Three-dimensional spatial moments analysis of the Borden tracer test

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Water Resources Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/91WR00326· OSTI ID:5946258

Rajaram, H; Gelhar, L W ^[1]

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1. Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge (United States)

The large-scale tracer test conducted at the Borden site included detailed three-dimensional plume monitoring, but most previous studies have emphasized the interpretation of the data in a two-dimensional sense. Here, an independent analysis of the fully three-dimensional nature of the plume is developed using a linear spatial interpolation scheme which differs significantly from the gridded higher-order interpolation scheme used in earlier analyses. A detailed examination of the data base reveals significant truncation of the plume during several sampling sessions. This feature explains the low mass estimates obtained during the later sampling sessions. Consequently, there are significant uncertainties associated with the corresponding second-moment estimates. This uncertainty, which calls into question any refined comparisons of second-moment estimates with stochastic theories, has not been recognized in previous interpretations of the second-moment estimates. The estimated vertical macrodispersivity is found to be about twice that attributable to molecular diffusion. The estimated horizontal transverse macrodispersivity is much larger than the vertical macrodispersivity. Temporal variations in the flow appear to provide a plausible explanation of the large horizontal transverse macrodispersivity. Anomalous behavior of the second-moment evolution suggests the role of a large-scale heterogeneity during the later portion of the test, indicating possible mutual interactions between the second-moment components.

• OSTI ID: 5946258
• Journal Information: Water Resources Research; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resources Research; (United States) Vol. 27:6; ISSN 0043-1397; ISSN WRERA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000 -- Geosciences
CANADA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DIFFUSION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FLOW MODELS
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
ONTARIO
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLUMES
POLLUTANTS
POLLUTION
STOCHASTIC PROCESSES
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
WATER
WATER POLLUTION