Impact of water table on hierarchically nested groundwater flow system

Water table configuration gives rise to hierarchically nested groundwater flow systems.However,there remains a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the controlling factors of water table and its impact on flow systems.Moreover,it remains challenging to identify characteristics of water table space variation through limited groundwater observations at the regional scale.Based on two ideal two-dimensional cross-section analytical models,this study presents a simplified approach to preliminarily assess the nonlinear interactions between water table variation and three driving factors:Topography,geol-ogy and climate.Two criteria,C1 and C2,are utilized to address issues at different scales ranging from basin to local:(i)the influence of various factors on water table configuration;and(ii)the influence of water table on groundwater flow pattern.Then,the Ordos Plateau is taken as an example to explore the role of the water table in nested groundwater systems using the provided approach and criterion.The applica-tion of this approach in the Ordos Plateau demonstrates its appropriateness as a practical method for prelim-inarily determining the characteristics of water table configuration and its impact on flow systems.The study explores the mechanism influencing spatial variation in the water table and improves understanding of the interaction between topography,geology,and climate on groundwater flow patterns.

The Design of a Three-Dimensional Physical Modeling System for Real-Time Groundwater Flows

In the past decades,physical modeling has been widely used in hydrogeology for teaching,studying and exhibition purposes.Most of these models are used to illustrate hydrogeological profiles,but few can depict three-dimensional groundwater flows,making it impossible to validate groundwater flows simulated by numerical methods with physical modeling.

The research of three-dimensional numerical simulation of groundwater-flow: taking the Ejina Basin, Northwest China as example

Water is a primary controlling factor for economic development and ecological environmental protection in the inland river basins of arid western China. And it is groundwater, as the most important component of total water resources, that plays a dominant role in the development of western China. In recent years, the use-ratio of surface water has been raised, the groundwater recharge rate from surface water has been reduced, and groundwater has been exploited on a large scale. This has led to the decline of ground-water levels and the degradation of eco-environments in the Heihe watershed. Therefore, the study on the change in groundwater levels in recent years, as well as simulating and predicting groundwater levels in the future, have become very significant for im-proving the ecological environment of the Heihe River Basin, to coordinate the water contradiction among upper, middle and lower reaches of Heihe River Basin and to allocate the water resources. The purpose of this study is to analyze the groundwa-ter-level variations of the Ejina region based on a large scale, to develop and evaluate a conceptual groundwater model in Ejina Basin, to establish the groundwater flow model using the experimental observation data and combining Modular Three-Dimensional Groundwater Flow Model (MODFLOW) and GIS software, to simulate the regional hydrologic regime in re-cent 10 years and compare various water-delivery scenarios from midstream, and to determine which one would be the best plan for maintaining and recovering the groundwater levels and increasing the area of Ejina oasis. Finally this paper discusses the pos-sible vegetation changes of Ejina Basin in the future.

Groundwater flow through fractured rocks and seepage control in geotechnical engineering: Theories and practices

Groundwater flow through fractured rocks has been recognized as an important issue in many geotechnical engineering practices.Several key aspects of fundamental mechanisms,numerical modeling and engineering applications of flow in fractured rocks are discussed.First,the microscopic mechanisms of fluid flow in fractured rocks,especially under the complex conditions of non-Darcian flow,multiphase flow,rock dissolution,and particle transport,have been revealed through a com-bined effort of visualized experiments and theoretical analysis.Then,laboratory and field methods of characterizing hydraulic properties(e.g.intrinsic permeability,inertial permeability,and unsaturated flow parameters)of fractured rocks in different flow regimes have been proposed.Subsequently,high-performance numerical simulation approaches for large-scale modeling of groundwater flow in frac-tured rocks and aquifers have been developed.Numerical procedures for optimization design of seepage control systems in various settings have also been proposed.Mechanisms of coupled hydro-mechanical processes and control of flow-induced deformation have been discussed.Finally,three case studies are presented to illustrate the applications of the improved theoretical understanding,characterization methods,modeling approaches,and seepage and deformation control strategies to geotechnical engi-neering projects.

