Impermeable Layer Research Articles

Natural draining model on sandy clay loam soil above impermeable layer in mining over burden disposal

Drawdown of groundwater table on mining over-burden disposal field had known will increase the disposal slope stability due to reduction on its inside effective stress. In fact, the drawdown has been happened because of the disposal drainage system and natural draining in dry condition. This paper would like to emphasize influence of natural sun-shining on the drawdown refers to disposal hydraulic parameter through negative-infiltration approach. A role model was running on the disposal layer with sandy clay loam as a study case. Final calculation resulted that it was needed 20 days left for declining the groundwater down to 2.25 meters. This conceptual model was expected to be an option of decision reference for mining operational to minimize some unnecessary vertical and horizontal drains.

Lithologic Control of the Hydrochemistry of a Point-Bar Alluvial Aquifer at the Low Reach of the Nakdong River, South Korea: Implications for the Evaluation of Riverbank Filtration Potential

To assess the groundwater−river water interaction in a point-bar alluvial aquifer as a crucial step in site assessment for riverbank filtration, hydrochemical and hydrogeologic investigations were performed on a riverine island at the low reach of the Nakdong River, South Korea. The site was evaluated for the application of large-scale bank filtration. Unconsolidated sediments (~40 m thick) of the island comprise fine- to medium-grained sand (upper aquifer), silty sand with clay intercalations, and sandy gravel (lower aquifer) in descending order. The intermediate layer represents an impermeable aquitard and extends below the river bottom. A total of 66 water samples were collected for this study; groundwater (n = 57) was sampled from both preexisting irrigation wells, and three multi-level monitoring wells (each 35 m deep). Groundwater chemistry is highly variable, but it shows a distinct hydrochemical change with depth: shallow groundwater (<25 m deep) from the upper aquifer is characteristically enriched in NO3− and SO42−, due to agricultural contamination from the land surface, while deeper groundwater (>25 m deep) from the lower aquifer is generally free of NO3− and relatively rich in F. The lower aquifer groundwater is also higher in pH, and concentrations of K+, Mg2+, and HCO3−, indicating that the aquifer is likely fed by regional groundwater flow. Such separation of groundwater into two water bodies is the result of the existence of an impermeable layer at intermediate depth. In addition, the hyporheic flow of river water is locally recognized at the upstream part of the upper aquifer as the zone of low TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) values (<200 mg/L). This study shows that the study site does not seem to be promising for large-scale riverbank filtration because 1) the productive, lower aquifer is not directly connected to the bottom of the river channel, and 2) the upper aquifer is severely influenced by agricultural contamination. This study implies that the subsurface hydrogeologic environment should be carefully investigated for site assessment for riverbank filtration, which can be aided by a detailed survey of groundwater chemistry.

Resistivity and Seismic Refraction Studies on Kısıklı Landslide (Antalya, Turkey)

When natural slope is disturbed by human activity such as road construction and infrastructure, continuous landslide monitoring is important to prevent loss of material and life. Therefore, this study aims to determine the landslide material, the possible sliding surface and the influence of groundwater on the landslide occurrence. Low cost monitoring landslide is performed which is vertical electrical sounding (VES) and seismic refraction methods. Case study in Kisikli district, Antalya Province, Mediterranean Region of Turkey. VES survey was performed using Schlumberger electrode array at six locations. VES results interpretation leads to detect of maximum five geo-electrical layers. First, second and third layers represent saturated and permeable layer, while fourth and fifth layers correspond to an impermeable layer. Seismic refraction measurements were carried out on three profile layers. Low velocity and elastic parameters relatively correspond to the permeable materials in near surface with thickness about 4-5 m higher porosity. The integrated of VES and seismic survey allows mapping the weathered material at depth and providing depth information of the sliding surface which occurs at a depth between approximately 5 m and 20 m.

