Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Unravelling preferential flow paths and estimating groundwater potential in a fractured metamorphic aquifer in Taiwan by using borehole logs and hybrid DFN/EPM model

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

Abstract

This paper presents a practical-oriented approach for the characterization of preferential flow paths and modeling of three-dimensional fracture network in a fractured metamorphic aquifer that can be used to effectively evaluate groundwater potential in support of groundwater resources planning and management. This approach was demonstrated by using a couple of on-site hydrogeological tests and a hybrid numerical model at the Shuangliu well field situated in the Shungliou Forest Recreation Park, Southern Taiwan. The well field experiments have demonstrated that the combined downhole logging technique can successfully identify interconnection of permeable fractures, and have proved that the preferential flow paths is strongly associated with the major fracture orientation. Cross-borehole flowmeter tests have been confirmed as a useful technique to investigate preferential flow paths between boreholes. The modeling software FracMan was applied to develop a 3-D hybrid Discrete Fracture Network/Equivalent Porous Media (DFN/EPM) model with the aid of the above field tests, outcrop data and the identified scaling properties from fracture statistical analysis. Based on few outcrop data, the proposed 3-D hybrid model can appropriately predict the fracture geometry and locations of preferential flow paths for understanding the entire network structure and flow characteristics. However, collecting outcrop data as many as possible would firmly improve the prediction results of preferential flow paths in every study region. Finally, the validated model can be used to determine groundwater storage in a water planning area. Therefore, this study provides insight into effective fractured rock aquifer characterization and modeling to deal with the heterogeneity of fractured rock and improve the accuracy of groundwater storage computation.

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
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

(modified from Dershowitz et al. 1991)

Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Annable MD, Jawitz JW, Rao PSC, Dai DP, Kim H, Wood AL (1998) Field Evaluation of interfacial and partitioning tracers for characterization of effective NAPL-water contact. Areas Ground Water 36:495–502

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Annable MD, Hatfield K, Cho J, Klammler H, Parker BL, Cherry JA, Rao PSC (2005) Field-scale evaluation of the passive flux meter for simultaneous measurement of groundwater and contaminant fluxes. Environ Sci Technol 39:7194–7201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bakun-Mazor D, Hatzor YH, Dershowitz WS (2009) Modeling mechanical layering effects on stability of underground openings in jointed sedimentary rocks International. J Rock Mech Min Sci 46:262–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2008.04.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barker JA (1988) A generalized radial-flow model for pumping tests in fractured rock. Water Resour Res 24(10):1796–1804

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Becker MW, Shapiro AM (2000) Tracer transport in fractured crystalline rock: Evidence of nondiffusive breakthrough tailing. Water Resource Res 36:1677–1686

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benjamin JR, Cornell CA (1970) Probability, statistics and decision for civil engineers. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg SJ, Illman WA (2013) Field study of subsurface heterogeneity with steady-state hydraulic tomography. Ground Water 51:29–40. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2012.00914.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berkowitz B (2002) Characterizing flow and transport in fractured geological media. Adv Water Resour 25:861–884

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cacas MC, Ledoux E, Marsily GD, Tillie B (1990) Modeling of fracture flow with a stochastic discrete fracture network_calibration and validation. Water Resour Res 26:479–489

    Google Scholar 

  • Central Geological Survey of Central Taiwan (2013) Ground-water resources investigation program for mountainous region of Taiwan(4/4). Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taipei

    Google Scholar 

  • Central Geological Survey of Central Taiwan (2014) Ground-water resources investigation program for mountainous region of Southern Taiwan(1/4). Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taipei

    Google Scholar 

  • Central Geological Survey of Taiwan (2010) Ground-water resources investigation program for mountainous region of Central Taiwan(1/4). Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taipei

