The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique has become popular in groundwater studies because it responds directly to the presence and mobility of water in a porous medium. There is a need to conduct laboratory experiments to aid in the development of NMR hydraulic conductivity models, as is typically done in the petroleum industry. However, the challenge has been obtaining high-quality laboratory samples from unconsolidated aquifers. At a study site in Denmark, we employed sonic drilling, which minimizes the disturbance of the surrounding material, and extracted twelve 7.6 cm diameter samples for laboratory measurements. We present a detailed comparison of the acquired laboratory and logging NMR data. The agreement observed between the laboratory and logging data suggests that the methodologies proposed in this study provide good conditions for studying NMR measurements of unconsolidated near-surface aquifers. Finally, we show how laboratory sample size and condition impact the NMR measurements.

This dissertation presents the results of laboratory experiments in which essential aspects of the movement of F- in saturated media have been addressed. The interactions between F-solutions and quartz, vermiculite, and kaolinite were studied through batch and column experiments. Quartz was found to react slightly with F⁻ , giving data described by a quasi-linear isotherm. Vermiculite adsorbed only minute amounts of F. A large uptake of F⁻ by kaolinite was measured. Ion exchange F⁻ by 0H⁻. may not have been the exclusive mechanism operating under the experimental conditions. The kinetics of the dissolution of fluorite (CaF₂) were investigated by means of batch and column tests. There appears to be a relationship between the dissolution rate and the mean flow velocity. Solution pHs greater than 5-6 may accelerate the dissolution process. For temperatures between 15 and 30°C, the dissolution is characterized by an activation energy of about 7 Kcal/mole, which would indicate that both surface reaction and transport are the rate-limiting step. The percolation of columns containing quartz, vermiculite, and kaolinite with multi-component solutions (including F⁻) resulted in a late breakthrough of F⁻ when compared with that of the other species. Circulation of distilled water led to an almost complete recovery of the F⁻ injected, which exited the column with relative concentrations greater than 1. When the packing included fluorite and distilled water was flushed through the column for 2 days, a concentration of F⁻ of about 1.3 pprn was rapidly reached and remained constant throughout the run. Multivariate analysis techniques (factor and correspondence analyses) were applied to data from two aquifers known to carry high F-waters. Although helpful in discriminating major and minor associations of species, none of those techniques could help unravel the behavior of F⁻ in the study aquifers. It is suggested that laboratory and field studies be continued and that, for the successful modeling of the movement and distribution of F⁻ in aquifers, non-linear source/sink terms should be included in the pertinent differential equation governing the transport of solutes.

No description available.

A área de estudo situa-se na Bacia do Alto Tietê a jusante da cidade de São Paulo, entre as coordenadas UTM 7420 e 7382 km Latitude - 298 e 328 km Longitude perfazendo uma área de 1.140 km2. O trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar os aqüíferos fissurais da região, correlacionando os parâmetros hidrogeológicos com diversos fatores que condicionam à produtividade. A área abrange compartimentos geológicos distintos constituídos por rochas supracrustais de baixo a médio grau metamórfico, intrudidas por suítes graníticas. Sobre estas rochas ocorrem sedimentos da Bacia de São Paulo e os aluviões de planícies. A metodologia empregada neste estudo envolveu a compilação e integração geológica, incluindo análise dos mapas geológicos existentes e trabalhos de campo, análise de padrões de lineamentos e fraturamento, incluindo parâmetros como conectividade, densidade, distância e comprimento . A caracterização hidrogeológica envolveu o cadastramento de 317 poços, os quais foram correlacionados com os diversos parâmetros lito lógicos, estruturais e hidrogeológicos relacionados à