Skip to main content
Log in

Effect of different transport observations on inverse modeling results: case study of a long-term groundwater tracer test monitored at high resolution

Incidence de différentes observations de déplacement sur des résultats de modélisation inverse: cas d’un de test de traçage longue durée suivi à haute résolution

Efectos de diferentes observaciones de transporte sobre los resultados del modelado inverso: un caso de estudio de una prueba a largo plazo de un trazador de agua subterránea monitoreado en alta resolución

Efeito de diferentes observações de transporte nos resultados da modelação inversa: estudo de caso de um teste de traçadores de água subterrânea de longo prazo monitorizado em alta resolução

  • Paper
  • Published:
Hydrogeology Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Conservative tracer experiments can provide information useful for characterizing various subsurface transport properties. This study examines the effectiveness of three different types of transport observations for sensitivity analysis and parameter estimation of a three-dimensional site-specific groundwater flow and transport model: conservative tracer breakthrough curves (BTCs), first temporal moments of BTCs (m 1), and tracer cumulative mass discharge (M d) through control planes combined with hydraulic head observations (h). High-resolution data obtained from a 410-day controlled field experiment at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California (USA), have been used. In this experiment, bromide was injected to create two adjacent plumes monitored at six different transects (perpendicular to groundwater flow) with a total of 162 monitoring wells. A total of 133 different observations of transient hydraulic head, 1,158 of BTC concentration, 23 of first moment, and 36 of mass discharge were used for sensitivity analysis and parameter estimation of nine flow and transport parameters. The importance of each group of transport observations in estimating these parameters was evaluated using sensitivity analysis, and five out of nine parameters were calibrated against these data. Results showed the advantages of using temporal moment of conservative tracer BTCs and mass discharge as observations for inverse modeling.

Résumé

Des traçages conservatifs peuvent fournir des informations utiles pour caractériser diverses propriétés du déplacement en subsurface. Cette étude examine la portée de trois différents types d’observations sur le déplacement pour analyse de sensibilité et paramétrage d’un modèle tridimentionnel d’écoulement et de déplacement spécifiques sur un site donné : courbes d’apparition du traceur conservatif (BTCs), instant initial de BTCs (m 1), et décharge cumulée du traceur (M d) par plans de contrôle combinés avec des observations piézométriques (h). Des données haute résolution obtenues lors d’une expérimentation contrôlée de 410 jours sur le terrain de la base US Airforce de Vandenberg, Californie, USA, ont été utilisées. Dans cette expérience, du brome a été injecté pour créer deux nuages adjacents contrôlés sur 6 sections transverses différentes (perpendiculaires à l’écoulement souterrain) avec un total de 162 forages de contrôle. Un total de 133 observations différentes de rabattement en régime transitoire, 1,158 de concentrations BTC, 23 de moment initial, et 36 décharge ont été utilisées pour analyse de sensibilité et estimation de neuf paramètres d’écoulement et de déplacement de l’eau souterraine. L’importance de chaque groupe d’observations de déplacement dans l’estimation de ces paramètres a été évaluée en utilisant une analyse de sensibilité, et cinq de ces neuf paramètres ont été calés sur ces données. Les résultats ont montré les avantages d’utiliser l’instant initial du traceur conservatif BTCs et le volume déchargé comme paramètres observés pour la modélisation inverse.

Resumen

Los experimentos de trazadores conservativos pueden proporcionar información útil para caracterizar varias propiedades de transporte subsuperficial. Este estudio examina la efectividad de tres diferentes tipos de observaciones de transporte para un análisis de sensibilidad y la estimación de los parámetros de un modelo de transporte y flujo de agua subterránea tridimensional en un sitio específico: curvas de ruptura del trazador conservativo (BTCs), primer momento temporal de BTCs (m 1), y descarga de masa acumulativa del trazador (M d) a través de planes de control combinado con observaciones de carga hidráulica (h). Se han usado los datos de alta resolución obtenidos a partir de un experimento de campo controlado de 410 días en la Base de la Fuerza Aérea Vandenberg, California (EEUU). En este experimento, el bromuro fue inyectado para crear dos plumas adyacentes monitoreadas en seis transectas diferentes (perpendiculares al flujo de agua subterránea) con un total de 162 pozos de monitoreo. Se usaron un total de 133 diferentes observaciones de carga hidráulica transitoria, 1,158 de concentración de BTC, 23 de primer momento, y 36 de descarga de masa para el análisis de sensibilidad y estimación de los parámetros de nueve parámetros de flujo y transporte. Se evaluó la importancia de cada grupo de observaciones de transporte para estimar estos parámetros usando el análisis de sensibilidad, y cinco salidas de nueve parámetros fueron calibrados contra estos datos. Los resultados mostraron las ventajas de usar el momento temporal del trazador conservativo BTCs y la descarga de masa como observaciones para el modelado inverso.

