Three‐Dimensional Steady‐State Hydraulic Tomography Analysis With Integration of Cross‐Hole Flowmeter Data at a Highly Heterogeneous Site

Hydraulic tomography (HT) has been shown to be a robust approach for the high‐resolution characterization of subsurface heterogeneity. However, HT can yield smooth estimates of hydraulic parameters when pumping tests and drawdown measurements are sparse, thus limiting the utility of characterization...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water resources research Vol. 59; no. 6
Main Authors: Luo, Ning, Zhao, Zhanfeng, Illman, Walter A., Zha, Yuanyuan, Mok, Chin Man W., Yeh, T.‐C. Jim
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Washington John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.06.2023
Wiley
Subjects:
Analysis
cross‐hole flowmeter survey
Drawdown
Estimates
Flowmeters
Geology
geostatistical interpretation
Geostatistics
Groundwater
Groundwater flow
Heterogeneity
Hydraulic conductivity
Hydraulic tests
Hydraulics
model calibration and validation
Pumping
Pumping tests
Solute transport
Solutes
steady‐state hydraulic tomography
subsurface heterogeneity
Tomography
water
ISSN:0043-1397, 1944-7973
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Hydraulic tomography (HT) has been shown to be a robust approach for the high‐resolution characterization of subsurface heterogeneity. However, HT can yield smooth estimates of hydraulic parameters when pumping tests and drawdown measurements are sparse, thus limiting the utility of characterization results in predicting groundwater flow and solute transport. To overcome this issue, this study integrates cross‐hole flowmeter measurements with HT analysis of steady‐state pumping/injection test data for the three‐dimensional (3‐D) characterization of hydraulic conductivity (K) at a highly heterogeneous glaciofluvial deposit site, which has not been previously attempted. Geostatistical inverse analyses of cross‐hole flowmeter data are conducted to yield preliminary estimates of K distribution, which are then utilized as initial K fields for steady‐state HT analysis of head data. Four cases combining three data types (geological information, cross‐hole flowmeter measurements, and steady‐state head data) for inverse modeling are performed. Model calibration and validation results from all cases are compared qualitatively and quantitatively to evaluate their performances. Results from this study show that (a) geostatistical inverse analysis of cross‐hole flowmeter data is capable in revealing vertical distributions of K at well locations and major high/low K zones between wells, (b) cross‐hole flowmeter data carry non‐redundant information of K heterogeneity compared to geological information and steady‐state head data, and (c) integration of flowmeter data improves characterization results in terms of revealing K heterogeneity details and predicting independent hydraulic test data. Therefore, this study demonstrates the usefulness of cross‐hole flowmeter data in augmenting HT surveys for improved K characterization in 3‐D. Key Points Geostatistical inverse analysis of cross‐hole flowmeter data is capable in revealing heterogeneity patterns of hydraulic conductivity Cross‐hole flowmeter data carry non‐redundant information compared to structural information and head response data Integration of cross‐hole flowmeter data with steady‐state hydraulic tomography analysis improves characterization results
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ISSN:0043-1397
1944-7973
DOI:10.1029/2022WR034034