Theoretical analysis and experimental verification of the improved subsurface drainage discharge with ponded water

The improved subsurface drainage is a new drainage technique which has large discharge verified by experiments. It can be used to solve the problems of frequent floods and cultivated land shortage in South China. Considering large-scale applications, a general drainage formula of the improved subsurface drainage with ponded water in a homogeneous and isotropic soil was proposed based on Kirkham equation. Firstly, the drainage formulas based on different assumptions were deduced and verified by laboratory experiment and field test. Additionally, further validation and simplification were studied by numerical simulation in which the critical conditions to distinguish whether the filter was saturated or not were given. Results showed that the proposed formulas passed the validation by laboratory experiment and field test based on Method 1 and Method 2 in which the bottom of the simplified boundary overlapped with the bottom of the drain pipe and the center of simplified boundary located at the center of filter were assumed respectively. The numerical simulation results showed the formula based on Method 1 was more applicable than that based on Method 2. Moreover, for Method 1, that (b0+h0)/d equaled 0.6 could be regarded as the critical boundary between filter saturated and unsaturated working condition. Considering the ratio of drain distance and impermeable layer depth, a more simplified formula was given. In this simplified formula, that drain spacing was three times of impermeable layer depth was a critical condition. The research results could provide scientific basis for improved subsurface drainage design and lay a good foundation for its application. Meanwhile, it would be beneficial to enrich agricultural drainage technologies and promote development of agricultural drainage in China.

Research Progress of Groundwater Pollution Prevention Technology in Petrochemical Enterprises

With the increasingly serious pollution of groundwater and soil, the stricter prevention indicators, seepage prevention technology as an effective way to prevent and cure the groundwater and soil pollution, its theoretical research has become a hot spot in the field of petrochemical and environmental protection. In this paper, domestic and foreign research progress on groundwater seepage prevention technology were reviewed. Then, division of seepage prevention, seepage prevention material, structure type of seepage proof layer present development were analyzed, the natural impermeable layer, flexible impermeable layer and rigid impermeable layer characteristics were mainly illustrated. Moreover, combing the research achievements of seepage prevention technology in China, some suggestions on main research direction of seepage prevention were put forward. And thus, significant demand on sustainable development of petrochemical industry can be satisfied better.

Intrinsic stacking domains in graphene on silicon carbide: A pathway for intercalation

Graphene on silicon carbide (SiC) bears great potential for future graphene electronic applications because it is available on the wafer-scale and its properties can be custom-tailored by inserting various atoms into the graphene/SiC interface. It remains unclear, however, how atoms can cross the impermeable graphene layer during this widely used intercalation process. Here we demonstrate that, in contrast to the current consensus, graphene layers on SiC are not homogeneous, but instead composed of domains of different crystallographic stacking. We show that these domains are intrinsically formed during growth and that dislocations between domains dominate the (de)intercalation dynamics. Tailoring these dislocation networks, e.g. through substrate engineering, will increase the control over the intercalation process and could open a playground for topological and correlated electron phenomena in two-dimensional superstructures.

Novel negative pressure wound therapy device without foam or gauze is effective at -50 mmHg.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) promotes healing in acute or chronic wounds. Conventional NPWT devices consist of a filler (such as foam or gauze) that covers the wound and of a permeable membrane and tubing that connects the space under the membrane to a suction pump. The permeable membrane increases airflow and thus increases the required pump capacity that can cause patient discomfort or even ischemia in wounds with compromised vascularity. In addition, foam or gauze may fragment and become colonized with bacteria over time. To mitigate these, negative aspects, we have developed a new impermeable single layer component membrane dressing to deliver NPWT that does not need a foam or gauze to function. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to introduce this novel NPWT system (platform wound device, PWD) and evaluate its usability and effectiveness in the treatment of porcine full-thickness burns. A total of 48 burn wounds were created across four Yorkshire pigs on the dorsum. Wounds were created on day 0 and continuous NPWT with -50 mmHg and - 80 mmHg was initiated immediately. Subsequently, the burns were debrided on day 3 and animals were euthanized on day 7. The efficacy of the PWD on wound healing and reduction of bacterial burden was measured and compared to wounds that did not receive NPWT. The results showed that PWD promoted wound healing by outperforming the wounds that did not receive NPWT and that PWD was efficient at reducing bacteria from the burn eschar and from the wound bed. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that PWD promoted wound healing with a negative pressure as low as -50 mmHg, which likely benefits healing and avoids potential safety issues.

Morphological characterization of landforms produced by springtime seasonal activity on Russell Crater megadune, Mars

Abstract We describe in detail an annual seasonal process that occurs on the surface of the Russell Crater megadune on Mars. We give these features the name ‘perennial rills’, because their surface topographical expression persists from year-to-year and they form a distinctive, downstream-branching network of small channels, or rills. We used time-series images, elevation data from stereophotogrammetry and spectral data to characterize the evolution of these features over 6 Mars years. Growth and modification of these networks occurs abruptly in spring (at a solar longitude of c. 200°) after most of the seasonal CO 2 ice has sublimated. We find that the peculiar morphology of perennial rills seems to be the only aspect that sets them apart from active linear dune gullies. By comparison to terrestrial analogues, we identified two conditions favouring the production of such a network: (a) the presence of an impermeable layer; and (b) the repeated formation of obstacles in front of propagating channels. We find that the most plausible formation mechanisms that can explain the formation of both the perennial rills and the active linear dune gullies are levitating CO 2 blocks or liquid debris flows of water/brine, but neither can completely satisfy all the observational evidence.

