Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Assessment of alluvial aquifer heterogeneity and development of stochastic hydrofacies models for the Hat Yai Basin in Southern Thailand

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In previous studies, the groundwater flow models formulated for the Hat Yai Basin were conventional and deterministic because the geologic heterogeneity of the alluvial aquifer system in the basin had not yet been assessed. This paper describes an effort to develop hydrofacies models, such that the spatial variability of the aquifer system can be represented in a systematic way. Variogram parameters that characterize the alluvial aquifer heterogeneity were determined. Based on these variogram parameters, an indicator-based geostatistical approach was used to develop hydrofacies models using sequential indicator simulation. The hydrofacies models indicate three distinct aquifer units, namely Hat Yai, Khu Tao, and Kho Hong aquifers, which is in good agreement with a conceptual model, and incorporates spatial variability as observed in field data from borehole logs. The hydrofacies models can be used in groundwater modeling and simulations.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Adapted from Ramnarong et al. (1984)

Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Almeida JA (2010) Stochastic simulation methods for characterization of lithoclasses in carbonate reservoirs. Earth Sci Rev 101:250–270. doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2010.05.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cabello P, Cuevas JL, Ramos E (2007) 3D modelling of grain size distribution in Quaternary deltaic deposits (Llobregat Delta, NE Spain). Geol Acta 5:231–244

    Google Scholar 

  • Carle SF, Labolle EM, Weissmann GS, Van Brocklin D, Gogg GE (1998) Conditional simulation of hydrofacies architecture: a transition probability/Markov approach. In: Fraser GS, Davis JM (eds) Hydrogeologic models of sedimentary aquifers. Concepts in hydrogeology and environmental geology. SEPM Special Publication, Tulsa, pp 147–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Carle SF, Esser BK, Moran JE (2006) High-resolution simulation of basin-scale nitrate transport considering aquifer system heterogeneity. Geosphere 2:195–209. doi:10.1130/GES00032.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chalermyanont T, Lukjan A, Arrykul S (2009) Development of a seawater intrusion model for the Hat Yai Basin, Southern Thailand. In: International symposium on efficient groundwater resources management (IGS-TH 2009), Bangkok, Thailand

  • Cooper HH, Jacob CE (1946) A generalized graphical method for evaluating formation constants and summarizing well field history. Trans Am Geophys Union 24:526–534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Marsily G, Delay F, Teles V, Schafmeister MT (1998) Some current methods to represent the heterogeneity of natural media in hydrogeology. Hydrogeol J 6:115–130. doi:10.1007/s100400050138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Marsily G, Delay F, Gonçalves J, Renard P, Teles V, Violette S (2005) Dealing with spatial heterogeneity. Hydrogeol J 13:161–183. doi:10.1007/s10040-004-0432-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • dell’Arciprete D, Bersezio R, Felletti F, Giudici M, Comunian A, Renard P (2012) Comparison of three geostatistical methods for hydrofacies simulation: a test on alluvial sediments. Hydrogeol J 20:299–311. doi:10.1007/s10040-011-0808-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Department of Groundwater Resources: DGR (2003) Groundwater balance and modeling assessment of Hat Yai basin, Songkhla Province. Final Report (in Thai)

  • Department of Groundwater Resources: DGR (2006) Development and conservation of groundwater using mathematical models in Songkhla Lake Basin. Final Report (in Thai)

  • Deutsch CV (1992) Annealing techniques applied to reservoir modeling and the integration of geological and engineering (well test) data. Dissertation, Stanford University

