Application of time-domain airborne electromagnetic induction to hydrogeologic investigations on the Pajarito Plateau, New Mexico, USA
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We conducted a time-domain airborne electromagnetic (AEM) survey of part of the semiarid Pajarito Plateau of northern New Mexico to determine depths and lateral extent of perched aquifers in the vadose zone and depths and pathways of infiltration to the regional aquifer. The electrical resistivity of the plateau ranged over three orders of magnitude ([Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]) to a depth of at least [Formula: see text]. Borehole and surface-derived data allow the correlation of resistivity images with the hydrogeology of the plateau. As expected, water exerts a significant control on resistivity. However, the presence of large amounts (up to 90%) of clay in some units, in conjunction with water, also has a significant effect, lowering resistivity (to [Formula: see text]) more than the presence of clay-free saturated zones alone. Because of the resulting low resistivity, we are able to better delineate a large,known volume of clay-altered volcaniclastic rock and postulate the presence of another. Resistivity values of [Formula: see text] cor-relate with depths to saturated zones where no clay is present, but they do not allow us to distinguish between one large or several smaller perched groundwater zones and the underlying regional zone of saturation. We imaged a region of significant infiltration related to a sewage treatment plant and to near-surface hydrogeo-logic conditions conducive to infiltration and correlated with a region of preferential transport of anthropogenic chemicals through the vadose zone. AEM data provide an important synop-tic view of the shallow (few hundred meters) resistivity structure of the plateau. Although interpretation of the data is not unique, when combined with borehole geologic, hydrologic, and geo-chemical data, it can provide relative depths to saturated zones, delineate regions of high clay content (zones of alteration), and image regions of recharge to the regional aquifer.Keywords:
Infiltration (HVAC)
Saturation (graph theory)
Groundwater model
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Abstract Revealing the dynamics of groundwater movement in the vadose zone is crucial to groundwater management and artificial recharge development. In this study, the groundwater flow characterization of the pumping process is monitored by the time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and self-potential (SP)data tomography. The ERT data invert the resistivity distribution. Then, we combine the SP data and resistivity result to invert the apparent current density and estimate the permeability based on the Poisson equation. A total of 24 hours of time-lapse surveys are taken during the pumping and recharge of groundwater. The results show a significant increase in in resistivity and permeability during pumping water, which suggests groundwater drawdown. Similarly, significant decrease resistivity and permeability are observed during the recovery indicating groundwater recharge. These results have a significant agreement with the groundwater table monitoring result. Our experiment test suggests that combine ERT and SP data could provide a reliable way in groundwater or other hydrogeological surveys.
Electrical Resistivity Tomography
Groundwater discharge
Groundwater model
Infiltration (HVAC)
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Widespread use of dry wells to dispose of roadside runoff has raised concern about the potential effects on the quality of groundwater on the Island of Hawai'i. This study used semi-generic numerical models of groundwater flow and contaminant transport to assess the potential effect of dry wells on groundwater quality on the Island of Hawai'i. The semi-generic models are generalized numerical groundwater-flow and solute-transport models that have a range of aquifer properties and regional groundwater gradients that are characteristic for the island. Several semi-generic models were created to study the effect of dry wells in different hydrogeologic conditions, such as different unsaturated-zone thicknesses or different aquifer characteristics. Results indicate that mixing of contaminated water from the surface with contaminant-free water in the saturated aquifer immediately reduces the contaminant concentration. The amount the concentration is reduced depends on the hydraulic properties of the aquifer in a given area, the thickness of the unsaturated zone, and whether the infiltration is focused in a small area of a dry well or spread naturally over a larger area. Model simulations indicate that focusing infiltration of contaminated runoff through a dry well can substantially increase contaminant concentrations in the underlying saturated aquifer relative to infiltration under natural conditions. Simulated concentrations directly beneath a dry well were nearly 8 times higher than the simulated concentrations directly beneath a broad infiltration area representing the natural condition. Where dry wells are present, contaminant concentrations in the underlying saturated aquifer are lower when the unsaturated