produção de águas. A análise estatística mostrou, de modo geral, que não existe correlação significativa entre os parâmetros e a produtividade. Entretanto, de acordo com os resultados, estabeleceu-se uma ordenação de produtividade conforme os tipos litológicos: Calcários > sedimentos > filitos > (micaxistos+quartzitos) > (granitos+gnaisses). Conforme o contexto geológico na área, neste trabalho foram propostos três sistemas hidrogeológicos que são: Sistema Aquífero Granitóide (granitos e gnaisses); Sistema Aquífero Metassedimentar (filitos, micaxistos, quartzitos e calcários); e Sistema Aquífero Sedimentar (lamitos argilosos/arenosos e areias/cascalhos). Estes sistemas distinguem-se pela associação litológica, o padrão estrutural, a produtividade dos poços e pela fácies hidroquímicas. Os parâmetros hidráulicos foram avaliados por meio dos programas AQFIS3, AQTSOLVE e PUMPEST. As transmissividades (T) calculadas compreendem de forma decrescente as litologias de Quartzitos> Filitos> Micaxistos> Granitos> Calcários> Gnaisses. Avaliou-se a análise química de 44 amostragens d\'água utilizando os parâmetros relativos aos ânions (F-, Cl-, Br-, NO3-, HPO4-, SO4-, HCO3-; cátions (Na, Mg, K, Ca); além da: condutividade elétrica, Dureza Total, pH, Eh, T, Sílica e Oxigênio Dissolvido. A caracterização química das águas subterrâneas da área permitiu identificar a presença de três fácies dominante: bicarbonatadas cálcicas, sódicas e potássica, sulfatadas cloretadas. A interpretação da modelação hidrogeoquímica com uso do programa PHREEQE e NETPATH, possibilitou que se estabelecesse a evolução da água apresentando quase sempre subsaturada e por vezes sobressaturadas ou em equilíbrio com relação aos diversos minerais pertencentes às rochas existentes. / An area of 1140 km2 in the Alto Tietê basin, downstream from the city of São Paulo, between UTM coordinates 7420/7382 km South and 298/328 km West, was studied in order to characterize the fissural aquifers of the region and correlate hydrogeological parameters with diverse other factors conditioning productivity. The area includes geological compartments made up of Precambrian supracrustal rocks of low to medium metamorphic grade, intruded by granitic suites. Upon these rocks, occur Tertiary sedimentary rocks of the São Paulo Basin and alluvial plains. This study involved geological compilation and integration, with analysis of geological maps as well as field work and analysis of fracture patterns (orientation, connectivity, density, distance and length), which were correlated with the production of the wells assessed in each lithology. A statistical analysis showed that, in general, there is no significant correlation between the parameters and productivity. Hydrogeological characterization of data from 317 wells based on parameters related to water production allowed the ordering of productivity as follows: Limestones > sediments > phyllites > micas-chists+quartzites, granites+gneisses. According to the geological contexts in the area, three hydrogeological systems are proposed: the Granitoid (granites and gneisses) aquifer system; the Metasedimentary (phyllites, mica-schists, quartzites and limestones) aquifer; and system the Sedimentary (argillaceons/arenaceous mudstones and sand/graved). These systems may be distinguished by their lithological associations, structural patterns, well productivitys and hydrochemical facies. Hydraulic parameters were appraised by means of the programs AQFIS3, AQTSOLVE and PUMPEST. The calculated transmissivibility (T) decreases as follows: quartzites > phyllites > mica-schists > granites > limestones > gneisses. The chemical analyses of 44 samples of water were evaluated using the relative parameters related to the anions F-, Cl-, Br-, NO3-, HPO4-, SO4- and HCO3- and the cations Na, Mg, K and Ca, as well as electrical conducti vity parameters total durablity pH, Eh, T, Silica and Dissolved Oxygen. The chemical characterization of the groundwaters of the area allowed the identification of three dominant facies: calcium bicarbonate; sodic potassic; and sulfate chloreted. The interpretation of the hydrogeochemical modeling using the PHREEQE and NETPATH programs revealed that the water is undersaturated most of the time but sometimes oversaturated or in equilibrium with respect to minerals in the existing rocks.

