targets and can easily be adapted for regional- and deposit- scale targeting.     

Method and analysis for the upscaling of structural data

3D geological models are created to integrate a set of input measurements into a single geological model. There are many problems with this approach, as there is uncertainty in all stages of the modelling process, from initial data collection to the approach used in the modelling scheme itself to calculate the geological model. This study looks at the uncertainty inherent in geological models due to data density and introduces a novel method to upscale geological data that optimises the information in the initial dataset. This method also provides the ability for the dominant trend of a geological dataset to be determined at different scales. By using self-organizing maps (SOM's) to examine the different metrics used to quantify a geological model, we allow for a larger range of metrics to be used compared to traditional statistical methods, due to the SOM's ability to deal with incomplete datasets. The classification of the models into clusters based on the geological metrics using k-means clustering provides a useful insight into the models that are most similar and models that are statistical outliers. Our approach is guided and can be calculated on any input dataset of this type to determine the effect that data density will have on a resultant model. These models are all statistical derivations that represent simplifications and different scales of the initial dataset and can be used to interrogate the scale of observations.     

Influence of geologic layering on heat transport and storage in an aquifer thermal energy storage system

A modeling study was carried out to evaluate the influence of aquifer heterogeneity, as represented by geologic layering, on heat transport and storage in an aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) system in Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada. Two 3D heat transport models were developed and calibrated using the flow and heat transport code FEFLOW including: a “non-layered” model domain with homogeneous hydraulic and thermal properties; and, a “layered” model domain with variable hydraulic and thermal properties assigned to discrete geological units to represent aquifer heterogeneity. The base model (non-layered) shows limited sensitivity for the ranges of all thermal and hydraulic properties expected at the site; the model is most sensitive to vertical anisotropy and hydraulic gradient. Simulated and observed temperatures within the wells reflect a combination of screen placement and layering, with inconsistencies largely explained by the lateral continuity of high permeability layers represented in the model. Simulation of heat injection, storage and recovery show preferential transport along high permeability layers, resulting in longitudinal plume distortion, and overall higher short-term storage efficiencies.     

Groundwater-flow modeling in the Yucatan karstic aquifer, Mexico

The current conceptual model of the unconfined karstic aquifer in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, is that a fresh-water lens floats above denser saline water that penetrates more than 40 km inland. The transmissivity of the aquifer is very high so the hydraulic gradient is very low, ranging from 7–10 mm/km through most of the northern part of the peninsula. The computer modeling program AQUIFER was used to investigate the regional groundwater flow in the aquifer. The karstified zone was modeled using the assumption that it acts hydraulically similar to a granular, porous medium. As part of the calibration, the following hypotheses were tested: (1) karstic features play an important role in the groundwater-flow system; (2) a ring or belt of sinkholes in the area is a manifestation of a zone of high transmissivity that facilitates the channeling of groundwater toward the Gulf of Mexico; and (3) the geologic features in the southern part of Yucatan influence the groundwater-flow system. The model shows that the Sierrita de Ticul fault, in the southwestern part of the study area, acts as a flow barrier and head values decline toward the northeast. The modeling also shows that the regional flow-system dynamics have not been altered despite the large number of pumping wells because the volume of water pumped is small compared with the volume of recharge, and the well-developed karst system of the region has a very high hydraulic conductivity. Electronic Publication     

Using TOUGH2 numerical simulation to analyse the geothermal formation in Guide basin,China

The Guide sedimentary basin is located in the northeastern part of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,which is rich in geothermal resources. However,exploitation of the geothermal resources has so far been limited,because of limited understanding of the resources quantity and storage gained from scientific researches. In this study,using a typical cross section across the basin and taking into account its geothermal and geological conditions,a new water-heat coupled model was built and associated modelling was done by the software TOUGH2. During modelling process,the accuracy and applicability of the model was confirmed through the calibration of relevant parameters for modelling the heat and water transport and the formation of geothermal reservoir across the basin,with particular focus on the Neogene geothermal field. Results show that the groundwater that flows from the basin margins to the center is heated by the Neogene and Paleogene sedimentary rocks with high geothermal gradients. Since the east-west extending fault F1 is conductive,it acts as preferential flow paths which on one hand provide additional and rapid flows to the thermal reservoir; and on the other hand,cool down the thermal water to a certain extent due to the infiltration of shallower water sources in the vicinity of the fault. Furthermore,the estimated geothermal resources quantity is close to that of previous studies. In comparison with the Paleogene rock formations,the Neogene geothermal reservoir shows a better nature in terms of water content,aquifer permeability and resources exploitability,although the resource quantity of the Paleogene reservoir is considerable.     

