[en] In the framework of the disposal of short-lived low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste in a near-surface disposal facility in Dessel, Belgium, additional extensive site characterization has been performed in 2008. The gathered data now enclose 388 hydraulic conductivity measurements on samples of 8 cored boreholes. Additionally, secondary information as grain size analysis, resistivity, porosity, etc. was gathered. With this dataset, a small-scale probabilistic approach can be used 1) to validate the current existing deterministic groundwater models based on large-scale average hydraulic conductivity values, and 2) to support design for a monitoring network. In preparation for stochastic realizations of the subsurface, an exploratory and structural data analysis was performed and is presented here.
The exploratory data analysis allows definition of hydrogeological units, independent from the existing lithostratigraphy. It also shows the presence of three conductivity classes within a strongly heterogeneous unit. Currently, only vertical structural data analysis is performed based on vertical data profiles. Semi-variograms and cross-variograms are calculated to characterize the spatial variance of the different hydrogeological units. Additional sampling and measurements will be performed in the future to provide information of the horizontal spatial variance. Together with the current results, these will serve as the basis for conditional stochastic simulation of groundwater flow and contaminant transport.
Research Center/Unit :
Aquapôle - ULiège
Disciplines :
Geological, petroleum & mining engineering
Author, co-author :
Rogiers, Bart; Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN) > Institute for Environment > Health and Safety
Mallants, Dirk; Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN) > Institute for Environment > Health and Safety
Batelaan, Okke; Vrije Universiteit Brussel - VUB > Dept. of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering
Gedeon, Matej; Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN) > Institute for Environment > Health and Safety
Huysmans, Marijke; Katholieke Universiteit Leuven - KUL > Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Dassargues, Alain ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département ArGEnCo > Hydrogéologie & Géologie de l'environnement
Language :
English
Title :
Exploratory and structural data analysis of a sandy aquifer at Mol/dessel, Belgium
Publication date :
03 May 2010
Event name :
EGU General Assembly
Event place :
Vienna, Austria
Event date :
3-7 May 2010
Audience :
International
Main work title :
Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 12
Funders :
SCK CEN - Centre d'Étude de l'Énergie Nucléaire [BE]