A área de estudo situa-se na Bacia do Alto Tietê a jusante da cidade de São Paulo, entre as coordenadas UTM 7420 e 7382 km Latitude - 298 e 328 km Longitude perfazendo uma área de 1.140 km2. O trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar os aqüíferos fissurais da região, correlacionando os parâmetros hidrogeológicos com diversos fatores que condicionam à produtividade. A área abrange compartimentos geológicos distintos constituídos por rochas supracrustais de baixo a médio grau metamórfico, intrudidas por suítes graníticas. Sobre estas rochas ocorrem sedimentos da Bacia de São Paulo e os aluviões de planícies. A metodologia empregada neste estudo envolveu a compilação e integração geológica, incluindo análise dos mapas geológicos existentes e trabalhos de campo, análise de padrões de lineamentos e fraturamento, incluindo parâmetros como conectividade, densidade, distância e comprimento . A caracterização hidrogeológica envolveu o cadastramento de 317 poços, os quais foram correlacionados com os diversos parâmetros lito lógicos, estruturais e hidrogeológicos relacionados à produção de águas. A análise estatística mostrou, de modo geral, que não existe correlação significativa entre os parâmetros e a produtividade. Entretanto, de acordo com os resultados, estabeleceu-se uma ordenação de produtividade conforme os tipos litológicos: Calcários > sedimentos > filitos > (micaxistos+quartzitos) > (granitos+gnaisses). Conforme o contexto geológico na área, neste trabalho foram propostos três sistemas hidrogeológicos que são: Sistema Aquífero Granitóide (granitos e gnaisses); Sistema Aquífero Metassedimentar (filitos, micaxistos, quartzitos e calcários); e Sistema Aquífero Sedimentar (lamitos argilosos/arenosos e areias/cascalhos). Estes sistemas distinguem-se pela associação litológica, o padrão estrutural, a produtividade dos poços e pela fácies hidroquímicas. Os parâmetros hidráulicos foram avaliados por meio dos programas AQFIS3, AQTSOLVE e PUMPEST. As transmissividades (T) calculadas compreendem de forma decrescente as litologias de Quartzitos> Filitos> Micaxistos> Granitos> Calcários> Gnaisses. Avaliou-se a análise química de 44 amostragens d\'água utilizando os parâmetros relativos aos ânions (F-, Cl-, Br-, NO3-, HPO4-, SO4-, HCO3-; cátions (Na, Mg, K, Ca); além da: condutividade elétrica, Dureza Total, pH, Eh, T, Sílica e Oxigênio Dissolvido. A caracterização química das águas subterrâneas da área permitiu identificar a presença de três fácies dominante: bicarbonatadas cálcicas, sódicas e potássica, sulfatadas cloretadas. A interpretação da modelação hidrogeoquímica com uso do programa PHREEQE e NETPATH, possibilitou que se estabelecesse a evolução da água apresentando quase sempre subsaturada e por vezes sobressaturadas ou em equilíbrio com relação aos diversos minerais pertencentes às rochas existentes. / An area of 1140 km2 in the Alto Tietê basin, downstream from the city of São Paulo, between UTM coordinates 7420/7382 km South and 298/328 km West, was studied in order to characterize the fissural aquifers of the region and correlate hydrogeological parameters with diverse other factors conditioning productivity. The area includes geological compartments made up of Precambrian supracrustal rocks of low to medium metamorphic grade, intruded by granitic suites. Upon these rocks, occur Tertiary sedimentary rocks of the São Paulo Basin and alluvial plains. This study involved geological compilation and integration, with analysis of geological maps as well as field work and analysis of fracture patterns (orientation, connectivity, density, distance and length), which were correlated with the production of the wells assessed in each lithology. A statistical analysis showed that, in general, there is no significant correlation between the parameters and productivity. Hydrogeological characterization of data from 317 wells based on parameters related to water production allowed the ordering of productivity as follows: Limestones > sediments > phyllites > micas-chists+quartzites, granites+gneisses. According to the geological contexts in the area, three hydrogeological systems are proposed: the Granitoid (granites and gneisses) aquifer system; the Metasedimentary (phyllites, mica-schists, quartzites and limestones) aquifer; and system the Sedimentary (argillaceons/arenaceous mudstones and sand/graved). These systems may be distinguished by their lithological associations, structural patterns, well productivitys and hydrochemical facies. Hydraulic parameters were appraised by means of the programs AQFIS3, AQTSOLVE and PUMPEST. The calculated transmissivibility (T) decreases as follows: quartzites > phyllites > mica-schists > granites > limestones > gneisses. The chemical analyses of 44 samples of water were evaluated using the relative parameters related to the anions F-, Cl-, Br-, NO3-, HPO4-, SO4- and HCO3- and the cations Na, Mg, K and Ca, as well as electrical conducti vity parameters total durablity pH, Eh, T, Silica and Dissolved Oxygen. The chemical characterization of the groundwaters of the area allowed the identification of three dominant facies: calcium bicarbonate; sodic potassic; and sulfate chloreted. The interpretation of the hydrogeochemical modeling using the PHREEQE and NETPATH programs revealed that the water is undersaturated most of the time but sometimes oversaturated or in equilibrium with respect to minerals in the existing rocks.

