Abstract
Spatially distributed values of the specific yield, a fundamental parameter for transient groundwater mass balance calculations, were obtained by means of three independent methods for the Crau plain, France. In contrast to its traditional use to assess recharge based on a given specific yield, the water-table fluctuation (WTF) method, applied using major recharging events, gave a first set of reference values. Then, large infiltration processes recorded by monitored boreholes and caused by major precipitation events were interpreted in terms of specific yield by means of a one-dimensional vertical numerical model solving Richards’ equations within the unsaturated zone. Finally, two gravity field campaigns, at low and high piezometric levels, were carried out to assess the groundwater mass variation and thus alternative specific yield values. The range obtained by the WTF method for this aquifer made of alluvial detrital material was 2.9– 26%, in line with the scarce data available so far. The average spatial value of specific yield by the WTF method (9.1%) is consistent with the aquifer scale value from the hydro-gravimetric approach. In this investigation, an estimate of the hitherto unknown spatial distribution of the specific yield over the Crau plain was obtained using the most reliable method (the WTF method). A groundwater mass balance calculation over the domain using this distribution yielded similar results to an independent quantification based on a stable isotope-mixing model. This agreement reinforces the relevance of such estimates, which can be used to build a more accurate transient hydrogeological model.
Résumé
La répartition spatiale de la porosité efficace, paramètre fondamental pour le calcul de bilans des eaux souterraines en régime transitoire, ont été obtenues pour la plaine de la Crau (France) à partir de trois méthodes indépendantes. Contrairement à son utilisation traditionnelle pour évaluer la recharge à partir d'une porosité efficace donnée, la méthode de fluctuation de la nappe phréatique (FNP), appliquée à des événements de recharge majeurs, a donné un premier ensemble de valeurs de référence. Ensuite, de grands processus d’infiltration enregistrés par des forages surveillés et provoqués par des événements pluvieux majeurs ont été interprétés en termes de porosité efficace au moyen d’un modèle numérique vertical unidimensionnel résolvant les équations de Richards au sein de la zone-non-saturée. Enfin, deux campagnes de mesures gravimétriques, à des niveaux piézométriques de basses et hautes eaux, ont été réalisées pour évaluer la variation de masse des eaux souterraines et donc des valeurs alternatives de porosité efficace. La gamme obtenue par la méthode FNP pour cet aquifère constitué de matériaux détritiques alluviaux était de 2.9–26%, en accord avec les rares données disponibles jusqu’à présent. La valeur spatiale moyenne du rendement spécifique par la méthode FNP (9.1%) est conforme à la valeur à l’échelle de l’aquifère par approche hydro-gravimétrique. Jusque-là inconnue, une estimation de la distribution spatiale de la porosité efficace a été obtenue pour l’ensemble de la plaine de la Crau en utilisant la méthode la plus fiable (la méthode FNP). En utilisant cette distribution, le calcul du bilan de masse des eaux souterraines pour le domaine a donné des résultats similaires à une quantification indépendante basée sur un modèle de mélange des isotopes stables de l'eau. Cette cohérence plaide en faveur de la pertinence de ces estimations, qui peuvent être utilisées pour élaborer un modèle hydrogéologique en régime transitoire plus précis.
Resumen
Se obtuvieron los valores espacialmente distribuidos del rendimiento específico, un parámetro fundamental para los cálculos del balance transitorio de masas del agua subterránea, por medio de tres métodos independientes en la llanura de Crau, Francia. A diferencia de su uso tradicional para evaluar la recarga en función de un rendimiento específico dado, el método de fluctuación de la capa freática (WTF), aplicado a eventos de recarga importantes, dio un primer conjunto de valores de referencia. Luego, los grandes procesos de infiltración registrados en las perforaciones monitoreadas y causados por los eventos de mayor precipitación fueron interpretados en términos de rendimiento específico por medio de un modelo numérico vertical unidimensional que resolvió las ecuaciones de Richards dentro de la zona no saturada. Finalmente, se llevaron a cabo dos campañas de mediciones del campo de gravedad, con niveles piezométricos altos y bajos, para evaluar la variación de la masa de agua subterránea y, por lo tanto, los valores alternativos de rendimiento específicos. El rango obtenido por el método WTF para este acuífero constituido por material detrítico aluvial fue de 2.9–26%, en línea con los escasos datos disponibles hasta el momento. El valor espacial promedio del rendimiento específico por el método WTF (9.1%) es consistente con el valor de escala del acuífero con un enfoque hidrogravimétrico. En esta investigación, se obtuvo una estimación de la distribución espacial hasta ahora desconocida del rendimiento específico sobre la llanura de Crau utilizando el método más confiable (el método WTF). Un cálculo de balance de masa del agua subterránea sobre el dominio utilizando esta distribución arrojó resultados similares a una cuantificación independiente basada en un modelo de mezcla de isótopos estables. Este acuerdo refuerza la relevancia de tales estimaciones, que pueden usarse para construir un modelo hidrogeológico transitorio más preciso.
