Hydrogeophysical Concepts in Aquifer Test Analysis

Abstract

Aquifer test data analysis is an art leading to reliable hydraulic parameter identifications rather than a mechanical curve fitting. Most often aquifer test data processing is achieved by matching the data with suitable type curve without detailed interpretations of deviations from this curve. In fact, relevant interpretations might yield valuable qualitative and quantitative features about the subsurface geological composition of the aquifer domain at least in the well vicinity. The view taken in this paper is to obtain additional information from various data segments by considering two or more successive measurements. Such a detailed investigation of aquifer test data is referred to herein as the “hydrogeophysical” approach since it yields important clues about the geological set up as well as the groundwater flow regime in the well vicinity. Main features of hydrogeophysical investigation are given based on author's experience. It is hoped that additional points will be supplemented in future applications by other groundwater hydrologists. The application of hydrogeophysical concepts are exemplified for some field data available in the groundwater literature.