Graduation date: 1995

Thesis (M.S.)--Baylor University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 48-50).

Numerical models of flow and transport are commonly applied for the sustainable management of water resources and for the selection of appropriate remediation techniques. However, these numerical models are not always accurate due to uncertain parameters and the disparity of scales across which observations are made, hydrological processes occur, and modeling is conducted. The modeling framework becomes further complex because hydrologic processes are coupled with chemical and biological processes. This dissertation focuses on the most widespread contaminants of surface and ground water, which are E. coli and nitrate, respectively. Therefore, this research investigates the linkages between bio-chemical and hydrologic processes for E. coli transport, explores the spatio-temporal variability of nitrate, quantifies uncertainty, and develops models for both E. coli and nitrate transport that better characterize these biogeochemical linkages. A probabilistic framework in the form of Bayesian Neural Networks (BNN) was used to estimate E. coli loads in surface streams and was compared with a conventional model LOADEST. This probabilistic framework is crucial when water quality data are scarce, and most models require a large number of mechanistic parameters to estimate E. coli concentrations. Results indicate that BNN provides better characterization of E. coli at higher loadings. Results also provide the physical, chemical, and biological factors that are critical in the estimation of E. coli concentrations in Plum Creek, Texas. To explore model parameters that control the transport of E. coli in the groundwater (GW) and surface water systems, research was conducted in Lake Granbury, Texas. Results highlight the importance of flow regimes and seasonal variability on E. coli transport. To explore the spatio-temporal variability of nitrate across the Trinity and Ogallala aquifers in Texas, an entropy-based method and a numerical study were employed. Results indicate that the overall mean nitrate-N has declined from 1940 to 2008 in the Trinity Aquifer as opposed to an increase in the Ogallala Aquifer. The numerical study results demonstrate the effect of different factors like GW pumping, flow parameters, hydrogeology of the site at multiple spatial scales. To quantify the uncertainty of nitrate transport in GW, an ensemble Kalman filter was used in combination with the MODFLOW-MT3DMS models. Results indicate that the EnKF notably improves the estimation of nitrate-N concentrations in GW. A conceptual modeling framework with deterministic physical processes and stochastic bio-chemical processes was devised to independently model E. coli and nitrate transport in the subsurface. Results indicate that model structural uncertainty provides useful insights to modeling E. coli and nitrate transport.