摘要
单位出水量空间分布的值是瞬时地下水质量平衡计算中的基本参数,在法国Crau平原,这个数值通过三个独立的方法获取。与传统的采用基于特定的单位出水量评价补给相比,采用主要补给事件应用到水位波动法中,该方法首先给出了一套参考值。然后,通过一维垂直数值模型对监测井记录的以及主要降水事件导致的大的入渗过程中单位出水量进行解译以求解非饱和带内的Richards’方程。最终,在高、低两个测压水位进行了两个重力野外测试,以评价地下水质量变化以及替代的单位出水量值。对冲积碎屑物质组成的本含水层通过水位波动法获取的范围为2.9–26%,与到目前为止可获取的匮乏数据相一致。通过水位波动法获取的单位出水量平均空间值(9.1%)与水文重力方法获取的含水层匮乏值一致。在本研究中, Crau平原迄今为止未知的单位出水量空间分布采用最可靠的方法(水位波动法)获得。采用这个分布进行的整个域的地下水质量平衡计算得出结果与基于稳定同位素混合模型的独立定量法得出的结果类似。这样的一致增强了如此估算值关联性,可用来构建更加精确的瞬时水文地质模型。
Resumo
Valores distribuídos espacialmente de rendimento especifico, um parâmetro fundamental para os cálculos de balanço de massa das águas subterrâneas transientes, foram obtidos por meio de 3 métodos independentes para a planície do Crau, França. Em contraste ao seu uso tradicional para avaliar recarga baseado em um rendimento especifico dado, o método da variação da superfície livre (WTF), aplicado utilizando os maiores eventos de recarga, mostrou um primeiro conjunto de valores de referência. Então, grandes processos de infiltração causados pelos maiores eventos de precipitação foram registrados pelos poços de monitoramento e foram interpretados em termos de rendimento específico por meio de um modelo numérico vertical unidimensional resolvendo equações de Richards na zona não saturada. Finalmente, duas campanhas de campo gravitacional, em níveis piezométricos baixos e altos, foram realizadas para avaliar a variação de massa das águas subterrâneas e assim os valores alternativos de rendimento especifico. O alcance obtido pelo método WTF para esse aquífero feito de material detrital aluvial foi de 2.9–26%, alinhado aos dados escassos. O valor espacial médio do rendimento específico para o método WTF (9.1%) é consistente com o valor de escala do aquífero para abordagem hidrogravimétrica. Nessa investigação, uma estimativa da distribuição espacial desconhecida até o momento do rendimento especifico sobre a planície do Crau foi obtida utilizando o método mais confiável (o método WTF). Um cálculo de balanço de massa de águas subterrâneas sobre o domínio utilizando essa distribuição rendeu resultados similares para uma quantificação independente baseada em um modelo de mistura de isótopos estáveis. Essa concordância reforça a relevância de tais estimativas, que podem ser usadas para construir um modelo hidrogeológico transiente mais preciso.
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Acknowledgements
This study is part of a PhD funded by the SYMCRAU and the PACA region. It has been supported by CNRS-INSU, through the SICMED-CRAU research project. We thank the CNRS-INSU national facility RESIF-GMOB for providing the Scintrex CG5 gravimeters. We thank M. Peeters and the three other reviewers for their constructive comments which helped in improving the manuscript.
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Seraphin, P., Gonçalvès, J., Vallet-Coulomb, C. et al. Multi-approach assessment of the spatial distribution of the specific yield: application to the Crau plain aquifer, France. Hydrogeol J 26, 1221–1238 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1753-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1753-y