Groundwater Flow Modeling for Qushtapa Plain Unconfined Aquifer in Southern Erbil Basin, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Increasing population growth and water demand for various purposes such as irrigation, domestic and industrial production in many parts of the Kurdistan Region is causing deficit in fresh water and rising groundwater dependence. Drilling many deep wells in the area unsystematically and continuously increased pumping water from groundwater reservoirs results in lowering of water table. Therefore, it is essential to assess the management of water resources. The study focuses on the groundwater modeling for the Qushtapa District plain area in particular under steady state flow conditions. The aquifer was simulated under unconfined condition and is represented by a single layer of 100 m thickness. MODPATH was used to measure contamination track lines and travel times. This approach involved the introduction of particles at sources of contaminants in the wells and the recharge area, then the identification of the path lines and the determination of the special distribution of contaminants through steady state flow conditions. The simulation of the groundwater head shows that the groundwater head starts from the northeastern part of the plain and decreases towards Lesser Zab River in the south of the plain from 420 m to 140 m above sea level. The modeled layer was calibrated under steady state conditions using hydraulic parameters obtained from observation and pumping wells. The calibrated model is effective in producing steady-state groundwater head distribution and good compliance with observed data. The standard error was estimated as 4.88 m, the normalized root mean square error is 8.3% and the residual mean is 15.79 m. The results of the forward tracking show the source of potential pollutants from the recharge area after different travel time, the particles released at the northern boundary travels to the center and the western part toward the pollution sources. The results of the backward tracking show that the particles located in the extraction wells moved toward the recharge area in the north and northeastern part of the study area.

Groundwater Flow Model for a Tannery Belt in Southern India

The objective of this article is to develop a groundwater flow model for a tannery belt using Visual MOD-FLOW Premium 4.4 for analyzing groundwater velocity and its response to various pumping strategies in two stages, viz., steady and transient conditions. The steady state model was calibrated for April 2001, whereas the transient model was employed to forecast groundwater flow under various pumping strategies. The results showed that the total groundwater abstraction was about 80.43% of the groundwater recharge, but 10.25% was used up by evapotranspiration. The groundwater velocity, which is important for contaminant migration, varied from 0.21 to 0.52 m/d in the tannery cluster. The model was more sensitive to recharge from rainfall, hydraulic conductivity and specific yield. Finally, the model showed that the aquifer could sustain a pumping rate of 24892 m3/day without further decline in water level.

GIS Based Methodology for Groundwater Flow Estimation across the Boundary of the Study Areain Groundwater Flow Modeling

Pali district, Rajasthan, India has been facing severe pollution of groundwater due to release of untreated industrial effluent of textile industries into the Bandi River flowing through the Pali city. A groundwater flow and transport modeling exercise has been undertaken by MNIT, Jaipur, India to understand the groundwater flow regime and to study the different scenarios. In the modeling exercise partially penetrating ephemeral rivers have been taken as part of model boundaries wherever more appropriate boundaries were not available in the near vicinity. These boundaries have been considered as constant flow boundaries. Aim of this paper is to present a methodology to calculate the average flux through such boundaries from readily available data such as bore logs and groundwater levels. The study area boundary was divided in to several cross sections and average values of groundwater flow gradients normal to the boundary were calculated for different monsoon and non monsoon seasons for different years. The entire boundary was then regrouped into 8 boundary segments on the basis of average values of gradients for individual line segments and mean gradient values for these line segments were calculated. Values of ground level, bottom elevations of hydros-tratigraphic layers and average water depth were extracted for a number of points on these line segments from the respective layers and these values were used to calculate equivalent horizontal hydraulic conductivity of the multi-layered aquifer system at every point. The Darcy’s law was then used to calculate inflow/outflow per m length of the boundary at each point. The methodology presented here is simple and is based on the assumption that the groundwater level gradients do not change significantly for different seasons and amongst different years which has been validated in the present groundwater modeling study. The paper demonstrates a GIS based methodology to work out inflow/outflow across boundary of a study area in the cases where no flow boundaries in the vicinity of the study area cannot be identified.

