scholarly journals Tracer test modeling for local scale residence time distribution characterization in an artificial recharge site

Author(s):  
Cristina Valhondo ◽  
Lurdes Martínez-Landa ◽  
Jesús Carrera ◽  
Juan J. Hidalgo ◽  
Isabel Tubau ◽  
...  

Abstract. Artificial recharge of aquifers is a technique for improving water quality and increasing groundwater resources. Understanding the fate of a potential contaminant requires knowledge of the residence times distribution (RTD) of the water beneath the artificial recharge infrastructure. A simple way to obtain the RTDs is to perform a tracer test. We performed a pulse injection tracer test in an artificial recharge system through an infiltration basin to obtain the breakthrough curves, which yield directly the RTDs. These were very broad and we used a numerical model to interpret them, and to extend the characterization to other flow conditions. The model comprised nine layers at the site scaled to emulate the layering of aquifer deposits. Two types of hypotheses were considered: homogeneous (all flow and transport parameters identical for every layer) and heterogeneous (diverse parameters for each layer). The parameters were calibrated against the head and concentration data in both model types, which were validated quite satisfactory against 1,1,2-Trichloroethane and electrical conductivity data collected over a long period of time with highly varying flow conditions. We found that the broad RTDs were caused by both the complex flow structure generated under the basin (the homogeneous model produced broad RTDs) and the heterogeneity of the media (the heterogeneous model yielded much better fits). We conclude that acknowledging heterogeneity is required to properly assess mixing and broad RTDs, which are required to explain the water quality improvement of artificial recharge basins.

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 4209-4221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Valhondo ◽  
Lurdes Martínez-Landa ◽  
Jesús Carrera ◽  
Juan J. Hidalgo ◽  
Isabel Tubau ◽  
...  

Abstract. Artificial recharge of aquifers is a technique for improving water quality and increasing groundwater resources. Understanding the fate of a potential contaminant requires knowledge of the residence time distribution (RTD) of the recharged water in the aquifer beneath. A simple way to obtain the RTDs is to perform a tracer test. We performed a pulse injection tracer test in an artificial recharge system through an infiltration basin to obtain the breakthrough curves, which directly yield the RTDs. The RTDs turned out to be very broad and we used a numerical model to interpret them, to characterize heterogeneity, and to extend the model to other flow conditions. The model comprised nine layers at the site scaled to emulate the layering of aquifer deposits. Two types of hypotheses were considered: homogeneous (all flow and transport parameters identical for every layer) and heterogeneous (diverse parameters for each layer). The parameters were calibrated against the head and concentration data in both model types, which were validated quite satisfactorily against 1,1,2-Trichloroethane and electrical conductivity data collected over a long period of time with highly varying flow conditions. We found that the broad RTDs can be attributed to the complex flow structure generated under the basin due to three-dimensionality and time fluctuations (the homogeneous model produced broad RTDs) and the heterogeneity of the media (the heterogeneous model yielded much better fits). We conclude that heterogeneity must be acknowledged to properly assess mixing and broad RTDs, which are required to explain the water quality improvement of artificial recharge basins.


2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (8) ◽  
pp. 1744-1748
Author(s):  
Catalina Stoica ◽  
Gabriela Geanina Vasile ◽  
Alina Banciu ◽  
Daniela Niculescu ◽  
Irina Lucaciu ◽  
...  

During the past few decades, the anthropogenic activities induced worldwide changes in the ecological systems, including the aquatic systems. This work analysed the contamination level of groundwater resources from a rural agglomeration (Central-Western part of Prahova County) by biological and physico-chemical approaches. The study was performed during the autumn of 2016 on several sampling sites (four drilling wells, depth higher than 100 m supplying three villages; two wells lower than 10 m depth and one spring). The water quality was evaluated by comparison with the limit values of the drinking water quality legislation (Law no.458/2002) and the Order 621/2014 (applicable to all groundwater bodies of Romania). The results showed that phenols and metals (iron and manganese) exceeded the threshold values in all sampling sites. Moreover, the anthropogenic factors including agriculture, use of fertilizers, manures, animal husbandry led to an increase of the bacterial load, particularly at wells sites.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanti Mahto ◽  
Anuj Kushwaha ◽  
Siva Subramanian M. ◽  
Nikita Nikita ◽  
T. B. N. Singh

