Hydraulic Tomography and High-Resolution Slug Testing to Determine Hydraulic Conductivity Distributions - Year 2

Abstract

Abstract : A considerable body of research has shown that the major control on the transport and fate of a pollutant as it moves through an aquifer is the spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivity. A number of theories have been developed to quantify, in a generic sense, the influence of the subsurface variations in hydraulic conductivity. It is becoming increasingly apparent, however, that site specific features of the hydraulic conductivity distribution (such as high conductivity zones) need to be quantified in order to reliably predict contaminant movement. Since spatial changes in hydraulic conductivity are a major factor governing the transport and fate of a pollutant as it moves through an aquifer, we have focused on the development of new innovative methods to delineate these spatial changes. The objective of the research proposed here is to build on our previous research to develop and improve field techniques for better definition of the three-dimensional spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivity by using hydraulic tomography coupled with high resolution slug testing. The research proposed here is directed at developing techniques with the ability to map 3-D hydraulic conductivity distributions.