Three-Dimensional Modeling of Storm Surge and Inundation Including the Effects of Coastal Vegetation

Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic models are used to simulate the hurricane-induced storm surge and coastal inundation in regions with vegetation. Typically, 2D storm surge models use an enhanced Manning coefficient while 3D storm surge models use a roughness height to represent the effects of coastal vegetation on flow. This paper presents a 3D storm surge model which accurately resolves the effects of vegetation on the flow and turbulence. First, a vegetation-resolving 1DV Turbulent Kinetic Energy model (TKEM) is introduced and validated with laboratory data. This model is both robust enough to accurately model flows in complex canopies, while compact and efficient enough for incorporation into a 3D storm surge-wave modeling system: Curvilinear Hydrodynamics in 3D-Surface WAves Nearshore (CH3D-SWAN). Using the 3D vegetation-resolving model, three numerical experiments are conducted. In the first experiment, comparisons are made between the 2D Manning coefficient approach and the 3D vegetation-resolving approach for simple wind-driven flow. In a second experiment, 2D and 3D representations of vegetation produce similar inundations from the same hurricane forcing, but differences in momentum are found. In a final experiment, varying inundation between seemingly analogous 2D and 3D representations of vegetation are demonstrated, pointing to a significant scientific need for data within wetlands during storm surge events. This study shows that the complex flow structures within vegetation canopies can be accurately simulated using a vegetation-resolving 3D storm surge model, which can be used to assess the feasibility for future wetland restoration projects.     

基于广义径向流模型的非均质孔隙含水层井流试验分析

Theis模型、Dupuit模型等经典井流模型分析非均质含水层井流试验数据有一定的局限性,获取的参数不适合表征非均质含水层特性。而GRF模型可以获取含水层流动特性的数据。相比于Theis模型、Dupuit模型,GRF模型更能表征非均质含水层特性。以黄石东湖新村棋盘洲长江大桥的抽水试验数据为例,采用Theis模型和GRF模型计算含水层渗透系数,结合实际水文地质条件,对比分析不同方法计算的水文地质参数,并计算含水层水流维数和表观压力传导系数（K_f /S_sf）。结果表明:研究区含水层为细砂夹条带状黏土透镜体的非均质含水层,采用GRF模型计算结果更符合实际情况,渗透系数为 4.09×10?3cm/s;含水层水流维数为1.61,地下水为双线性流动状态,含水层对抽水试验的响应主要受黏土条带控制;观测井和抽水主井的K_f /S_sf呈非线性相关,进一步验证了含水层的非均质性。在非均质孔隙含水层中,应用多孔联合非稳定GRF井流试验方法不仅能确定水文地质参数,并且能丰富对含水层特性的认知。     

Alternative conceptual models and the robustness of groundwater management scenarios in the multi-aquifer system of the Central Veneto Basin, Italy

A three-dimensional (3D) groundwater flow model of the deep multi-aquifer Quaternary deposits of the Po plain sedimentary basin, within a 3,300-km² area (Veneto, Italy), is developed, tested and applied to aid sustainable large-scale water-resources management. Integrated mathematical modelling proves significantly successful, owing to an unusual wealth of available geological, geophysical, and hydrologic data and to state-of-the-art numerical tools. Of particular interest is the evaluation of the influence of alternative conceptual models; that is, of reconstructed representations of the 3D geological model of the structure of the aquifers. The reference conceptual model is set up by means of extended geological sections and stratigraphic records, and is used to create a large, unstructured 3D finite element grid. By analyzing the effects on piezometric surfaces and on the overall water budget of geometrical perturbations from the reference structure, alternative geo-structural models, obtained by systematically shifting the pinch-out of the aquitards, are compared. Interestingly, the impacts of aquitard pinch-out prove far from negligible. The results suggest the critical importance of reliable geological models even for large, complex 3D models. The good practice of iteratively testing numerically the impact of surprises on the conceptual model, as more field information is collected, is thus supported.     

松辽盆地咸含水层埋存CO2储存容量初步估算

沉积盆地深部存在体积巨大的咸含水层,是很好的埋存CO2的地质储体。可靠合理的估计CO2储存容量是选择场址的重要前提。目前国际上较为通用的评价CO2储存容量是金字塔评价方法。松辽盆地咸含水层岩性以白垩系的嫩江组砂岩和青山口组砂岩为主,空隙发育较好,盖层连续完整且封闭良好,决定了其可以作为储存CO2的地质储体。以松辽盆地为实例,估算了咸含水层CO2理论储存容量大约为6916Gt。     

Determining the role of lineaments in underground hydrodynamics using Landsat 7 ETM+ data,case of the Chott El Gharbi Basin (western Algeria)

This paper attempts an overview of the application of remote sensing to groundwater studies. Its objective is to define the role of the geological features in the underground hydrodynamic in the aquifer system of the Chott El Gharbi Basin (Algerian western high plains) and identify a link between the fracturing and the meteoric water supply of this deep aquifer. The methodology followed consists to study the fracturing map of studied area which is obtained after Landsat 7 ETM+ processing images. It is based on structural lineaments mapping. The obtained map has been validated by geophysical results and geological map. Statistical analysis of the lineaments network shows the presence of about 537 lineaments divided into four families oriented according to the following directions NE-SW, NW-SE, N-S, and E-W. The lineament analysis of the studied basin provides important information on subsurface fractures that may control the circulation and storage of groundwater. These fractures have an undeniable hydrogeological interest because of their size, a priori favorable for the aquifers recharge in the region. The probable link between the Chott El Gharbi implementation and the presence of mega fractures which some of them correspond actually to Wadis is confirmed. The correlation between the productivity of high debit drillings and the closest lineament confirms that these lineaments are surface traces of regional discontinuities and act as main groundwater flow paths.     

