Evaluation of uncertainties due to hydrogeological modeling and groundwater flow analysis: Effective continuum model using TOUGH2

Technical Report · Fri Jul 13 04:00:00 UTC 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/816059· OSTI ID:816059

Doughty, Christine ^[1]; Karasaki, Kenzi

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1. LBNL Library

Starting with regional geographic, geologic, hydrologic, geophysical, and meteorological data, we develop an effective continuum model to simulate subsurface flow and transport in a 4 km by 6 km by 3 km thick fractured granite rock mass overlain sedimentary layers. Individual fractures are not modeled explicitly. Rather, continuum permeability and porosity distributions are assigned stochastically, based on well-test data and fracture density measurements. Large-scale features such as lithologic layering and major fault zones are assigned deterministically. We employ the TOUGH2 simulator for the flow calculation. The model simulates the steady-state groundwater flow through the site, then streamline analysis is used to calculate travel times for particles leaving specified monitoring points to reach the boundary of the model. Model results for the head distribution compare favorably with head profiles measured in several deep boreholes and the overall groundwater flow is consistent with regional water balance data. Predicted travel times range from 1 to 25 years.

• Research Organization: Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: Japan Nuclear Fuel Cycle Corporation, Taisei Corporation of Japan (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 816059
• Report Number(s): LBNL--48151
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
BOREHOLES
DISTRIBUTION
EVALUATION
FRACTURES
GRANITES
MONITORING
PERMEABILITY
POROSITY
SIMULATION
SIMULATORS
TRANSPORT
WATER