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherry JA, Paker BL, Keller C (2007) A new depth-discrete multilevel monitoring approach for fractured rock. Ground Water Monit Remediat 27:57–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chou P-Y, Lo H-C, Hsu S-M, Lin Y-T, Huang C-C (2012) Prediction of hydraulically transmissive fractures using geological and geophysical attributes: a case history from the mid Jhuoshuei River basin, Taiwan. Hydrogeol J 20:1101–1116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-012-0861-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Day-Lewis FD, Hsieh PA, Gorelick SM (2000) Identifying fracture-zone geometry using simulated annealing and hydraulic-connection data. Water Resour Res 36:1707–1721. https://doi.org/10.1029/2000wr900073

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deo M, Sorkhabi R, McLennan J, Bhide R, Zhao N (2013) Gas production forecasting from tight gas reservoirs: integrating natural fracture networks and hydraulic fractures. University of Utah, Utah

    Google Scholar 

  • Dershowitz W (1992) Interpretation and synthesis of discrete fracture orientation, size, shape, spatial structure and hydrologic data by forward modeling. In: the conference on fractured and jointed rock masses, Lake Tahoe, California, 1992, 579–586

  • Dershowitz WS (2006) Hybrid discrete fracture network and equivalent continuum model for Shaft. Paper presented at the Golden Rocks 2006, The 41st US Symposium on Rock Mechanics (USRMS), Colorado, USA

  • Dershowitz W, Miller I (1995) Dual porosity fracture flow and transport. Geophys Res Lett 22:1441–1444

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dershowitz W, Wallmann, Kindred S (1991) Discrete fracture modelling for the Stripa site characterization and validation drift inflow predictions. SKB Technical Report 91–16

  • Dershowitz W, Eiben T, Wadleigh E, Cladouhos T (1998) Discrete feature network approaches for enhanced oil recovery. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 35:550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dershowitz WS, Pointe PRL, Doe TW (2004) Dershowitz_Advances in Discrete Fracture Network Modeling. Golder Associates Inc. https://www.cluin.org/products/siteprof/2004fracrockconf/cdr_pdfs/indexed/group1/882.pdf. Accessed 7 Sept 2017

  • Doe T, McLaren R, Dershowitz W (2014) Discrete fracture network simulations of enhanced geothermal systems. In: Thirty-Ninth Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering. Stanford University, Stanford, pp 1–11

  • Duffield GM (2004) AQTESOLVE version 4 user’s guide. Developer of AQTESOLV HydroSOLVE, Inc., Reston

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellefsen KJ, Hsieh PA, Shapiro AM (2002) Crosswell seismic investigation of hydraulically conductive, fractured bedrock near Mirror Lake. New Hampshire 50:299–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Feeney T, Kelley MJ (2001) Development of steady-state FRAC3DVS three-dimensional saturated flow model for the Y12 bioremediation site. US Department of Energy, Oak Ridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Feller W (1971) An Introduction to probability theory and its applications vol 2, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Forestry B (2002) Hot spring investigation program in the Shungliou forest recreation area. Pingtung Forest District Office, Pingtung

    Google Scholar 

  • Gellasch CA, Bradbury KR, Hart DJ, Bahr JM (2013) Characterization of fracture connectivity in a siliciclastic bedrock aquifer near a public supply well (Wisconsin, USA). Hydrogeol J 21:383–399. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-012-0914-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamm S-Y, Kim M, Cheong J-Y, Kim J-Y, Son M, Kim T-W (2007) Relationship between hydraulic conductivity and fracture properties estimated from packer tests and borehole data in a fractured granite. Eng Geol 92:73–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2007.03.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartley L, Worth D, Gylling B, Marsic N, N JH (2004) Regional hydrogeological simulations for Forsmark—numerical modelling using CONNECTFLOW: preliminary site description Forsmark area—version 1.2. SKB, Stockholm

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatfield K, Annable M, Chob J, Raod PSC, Klammler H (2004) A direct passive method for measuring water and contaminant fluxes in porous media. J Contam Hydrol 75:155–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2004.06.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu SM, Chung MC, Ku CY, Tan CH, Weng W (2007) An application of acoustic televiewer and double packer system to the study of the hydraulic properties of fractured rocks. In: paper presented at the 60th Canadian geotechnical conference and 8th joint CGS/IAH-CNC groundwater conference, Ottawa, Canada

