Abstract
Aquifers are generally composed of highly permeable layers that can conduct a considerable amount of groundwater. Traditionally, aquifer units are correlated through the concept of lithostratigraphy. For low-permeable aquifers, it is difficult to define the spatial distribution of hydrogeological units, and this study attempts to use geochemical modeling to identify the groundwater flow paths in an area of Taiwan. Multiple geochemical analyses, including groundwater chemistry; stable isotopic compositions of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon; and radiocarbon contents were performed. Using these parameters as the constraints of geochemical models, the hydraulic connection was examined between pairs of possibly interlinked wells along four selected cross sections, and the conceptual groundwater model was accordingly established. The resultant model suggests that the hydraulic connection between aquifers should be correlated with the concept of chronological stratigraphy, especially for low-permeable, unconsolidated aquifers. Using Darcy’s law, the hydraulic conductivities of the fine-sand aquifers were estimated to be between 3.14 × 10−5 and 1.80 × 10−4 m/s, which are roughly one order of magnitude higher than those derived by in situ pumping tests. The substantial extraction of groundwater over a long period in the studied area could accelerate groundwater flow, leading to an overestimation of the aquifer permeability.
Résumé
En règle générale, les aquifères sont constitués de couches très perméables capables de conduire des quantités d’eau considérables. Les unités aquifères sont traditionnellement corrélées d’un point de vue lithostratigraphique. Dans le cas des aquifères à faible perméabilité, il s’avère difficile de définir une distribution spatiale des unités hydrogéologiques, et cette étude tente d’utiliser la modélisation géochimique pour identifier les cheminements des eaux souterraines dans un secteur de Taiwan. Plusieurs analyses géochimiques ont été réalisées ; elles incluent la chimie des eaux souterraines, les isotopes stables de l’hydrogène, de l’oxygène et du carbone et l’abondance en carbone 14. En utilisant ces paramètres comme contraintes pour les modèles géochimiques, les liaisons hydrauliques entre les puits potentiellement interconnectés ont été étudiées deux par deux, le long de quatre coupes présélectionnées, et le modèle conceptuel a été établi en conséquence. Ce modèle résultant suggère que les connexions hydrauliques inter-aquifères devraient être corrélées avec les concepts stratigraphiques, surtout pour les aquifères non consolidés à faible perméabilité. Les perméabilités dans les aquifères de sables fins ont été estimées par la loi de Darcy entre 3.14 × 10−5 et 1.80 × 10−4 m/s, soit environ un ordre de grandeur au-dessus de celles issues des tests de pompage sur site. L’exploitation substantielle des eaux souterraines sur une longue période dans la zone d’étude peut accélérer les écoulements souterrains, menant à une surestimation de la perméabilité de l’aquifère.
Resumen
Los acuíferos están generalmente compuestos de capas muy permeables que pueden conducir una cantidad considerable de agua subterránea. Tradicionalmente, se ponen en correlación las unidades acuíferas a través del concepto de litoestratigrafía. Para los acuíferos de baja-permeabilidad, es difícil de definir la distribución espacial de unidades hidrogeológicas y este estudio intenta usar modelamiento geoquímico para identificar las direcciones del flujo de agua subterránea en un área de Taiwán. Se realizó el análisis geoquímico múltiple, incluyendo la química del agua subterránea, la composición de isótopos estables de hidrógeno, oxígeno y carbono, y el contenido de radiocarbono. Usando estos parámetros como limitantes de modelos geoquímicos, la conexión hidráulica se examinó entre pares de pozos posiblemente interrelacionados, a lo largo de cuatro cortes transversales seleccionados y de acuerdo con esto se estableció el modelo conceptual del agua subterránea. El modelo resultante sugiere que la conexión hidráulica entre los acuíferos deba interrelacionarse con el concepto de estratigrafía cronológica, sobre todo para los acuíferos sin consolidar de baja permeabilidad. Usando la ley de Darcy, se estimaron las conductividades hidráulicas de los acuíferos de arena fina obteniendo valores entre 3.14 × 10−5 y 1.80 × 10−4 m/s, las cuales son aproximadamente un orden de magnitud mayor, que aquéllos obtenidos in situ por las pruebas de bombeo. La extracción considerable de agua subterránea durante un periodo largo en el área estudiada, podría acelerar el flujo de agua subterránea, llevando a una sobrestimación de la permeabilidad en los acuíferos.
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Acknowledgements
Special thanks go to Mr. L.Y. Fei, who promoted this project. The authors appreciate helpful comments from reviewers and journal editors. This study was supported by research grants from Water Resources Agency and Central Geological Survey, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan.
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Table 1
Water chemistry of groundwaters collected from the North Chianan Plain Groundwater District (NCPGD), Taiwan (XLS 36 kb)
ESM Fig. 1
Location map of the South Chianan Plain Groundwater District (SCPGD), Taiwan, showing sampling sites for stable isotopic analysis (GIF 73 kb)
Appendix
Results of NETPATH models
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Lu, HY., Liu, TK., Chen, WF. et al. Use of geochemical modeling to evaluate the hydraulic connection of aquifers: a case study from Chianan Plain, Taiwan. Hydrogeol J 16, 139–154 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-007-0209-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-007-0209-6