Post-injection trapping of mobile CO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">2</Emphasis></Subscript> in deep aquifers: Assessing the importance of model and parameter uncertainties

Predicting the fate of the injected CO₂ is crucial for the safety of carbon storage operations in deep saline aquifers: especially the evolution of the position, the spreading and the quantity of the mobile CO₂ plume during and after the injection has to be understood to prevent any loss of containment. Fluid flow modelling is challenging not only given the uncertainties on subsurface formation intrinsic properties (parameter uncertainty) but also on the modelling choices/assumptions for representing and numerically implementing the processes occurring when CO₂ displaces the native brine (model uncertainty). Sensitivity analysis is needed to identify the group of factors which contributes the most to the uncertainties in the predictions. In this paper, we present an approach for assessing the importance of model and parameter uncertainties regarding post-injection trapping of mobile CO₂. This approach includes the representation of input parameters, the choice of relevant simulation outputs, the assessment of the mobile plume evolution with a flow simulator and the importance ranking for input parameters. A variance-based sensitivity analysis is proposed, associated with the ACOSSO-like meta-modelling technique to tackle the issues linked with the computational burden posed by the use of long-running simulations and with the different types of uncertainties to be accounted for (model and parameter). The approach is tested on a potential site for CO₂ storage in the Paris basin (France) representative of a project in preliminary stage of development. The approach provides physically sound outcomes despite the challenging context of the case study. In addition, these outcomes appear very helpful for prioritizing the future characterisation efforts and monitoring requirements, and for simplifying the modelling exercise.     

Pattern recognition in lithology classification: modeling using neural networks,self-organizing maps and genetic algorithms

Effective characterization of lithology is vital for the conceptualization of complex aquifer systems, which is a prerequisite for the development of reliable groundwater-flow and contaminant-transport models. However, such information is often limited for most groundwater basins. This study explores the usefulness and potential of a hybrid soft-computing framework; a traditional artificial neural network with gradient descent-momentum training (ANN-GDM) and a traditional genetic algorithm (GA) based ANN (ANN-GA) approach were developed and compared with a novel hybrid self-organizing map (SOM) based ANN (SOM-ANN-GA) method for the prediction of lithology at a basin scale. This framework is demonstrated through a case study involving a complex multi-layered aquifer system in India, where well-log sites were clustered on the basis of sand-layer frequencies; within each cluster, subsurface layers were reclassified into four depth classes based on the maximum drilling depth. ANN models for each depth class were developed using each of the three approaches. Of the three, the hybrid SOM-ANN-GA models were able to recognize incomplete geologic pattern more reasonably, followed by ANN-GA and ANN-GDM models. It is concluded that the hybrid soft-computing framework can serve as a promising tool for characterizing lithology in groundwater basins with missing lithologic patterns.     

CAD软件在工程地质三维建模中的应用

如何快速、准确地建立地质体的三维模型一直是众多岩土工程数值模拟工作者所面临的难题。虽然三维地学模拟软件具有很好的三维地质建模能力,但是由于数据结构的差异,采用他们现行三维地学模拟软件建立的地质模型难以导入数值模拟分析软件中,以为相应工程问题的数值模拟服务。目前,随着各种CAD、CAM软件行业的的飞速发展,涌现出了许多优秀的三维建模软件,而且这些软件大都与现行数值分析软件有着良好的数据接口功能。据此,本文提出了采用现行CAD软件来建立工程地质体的三维模型,使得建立的模型达到既可视又可算的目的。将其应用于云南某高速公路边坡的三维建模中,证明了该法具有方便、快捷和合理等优点。     

Methodology to evaluate the renewal period of carbonate aquifers: a key tool for their management in arid and semiarid regions,with the example of Becerrero aquifer,Spain

A methodological procedure is proposed for determining the renewal period (RP), which expresses the ratio of total storage to recharge of carbonate aquifers, and it was applied to the overexploited moderate-size Becerrero carbonate aquifer (southern Spain). To this end, geological and subsurface data—time domain electromagnetic (TEM) soundings and borehole logs—were integrated to construct a three-dimensional (3D) geological model of the aquifer. The interconnected porosity was estimated by analyzing 73 rock samples. The resulting 3D geometrical model makes it possible to quantify the fractions of the aquifer having a confined or unconfined behaviour. Based on the total storage capacity (179?·?10⁶–514?·?10⁶ m³) and available aquifer recharge estimation (4.8?·?10⁶–6.4?·?10⁶ m³/year), an RP between 37 and 106 years is obtained. In view of the RP, an exploitation rate slightly lower than the average recharge of the system is recommended, so that the piezometric level will be stable but below the discharge head that is produced through the springs in natural conditions. The proposed methodology to obtain an aquifer RP and the management strategies designed accordingly are of broad interest, especially for carbonate aquifers, which are abundant in arid and semiarid regions.