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Field study of dispersion in a heterogeneous aquifer: 2. Spatial moments analysis

Field study of dispersion in a heterogeneous aquifer: 2. Spatial moments analysis Analysis is performed of a 20‐month natural gradient tracer study in the saturated zone of a highly heterogeneous aquifer. Graphical presentation of concentration distributions versus time and spatial moments analysis reveal dramatically non‐Gaussian behavior and a systematic mass loss. Implications of the mass loss on plume moments is analyzed through sensitivity studies. The moments data are interpreted by applying two simple models: (1) pure advection from a continuous source, and (2) advection plus dispersion in a converging nonuniform flow field. A longitudinal dispersivity of 5–10 m is estimated from the latter model and is somewhat larger than the value of about 1.5 m calculated by Rehfeldt et al. (this issue) using the stochastic theory of Gelhar and Axness (1983) based on independent measurements of the spatial variation of hydraulic conductivity. The dispersivity of 5–10 m is an order of magnitude larger than values measured at recently studied field sites (Borden and Cape Cod) with less heterogeneity, but an order of magnitude lower than would be computed from the moments data if the flow is presumed to be uniform. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Water Resources Research Wiley

Field study of dispersion in a heterogeneous aquifer: 2. Spatial moments analysis

Adams, E. Eric; Gelhar, Lynn W.
Water Resources Research , Volume 28 (12) – Dec 1, 1992
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References (17)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 1992 by the American Geophysical Union.
ISSN
0043-1397
eISSN
1944-7973
DOI
10.1029/92WR01757
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Analysis is performed of a 20‐month natural gradient tracer study in the saturated zone of a highly heterogeneous aquifer. Graphical presentation of concentration distributions versus time and spatial moments analysis reveal dramatically non‐Gaussian behavior and a systematic mass loss. Implications of the mass loss on plume moments is analyzed through sensitivity studies. The moments data are interpreted by applying two simple models: (1) pure advection from a continuous source, and (2) advection plus dispersion in a converging nonuniform flow field. A longitudinal dispersivity of 5–10 m is estimated from the latter model and is somewhat larger than the value of about 1.5 m calculated by Rehfeldt et al. (this issue) using the stochastic theory of Gelhar and Axness (1983) based on independent measurements of the spatial variation of hydraulic conductivity. The dispersivity of 5–10 m is an order of magnitude larger than values measured at recently studied field sites (Borden and Cape Cod) with less heterogeneity, but an order of magnitude lower than would be computed from the moments data if the flow is presumed to be uniform.

Journal

Water Resources Research – Wiley

Published: Dec 1, 1992

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