Resumo

Os testes com traçadores conservativos podem fornecer informações úteis para a caraterização de várias propriedades de transporte subsuperficial. Este estudo analisa a eficácia de três tipos diferentes de observações de transporte para análise da sensibilidade e estimação de parâmetros de um modelo de escoamento subterrâneo e transporte tridimensional num local específico: curvas de ruptura (BTCs) de traçadores conservativos, primeiros momentos temporais das BTCs (m 1) e a massa de descarga cumulativa do traçador (M d), através de planos de controlo combinados com observações do nível piezométrico (h). Foram usados dados de alta resolução obtidos num teste de campo controlado de 410 dias realizado na Base da Força Aérea de Vandenberg, na Califórnia (EUA). Nesta experiência, foi injetado brometo, de forma a criar duas plumas adjacentes monitorizadas em seis transetos diferentes (perpendiculares ao escoamento subterrâneo), num total de 162 furos de monitorização. Foram usadas um total de 133 observações diferentes de níveis piezométricos transitórios, 1,158 observações de concentração de BTC, 23 do primeiro momento e 36 de massa descarregada, para análise de sensibilidade e estimação de 9 parâmetros de escoamento e transporte. A importância de cada grupo de observações de transporte na estimação destes parâmetros foi avaliada através da análise de sensibilidade, e cinco dos nove parâmetros foram calibrados com estes dados. Os resultados mostraram as vantagens de se usar o momento temporal das BTCs dos traçadores conservativos e as massas de descarga como observações para a modelação inversa.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderman ER, Hill MC, Poeter EP (1996) Two-dimensional advective transport in ground-water flow parameter estimation. Ground Water 34(6):1001–1009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barlebo HC, Hill MC, Rosbjerg D (2004) Investigating the Macrodispersion Experiment (MADE) site in Columbus, Mississippi, using a three-dimensional inverse flow and transport model. Water Resour Res 40(4): W04211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barth GR, Hill MC (2005a) Numerical methods for improving sensitivity analysis and parameter estimation of virus transport simulated using sorptive-reactive processes. J Contam Hydrol 76(3–4):251–277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barth GR, Hill MC (2005b) Parameter and observation importance in modelling virus transport in saturated porous media: investigations in a homogenous system. J Contam Hydrol 80(3–4):107–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Batu V (2006) Applied flow and solute transport modeling in aquifers: fundamental principles and analytical and numerical methods. Taylor and Francis, Boca Raton, FL, 667 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Bekins BA, Godsy EM, Warren E (1999) Distribution of microbial physiologic types in an aquifer contaminated by crude oil. Microb Ecol 37(4):263–275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen YD, Barker JF, Gui L (2008) A strategy for aromatic hydrocarbon bioremediation under anaerobic conditions and the impacts of ethanol: a microcosm study. J Contam Hydrol 96(1–4):17–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen TH et al (2000) Characterization of redox conditions in groundwater contaminant plumes. J Contam Hydrol 45(3–4):165–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cirpka OA, Kitanidis PK (2000) Sensitivity of temporal moments calculated by the adjoint-state method and joint inversing of head and tracer data. Adv Water Resour 24(1):89–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cozzarelli IM, Bekins BA, Eganhouse RP, Warren E, Essaid HI (2010) In situ measurements of volatile aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation rates in groundwater. J Contam Hydrol 111(1–4):48–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daus AD, Frind EO (1985) An alternating direction Galerkin technique for simulation of contaminant transport in complex groundwater systems. Water Resour Res 21(5):653–664

