Hydraulic fracturing is a controversial practice because of concerns about environmental impacts due to its widespread use in recovering unconventional petroleum and natural gas deposits. However, water-only hydraulic fracturing has been used safely and successfully for many years to increase the permeability of aquifers used for drinking and irrigation water supply. This process extends and widens existing bedrock fractures, allowing groundwater storage to increase. Researchers have studied the behavior of fractured-rock aquifers for decades, but little has been published on the hydraulic and mechanical properties of hydraulically enhanced fractures. In this study, a multi-faceted approach consisting of aquifer and tracer testing is used to estimate the transmissivity and storage coefficient of a hydraulically induced fracture and observe its behavior as a contaminant flow pathway. The results of the aquifer tests indicated a decrease in both the transmissivity and storage coefficient of the fracture of three orders of magnitude after cessation of pumping. The aquifer temporarily experienced incomplete recovery following pumping tests, likely due to slow recharge. After complete recovery occurred, subsequent tests showed that these hydraulic properties returned to their original values, indicating elastic compression of the fracture during periods of applied stress. The results of the tracer test indicated rapid, uniform, one-dimensional flow through the fracture, with average fluid velocity approaching 1 km/day in an induced steady flow field of 6 x 10-5 m3/s (1 gal/min) and a fracture volume of 0.238 m3 (63 gal). The complex heterogeneity of fractured-rock aquifers necessitates the use of multiple lines of testing in order to arrive at a detailed description of the behavior of these systems. This study demonstrates one effective method of investigating a single fracture that can uncover information about the behavior of a hydraulically enhanced aquifer that is otherwise difficult to obtain. / Master of Science

Esta pesquisa objetivou mostrar a viabilidade de utilização do Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG) associado à modelagem matemática, como opção metodológica a ser aplicada no estudo das modificações induzidas no nível freático, após o enchimento de reservatórios. A área piloto escolhida foi a bacia de drenagem do rio Biritiba-Mirim, localizada na região do Alto Tietê, no Estado de São Paulo. O entendimento do funcionamento do sistema hidrogeológico, obtido por meio de dados de geologia, hidrogeologia, climatologia, poços existentes e sondagens executadas na área, subsidiou a elaboração do modelo conceitual. Na área, foram identificados dois tipos de aqüíferos: o Sedimentar, restrito às planícies fluviais e o Cristalino alterado, decorrente da alteração intempérica da rocha. Os fluxos locais da água subterrânea ocorrem em direção aos cursos d’água que constituem a malha de drenagem da bacia, enquanto que, regionalmente, as águas subterrâneas fluem na direção do rio Biritiba-Mirim. As informações do modelo conceitual foram, inicialmente, organizadas no Sistema de Informação Geográfica e, posteriormente, transferidas para o modelo matemático. Foi construído um modelo matemático para a bacia de drenagem do rio Biritiba-Mirim utilizando o programa tridimensional de diferenças finitas MODFLOW desenvolvido por McDONALD & HARBAUGH (1988). A calibração do modelo foi executada a partir de ajustes sucessivos, efetuados por meio do SIG e, posteriormente, aferidos no MODFLOW. Uma vez concluído o processo de calibração, procedeu-se à simulação do enchimento do reservatório, utilizando novamente o Sistema de Informação Geográfica para a entrada dos dados. A simulação, também realizada no MODFLOW, possibilitou delimitar as áreas nas quais os níveis das águas subterrâneas sofrerão maiores influências do reservatório, dando o subsidio necessário para a locação dos poços de monitoramento. Os dados coletados no período de um ano de monitoramento permitiram executar a verificação e eventuais correções do modelo. Com o modelo aferido, repetiu-se a simulação do enchimento do reservatório e, a partir do mapa potenciométrico resultante, foi elaborado o mapa de profundidades de níveis d’água subterrânea previstas para após o enchimento do lago, denominado de Mapa Previsional de Influência. Nesse mapa foram delimitadas duas zonas de influência (de 0-5 m e de 5-10 m) e uma zona sem influência do reservatório ou com profundidade final do nível freático superior a 10 m. Finalmente, definiu-se um programa de monitoramento potenciométrico do sistema aqüífero livre para execução em situação posterior ao enchimento do reservatório, a fim de avaliar o tempo e tipo de resposta do aqüífero livre ao processo de enchimento e efetuar a retroanálise das previsões. De acordo com programa