  • Hsu S-M, Lin J-J, Chen N-C, Lin Y-T, Huang C-C (2012) Identification of groundwater potential site in Taiwan Mountainous Region. In: American Geophysical Union 45th annual Fall Meeting, San Francisco, California

  • Illman WA (2014) Hydraulic tomography offers improved imaging of heterogeneity in fractured rocks. Ground Water 52:659–684. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwat.12119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ji S-H, Park KW, Lim D-H, Kim C, Kim KS, Dershowitz W (2012) A hybrid modeling approach to evaluate the groundwater flow system at the low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal site in Gyeong-Ju. Korea Hydrogeol J 20:1341–1353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-012-0875-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klepikova MV, Le Borgne T, Bour O, Davy P (2011) A methodology for using borehole temperature-depth profiles under ambient, single and cross-borehole pumping conditions to estimate fracture hydraulic properties. J Hydrol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2011.07.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ku CY, Hsu SM, Chung MC, Chi SY, Fei LY (2009) An empirical model for Estimating hydraulic conductivity of highly disturbed fractured rocks in. Taiwan Eng Geol 109:213–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Borgne T, Bour O, de Dreuzy JR, Davy P, Touchard F (2004) Equivalent mean flow models for fractured aquifers: insights from a pumping tests scaling interpretation Water Resour Res 40 https://doi.org/10.1029/2003wr002436

  • Le Borgne T, Bour O, Paillet FL, Caudal JP (2006a) Assessment of preferential flow path connectivity and hydraulic properties at single-borehole and cross-borehole scales in a fractured aquifer. J Hydrol 328:347–359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2005.12.029

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Borgne T, Paillet F, Bour O, Caudal JP (2006b) Cross-borehole flowmeter tests for transient heads in heterogeneous aquifers. Ground Water 44:444–452. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2005.00150.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee T-P, Chia Y, Chen J-S, Chen H, Liu C-W (2012) Effects of free convection and friction on heat-pulse flowmeter measurement J Hydrol 428–429

  • Lin J-J, Chou P-Y, Hsu S-M, Chi S-Y, Lin Y-T, Huang C-C (2013) Spatial distribution of potential water-bearing zone in the mountainous region of Taiwan. In: IAHS-IAPSO-IASPEI Joint 37th Scientific Assembly, Gothenburg (Sweden)

  • Lin LX, Lin HL, Xu YX (2014) Characterisation of fracture network and groundwater preferential flow path in the table mountain group (TMG) sandstones. S Afr Water SA 40:263–272. https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v40i2.8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lo H-C, Chen P-J, Chou P-Y, Hsu S-M (2014) The combined use of heat-pulse flowmeter logging and packer testing for transmissive fracture recognition. J Appl Geophys 105:248–258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2014.03.025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maliva RG (2016) aquifer characterization techniques schlumberger methods in water resources evaluation series no. 4. Springer, Berlin. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32137-0

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Miyakawa K, Tanaka K, Hirata Y, Kanauchi M (2000) Detection of hydraulic pathways in fractured rock masses and estimation of conductivity by a newly developed TV equipped flowmeter. Eng Geol 56:19–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muldoon MA, Simo JA, Bradbury KR (2001) Correlation of hydraulic conductivity with stratigraphy in a fractured-dolomite aquifer, northeastern Wisconsin, USA. Hydrogeol J 9:570–583. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-001-0165-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine (2015) Characterization, modeling, monitoring, and remediation of fractured rock. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council (1996) Rock fractures and fluid flow: contemporary understanding and applications. National Academy Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Neuman SP (2005) Trends, prospects and challenges in quantifying flow and transport through fractured rocks. Hydrogeol J 13:124–147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-004-0397-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osnes JD, Winberg A, Andersson JE (1988) Analysis of well test data—application of probabilistic models to infer hydraulic properties of fractures, Topical Report RSI-0338. RE/SPEC INC., Rapid City

