Testing the suitability of geologic frameworks for extrapolating hydraulic properties across regional scales
Abstract
The suitability of geologic frameworks for extrapolating hydraulic conductivity (K) to length scales commensurate with hydraulic data is difficult to assess. A novel method is presented for evaluating assumed relations between K and geologic interpretations for regional-scale groundwater modeling. The approach relies on simultaneous interpretation of multiple aquifer tests using alternative geologic frameworks of variable complexity, where each framework is incorporated as prior information that assumes homogeneous K within each model unit. This approach is tested at Pahute Mesa within the Nevada National Security Site (USA), where observed drawdowns from eight aquifer tests in complex, highly faulted volcanic rocks provide the necessary hydraulic constraints. The investigated volume encompasses 40 mi3 (167 km3) where drawdowns traversed major fault structures and were detected more than 2 mi (3.2 km) from pumping wells. Complexity of the five frameworks assessed ranges from an undifferentiated mass of rock with a single unit to 14 distinct geologic units. Results show that only four geologic units can be justified as hydraulically unique for this location. The approach qualitatively evaluates the consistency of hydraulic property estimates within extents of investigation and effects of geologic frameworks on extrapolation. Distributions of transmissivity are similar within the investigated extents irrespective ofmore »
- Authors:
-
- U.S. Geological Survey, Arden, NC (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- U.S. Geological Survey, Arden, NC (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1238791
- Grant/Contract Number:
- NA0001654
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Hydrogeology Journal
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 24; Journal Issue: 1; Related Information: http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70168659; Journal ID: ISSN 1435-0157
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 58 GEOSCIENCES; groundwater flow; heterogeneity; hydraulic properties; hydraulic tomography; USA
Citation Formats
Mirus, Benjamin B., Halford, Keith J., Sweetkind, Donald, and Fenelon, Joseph M. Testing the suitability of geologic frameworks for extrapolating hydraulic properties across regional scales. United States: N. p., 2016.
Web. doi:10.1007/s10040-016-1375-1.
Mirus, Benjamin B., Halford, Keith J., Sweetkind, Donald, & Fenelon, Joseph M. Testing the suitability of geologic frameworks for extrapolating hydraulic properties across regional scales. United States. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-016-1375-1
Mirus, Benjamin B., Halford, Keith J., Sweetkind, Donald, and Fenelon, Joseph M. Thu .
"Testing the suitability of geologic frameworks for extrapolating hydraulic properties across regional scales". United States. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-016-1375-1. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1238791.
@article{osti_1238791,
title = {Testing the suitability of geologic frameworks for extrapolating hydraulic properties across regional scales},
author = {Mirus, Benjamin B. and Halford, Keith J. and Sweetkind, Donald and Fenelon, Joseph M.},
abstractNote = {The suitability of geologic frameworks for extrapolating hydraulic conductivity (K) to length scales commensurate with hydraulic data is difficult to assess. A novel method is presented for evaluating assumed relations between K and geologic interpretations for regional-scale groundwater modeling. The approach relies on simultaneous interpretation of multiple aquifer tests using alternative geologic frameworks of variable complexity, where each framework is incorporated as prior information that assumes homogeneous K within each model unit. This approach is tested at Pahute Mesa within the Nevada National Security Site (USA), where observed drawdowns from eight aquifer tests in complex, highly faulted volcanic rocks provide the necessary hydraulic constraints. The investigated volume encompasses 40 mi3 (167 km3) where drawdowns traversed major fault structures and were detected more than 2 mi (3.2 km) from pumping wells. Complexity of the five frameworks assessed ranges from an undifferentiated mass of rock with a single unit to 14 distinct geologic units. Results show that only four geologic units can be justified as hydraulically unique for this location. The approach qualitatively evaluates the consistency of hydraulic property estimates within extents of investigation and effects of geologic frameworks on extrapolation. Distributions of transmissivity are similar within the investigated extents irrespective of the geologic framework. In contrast, the extrapolation of hydraulic properties beyond the volume investigated with interfering aquifer tests is strongly affected by the complexity of a given framework. As a result, testing at Pahute Mesa illustrates how this method can be employed to determine the appropriate level of geologic complexity for large-scale groundwater modeling.},
doi = {10.1007/s10040-016-1375-1},
journal = {Hydrogeology Journal},
number = 1,
volume = 24,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Feb 18 00:00:00 EST 2016},
month = {Thu Feb 18 00:00:00 EST 2016}
}
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