Potential of Flocculant-Aided Soil Slurry Dewatering in Land Reclamation: Laboratory Investigations

When soil slurry is used as a fill material in land reclamation projects, vacuum preloading or geotextile tube systems are often adopted for the dewatering treatment in a large scale. However, these two methods often suffer from clogging problems and impede further dewatering treatment. In this study, we test the potential of using flocculants to enhance the dewatering efficiency in a vacuum preloading model test and a geotextile tube model test. Experimental results show that, by adding a flocculant into soil slurry, the dewatering efficiency in terms of drainage volumes and rates is significantly improved as compared to that in pure soil slurry. The amounts of drainage water in the tests with flocculant addition are about 20% and 100% more than those in pure slurry tests in the vacuum preloading and geotextile tube model tests, respectively. The underlying reason could be the flocculation effect that prevents the movement of small soil grains and the formation of impermeable layers on the filters.

On the Importance of Thermo-elastic Stressing in Injection-Induced Earthquakes

The sustainability of geothermal fields is based on a paradox. On one side, fractures are targeted on heat-flow improvement, and on the other side, the same fractures are avoided because of induced seismicity risk. In this context, we developed analytical approaches for estimating (1) thermo–poro-elastic stresses in a fractured geothermal system, and (2) seismicity rates based on the model of Dieterich (J Geophys Res 99:2601–2618, 1994). We modeled cold water injected at a constant rate into a single fracture surrounded by hot impermeable layers. The rationale for focusing on one single isolated fracture was that flow in the vicinity of injection wells is often concentrated in a couple of fractures instead of being homogeneously distributed. Heat flow appeared to be dominated by advection inside the fracture and conduction outside it. Poro- and thermo-elastic stresses around the single fracture were estimated separately following two independent analytical approaches; and for any potential fault around the single fracture, the induced Coulomb stress rates were resolved. The role of thermal stresses appeared to be the leading one. We show that thermal-stressing rates can induce an increase in the rate of seismicity of more than a 1000-fold at distances up to 200 m from the single fracture. Our fast forward models are suitable for data assimilation and they open the route for heat-flow optimization while keeping seismicity at a relatively low magnitude.

Modulating factors of hydrologic exchanges in a large‐scale river reach: Insights from three‐dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations

AbstractHydrologic exchange is a critical mechanism that shapes hydrological and biogeochemical processes along a river corridor. Because of limitations in field accessibility, computational demand, and complexities of geomorphology and subsurface geology, full three‐dimensional modelling studies to quantify hydrologic exchange fluxes (HEFs) have been limited mostly to local‐scale applications. At reach scales, although surface flow conditions and subsurface physical properties are well‐known factors that modulate hydrologic exchanges, quantitative measures that can describe the effects of these factors on the strength and direction of such exchanges do not exist. To address this issue, we developed a one‐way coupled surface and subsurface water flow model using the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software STAR‐CCM+ and applied it to simulate HEFs in a 7‐km long reach along the main stem of the Columbia River in the United States. The model was validated against flow velocity measurements from an acoustic Doppler current profiler in the river, vertical HEFs estimated from a set of temperature profilers installed across the riverbed, and simulations from a reactive transport model. The validated model then was employed to systematically investigate how HEFs could be influenced by surface water fluid dynamics, subsurface structures, and hydrogeological properties. Our results suggest that reach‐scale HEFs are dominated primarily by the thickness of the riverbed alluvium layer, and then by the alluvium permeability, the depth of the underlying impermeable layer, and the pressure boundary condition. Our results also elucidate the scale dependence of HEFs on fluid dynamics that can be captured only by three‐dimensional CFD models. That is, while the net HEFs over the entire 7‐km domain are not significantly influenced by surface water dynamics pressure, the dynamic pressure induced by fluid dynamics can lead to more than 15% in net HEFs for a river section of a few hundred metres.