  • Deutsch CV (1998) Cleaning categorical variable (lithofacies) realizations with maximum a posteriori selection. Comput Geosci 24(6):551–562. doi:10.1016/S0098-3004(98)00016-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deutsch CV (2002) Geostatistical reservoir modeling. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Deutsch CV, Journel AG (1992) GSLIB: geostatistical software library and user’s guide. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Falivene O, Cabrera L, Muñoz JA, Arbués P, Fernández O, Sáez A (2007) Statistical grid-based facies reconstruction and modeling for sedimentary bodies: alluvial-palustrine and turbiditic examples. Geol Acta 5:199–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Fogg GE, Noyes CD, Carle SF (1998) Geologically-based model of heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity in an alluvial setting. Hydrogeol J 6:131–143. doi:10.1007/s100400050139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Folk RL (1954) The distinction between grain size and mineral composition in sedimentary rock nomenclature. J Geol 62(4):344–359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gego EL, Johnson GS, Hankins M (2001) An evaluation of methodologies for the generation of stochastic hydraulic conductivity fields in highly heterogeneous aquifers. Stoch Environ Res Risk Assess 15:47–64. doi:10.1007/s004770000060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goovaerts P (1996) Stochastic simulation of categorical variables using a classification algorithm and simulated annealing. Math Geol 28(7):909–921. doi:10.1007/BF02066008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goovaerts P (1997) Geostatistics for natural resources evaluation. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Guastaldi E, Carloni A, Pappalardo G, Nevini J (2014) Geostatistical methods for lithological aquifer characterization and groundwater flow modeling of the Catania Plain Quaternary aquifer (Italy). J Water Resour Protect 6:272–296. doi:10.4236/jwarp.2014.64032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Journel AG, Xu W (1994) Posterior identification of histograms conditional to local data. Math Geol 26:323–359. doi:10.1007/BF02089228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Journel AG, Gundeso R, Gringarten E, Yao T (1998) Stochastic modelling of a fluvial reservoir: a comparative review of algorithms. J Pet Sci Eng 21:95–121. doi:10.1016/S0920-4105(98)00044-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lohawijarn W (2005) Potential ground water resources of Hat Yai basin in peninsular Thailand by gravity study. Songklanakarin J Sci Technol 27(3):633–647

    Google Scholar 

  • Lukjan A (2009) Study of seawater intrusion into aquifers in Hat Yai basin using a mathematical model. Thesis, Prince of Songkla University (in Thai)

  • Lukjan A, Chalermyanont T, Arrykul S (2009a) Three-dimensional density-dependent seawater intrusion modeling for the Hat Yai basin. In: Proceeding of 14th national convention on civil engineering, nakhon ratchasima, Thailand, pp 1253–1259 (in Thai)

  • Lukjan A, Chalermyanont T, Chaipraphat S, Jespatananon P (2009b) Groundwater balance and safe yield in Hat Yai basin, Songkhla province. In: 7th PSU-engineering conference, Songkhla, Thailand, pp 608–613 (in Thai)

  • Michael HA, Voss CI (2009) Estimation of regional-scale groundwater flow properties in the Bengal basin of India and Bangladesh. Hydrogeol J. doi:10.1007/s10040-009-0443-1

    Google Scholar 

  • Modis K, Sideri D (2013) Geostatistical simulation of hydrofacies heterogeneity of the West Thessaly aquifer systems in Greece. Nat Resour Res. doi:10.1007/s11053-013-9200-1

    Google Scholar 

  • Ouellon T, Lefebvre R, Marcotte D, Boutin A, Blais V, Parent M (2008) Hydraulic conductivity heterogeneity of a local deltaic aquifer system from the kriged 3D distribution of hydrofacies from borehole logs, Valcartier, Canada. J Hydrol 351:71–86. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2007.11.040

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phelps GA, Boucher A, Halford KJ (2011) A refined characterization of the alluvial geology of yucca flat and its effect on bulk hydraulic conductivity. U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report 2010-1307

  • Quental P, Almeida JA, Simões M (2012) Construction of high-resolution stochastic geological models and optimal upscaling to a simplified layer-type hydrogeological model. Adv Water Resour 39:18–32. doi:10.1016/j.advwatres.2012.01.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramnarong V, Songsawat S, Sakulkeaw S, Phanjasutharot S (1984) Hydrological map of Hat Yai basin, Songkhla, Scale 1:50000. Groundwater Division, Department of Mineral Resources, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • Remy N, Boucher A, Wu J (2009) Applied geostatistics with SGeMS: a user’s guide. Cambridge University Press, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Renard P, Le Loc’h G, Ledoux E, de Marsily G, Mackay R (2000) A fast algorithm for the estimation of the equivalent hydraulic conductivity of heterogeneous media. Water Resour Res 36:3567–3580. doi:10.1029/2000WR900203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riyapan N (2012) Groundwater management of Hat Yai basin using a mathematical model. Thesis, Prince of Songkla University (in Thai)