Finite Difference Method of Modelling Groundwater Flow

In this study, finite difference method is used to solve the equations that govern groundwater flow to obtain flow rates, flow direction and hydraulic heads through an aquifer. The aim therefore is to discuss the principles of Finite Difference Method and its applications in groundwater modelling. To achieve this, a rectangular grid is overlain an aquifer in order to obtain an exact solution. Initial and boundary conditions are then determined. By discretizing the system into grids and cells that are small compared to the entire aquifer, exact solutions are obtained. A flow chart of the computational algorithm for particle tracking is also developed. Results show that under a steady-state flow with no recharge, pathlines coincide with streamlines. It is also found that the accuracy of the numerical solution by Finite Difference Method is largely dependent on initial particle distribution and number of particles assigned to a cell. It is therefore concluded that Finite Difference Method can be used to predict the future direction of flow and particle location within a simulation domain.

NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL VISCOUS INCOMPRESSIBLE FLOWS IN DIVERGENT CURVED CHANNELS AND TURBULENT MODEL STUDY

In order to make the numerical calculation of viscous flows more convenient for the flows in channel with complicated profile governing equations expressed in the arbitrary curvilinear coordinates were derived by means of Favre density-weighted averaged method, and a turbulent model with effect of curvature modification was also derived. The numerical calculation of laminar and turbulent flown in divergent curved channels was carried out by means of parabolizeil computation method. The calculating results were used to analyze and investigate the aerodynamic performance of talor cascades in compressors preliminarily.

Three-Dimensional Tidal Model and Its Application to Numerical Simulation of Water Quality in Coastal Waters

The turbulence mechanism plays an important part in the mixing process and momentum transfer of turbulence. A three-dimensional Prandtl mixing length tidal model has been developed to simulate tidal flows and water quality. The eddy viscosities and diffusivities are computed from the Prandtl mixing length model. In order to model the water quality of an estuary or coastal area many interdependent processes need to be simulated. These may be conveniently separated into three main groups: transport and mixing processes, biochemical interaction of water quality variables and the utilization and re-cycling of nutrients by living matter. The model simulates full oxygen and nutrient balance, primary productivity and the transport, reaction mechanism and fate of pollutants over tidal time-scales. The model is applied to numerical simulation of tidal flows and water quality in Dalian Bay. The model has been calibrated against a limited data set of historical water quality observations and in general demonstrates excellent agreement with all available data.

Hydrogeological Conceptual Model of Groundwater from Carbonate Aquifers Using Environmental Isotopes (¹⁸O, ²H) and Chemical Tracers: A Case Study in Southern Latium Region, Central Italy

The present work provides hydrochemical and stable isotope data and their interpretations for 54 springs and 20 wells, monitored from 2002 to 2006, in the Southern Latium region of Central Italy to identify flow paths, recharge areas and hydrochemical processes governing the evolution of groundwater in this region. The hydrogeological conceptual model of the carbonate aquifers of southern Latium was based on environmental isotopic and hydrochemical investigation techniques to characterize and model these aquifer systems with the aim of achieving proper management and protection of these important resources. Most of the spring samples, issuing from Lepini, Ausoni and Aurunci Mts., are characterized as Ca-Mg-HCO3 water type, however, some samples show a composition of Na-Cl and mixed Ca-Na-HCO3-Cl waters. Groundwater samples from Pontina Plain are mostly characterized by Na-Cl and Ca-Cl type waters. Geochemical modeling and saturation index computation of the Lepini, Ausoni Aurunci springs and Pontina Plain wells shows an interaction with carbonate rocks. Most of the spring and well water samples were saturated with respect to calcite and dolomite, however all sampled waters were undersaturated with respect to gypsum and halite. The relationship between δ18O and δ2H, for spring and well water samples, shows shifts of both the slope and the deuterium excess when compared to the world meteoric (WMWL) and central Italy meteoric (CIMWL) water lines. The deviation of data points from the meteoric lines can be attributed to evaporation both during the falling of the rain and by run-off on the ground surface before infiltration. Most springs and wells have a deuterium excess above 10 ‰ suggesting the precipitation in the groundwater comes from the Mediterranean sector. On the basis of local isotopic gradients, in combination with topographic and geologic criteria, four recharge areas were identified in the Aurunci Mountains. In Pontina Plain, the elevations of the recharging areas suggest that the Lepini carbonate aquifers are feeding them.