Multiresolution coupled vertical equilibrium model for fast flexible simulation of CO2 storage

CO2 capture and storage is an important technology for mitigating climate change. Design of efficient strategies for safe, long-term storage requires the capability to efficiently simulate processes taking place on very different temporal and spatial scales. The physical laws describing CO2 storage are the same as for hydrocarbon recovery, but the characteristic spatial and temporal scales are quite different. Petroleum reservoirs seldom extend more than tens of kilometers and have operational horizons spanning decades. Injected CO2 needs to be safely contained for hundreds or thousands of years, during which it can migrate hundreds or thousands of kilometers. Because of the vast scales involved, conventional 3D reservoir simulation quickly becomes computationally unfeasible. Large density difference between injected CO2 and resident brine means that vertical segregation will take place relatively quickly, and depth-integrated models assuming vertical equilibrium (VE) often represent a better strategy to simulate long-term migration of CO2 in large-scale aquifer systems. VE models have primarily been formulated for relatively simple rock formations and have not been coupled to 3D simulation in a uniform way. In particular, known VE simulations have not been applied to models of realistic geology in which many flow compartments may exist in-between impermeable layers. In this paper, we generalize the concept of VE models, formulated in terms of well-proven reservoir simulation technology, to complex aquifer systems with multiple layers and regions. We also introduce novel formulations for multi-layered VE models by use of both direct spill and diffuse leakage between individual layers. This new layered 3D model is then coupled to a state-of-the-art, 3D black-oil type model. The formulation of the full model is simple and exploits the fact that both models can be written in terms of generalized multiphase flow equations with particular choices of the relative permeabilities and capillary pressure functions. The resulting simulation framework is very versatile and can be used to simulate CO2 storage for any combination of 3D and VE-descriptions, thereby enabling the governing equations to be tailored to the local structure. We demonstrate the simplicity of the model formulation by extending the standard flow-solvers from the open-source Matlab Reservoir Simulation Toolbox (MRST), allowing immediate access to upscaling tools, complex well modeling, and visualization features. We demonstrate this capability on both conceptual and industry-grade models from a proposed storage formation in the North Sea. The current implementation assumes a sharp interface for the VE model, where the capillary forces do not lead to a capillary fringe. While the examples are taken specifically from CO2 storage applications, the framework itself is general and can be applied to many problems in which parts of the domain are dominated by gravity segregation. Such applications include gas storage and hydrocarbon recovery from gas reservoirs with local layering structure.

Structural evolution of directionally freeze-cast iron foams during oxidation/reduction cycles

Cyclical oxidation/reduction behavior of iron-based powders and porous pellets is of great interest for iron-air batteries, steam-iron, and chemical looping processes, but extended cycling is limited by degradation via sintering or pulverization. To address these problems, we use directional freeze casting to fabricate porous iron foams, consisting of colonies of parallel iron lamellae and open channels of sufficient width (20–40 and 20–50 μm, respectively) to accommodate iron/iron oxide volume changes during redox cycling. Iron foams of three different initial channel porosities (48, 61 and 65 vol.%) are fabricated via water-based freeze casting of Fe2O3 powders followed by reduction with H2 and sintering. The evolution of these iron foams is examined after 5 and 10 redox cycles between Fe3O4 and Fe at 800 °C (via steam and H2) using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and synchrotron X-ray tomography. Redox cycling causes a macroscopic foam shrinkage as the iron lamellae grow closer together, decreasing (and even sometimes eliminating) the channel width between lamellae. Smaller micropores within individual iron lamellae are partially preserved, consistent with new porosity formation via vacancy diffusion and clustering in the oxide phase. Additionally, a dense Fe shell forms on the exterior surface of most samples, caused by lamellae contacting and sintering during oxidation, followed by formation of an impermeable Fe layer during reduction. Strategies are proposed to reduce both channel constriction and shell formation, which are undesirable as they restrict gas phase transport.