zone is thicker and higher when the unsaturated zone is thinner. Contaminant concentrations decline quickly as the contaminant plume migrates, with the regional groundwater flow, away from the dry well. The differences among concentrations resulting from the various unsaturated-zone thicknesses also diminish with distance from the dry well. At a horizontal distance of about 700 ft downgradient from the dry well, all simulated maximum concentrations were less than 1 percent of the concentration in the infiltration water; at about 0.5 mi downgradient from the dry well, all simulated concentrations were equal to or less than 0.1 percent. Actual concentrations may be even lower than indicated by the models because of processes such as decay and reaction that were not simulated. Hydrologic and geologic differences from one location to the next also affect contaminant concentrations—simulations using models with properties representative of aquifers in the Hilo area resulted in lower overall concentrations than models with properties representative of aquifers in the Kona area. Results from this study can be used to assess how contaminants entering a dry well may affect receiving waters in a variety of situations on the Island of Hawai'i. Better assessment would be obtained by using results from models having the most similar conditions (such as climate, hydraulic properties, regional groundwater gradient) to the dry well in question. The results of this study can help determine which dry wells are likely to have the greatest effect on nearby receiving waters and where more specific data and analyses may be needed.
Infiltration (HVAC)
Groundwater model
Groundwater discharge
Aquifer properties
Water well
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Infiltration (HVAC)
Water balance
Depression-focused recharge
Groundwater model
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Aquifer susceptibility to contamination is controlled in part by the inherent hydrogeologic properties of the vadose zone, which includes preferential‐flow pathways. The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of seasonal ponding near leaky irrigation wells as a mechanism for depression‐focused preferential flow and enhanced chemical migration through the vadose zone of the High Plains aquifer. Such a mechanism may help explain the widespread presence of agrichemicals in recently recharged groundwater despite estimates of advective chemical transit times through the vadose zone from diffuse recharge that exceed the historical period of agriculture. Using a combination of field observations, vadose zone flow and transport simulations, and probabilistic neural network modeling, we demonstrated that vadose zone transit times near irrigation wells range from 7 to 50 yr, which are one to two orders of magnitude faster than previous estimates based on diffuse recharge. These findings support the concept of fast and slow transport zones and help to explain the previous discordant findings of long vadose zone transit times and the presence of agrichemicals at the water table. Using predictions of aquifer susceptibility from probabilistic neural network models, we delineated approximately 20% of the areal extent of the aquifer to have conditions that may promote advective chemical transit times to the water table of <50 yr if seasonal ponding and depression‐focused flow exist. This aquifer‐susceptibility map may help managers prioritize areas for groundwater monitoring or implementation of best management practices.
Cone of depression
Subsoil
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Abstract Column experiments containing an aquifer sand were subjected to static and oscillating water tables to investigate the impact of natural fluctuations and rainfall infiltration on the groundwater bacterial community just below the phreatic surface, and its association with the geochemistry. Once the columns were established, the continuously saturated zone was anoxic in all three columns. The rate of soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization was higher when the water table varied cyclically than when it was static due to the greater availability of NO 3 − and SO 4 2− . Natural fluctuations in the water table resulted in a similar NO 3 − concentration to that observed with a static water table but the cyclic wetting of the intermittently saturated zone resulted in a higher SO 4 2− concentration. Rainfall infiltration induced cyclic water‐table variations resulted in a higher NO 3 − concentration than those in the other two columns, and a SO 4 2− concentration intermediate between those columns. As rainwater infiltration resulted in slow downward displacement of the groundwater, it is inferred that NO 3 − and SO 4 2− were being mobilized from the vadose zone. NO 3 − was mainly released by SOM mineralization (which was enhanced by the infiltration of oxygenated rainwater), but the larger amount of SO 4 2− release required a second mechanism (possibly desorption). Different groundwater bacterial communities evolved from initially similar populations due to the different groundwater histories.
Infiltration (HVAC)
Capillary fringe
Rainwater Harvesting
Phreatic
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