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards EA, Grbić-Galić D (1994) Anaerobic degradation of toluene and o-xylene by a methanogenic consortium. Appl Environ Microbiol 60(1):313–322

    Google Scholar 

  • Englert A, Hubbard SS, Williams KH, Li L, Steefel CI (2009) Feedbacks between hydrological heterogeneity and bioremediation induced biogeochemical transformations. Environ Sci Technol 43(14):5197–5204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Essaid HI et al (2003) Inverse modeling of BTEX dissolution and biodegradation at the Bemidji, MN crude-oil spill site. J Contam Hydrol 67(1–4):269–299

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foglia L, Mehl SW, Hill MC, Perona P, Burlando P (2007) Testing alternative ground water models using cross-validation and other methods. Ground Water 45(5):627–641

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foglia L, Hill MC, Mehl SW, Burlando P (2009) Sensitivity analysis, calibration, and testing of a distributed hydrological model using error-based weighting and one objective function. Water Resour Res 45:W06427

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ginn TR, Haeri H, Massoudieh A, Foglia L (2009) Notes on groundwater age in forward and inverse modeling. Transport Porous Media 79(1):117–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harbaugh AW, Banta ER, Hill MC, McDonald MG (2000) MODFLOW-2000, the U.S. Geological Survey modular ground-water model: user guide to modularization concepts and the ground-water flow process. US Geol Surv Open-File Rep 00–92

  • Harten A (1983) High-resolution schemes for hyperbolic conservation-laws. J Comput Phys 49(3):357–393

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harten A (1997) High resolution schemes for hyperbolic conservation laws (Reprinted from the Journal of Computational Physics, vol 49, pg 357–393, 1983). J Comput Phys 135(2):260–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey CF, Gorelick SM (1995) Mapping hydraulic conductivity: sequential conditioning with measurements of solute arrival time, hydraulic-head, and local conductivity. Water Resour Res 31(7):1615–1626

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill MC (1990) Preconditioned conjugate-gradient 2 (PCG2), a computer program for solving ground-water flow equations. US Geol Surv Water-Resour Invest Rep 90–4048

  • Hill MC, Tiedeman CR (2007) Effective groundwater model calibration: With analysis of data, sensitivities, predictions, and uncertainty. Wiley, Hoboken, NJ

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Huyakorn PS, Pinder GF (1983) Computational methods in subsurface flow. Academic, New York, 473 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Leblanc DR et al (1991) Large-scale natural gradient tracer test in sand and gravel, Cape-Cod, Massachusetts: 1. experimental-design and observed tracer movement. Water Resour Res 27(5):895–910

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovley DR, Lonergan DJ (1990) Anaerobic oxidation of toluene, phenol, and p-cresol by the dissimilatory iron-reducing organism, GS-15. Appl Environ Microbiol 56(6):1858–1864

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovley DR, Coates JD, Woodward JC, Phillips E (1995) Benzene oxidation coupled to sulfate reduction. Appl Environ Microbiol 61(3):953–958

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackay DM et al (2006) Impact of ethanol on the natural attenuation of benzene, toluene, and o-xylene in a normally sulfate-reducing aquifer. Environ Sci Technol 40(19):6123–6130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mackay DM et al (2012) Mass discharge in a tracer plume: evaluation of the Theissen polygon method. Ground Water 50(6):895–907

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mackay DM, Freyberg DL, Roberts PV, Cherry JA (1986) A natural gradient experiment on solute transport in a sand aquifer: 1. approach and overview of plume movement. Water Resour Res 22(13):2017–2029

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mehl S, Hill MC (2001) A comparison of solute-transport solution techniques and their effect on sensitivity analysis and inverse modeling results. Ground Water 39(2):300–307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mirkin MV, Arca M, Bard AJ (1993) Scanning electrochemical microscopy. 22. Examination of thin solid films of Agbr: ion diffusion in the film and heterogeneous kinetics at the film solution interface. J Phys Chem 97(41):10790–10795