definido, a primeira campanha de medição deverá coincidir com o início do enchimento do reservatório, a partir desta, o monitoramento deverá ser mensal até os três primeiros meses e, posteriormente, trimestral até completar um ano após o enchimento. A execução do presente estudo comprovou a viabilidade da aplicação do SIG, associado à modelagem matemática com fins previsionais, em escala de bacia de contribuição, para a avaliação das modificações induzidas no nível do aqüífero livre após o enchimento de reservatórios. Recomenda-se a metodologia aqui proposta como ferramenta a ser aplicada em outros locais que apresentem a mesma problemática. / The purpose of the current research was to demonstrate the viability of using Geographic Information System – GIS associated to mathematical models as a methodological option to be applied in the study of the water table elevation induced by dam reservoirs after their impoundment. The chosen area was the drainage basin of Biritiba-Mirim river, located in Alto Tietê area, in São Paulo State. The understanding of the hydrogeological system was acquired through geological, hydrogeological and climatological data. The surveys executed in the area, also allowed the construction of the conceptual model. In the area, two aquifers types were identified: the Sedimentary, restricted to the fluvial plains, and the altered Crystalline, due to the weathering. The regional groundwater flow was toward Biritiba-Mirim river, while the secondary drainage was a local groundwater discharge area. The conceptual model data was, initially, organized in a Geographic Information System and later transferred to the mathematical model. A mathematical model was built on the Biritiba-Mirim drainage basin using MODFLOW, a three-dimensional program of finite differences developed by McDONALD & HARBAUGH (1988). The model calibration was executed through successive trial-error process, using Geographic Information System as a input data and MODFLOW to evaluate results. After the conclution of the calibration process, the Biritiba-Mirim reservoir impoundment was simulated using Geographic Information System to input the new variable. The simulation, also accomplished in MODFLOW, made possible to limitate the main areas that will be impacted on their ground water levels. Using that map were located the monitoring wels. From the monitoring data, collected in a year period, it was possible to verify the model. The reservoir impoundment simulation was repeated. From the resulted potenciometric map, the groundwater final depths map was elaborated. In that map, named Predictional Influence Map, two influence zones were defined (0-5 m and 5-10 m), and a zone without the reservoir influence or with final water table level more than 10 m depth. Finally, an aquifer monitoring program was defined, in order to follow the water table impact after the reservoir impoundment. According to this program, two weeks after the impoundment should be made the first field measurement. The periodicity should be monthly until the first three months, and, after that, quarterly until the end of the first year. The present study showed the viability of using Geographic Information System associated to mathematical models to predict modifications induced on the water table levels after a reservoir impoundment. This methodology is recommended as an important tool to be applied in other cases with the same problem.

Esta pesquisa objetivou mostrar a viabilidade de utilização do Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG) associado à modelagem matemática, como opção metodológica a ser aplicada no estudo das modificações induzidas no nível freático, após o enchimento de reservatórios. A área piloto escolhida foi a bacia de drenagem do rio Biritiba-Mirim, localizada na região do Alto Tietê, no Estado de São Paulo. O entendimento do funcionamento do sistema hidrogeológico, obtido por meio de dados de geologia, hidrogeologia, climatologia, poços existentes e sondagens executadas na área, subsidiou a elaboração do modelo conceitual. Na área, foram identificados dois tipos de aqüíferos: o Sedimentar, restrito às planícies fluviais e o Cristalino alterado, decorrente da alteração intempérica da rocha. Os fluxos locais da água subterrânea ocorrem em direção aos cursos d’água que constituem a malha de drenagem da bacia, enquanto que, regionalmente, as águas subterrâneas fluem na direção do rio Biritiba-Mirim. As informações do modelo conceitual foram, inicialmente, organizadas no Sistema de Informação Geográfica e, posteriormente, transferidas para o modelo matemático. Foi construído um modelo matemático para a bacia de drenagem do rio Biritiba-Mirim utilizando o programa tridimensional de diferenças finitas MODFLOW desenvolvido por McDONALD & HARBAUGH (1988). A calibração do modelo foi executada