1887

Abstract

Summary

The Chalk aquifer in England derives its aquifer properties essentially from a well-developed network of solutionally-enhanced (karstic) fractures and conduits. Like other fractured aquifers, identification and characterisation of flow pathways is necessary for source catchment and effective management and protection of the groundwater resource. The nature and vertical extent of permeability development within the saturated zone of the aquifer influences its response to extreme event and the rate of contaminant migration and characterisation enables the targeted sampling of flowing zones e.g. for monitored natural attenuation (MNA).

In this study, open-well uniform and point dilution testing is applied to existing groundwater monitoring wells in the Cretaceous Chalk aquifer in East Yorkshire, UK to determine discrete inflow, outflow, and crossflow zones within the wells to be identified and the direction and rates of flow to be determined. The results of the flow zone characterisation are combined with stratigraphic information to identify geological controls on features such as solutionally-enhanced (karstic) fractures or conduits. The results will are applicable to groundwater modelling approaches currently used for assessment, evaluation and protection of the aquifer. The open-well dilution technique used in this study is potentially applicable for characterising fractured aquifers and hydrocarbon reservoirs worldwide.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.201801483
2018-06-11
2024-04-20
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Allen, D.J.,Brewerton, L.J.,Coleby, L.M.,Gibbs, B.R., Lewis, M. A., MacDonald, A. M., Wagstaff, S. J., Williams, A. T.
    [1997] The physical properties of major aquifers in England and Wales. British Geological Survey Technical Report WD/97/34.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Brainerd, R. J. and Robbins, G. A.
    [2004] A tracer dilution method for fracture characterization in bedrock wells. Ground water, 42(5), pp. 774–780.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Downing, R. A., Price, M. and Jones, G. P.
    [1993] The Making of an aquifer, in Downing, R. A., Price, M., and Jones, G. P. (eds) The Hydrogeology of the Chalk of North-West Europe. Oxford: Clarendon Press, pp. 1–13.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Maurice, L., Barker, J. A., Atkinson, T. C., Williams, A. T., Smart, P. L.
    . [2010] A Tracer Methodology for Identifying Ambient Flows in Boreholes, Ground Water, 49(2), pp. 227–238.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. ParkerA. H.; WestL. J.; OdlingN. E.; BownR. T.
    [2010] A forward modeling approach for interpreting impeller flow logs, Ground Water, 48, pp.79–91.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Pitrak, M., Mares, S. and Kobr, M.
    [2007] A simple borehole dilution technique in measuring horizontal ground water flow, Ground Water, 45(1), pp. 89–92.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Ward, R.S., Williams, A.T., Barker, A., Brewerton, L.J. and Gale, I.N.
    . [1998] Groundwater Tracer Tests : a review and guidelines for their use in British aquifers. British Geological Survey Technical Report, WD/98/19, Environment Agency R&D Technical Report W160.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. West, L. J. and Odling, N. E.
    [2007] Characterization of a multilayer aquifer using open well dilution tests, Ground Water, 45(1), pp. 74–84.
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.201801483
Loading
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.201801483
Loading

Data & Media loading...

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error