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parker BL, Cherry JA, Chapman SW (2004) Field study of TCE diffusion profiles below DNAPL to assess aquitard integrity. J Contam Hydrol 74(1–4):197–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patil SF, Adhyapak NG, Joshi SS (1986) Diffusion of bromide, iodide and thallium ions at various temperatures. Appl Radiat Isot 37(1):37–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poeter EP, Hill MC (1997) Inverse models: a necessary next step in ground-water modeling. Ground Water 35(2):250–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poeter EP, Hill MC, Banta ER, Mehl S, Christensen S (2005) UCODE_2005 and six other computer codes for universal sensitivity analysis, calibration, and uncertainty evaluation, US Geol Surv Tech Methods 6-A11

  • Rabus R, Nordhaus R, Ludwig W, Widdel F (1993) Complete oxidation of toluene under strictly anoxic conditions by a new sulfate-reducing bacterium. Appl Environ Microbiol 59(5):1444–1451

    Google Scholar 

  • Rasa E, Chapman SW, Bekins BA, Fogg GE, Scow KM, Mackay DM (2011) Role of back diffusion and biodegradation reactions in sustaining an MTBE/TBA plume in alluvial media. J Contam Hydrol 126(3–4):235–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Rasa E, Bekins BA, Mackay DM, de Sieyes NR, Wilson JT, Feris KP, Wood IA, Scow KM (2013) Impacts of ethanol-blended fuel release on groundwater and fate of produced methane: simulation of field observations. Water Resour Res. doi:10.1002/wrcr.20382

  • Rittmann BE, McCarty PL (2001) Environmental biotechnology: principles and applications. McGraw-Hill Series in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering. McGraw-Hill, Boston, MA, 754 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz-Aguilar GML, Fernandez-Sanchez JM, Kane SR, Kim D, Alvarez PJJ (2002) Effect of ethanol and methyl-Tert-butyl ether on monoaromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation: response variability for different aquifer materials under various electron-accepting conditions. Environ Toxicol Chem 21(12):2631–2639

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiedeman C, Gorelick SM (1993) Analysis of uncertainty in optimal groundwater contaminant capture design. Water Resour Res 29(7):2139–2153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich AC, Edwards EA (2003) Physiological and molecular characterization of anaerobic benzene-degrading mixed cultures. Environ Microbiol 5(2):92–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanderborght J, Kemna A, Hardelauf H, Vereecken H (2005) Potential of electrical resistivity tomography to infer aquifer transport characteristics from tracer studies: a synthetic case study. Water Resour Res 41(6):W06013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson RD, Mackay DM, Scow KM (2002) In situ MTBE biodegradation supported by diffusive oxygen release. Environ Sci Technol 36(2):190–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yager RM (2004) Effects of model sensitivity and nonlinearity on nonlinear regression of ground water flow. Ground Water 42(3):390–400

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng C (2010) MT3DMS v5.3 supplemental user’s guide. Technical Report to the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AB, 51 pp

  • Zheng C, Wang PP (1999) MT3DMS, a modular three-dimensional multi-species transport model for simulation of advection, dispersion and chemical reactions of contaminants in groundwater systems: documentation and users guide. Contract report SERDP-99-1, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MI

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The American Petroleum Institute and Superfund Training Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Award Number P42ES004699) provided funding and support for this modeling study. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences or the National Institutes of Health. Primary funding for the field experimental work was provided by a subcontract to UC Davis by Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., the primary contractor to the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) for project ER-0318. We thank Phil Kaiser, Mada Velasco, Max Justice, Sunitha Gurusinghe, Mamie Inoue-Nozawa, and Sham Goyal for their parts in completing the field experiments, and Murray Einarson of Haley & Aldrich and Chin Man Mok of AMEC-Geomatrix for initial modeling and advice. We also thank Dr. Mary Hill and Prof. Steffen Mehl for reviewing this study and providing valuable feedback and Professor Tim Ginn for reviewing and contributions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ehsan Rasa.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rasa, E., Foglia, L., Mackay, D.M. et al. Effect of different transport observations on inverse modeling results: case study of a long-term groundwater tracer test monitored at high resolution. Hydrogeol J 21, 1539–1554 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-013-1026-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-013-1026-8

Keywords

Navigation