a partir de ajustes sucessivos, efetuados por meio do SIG e, posteriormente, aferidos no MODFLOW. Uma vez concluído o processo de calibração, procedeu-se à simulação do enchimento do reservatório, utilizando novamente o Sistema de Informação Geográfica para a entrada dos dados. A simulação, também realizada no MODFLOW, possibilitou delimitar as áreas nas quais os níveis das águas subterrâneas sofrerão maiores influências do reservatório, dando o subsidio necessário para a locação dos poços de monitoramento. Os dados coletados no período de um ano de monitoramento permitiram executar a verificação e eventuais correções do modelo. Com o modelo aferido, repetiu-se a simulação do enchimento do reservatório e, a partir do mapa potenciométrico resultante, foi elaborado o mapa de profundidades de níveis d’água subterrânea previstas para após o enchimento do lago, denominado de Mapa Previsional de Influência. Nesse mapa foram delimitadas duas zonas de influência (de 0-5 m e de 5-10 m) e uma zona sem influência do reservatório ou com profundidade final do nível freático superior a 10 m. Finalmente, definiu-se um programa de monitoramento potenciométrico do sistema aqüífero livre para execução em situação posterior ao enchimento do reservatório, a fim de avaliar o tempo e tipo de resposta do aqüífero livre ao processo de enchimento e efetuar a retroanálise das previsões. De acordo com programa definido, a primeira campanha de medição deverá coincidir com o início do enchimento do reservatório, a partir desta, o monitoramento deverá ser mensal até os três primeiros meses e, posteriormente, trimestral até completar um ano após o enchimento. A execução do presente estudo comprovou a viabilidade da aplicação do SIG, associado à modelagem matemática com fins previsionais, em escala de bacia de contribuição, para a avaliação das modificações induzidas no nível do aqüífero livre após o enchimento de reservatórios. Recomenda-se a metodologia aqui proposta como ferramenta a ser aplicada em outros locais que apresentem a mesma problemática. / The purpose of the current research was to demonstrate the viability of using Geographic Information System – GIS associated to mathematical models as a methodological option to be applied in the study of the water table elevation induced by dam reservoirs after their impoundment. The chosen area was the drainage basin of Biritiba-Mirim river, located in Alto Tietê area, in São Paulo State. The understanding of the hydrogeological system was acquired through geological, hydrogeological and climatological data. The surveys executed in the area, also allowed the construction of the conceptual model. In the area, two aquifers types were identified: the Sedimentary, restricted to the fluvial plains, and the altered Crystalline, due to the weathering. The regional groundwater flow was toward Biritiba-Mirim river, while the secondary drainage was a local groundwater discharge area. The conceptual model data was, initially, organized in a Geographic Information System and later transferred to the mathematical model. A mathematical model was built on the Biritiba-Mirim drainage basin using MODFLOW, a three-dimensional program of finite differences developed by McDONALD & HARBAUGH (1988). The model calibration was executed through successive trial-error process, using Geographic Information System as a input data and MODFLOW to evaluate results. After the conclution of the calibration process, the Biritiba-Mirim reservoir impoundment was simulated using Geographic Information System to input the new variable. The simulation, also accomplished in MODFLOW, made possible to limitate the main areas that will be impacted on their ground water levels. Using that map were located the monitoring wels. From the monitoring data, collected in a year period, it was possible to verify the model. The reservoir impoundment simulation was repeated. From the resulted potenciometric map, the groundwater final depths map was elaborated. In that map, named Predictional Influence Map, two influence zones were defined (0-5 m and 5-10 m), and a zone without the reservoir influence or with final water table level more than 10 m depth. Finally, an aquifer monitoring program was defined, in order to follow the water table impact after the reservoir impoundment. According to this program, two weeks after the impoundment should be made the first field measurement. The periodicity should be monthly until the first three months, and, after that, quarterly until the end of the first year. The present study showed the viability of using Geographic Information System associated to mathematical models to predict modifications induced on the water table levels after a reservoir impoundment. This methodology is recommended as an important tool to be applied in other cases with the same problem.