The interaction between drainage from the variably saturated zone above the water table, and the response of an unconfined aquifer to pumping has been the source of debate for many decades. While various field tests (Nwankwor et al., 1992 and Moench et al., 2001) have supported the concept that variably saturated flow processes delay drainage above a falling water table, Neuman (1972, 1974, 1975), has asserted that the impact is minimal, delay in response of the water table is due to elastic storage effects, and instantaneous yield above the water table is a reasonable assumption in unconfined aquifer analysis. This assumption results in exceedingly low estimates of specific yield in comparison to other analysis techniques (Neuman, 1987). A 7-day pumping test by Bevan et al. (2005) in the unconfined aquifer at Canadian Forces Base Borden has highlighted the complexity in drainage from above the water table during pumping, as the tension saturated zone was found to increase in thickness as a function of both proximity to the pumping well, and elapsed pumping time. This extended thickness persisted for the 7-day pumping duration. Analytical analysis of the test by Endres et al. (2007) resulted in significant underestimates of specific yield in comparison to laboratory values for most solutions. Narasimham (2007) suggested that the use of numerical simulators which include variably saturated flow may provide the most accurate representation of the test results. An attempt to replicate test results using a numerical simulation of variably saturated flow by Moench (2008) could not provide a complete physical mechanism for the extension observed by Bevan et al. (2005). This study provides a detailed investigation on the effect of heterogeneity, hysteresis, and entrapped air on drainage during unconfined pumping tests using numerical simulations, field experiments, and laboratory observations. The results of the Bevan et al. (2005) pumping test are used as a standard for comparison. Three variably-saturated groundwater flow numerical codes were evaluated for their ability to replicate the variations in soil moisture content observed during pumping by Bevan et al. (2005). Results of the numerical simulations were also analyzed for their similarity to the peak and subsequent decrease in vertical gradients observed during pumping in the Borden aquifer. While the models generated vertical gradients through the capillary fringe during pumping, these gradients dissipated significantly before 1000 min. of pumping. No gradients in the saturated zone generated by the numerical model would be capable of shifting the pressure head sufficiently to cause an apparent capillary fringe extension following the first few hours of pumping. Significant gradients were persistent throughout the test at locations where saturation was less than 85%. Accounting for the formation of vertical gradients, no simulation was able to replicate the soil moisture distributions observed by Bevan et al. (2005). Based on these results, heterogeneity, hysteresis, and entrapped air were proposed as processes with the potential to significantly affect drainage from above the water table during pumping, as their investigation may provide the physical mechanism for the observed capillary fringe extension. Compaction of the aquifer material was dismissed as a potential mechanism based on the results of a proctor test. The effect of heterogeneity on drainage from the Borden aquifer during pumping was investigated numerically using geostatistical methods. A log-normal saturated hydraulic conductivity distribution was used to represent the Borden aquifer. Brooks and Corey parameters were used to describe the pressure-saturation-relative conductivity relationships. The air-entry pressure parameter was scaled to the saturated conductivity using the scaling relationship for Borden sand proposed by Keuper and Frind (1991). The Brooks and Corey lambda parameter was kept constant. A Monte Carlo analysis was performed on the results. While several realizations of the hydraulic conductivity distribution resulted in the formation of perched water during drainage, the ensemble capillary fringe thickness was unchanged from the thickness generated using a homogeneous conceptual aquifer model. No single realization produced a capillary fringe extension in which the magnitude was a function of elapsed pumping time, or distance from the pumping well. Approximation of the effect of air-entry barriers on drainage did not increase the estimated capillary fringe thickness. The presence and location of finer grained layers appeared to have a much greater impact on the thickness of the capillary fringe than the drawdown induced by pumping. Ensemble results for the hydraulic head drawdown provided improved matches to the field observations in comparison to the homogeneous numerical model during intermediate and late times in the pumping test. A mild degree of heterogeneity appears to have sufficient effect on drainage from above the water table during pumping to impact hydraulic drawdown. The effect would be magnified with the greater degree of heterogeneity that is more typical of natural aquifer systems. A 24-hour pumping test was conducted at CFB Borden to gain a better understanding of the nature of drainage during a pumping test. Due to the wet site conditions prior to the test, the moisture profile during pumping was significantly