Gas occurrence and shallow conduit systems in the Western Sea of Marmara: a review and new acoustic evidence

Based on 3D and 2D high-resolution multichannel seismic reflection data in the Western High-Sea of Marmara, this study reviews shallow gas occurrence and related structures and classifies gas conduit systems within the upper, few hundred meter-thick sediment layers below the seafloor. Acoustic anomalies including high amplitude-reverse polarity reflections (bright spots), low amplitude transparent zones, chaotic or discontinuous reflections, pull-down effects, and plumes in the water column are interpreted in terms of natural gas occurrence and fluid flow structures (e.g., mud volcanoes, pockmarks). The gas occurrence is thought to be mostly of thermogenic origin. Mud volcanoes are one of the primary gas conduits forming craters on the seabed due to overpressure of fluidized gassy sediment flows. Following the reach of the Northern Branch of the North Anatolian Fault (NAF-N) to the Western High, the thermogenic fluids are believed to migrate vertically and horizontally to shallow depths mainly through the faults. Natural gas most probably originates from the Thrace Basin Eocene source rock or the Eocene-Oligocene reservoir rock, which extends below the Western High. Shallow gas is distributed by minor faults and gas pipes. Gas, to some extent, emanates from the seafloor via pockmarks and mud volcanoes or is trapped by the crests of the anticlines coinciding with erosional surfaces, impermeable sediments, and gas hydrate-bearing layers. Shallow traps below the tectonized “Western High” structure are likely located in thin layers of sands imbedded with impermeable silty clay layers. However, there is no shallow reservoir in the usual sense within the upper layers imaged by the 3D seismic data (< 300 ms two-way travel time). The existence of gas is an indicator of hydrocarbon-rich layers at depth and of active tectonics, and it also impacts the global climate and marine life conditions.

Physical, physiological and anatomical changes in Erythrina speciosa Andrews seeds from different seasons related to the dormancy degree

Abstract: Dormancy, a process that allows seeds to survive in adverse environments, needs to be broken for germination to start, for example, by the disruption of the impermeable layer of seeds. Mature seeds of Erythrina speciosa present seed coat impermeability, whose degree depends on the year of production. The objective of this study was to analyze the physical, physiological, anatomical, and ultrastructural seed coat modifications, according to the environmental conditions in which seeds were produced, as well as the seed sensitivity to treatments as for breaking dormancy. E. speciosa seeds were collected for six years in a row and were analyzed as for dormancy degree. Moreover, chemical scarifications by different immersion times were applied on seeds from two production years, as well as mechanical scarification, which was an efficient methodology to overcome dormancy. Different immersion times by acid scarification were necessary to break dormancy in each harvest year. It was possible to conclude that the climatic conditions under which the mother plant is submitted can influence the dormancy degree of E. speciosa seeds, but the expected anatomical changes between dormant and non-dormant seeds were not found in seeds from this species.

MODFLOW/MT3DMS Based Modeling Leachate Pollution Transfer in Solid Waste Disposal of Bahar Plain Deep Aquifer

Background and purpose: This paper presents a case study in simulation of process governing leachate occurrence and subsequent transport, and investigates its migration away from the landfill to control environmental adverse effects on a deep aquifer.Materials and Methods: The landfill examined in this study was an area of 240 ha and received 500 ton/day of solid waste generated from Hamedan and its surrounding including Bahar, and Jurghan. Based on the finite difference technique, leachate transport and penetration into the Hamedan plain aquifer was simulated exerting MODFLOW and MT3DMS codes in GMS Software.Results: It was concluded that landfill geological structure had the greatest influence on the transfer of urban solid waste leachate in traditional disposal sites. A low permeable conglomerate layer prohibited leachate migration to the main semi-confined aquifer. The results also indicated that urban solid waste leachate was only excited to migrate toward recharging waterways of aquifer by surface flows flooding as well as severe rainfalls.Conclusion: Geological structure of the landfill area had the greatest influence on the development of leachate pollution of municipal solid waste in traditional disposal sites. The spread of pollution to the deep aquifer near the waste disposal site was practically inhibited by an impermeable conglomerate layer in the municipal waste disposal.

Hydrogeologic Characteristics and Groundwater Potentiality of Lower Aquifer of Singair Upazila, Manikganj District, Bangladesh