Two hydrogeologic models explore reflux dolomitization using two outcrop datasets at different scales to constrain transient boundary conditions and heterogeneous petrophysical properties. A platform-scale petrophysical model of the Permian San Andres Formation was built from outcrop and subsurface data following a reservoir modeling approach that preserves outcrop heterogeneity and incorporates a sequence stratigraphic framework. This model was used as input for hydrogeological simulations of hypersaline fluid flow and solute transport during the accumulation and compaction of the platform. Boundary conditions change over time, as relative sealevel fluctuations drive sedimentation, depositional environment migration, topographic gradients, and location, size and salinity of the brine source. The potential volume and distribution of dolomite formed is inferred by a magnesium mass-balance. The composite result of reflux events at various orders of stratigraphic hierarchy is a complex dolomite pattern that resembles that observed on San Andres outcrops. Dolostone bodies across the platform may be generated by different combinations of favorable conditions, including proximity to the brine source, zones of higher permeability, permeability contrasts, and latent reflux. A meter-scale reactive transport model of the Albian Upper Glen Rose Formation simulates deposition of three high-frequency cycles punctuated by three brine reflux events. The simulator determines flow, solute and reactive transport along the flow paths, revealing the spatial and temporal distribution of calcite dissolution, and precipitation of dolomite and sulfate. The model recreates fully and partially dolomitized cycles within the time and lithological constrains on Glen Rose outcrops. Our results show that the distribution of dolomite within a high-frequency cycle may be the net result of intercycle processes, whereby dolomitizing fluids sourced from younger cycles flow across stratigraphically significant boundaries. We also show that variations in dolomite abundance and the unfulfilled dolomitization potential control the contemporaneous propagation of multiple dolomite fronts and the coalescence of discrete dolomite bodies. Results show that reflux is an effective and efficient mechanism to dolomitize carbonate formations that progresses simultaneously with sediment accumulation. Dolomitization is the cumulative result of many short-lived reflux events, sourced in different locations and times, and amalgamation of successive dolostone bodies. This model contrasts with previous studies that approached dolomitization of a carbonate platform as a discrete reflux event and current interpretations that relate dolomite bodies to their most immediate stratigraphic surfaces. / text

Dissertação(mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Oceânica, Escola de Engenharia, 2008. / Submitted by Lilian M. Silva (lilianmadeirasilva@hotmail.com) on 2013-04-20T19:00:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Estudo da influência dos fatores climáticos e hidrológicos no ciclo morfodinâmico praial de um sangradouro intermitente, Praia do Cassino, Brasil..pdf: 3556854 bytes, checksum: 026ab90e4875dac2d9a2305985f758b0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Bruna Vieira(bruninha_vieira@ibest.com.br) on 2013-06-08T22:43:22Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Estudo da influência dos fatores climáticos e hidrológicos no ciclo morfodinâmico praial de um sangradouro intermitente, Praia do Cassino, Brasil..pdf: 3556854 bytes, checksum: 026ab90e4875dac2d9a2305985f758b0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-06-08T22:43:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Estudo da influência dos fatores climáticos e hidrológicos no ciclo morfodinâmico praial de um sangradouro intermitente, Praia do Cassino, Brasil..pdf: 3556854 bytes, checksum: 026ab90e4875dac2d9a2305985f758b0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Os sangradouros são cursos d’água fundamentais para a drenagem da água acumulada na região de pós-dunas, abastecem a zona de espraiamento com sedimentos arenosos e são os maiores causadores de descontinuidades no cordão de dunas frontais ao longo da costa do Rio Grande do Sul. Neste trabalho foi eleito como objeto de estudo um sangradouro considerando principalmente aspectos logísticos. O elemento escolhido localiza-se na Praia da Querência, onze quilômetros ao sul da desembocadura da Lagoa dos Patos. Este trabalho consiste na determinação e quantificação dos processos associados ao ciclo morfodinâmico evolutivo, estudando o mecanismo responsável pela sua abertura e fechamento. A metodologia empregada envolveu a elaboração de poços de monitoramento e a instalação dos mesmos na área de estudo, medições de níveis do lençol freático, levantamentos topográficos periódicos, amostragem sedimentar de superfície e análise de dados meteorológicos. Os resultados obtidos consubstanciam a idéia original de que o processo evolutivo do sangradouro é controlado pelo balanço entre as precipitações pluviométricas e as taxas de evaporação. Medições efetuadas nos poços de monitoramento sugerem que os níveis do lençol freático na área de impacto do sangradouro variam principalmente de acordo com intensidade do fluxo em direção à