The 3D simulation and optimized management model of groundwater systems based on eco-environmental water demand

Through the study of mutual process between groundwater systems and eco-environmental water demand, the eco-environmental water demand is brought into groundwater systems model as the important water consumption item and unification of groundwater抯 economic, environmental and ecological functions were taken into account. Based on eco-environmental water demand at Da抋n in Jilin province, a three-dimensional simulation and optimized management model of groundwater systems was established. All water balance components of groundwater systems in 1998 and 1999 were simulated with this model and the best optimal exploitation scheme of groundwater systems in 2000 was determined, so that groundwater resource was efficiently utilized and good economic, ecologic and social benefits were obtained.

Groundwater Management at West El-Minia Desert Area, Egypt Using Numerical Modeling

Water shortage is the main problem facing any development in Egypt especially in the desert lands. River Nile is considered the main source of water in Egypt but its water covers only the area of flood plain where its tributaries do not reach to the desert. The desert fringes, west of El-Minia governorate, Egypt, are areas of natural expansion for agricultural, industrial, and civil activities. This implies an increasing demand for groundwater. A numerical groundwater model is one of the main tools used for assessment of the resource potential and prediction of future impact under different circumstances and stresses. In this paper, a transient groundwater flow model in the desert district west of El-Minia, Egypt, was developed. The conceptual model was built by analyzing the hydrogeological data and previous work. Steady state model of year 1990 was used to investigate and calibrate the parameters such as hydraulic conductivities, recharge and conductance of the surface water streams. The storage coefficients are calibrated by the transient model based on the available data observed from 1990 to 2013, which provides insights to understand the behavior of groundwater system in Quaternary Aquifer and to predict spatial-temporal distributions of groundwater levels and groundwater flow in responding to extraction of water. The calibrated transient model will be used to predict the impacts of desert development schemes and water resources management schemes on groundwater in the study area.

Evaluation of groundwater sustainability based on groundwater age simulation in the Zhangye Basin of Heihe River watershed, northwestern China

Water resources, as the primary limiting factor, constrain the economic and social development in arid inland areas. The Zhangye Basin is a representative area of inland river basins, which is located in the middle parts of the Heihe River watershed, northwestern China. Facing with the huge water shortage, people exploited ground- water at a large scale in recent years. The reducing recharge from surface water and over-exploitation of ground- water led to the decline of groundwater levels and threatened the sustainability of water resources. This study con- structed a conceptual and numerical groundwater flow model and calibrated the model based on the observed wells A solute transport model was built using MT3DMS to calculate the groundwater age distribution in the Zhangye Basin. The simulated result shows that the youngest groundwater is distributed near the most upstream areas in the model domain, which is less than 1,000 a, older groundwater is distributed in deeper parts of the aquifer and near the discharge outlets, ranging from 6,000 a to over 20,000 a. Spatial variation of groundwater ages in the middle area indicates the recharge diversity between unconfined and confined aquifer. Groundwater age can serve as an indicator to evaluate groundwater＇s renewal capacity and sustainability. The formation of groundwater resources in the lower stream area would spend 10,000 a or even more than 20,000 a, so exploitation of groundwater in these areas should be restrained.

Impact of longwall mining on groundwater above the longwall panel in shallow coal seams

Since longwall mining causes subsidence through the overlying strata to the ground surface, the surface water and groundwater above the longwall panels may be affected and drained into the lower levels.Therefore, loss or interruption of streams and overburden aquifers is a common concern in coal industry.This paper analyzed the potential effects of longwall mining on subsurface water system in shallow coal seam. In order to monitor different water level fluctuations throughout the mining period, three water wells were drilled down to the proposed deformation zone above the longwall panel. A GGU-SS-FLOW3 D model was used to predict water table contours for the periods of pre- and post-mining conditions. The field data from the three water wells were utilized to calibrate the model. The field test and numerical model can help to better understand the dewatering of shallow aquifers and surface waters related to ground subsidence from longwall mining in shallow coal seam.