The study area is located in the central part of Bangladesh. The aims of this study were to explain the hydrogeological characteristics of aquifers and evaluate the groundwater potentiality. The borehole logs revealed three types of zones: upper aquitard (low permeability clays, silty clays &amp; silts), upper aquifer (very fine sand to fine sand) and lower aquifer (medium to coarse sands and gravels). Both aquifer waters are mainly Ca-Mg-HCO3 type. Except arsenic (As), most of the ions of both aquifer waters are within the limit of drinking standard of WHO (2004) and Bangladesh (DoE, 1997). Arsenic concentrations of upper aquifer exceed both the WHO (10 μg/l) and Bangladesh standard (50 μg/l) and for lower aquifer exceed only WHO standard. Waters of both aquifers in north western and central part of the study area show high arsenic concentration due to lack of continuous impermeable layer between them as revealed from borelog data. Water quality index map also indicates that north western and central part is not suitable for groundwater development because of inferior quality. The average δ18O values for upper and lower aquifer waters are isotopically enriched compared to river water (~10.08‰). Similar isotopic composition of upper (~4.77‰) and lower aquifer waters (~5.50‰) indicates both waters were mixed in the past and mixing may be continued in the future. The mixing may be preferentially from the upper aquifer to lower aquifer because of water abstraction, lack of impermeable layer and high permeability of the upper aquifer etc. Therefore, the potentiality of the lower aquifer may not be suitable for large-scale groundwater development project without any mitigation measure.Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 42, No. 1, 25-40, 2018

Acid mine drainage remediation strategies: A review on migration and source controls

Acid mine drainage (AMD) derives from the oxidation of sulfide minerals, primarily pyrite (FeS2), and is the most severe environmental issue facing the minerals industry. The most common short-term approach to AMD treatment is migration control, such as acid neutralization and metal/metalloid and sulfate removal, through the addition of alkaline materials, including lime (Ca (OH)2), limestone (Ca CO3), gangue minerals and industrial wastes. This requires the continuous input of materials and may result in the production of a vast amount of secondary sludge requiring further treatment and disposal. Addition of chemicals is usually more important in metal/metalloid removal than in sulfate removal unless the sulfate is present in very high concentrations. A more promising long-term strategy for AMD prevention is source control through the complete removal of pyritic minerals and encapsulation of potential risk minerals by coating with impermeable surface layers. This is regarded as the most cost-effective approach, although the mechanisms underpinning this and the implementation procedures are yet to be fully elucidated. It is likely that long- and short-term practices can be combined to optimize the remediation of contaminated mining sites. Some factors such as differing geological and mineralogical characteristics and transportation costs must also be considered for the successful implementation of AMD prevention and remediation strategies. This review also considers some implications for AMD remediation, but the promising bioremediation of AMD is not discussed as it has been extensively reviewed.

Extreme thermodynamics with polymer gel tori: Harnessing thermodynamic instabilities to induce large-scale deformations.

When a swollen, thermoresponsive polymer gel is heated in a solvent bath, it expels solvent and deswells. When this heating is slow, deswelling proceeds homogeneously, as observed in a toroid-shaped gel that changes volume while maintaining its toroidal shape. By contrast, if the gel is heated quickly, an impermeable layer of collapsed polymer forms and traps solvent within the gel, arresting the volume change. The ensuing evolution of the gel then happens at fixed volume, leading to phase separation and the development of inhomogeneous stress that deforms the toroidal shape. We observe that this stress can cause the torus to buckle out of the plane, via a mechanism analogous to the bending of bimetallic strips upon heating. Our results demonstrate that thermodynamic instabilities, i.e., phase transitions, can be used to actuate mechanical deformation in an extreme thermodynamics of materials.

Physical, chemical and biological characterization as support for water governance in a hydrogeological system of Colombia

Understanding the physical, chemical and biological system is an indispensable precondition to addressing groundwater management. This understanding is based on Conceptual Hydrogeological Models, which contain different interpretations and their validity is checked through the application of specific research techniques (numerical modelling, hydrochemistry, isotope hydrology,process evaluation and biological functions). This paper describes the experience carried out by an academic team that, together with entities responsible for the protection of waterresources, established strategic alliances to improve the knowledge of the hydrogeological system,providing new elements for governance. This study was carried out in the Urabá antioqueño zone, located north-west of Colombia. A complex aquifer system is located in the region,characterized by a series of permeable, semi-permeable and impermeable layers. In such alayered aquifer the determination of the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the layers and their management are a challenge for researchers because groundwater represents a strategic resource for supplying the population and developing economic activities. Starting from the conceptual hydrogeological model, multiscale numerical modelling exercises have been carried out, enabling the characterization of local, intermediate and regional flow systems. In addition,by determining the natural background level, the concentration ranges of chemical compounds from natural sources were obtained, in order to detect future changes in water quality. It was also possible to examine the stygofauna, which allowed the recognition of different types of organisms (stygobits, stygophiles and stygoxens) associated with underground ecosystems.These scientific elements serve as a support for the management instruments such as the groundwater management plan that is important for water governance, ensuring its future sustainability.