[en] Measurement of groundwater fluxes is the basis of all hydrogeological study, from hydraulics characterization to the most advanced reactive transport modelling. Usual groundwater fluxes estimation with Darcy’s law may lead to cumulated errors on spatial variability, especially in fractured aquifers where local direct measurement of groundwater fluxes becomes necessary.
In the present study, both classical Point Dilution Method (PDM) and Finite Volume Point Dilution Method (FVPDM) are compared on the fractured crystalline aquifer of Ploemeur, France. The manipulation includes the first use of the FVPDM in a fractured aquifer using a double packer. This configuration limits the vertical extend of the tested zone to target a precise fracture zone of the aquifer. The result of this experiment is a continuous monitoring of groundwater fluxes that lasted for more than 4 days.
Measurements of groundwater flow rate in the fracture (Qt) by PDM provide good estimates only if the mixing volume (Vw) (volume of water in which the tracer is mixed) is precisely known. Conversely, the FVPDM allows for an independent estimation of Vw and Qt, leading to better precision in case of complex experimental setup such as the one used. The precision of a PDM does not rely on the duration of the experiment while a FVPDM may require long experimental duration to guarantees a good precision.
Classical PDM should then be used for rapid estimation of groundwater flux using simple experimental setup. On the other hand, the FVPDM is a more precise method that has a great potential for development but may require longer duration experiment to achieve a good precision if the groundwater fluxes investigated are low and/or the mixing volume is large.
Disciplines :
Geological, petroleum & mining engineering
Author, co-author :
Jamin, Pierre ; Université de Liège > Département ArGEnCo > Hydrogéologie & Géologie de l'environnement
Goderniaux, Pascal; Université de Mons - UMONS
Bour, Olivier; Université de Rennes 1
Le Brogne, Tanguy; Université de Rennes 1
Englert, Andreas; Rhur Universität Bochum
Longuevergne, Laurent; Université de Rennes 1
Brouyère, Serge ; Université de Liège > Département ArGEnCo > Hydrogéologie & Géologie de l'environnement
Language :
English
Title :
Contribution of the Finite Volume Point Dilution Method for measurement of groundwater fluxes in a fractured aquifer
Publication date :
2015
Journal title :
Journal of Contaminant Hydrology
ISSN :
0169-7722
Publisher :
Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Pages :
244–255
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
ULiège - Université de Liège F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique ANR - Agence Nationale de la Recherche
Funding text :
This work has been supported by research grants from the University of Liège and FNRS Belgium no. 1.5060.12, by the CLIMAWAT project (Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change on Groundwater Quantity and Quality – EU-RDF INTERREG IVA (Channel) France-England program), and by the national network of hydrogeological sites H+ and the ANR project CRITEX ANR-11-EQPX-0011.
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