  • Robertson GP (2008) GS+: geostatistics for the environmental sciences. Gamma Design Software, Plainwell

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakulkeaw S (1996) Groundwater vicinity Hat Yai basin, Songkhla Province. Department of Groundwater Resources, Bangkok (in Thai)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sawata H, Wongsomsak S, Tanchotikul A, Dansawasdi R, Maneeprapun K, Muenlek S (1983) A hypothetical idea on the formation of HatYai basin and the Songkhla lagoon. Proceedings of the Annual Technical Meeting, Department of Geological Sciences, Chiang Mai University, pp 109–120

  • Seifert D, Jensen JL (1999) Using sequential indicator simulation as a tool in reservoir description: issues and uncertainties. Math Geol 31:527–550. doi:10.1023/A:1007563907124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seifert D, Jensen JL (2000) Object and pixel-based reservoir modeling of a braided fluvial reservoir. Math Geol 32:581–603. doi:10.1023/A:1007562221431

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serrano RP, Guadagnini L, Riva M, Giudici M, Guadagnini A (2014) Impact of two geostatistical hydro-facies simulation strategies on head statistics under non-uniform groundwater flow. J Hydrol 508:343–355. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2013.11.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simo AT, Marache A, Lastennet R, Breysse D (2013) Reconstructing hydraulic conductivity field for hydrogeological modeling in an urban environment. Eng Geol 158:119–134. doi:10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.03.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soares A (1998) Sequential indicator simulation with correction for local probabilities. Math Geol 30(6):761–765. doi:10.1023/A:1022451504120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Theis CV (1935) The relation between the lowering of the piezometric surface and the rate and duration of discharge of a well using ground-water storage. Trans Am Geophys Union 16:519–524

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Todd DK (1959) Ground water hydrology. Chapman & Hall, London, p 336

    Google Scholar 

  • Trevisani S, Fabbri P (2010) Geostatistical modeling of a heterogeneous site bordering the Venice Lagoon, Italy. Ground Water 48(4):614–623. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6584.2009.00632.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Troldborg L (2004) The influence of conceptual geological model on the simulation of flow and transport in Quaternary aquifer systems. Dissertation, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Report 2004/107, GEUS, Copenhagen

  • Troldborg L, Refsgaard JC, Jensen KH, Engesgaard P (2007) The importance of alternative conceptual models for simulation of concentrations in multi-aquifer systems. Hydrogeol J 15:843–860. doi:10.1007/s10040-007-0192-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weissmann GS, Fogg GE (1999) Multi-scale alluvial fan heterogeneity modeled with transition probability geostatistics in a sequence stratigraphic framework. J Hydrol 226:48–65. doi:10.1016/S0022-1694(99)00160-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weissmann GS, Carle SF, Fogg GE (1999) Three-dimensional hydrofacies modeling based on soil surveys and transition probability geostatistics. Water Resour Res 35:1761–1770. doi:10.1029/1999WR900048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weissmann GS, Zhang Y, Labolle EM, Fogg GE (2002) Dispersion of groundwater age in an alluvial aquifer system. Water Resour Res 38:1198–1211. doi:10.1029/2001WR000907

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wentworth CK (1922) A scale of grade and class terms for clastic sediments. J Geol 30(5):377–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu W (1995) Stochastic modeling of reservoir lithofacies and petrophysical properties. Dissertation, Stanford University

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported partly by the Graduate study fund, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), and by the Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RMUTSV) fund, which is gratefully acknowledged. The authors would like to thank the Department of Groundwater Resources (DGR) for providing the borehole log data to this analysis. The authors would like to thank Dr. Seppo Karrila for reviewing the manuscript. Thanks are also given to anonymous reviewers for valuable comments.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand

    Arun Lukjan & Tanit Chalermyanont

Authors
  1. Arun Lukjan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tanit Chalermyanont
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tanit Chalermyanont.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lukjan, A., Chalermyanont, T. Assessment of alluvial aquifer heterogeneity and development of stochastic hydrofacies models for the Hat Yai Basin in Southern Thailand. Environ Earth Sci 76, 316 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-6637-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-6637-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation