Abstract
Methods of modelling non-reactive solute transport based on artificial tracer tests have been widely developed in the past few decades. The dependence of solute transport parameters on boundary conditions has been investigated across different hydrological settings (low and high water level) but still not investigated at the short-term scale (i.e. hourly and daily scale). In this study, a campaign of several tracer tests was performed over a few days to investigate the short-term variations of tracer-test responses in a conduit-dominated karst system (Baget watershed, in the Pyrenees Mountains, France) during a recession without the influence of rainfall. Also, an improved method of interpreting artificial tracer test results, using a process engineering tool, is introduced, consisting of a Laplace-transform transfer function approach with respect to the residence-time distribution curve. Considering the karstic system as a chemical reactor, the introduction of a transfer function approach appears to be an efficient way to describe the solute transport. Moreover, the transfer function is parametrized depending on the spring discharge. The model is extended for testing source pollution scenarios.
Résumé
Les méthodes de modélisation du transport de solutés non réactifs sur la base d’essais de traçage artificiels ont été largement développées ces quelques dernières dizaines d’années. La dépendance des paramètres de transport de solutés aux conditions aux limites a été étudiée pour différentes conditions hydrologiques (basses et hautes eaux) mais pas encore sur de courtes échelles de temps (horaire ou journalière). Dans cette étude, une campagne comprenant plusieurs essais de traçage a été réalisée sur quelques jours pour investiguer les variations à court-terme des réponses des essais de traçage dans un système karstique dominé par des écoulements de conduit (système du Baget, Pyrénées, France) pendant une récession non influencée par la pluie. En outre, une méthode améliorée d’interprétation des résultats d’essais de traçage, utilisant un outil d’ingénierie des procédés, a été introduite. Elle consiste en une approche par une fonction de transfert transformée de Laplace par rapport à la courbe de distribution des temps de séjour. En considérant le système karstique comme un réacteur chimique, l’introduction d’une approche par fonction de transfert apparaît comme un moyen efficace de décrire le transport de solutés. De plus, la fonction de transfert est paramétrée selon le débit de la source. Le modèle est étendu pour tester des scénarios de pollution ponctuelle.
Resumen
En las últimas décadas se han desarrollado ampliamente los métodos de modelado del transporte de soluto no reactivo basado en pruebas de trazabilidad artificial. La dependencia de los parámetros de transporte de los solutos de las condiciones límite ha sido investigada a través de diferentes escenarios hidrológicos (nivel de agua alto y bajo), pero aún no ha sido investigada a una escala de corto plazo (es decir, a escala horaria y diaria). En este estudio, se realizó una campaña de varias pruebas de trazadores durante unos días para investigar las variaciones a corto plazo de las respuestas a dichas pruebas en un sistema kárstico dominado por conductos (cuenca de Baget, en los Pirineos, Francia) durante una recesión sin la influencia de las precipitaciones. Además, se introduce un método mejorado de interpretación de los resultados de las pruebas de trazador artificial, utilizando una herramienta de ingeniería de procesos. Consiste en un enfoque de función de transferencia de transformada de Laplace con respecto a la curva de distribución del tiempo de residencia. Considerando el sistema kárstico como un reactor químico, la introducción de un enfoque de función de transferencia parece ser una forma eficiente de describir el transporte de solutos. Además, la función de transferencia se parametriza en función de la descarga del manantial. El modelo se amplía para probar escenarios de contaminación de la fuente.
摘要
在过去的几十年,基于人工示踪试验的非反应性溶质运移的模拟方法已得到广泛应用。不同水文环境(低水位和高水位)溶质运移参数对边界条件的相关性已经开展过研究,但未开展短期尺度(即每小时和每日尺度)研究。本研究中,几天内开展了多次示踪试验,旨在调查无降雨影响的枯水期以管道为主的岩溶系统(法国Pyrenees山脉的Baget流域)中示踪试验响应的短期变化。此外,还介绍了使用过程工程工具解释人工示踪试验结果的改进方法。该方法包括关于停留时间分布曲线的拉普拉斯变换传递函数方法。考虑到岩溶系统是化学反应器,引入传递函数方法可有效描述溶质的运移。而且传递函数根据泉排泄量进行参数化。该模型可扩展应用于测试源污染方案。
Resumo
Métodos de modelagem de transporte de solutos não reativos baseados em testes de traçadores artificiais têm sido amplamente desenvolvidos nas últimas décadas. A dependência dos parâmetros de transporte de solutos nas condições de contorno tem sido investigada sob diferentes condições hidrológicas (ex. nível de água baixo e alto), entretanto, para escalas de curto prazo (como escala horária e diária) ainda não foi analisada. Neste estudo, uma campanha de vários testes com traçadores foi realizada durante alguns dias, para investigar as variações em curto prazo nas respostas do traçador-teste em um sistema cárstico com canais (bacia hidrográfica Baget, nas montanhas dos Pirineus, França) durante um período com ausência de chuva. Além disso, um método aperfeiçoado para interpretação dos resultados dos testes do traçador artificial, utilizando uma ferramenta de engenharia, foi introduzido. Este método consiste em uma função de transferência obtida por meio da Transformada de Laplace da curva de distribuição do tempo de residência. Considerando o sistema cárstico como um reator químico, o uso da função de transferência se mostrou uma forma eficiente para descrever o transporte do soluto. Além disso, a função de transferência foi parametrizada de acordo com a nascente (descarga do aquífero). O modelo pode ser aplicado para testar a origem de cenários de poluição.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the KARST observatory network (SNO KARST) initiative at the INSU/CNRS, which aims to strengthen knowledge sharing and promote cross-disciplinary research on karst systems at the national scale. We also thank “Météo-France” for providing rainfall data and BRGM (French Geological Survey) for providing discharge data.
Funding
This work has been funded by “l’Agence de l’eau Adour Garonne”.
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Sivelle, V., Labat, D. Short-term variations in tracer-test responses in a highly karstified watershed. Hydrogeol J 27, 2061–2075 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-01968-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-01968-3