Artificial recharge plays a prominent role in the sustainable management of groundwater resources. The study has proposed a methodology to viable artificial recharge structure using geographical information system (GIS) and empirical equation techniques for augmenting groundwater resources in the Ranchi urban and rural area of Ranchi District, Jharkhand. The thematic layers for geomorphology, drainage density, order of streams, runoff and trend has been prepared in the GIS environment using convection and remote sensing data. It has been found that the slope and topographic gradient of Ranchi region is one of the major governing factors, which restricts to hold surface water stagnant. Jumar watershed is found as the most feasible watershed for the construction of check dams/percolation tanks followed by Lower Subarnarekha watershed. Out of 15 deeper exploratory wells, 14 are declining. Harmu watershed is found to be in the worst condition in terms of availability of runoff water. Harmu, Kanke, Bariyatu, Namkum, Doranda, Hinoo and Hatia have found as the most suitable locations for installation of RTRWH within the Ranchi urban area. Based on the available field information, check dams are suggested as the most promising artificial recharge structures for Ranchi rural environment.


Author(s):  
J. Town ◽  
A. Akturk ◽  
C. Camcı

Five-hole probes, being a dependable and accurate aerodynamic tools, are excellent choices for measuring complex flow fields. However, total pressure gradients can induce measurement errors. The combined effect of the different flow conditions on the ports causes the measured total pressure to be prone to a greater error. This paper proposes a way to correct the total pressure measurement. The correction is based on the difference between the measured total pressure data of a Kiel probe and a sub-miniature prism-type five-hole probe. By comparing them in a ducted fan related flow field, a line of best fit was constructed. The line of best fit is dependent on the slope of the line in a total pressure versus span and difference in total pressure between the probes at the same location. A computer program, performs the comparison and creates the correction equation. The equation is subsequently applied to the five-hole probe total pressure measurement, and the other dependent values are adjusted. The validity of the correction is then tested by placing the Kiel probe and the five-hole probe in ducted fans with a variety of different tip clearances.


1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (5) ◽  
pp. F972-F979
Author(s):  
A. Remuzzi ◽  
B. Ene-Iordache

Anatomical studies have demonstrated that the glomerular capillaries are complex and heterogeneous networks. Conventional models of glomerular size selectivity, however, are based on the assumption of simplified geometries. We developed a theoretical model of glomerular size-selective function based on the geometric data obtained in a previous reconstruction of a glomerular network from a normal Munich-Wistar rat. This heterogeneous model was compared with the homogeneous model conventionally used to calculate membrane selective parameters from the fractional clearance of two test solutes, neutral dextran and Ficoll. For both models we assumed a hypothetical log-normal distribution of pore sizes and calculated optimal membrane pore-size parameters using previously published values of fractional clearances. The difference between the sieving coefficients calculated with the two models was negligible, never exceeding 5.5%. Since the homogeneous model does not consider the pressure drop along the glomerular capillary, we also computed fractional clearances with the homogeneous model, assuming the same pressure drop as in the heterogeneous one. The differences in computed fractional clearances using the homogeneous model with and without a pressure drop were less than 1.2%. We concluded that models based on identical capillary networks can therefore be used for interpreting sieving coefficients for macromolecules.


1991 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 331-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Masciopinto ◽  
V. Palmisano ◽  
F. Tangorra ◽  
M. Vurro

The need for artificial recharge plants is the result of the qualitative and quantitative worsening of groundwater resources due to increased pumping and wastewater discharge. This paper described a system that uses artificial intelligence techniques for designing an artificial recharge plant. The system can be used as a training tool for new engineers, as well as an aid in the choices for expert engineers. The system is an application of an expert system shell running on a common p.c. machine. The model is made up of two knowledge bases, respectively denoted as Quantity artificial recharge and Quality artificial recharge. The former is related to the quantitative aspects, such as geology, climate and land availability, the latter to qualitative aspects, such as water use and treatment plant. Two case studies have been implemented in order to confirm the validity of this kind of systemic approach.


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