    Google Scholar 

  • Paillet FL, Hess AE, Cheng CH, Hardin E (1987) Characterization of fracture permeability with high-resolution vertical flow measurements during borehole pumping. Ground Water 25:28–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paillet FL, Williams JH, Urik J, Lukes J, Kobr M, Mares S (2012) Cross-borehole flow analysis to characterize fracture connections in the Melechov Granite, Bohemian–Moravian Highland. Czech Repub Hydrogeol J 20:143–154. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-011-0787-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pan J-B, Lee C-C, Lee C-H, Yeh H-F, Lin H-I (2010) Application of fracture network model with crack permeability tensor on flow and transport in fractured rock. Eng Geol 116:166–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2010.08.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pehme PE, Parker BL, Cherry JA, Greenhouse JP (2010) Improved resolution of ambient flow through fractured rock with temperature logs. Ground Water 48:191–205. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2009.00639.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Price RM, Top Z, Happell JD, Swart PK (2003) Use of tritium and helium to define groundwater flow conditions in Everglades National Park Water Resour Res. https://doi.org/10.1029/2002wr001929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Read T et al (2013) Characterizing groundwater flow and heat transport in fractured rock using fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing. Geophys Res Lett 40:2055–2059. https://doi.org/10.1002/grl.50397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serzu MH, Kozak ET, Lodha GS, Everitt RA, Woodcock DR (2004) Use of borehole radar techniques to characterize fractured granitic bedrock at AECL’s Underground Research Laboratory. J Appl Geophys 55:137–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2003.06.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singhal BBS, Gupta RP (2010) Applied hydrogeology of fractured rocks. 2nd edn. Springer, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Steelman CM, Arnaud E, Pehme P, Parker BL (2017) Geophysical, geological, and hydrogeological characterization of a tributary buried bedrock valley in southern Ontario Canadian J Earth Sci. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjes-2016-0120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szabo Z, Rice DE, Plummer LN, Busenberg E, Drenkard S, Schlosser P (1996) Age dating of shallow groundwater with chlorofluorocarbons, tritium/helium: 3, and flow path analysis. South N J Coast Plain Water Resour Res 32:1023–1038. https://doi.org/10.1029/96wr00068

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tweed SO, Weaver TR, Cartwright I (2004) Distinguishing groundwater flow paths in different fractured-rock aquifers using groundwater chemistry: Dandenong Ranges. Southeast Aust Hydrogeol J 13:771–786. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-004-0348-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Viviroli D, Durr HH, Messerli B, Meybeck M, Weingartner R (2007) Mountains of the world, water towers for humanity: typology, mapping, and global significance. Water Resour Res 43:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1029/2006wr005653

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X (2005) Stereological interpretation of rock fracture traces on borehole walls and other cylindrical surfaces. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams JH, Johnson CD (2004) Acoustic and optical borehole-wall imaging for fractured-rock aquifer studies. J Appl Geophys 55:151–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2003.06.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams JH, Paillet FL (2002) Using flowmeter pulse tests to define hydraulic connections in the subsurface: a fractured shale example. J Hydrol 265:100–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would also like to acknowledge all the individuals who participated in the field data collections and investigation of the well field.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Harbor and River Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University, 20224, Keelung City, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Shih-Meng Hsu

  2. Geotechnical Engineering Research Center, Sinotech Engineering Consultants, Inc, 11494, Taipei City, Taiwan, Republic of China

    C. C. Ke

  3. Central Geological Survey, Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), 235, New Taipei City, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Y. T. Lin, C. C. Huang & Y. S. Wang

Authors
  1. Shih-Meng Hsu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. C. Ke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Y. T. Lin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. C. C. Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Y. S. Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shih-Meng Hsu.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hsu, SM., Ke, C.C., Lin, Y.T. et al. Unravelling preferential flow paths and estimating groundwater potential in a fractured metamorphic aquifer in Taiwan by using borehole logs and hybrid DFN/EPM model. Environ Earth Sci 78, 150 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8150-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8150-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation