Abstract
Dryland inland freshwater lenses (IFLs) that have been topographically induced are represented using physically modeled laboratory simulations, to characterize the stages of IFL evolution (i.e. formation, migration, degradation) as a function of recharge rate. Arid regions with shallow brackish to saline groundwater possess IFLs. The position and geometry (i.e. thickness, length) of IFLs over varying temporal and spatial scales is poorly understood due to their transient nature. The physically modeled IFLs in this study formed from an initial recharge pulse, after which IFL geometry was measured over time as it flowed in the direction of simulated groundwater flow. The time required for an IFL to reach the maximum thickness exhibited a negative exponential correlation to recharge rate. At IFL formation, thickness and length were positively correlated, and the ratio of IFL thickness to length exhibited a positive exponential correlation to recharge rate. After IFL formation, the central position of the simulated IFLs migrated laterally in the direction of groundwater flow at a velocity less than the range of applied recharge rates and greater than the groundwater flow velocities. The time required for the IFL to reach a minimum thickness, or IFL degradation, exhibited a positive exponential correlation to recharge rate. The Dupuit-Ghyben-Herzberg solution used to model coastal freshwater lens thickness was tested against the physically modeled IFLs and deemed invalid. A correction factor and modified solution are provided to predict IFL thickness, providing motivation for future analytical and numerical studies on inland variable-density groundwater systems in arid regions globally.
Résumé
Les lentilles d’eau douce continentales (LEDC) en terrains arides qui ont été induites par la topographie sont représentées au moyen de simulations de laboratoire sur modèle physique, afin de caractériser les étapes de l’évolution de la LEDC (c’est à dire sa formation, sa migration, sa dégradation) en fonction du taux de recharge. Les régions arides ayant des eaux souterraines peu profondes saumâtres à salées présentent des LEDC. La position et la géométrie (c’est-à-dire l’épaisseur, la longueur) des LEDC à des échelles de temps et d’espace variées sont mal comprises en raison de leur nature transitoire. Les LEDC modélisées physiquement dans cette étude ont été générées sous l’impulsion d’une recharge initiale, après quoi la géométrie de la LEDC a été mesurée sur la durée pendant qu’elle se déplaçait dans la direction de l’écoulement souterrain simulé. Le temps nécessaire à une LEDC pour atteindre son épaisseur maximale affichait une corrélation exponentielle négative avec le taux de recharge. Au moment où la LEDC se formait, l’épaisseur et la longueur étaient corrélées positivement et le rapport de l’épaisseur de la LEDC à sa longueur montrait une corrélation exponentielle positive avec le taux de la recharge. Après la formation de la LEDC, la position d’abord centrale des LEDC simulées a migré latéralement en suivant la direction des écoulements d’eau souterraine à une vitesse inférieure à la variation des taux de recharge appliqués et supérieure aux vitesses d’écoulement des eaux souterraines. Le temps nécessaire à la LEDC pour atteindre une épaisseur minimale ou sa dégradation, affichait une corrélation exponentielle positive avec le taux de recharge. La solution de Dupuit-Ghyben-Herzberg utilisée pour modéliser l’épaisseur de lentilles d’eau douce côtières a été testée en les confrontant aux LEDC simulées physiquement et jugée non valide. Un facteur de correction et une solution modifiée ont été fournis afin de prédire l’épaisseur de la LEDC, constituant un encouragement pour les futures études analytiques et numériques des systèmes hydrogéologiques continentaux d’épaisseur variable dans les régions arides du monde.
Resumen
Las lentes de agua dulce continentales de zonas áridas (IFL) que han sido inducidas topográficamente se representan mediante simulaciones de laboratorio con modelos físicos, para caracterizar las etapas de la evolución de las IFL (es decir, formación, migración, degradación) en función de la tasa de recarga. Las regiones áridas con aguas subterráneas superficiales salobres a salinas poseen LFI. La posición y la geometría (es decir, el espesor y la longitud) de las IFL a lo largo de escalas temporales y espaciales variables no se comprenden bien debido a su naturaleza transitoria. Las IFLs modelados físicamente en este estudio se formaron a partir de un pulso de recarga inicial, después del cual se midió la geometría de las IFL a lo largo del tiempo a medida que fluía en la dirección del flujo simulado de agua subterránea. El tiempo necesario para que una IFL alcance el espesor máximo mostró una correlación exponencial negativa con la velocidad de la recarga. En la formación de la IFL, el espesor y la longitud se correlacionaron positivamente, y la relación entre el espesor y la longitud de IFL mostró una correlación exponencial positiva con la tasa de recarga. Después de la formación de IFL, la posición central de las IFLs simuladas migró lateralmente en la dirección del flujo de agua subterránea a una velocidad menor que el rango de tasas de recarga aplicadas y mayor que las velocidades de flujo de agua subterránea. El tiempo requerido para que la IFL alcance un espesor mínimo, o degradación del IFL, mostró una correlación exponencial positiva con la tasa de recarga. La solución Dupuit-Ghyben-Herzberg utilizada para modelar el espesor de la lente de agua dulce costera fue probada contra las IFLs modeladas físicamente y se consideró inválida. Se proporciona un factor de corrección y una solución modificada para predecir el espesor de la IFL, lo que motiva futuros estudios analíticos y numéricos sobre los sistemas de aguas subterráneas de densidad variable en regiones áridas de todo el mundo.
摘要
采用物理上模型实验室模拟展示了地形构造方面引起的干涸之地内陆淡水透镜体,以描述其演化阶段(即形成、运移和退化)的特征,并将其作为补给率的一个函数。具有微咸地下水至咸地下水的干旱地区拥有内陆淡水透镜体。由于其瞬时特性,对不同空间和时间尺度的内陆淡水透镜体的位置和几何构造(即厚度和长度)了解甚少。本研究中物理上模拟的内陆淡水透镜体形成于最初的补给脉冲,在这之后,随着内陆淡水透镜体按模拟的地下水流方向流动,对内陆淡水透镜体几何构造进行了测量。内陆淡水透镜体到达最大厚度所需的时间显示出与补给率呈指数相关。在内陆淡水透镜体形成中,厚度和长度呈正相关,内陆淡水透镜体厚度和长度的比值呈正指数相关。内陆淡水透镜体形成之后,模拟的内陆淡水透镜体中间位置顺地下水流方向侧向迁移,其速度慢于应用补给速度的范围,但快于地下水流。内陆淡水透镜体达到最小厚度或者说退化所需的时间与补给率呈正指数相关。针对物理上模拟的内陆淡水透镜体,检测了用来模拟沿海淡水透镜体厚度的Dupuit-Ghyben-Herzberg解决方案,认为该方案无效。提出了修正因子和改进的解决方案,来预测内陆淡水透镜体厚度,为全球干旱地区内陆可变密度地下水系统今后解析和数值研究提供动力。
Resumo
Lentes de águas doces interiores em áreas secas (LADI) que foram induzidas topograficamente foram representadas utilizando simulações laboratoriais modeladas fisicamente, para caracterizar os estágios de evolução de LADI (p.ex. formação, migração, degradação) como uma função da taxa de recarga. Regiões áridas com águas subterrâneas rasas salobras para salinas possuem LADI. A posição e geometria (p.ex. espessura, comprimento) das LADI sobre escalas temporais e espaciais variantes são pobremente entendidas pela sua natureza transiente. As LADI modeladas fisicamente nesse estudo foram formadas a partir de um pulso de recarga inicial, depois que a geometria das LADI foi medida pelo tempo que ela flui na direção do fluxo de águas subterrâneas simulado. O tempo necessário para LADI atingirem a espessura máxima exibiu uma correlação exponencial negativa com a taxa de recarga. Na formação de LADI, espessura e comprimento são positivamente correlacionados, e a razão entre espessura e comprimento das LADI exibiu correlação exponencial positiva para a taxa de recarga. Depois da formação das LADI, a posição central das LADI simuladas migrou literalmente na direção do fluxo das águas subterrâneas em uma velocidade menor que o alcance das taxas de recarga aplicadas e maior que as velocidades de fluxo das águas subterrâneas. O tempo necessário para as LADI atingirem a espessura mínima, ou degradação da LADI, exibiu uma correlação exponencial positiva com a taxa de recarga. A solução Dupuit-Ghyben-Herzberg utilizada para modelar a espessura das camadas de água superficial foi testada contra as LADI modeladas fisicamente e considerado invalido. O fator de correção e a solução modificada foram fornecidos para prever a espessura das LADI, fornecendo motivação para estudos analíticos e numéricos futuros nos sistemas de águas subterrâneas interiores com densidade variável em regiões áridas globalmente.
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The authors thank the anonymous reviewers who provided valuable and appreciated feedback.
Funding
The authors would like to thank the Society of Exploration Geophysics and the University of Georgia, Department of Geology for the financial support of this research, particularly the Gary and Lorene Groundwater Exploration Scholarship and the Watts Wheeler Award.
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Rotz, R.R., Milewski, A.M. Physical modeling of inland freshwater lens formation and evolution in drylands. Hydrogeol J 27, 1597–1610 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-01940-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-01940-1