Assessing the Connectivity of a Regional Fractured Aquifer Based on a Hydraulic Conductivity Field Reversed by Multi-Well Pumping Tests and Numerical Groundwater Flow Modeling

Aquifer connectivity could greatly affect groundwater flow and further control the contaminant transport in fractured medium.However,assessing connectivity of fractured aquifer at regional scales is still a challenge because such connectivity is difficult to be measured directly.This study proposes a framework for assessing connectivity of a fractured aquifer,with Qitaihe area,Heilongjiang Province,northeastern China as an illustrating study area.The 3-D finite difference numerical models were established to interpret the results of three multi-well pumping tests and inversely estimate the distribution of hydraulic conductivity(K)in the fractured aquifer.A static connectivity metric of the minimum hydraulic resistance(MHR)was calculated,based on the optimized K-field,to evaluate the hydraulic connectivity in the aquifer,and the corresponding least resistance paths(LRPs)were identified.The results indicate a better horizontal connectivity in the fractured aquifer in the northeastern and middle parts than in the southwestern part of the study area.The identified LRP indicated that the preferential flow channels at regional scales were controlled mainly by aquifer connectivity instead of local high-K zones.The results of this study can provide a method for aquifer connectivity estimation at regional scales.

Groundwater Protection using Numerical Simulations Applied to the Carbonate Aquifer Resource in the Augusta's Industrial Area (Sicily, Italy)

Simulation of flow in fractured aquifers is a complex issue. The problem of mathematical modeling of highly heterogeneous porous media, typical of natural systems, couples with the needs making proper simplifying assumptions and approximations. In this kind of groundwater systems, studying contamination spreading and analyzing risk are challenging tasks. The main difficulty stems from determining both the travel times and the maximum distances covered by pollutants. In this context, the risk of contamination in the deep carbonate aquifer of the Augusta coastal area is presented. We used a geostatistical approach and numerical codes (MODFLOW-2000, MT3DMS) to reconstruct the complex geological framework of the study area where several contamination scenarios of hypothetical point source in a risk assessment framework were simulated. Results on the contaminant spreading are discussed and the effect of the geological structures characterizing the zone under study, namely horst and graben, are described.

Visual Modflow在石家庄市地下水硝酸盐污染模拟中的应用

利用Visual Modflow软件建立了石家庄市长达42a的二维潜水水流模型和硝酸盐运移模型。收集整理大量地下水监测报告和研究报告提供的数据用于模型的建立,详细的地下水位和硝酸盐浓度监测数据以及不同时期的等水位线图用于模型校正。敏感度分析显示面状硝酸盐补给浓度是引起地下水NO3-浓度变化最敏感因子。利用校正的模型分3种管理方案预测了未来30a内地下水硝酸盐浓度的变化。拟合、验证和预测结果显示该模型可作为石家庄市地下水管理的有效工具。

基于Visual MODFLOW的煤层底板突水量预测研究

随着我国东部矿区煤层开采水平不断向深部拓展,底板奥灰水突水事故时有发生,往往造成严重的人员伤亡和财产损失。为准确预测煤层底板突水量,以新安煤矿为例,在概化该矿水文地质条件的基础上,建立了底板奥灰水渗流运动基本微分方程并采用有限差分法进行求解,利用Visual MODFLOW软件实现了该渗流运动的三维可视化数值模拟,结合2011年3月至2012年2月一个水文年的实际水位观测值对该模型的模拟水位进行验证和校核,依据该模型模拟水位值采用水均衡法计算得出底板突水危险区域的奥灰水量,即为突水量预测值。研究结果表明:该模型的模拟水位最大误差小于11%,一般4%左右;应用该模型模拟水位值计算危险区域突水量为1150 m^3/h,与1995年该区域发生的特大奥灰突水事故平均突水量1244.3 m^3/h接近,预测结果真实可靠。