Contaminant transport model validation: The Oak Ridge Reservation

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6769706· OSTI ID:6769706

Lee, R. R.; Ketelle, R. H.

In the complex geologic setting on the Oak Ridge Reservation, hydraulic conductivity is anisotropic and flow is strongly influenced by an extensive and largely discontinuous fracture network. Difficulties in describing and modeling the aquifer system prompted a study to obtain aquifer property data to be used in a groundwater flow model validation experiment. Characterization studies included the performance of an extensive suite of aquifer test within a 600-square-meter area to obtain aquifer property values to describe the flow field in detail. Following aquifer test, a groundwater tracer test was performed under ambient conditions to verify the aquifer analysis. Tracer migration data in the near-field were used in model calibration to predict tracer arrival time and concentration in the far-field. Despite the extensive aquifer testing, initial modeling inaccurately predicted tracer migration direction. Initial tracer migration rates were consistent with those predicted by the model; however, changing environmental conditions resulted in an unanticipated decay in tracer movement. Evaluation of the predictive accuracy of groundwater flow and contaminant transport models on the Oak Ridge Reservation depends on defining the resolution required, followed by field testing and model grid definition at compatible scales. The use of tracer tests, both as a characterization method and to verify model results, provides the highest level of resolution of groundwater flow characteristics. 3 refs., 4 figs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6769706
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-10972; ON: DE89001382
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUIFERS
CALIBRATION
EVALUATION
FLOW RATE
GROUND WATER
HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OAK RIDGE RESERVATION
OPTIMIZATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
TESTING
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WATER