influenced by hysteresis. The hydraulic head drawdown generated during the test was insufficient to generate any drainage due to the lowering of the top of the saturated zone, and the formation of perched lenses could not occur. Hysteresis in the moisture profile was a controlling factor in this result. Although there was no significant drainage initiated due to the lowering of the top of the saturated zone, an inflection point was still apparent in the time-drawdown curve for the four monitoring wells observed. Vertical gradients measured throughout the saturated zone, including the capillary fringe, remained low throughout the duration of pumping, and no significant increase was apparent in the transition from saturated to tension-saturated conditions. Hysteresis has the potential to increase the delay in drainage as the water table falls during pumping. A laboratory tank apparatus was used to determine the effect of entrapped air, grain size distribution, and horizontal gradient on drainage in a primarily horizontal flow regime. The tank was packed on three separate occasions, once with a coarse well sorted silica sand, and twice with sand from the Borden aquifer. For each packing, the tank was drained twice, using two different horizontal gradient magnitudes. Results show that horizontal gradient magnitude has no impact on soil moisture distributions during drainage. Air-entry pressure was elevated in comparison to gravity drainage derived pressure head – saturation curves. This elevation was not transient, nor dependant on gradient or grain size distribution. The increase in air-entry pressure does not appear to be due to insufficient equilibration time between water level drops or flow redistribution around the TDR Rods. Results of this study support a conceptual model of unconfined aquifer response in which drainage from above the water table is a complex and time dependant process. Individually, heterogeneity and hysteresis have been shown to cause a time delay between the lowering of the water table and the subsequent drainage of the tension saturated zone during intermediate to late pumping times. The magnitude and duration of this delay varies by process and is a function of the degree of heterogeneity, moisture conditions in the aquifer prior to pumping, and the drawdown rate of the water table. While no individual process tested could produce the capillary fringe extension observed by Bevan et al. (2005), the investigation of each has led to an improved conceptual understanding of the response to pumping in unconfined aquifers. Due to the complex interaction of these processes it is unlikely that pumping test results, even those which include moisture content observations, could be used to accurately predict unsaturated flow parameters. Storage parameter (i.e. specific yield) estimates made using analytical solutions may not be appropriate unless delayed drainage from above the water table is properly accounted for.

The term "impervious" is commonly used in urban settings to describe the permeability of buildings, roads, and parking lots. When estimating recharge to an aquifer underlying an urbanized area, impervious cover becomes a prime consideration. It is commonly assumed that an increase in impervious cover leads to a decrease in precipitation recharge. However, even a cursory glance at most roads, sidewalks, or parking lots reveals that, far from being impervious, there are abundant fractures that may provide avenues of infiltration. For this study, method was developed to determine the secondary permeability of pavements using a double ring infiltrometer to measure the infiltration rate of water into fractured pavements. Linear extrapolation is employed to determine the infiltration rate as the water depth approaches zero, which is used as a proxy for hydraulic conductivity by assuming that the gradient is unity. Data were collected on concrete and asphalt pavements located in Austin, Texas, at each point a fracture or expansion joint intersected along 30-meter scanlines. By dividing the sum of the discharges for each fracture by the area represented by the scanline we are able to determine the equivalent-porous-media hydraulic conductivity. The equivalent hydraulic conductivities for discrete fractures were found to range at least three orders of magnitude, from >10⁻² to 10⁻⁵ cm/sec; scanline hydraulic conductivities range two orders of magnitude from >10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁶ cm/sec; permeability along the scanlines tends to be dominated by one or two highly conductive fractures; and the hydraulic conductivity of the entire paved surface is 5.9·10⁻⁵ cm/s. Both apertures and point hydraulic conductivities were found to have logarithmic distributions but cross plots demonstrated no correlation, which indicated that a combination of the fill material and sub grade, not the fractures and expansion joints themselves, limit infiltration. By multiplying the paved surface hydraulic conductivity by the time the surface can be expected to be saturated, we find that 170 mm or 21 percent of mean annual rainfall is available as potential recharge. When coupled with an enhanced subsurface permeability structure resulting from the installation of utilities and the reduction of evapotranspiration from the reduction of vegetation, the net effect of roads and parking lots could be an increase in precipitation recharge. / text