costa, sendo que o lençol freático mostrou-se mais profundo quando o sangradouro esteve aberto e sofreu uma elevação de 30 a 40 centímetros quando a calha do sangradouro foi fechada por processos costeiros.Notou-se que lençol freático no campo de dunas apresenta comportamento mais estável do quena região da berma. Percebeu-se também a ocorrência de dois ciclos distintos no processo evolutivo, um de longo prazo associado à destruição do campo de dunas frontais e outro de curto prazo ligado ao surgimento e destruição de uma barra arenosa secundaria, localizada na berma, que tem como origem a interação entre os processos na zona de surfe e os processos hidrológicos e hidrogeológicos da região do pós-dunas. Apesar da ocorrência de transporte de sedimentos por arraste e em suspensão pela corrente na calha do sangradouro, parece não ser este o principal processo erosivo e sim as ações ligadas aos fenômenos ocorrentes na zona de surfe. / The washouts are water courses important for draining the accumulated water from backshore and supply the swash zone with sand transport, it’s responsible too by local destruction of dunes field along the southern coast of Brazil. For that work was chosen a washout considering his geographical localization and our disposal logistical facilities. In that case was chosen a washout located in the Querência beach, which is situated 11 km toward south from Patos Lagoon mouth. This work consists in determination and quantification of processes associated to the morphodynamic evolution cycle this water body, studying the mechanism which causes the opening and closing of washout. The methodology consists in building and installation of monitoring wells in the study area, measurements ofwater table level, periodic topographic surveys, surface sediment sampling and analysis of meteorological data. The obtained results suggest that evolutionary process of washout is controlled by the balance between rain and evaporation rates. The wellsmeasurement suggests that water table level changes with the intensity of underground flowtoward the swash zone. When the washout opens the water table down but when washout closes by coastal processes the level up to 40 cm. It was observed that water table under the dunes field show most stability than under the berm. It was observed also occurrence of two different cycles in washout evolutionary process, one of long-term associated to destruction of local dunes field and other of short-term controlled by formation and destruction of a sand bar, placed over berm zone, which is originated by the interaction between processes in the surf zone versus hydrological and hydrogeological processes in the backshore zone. Despite occurrence of sediment transport into the channel of washout, it doesn’t seem to be the main erosive process, the principal erosion seems to be strongly related to the phenomena which occur into the surf zone.

The Barton Springs Segment, part of the karstic Edwards aquifer in Central Texas, is a Sole Source aquifer, is habitat to rare karst species, and provides water to a well-loved municipal swimming pool, yet its hydrogeologic properties remain insufficiently understood. For this study, the hydrogeologic characteristics of the Barton Springs Segment were investigated using several approaches, including mapping of hydrostratigraphic units and faults, measurement of upland infiltration, groundwater traces, and aquifer tests. The depositional environment, diagenesis, fracturing, down-dropped and dipping faulted blocks, and subsequent dissolution were determined to play important roles in controlling groundwater flow-path development within the Barton Springs Segment. In particular, downdropped fault blocks create groundwater gradients to the southeast that influence flow in the Edwards outcrop area. Upland internal drainage basins were found to be extremely efficient at conveying recharge to the underlying aquifer. The maturity of natural internal drainage sinkholes can be measured by its bowl volume, which grows in proportion to the catchment area it captures. A 19-hectare internal drainage basin, HQ Flat sinkhole, was monitored for rainfall, evapotranspiration, soil moisture, and discrete runoff to the cave drain. During a 505-day period, 5.5% of measured rainfall entered the cave drain as discrete recharge, 26% of measured rainfall infiltrated through soils on the slopes, and the remaining 68% was lost through evapotranspiration. This amount of upland infiltration is consistent with infiltration measurements in other karst areas and is much larger than the 1% upland recharge of rainfall that was previously estimated. A chloride mass balance indicates that at the adjacent Tabor research site, about 50% of rainfall infiltrates to a 6-meter depth. Dye-tracing and pump tests demonstrated that primary and secondary groundwater flow paths are the major influence on transmissivity within the Barton Springs Segment. Groundwater tracing breakthroughs reveal very high advection and relatively low dispersion. Drawdown response to pump tests indicates a very high degree of anisotropy, controlled by location of groundwater flow paths. Overall the Barton Springs Segment is a mature karst aquifer with highly developed rapid, discrete network for both recharge and groundwater-flow. / text