Using Heat Pulses for Quantifying 3d Seepage Velocity in Groundwater-Surface Water Interactions, Considering Source Size, Regime, and Dispersion
Abstract
The study is motivated by rapid proliferation of field methods for measurements of seepage velocity using heat tracing and is directed to broadening their potential for studies of groundwater-surface water interactions, and hyporheic zone in particular. In vast majority, existing methods assume vertical or horizontal, uniform, 1D seepage velocity. Often, 1D transport assumed as well, and analytical models of heat transport by Suzuki-Stallman are heavily used to infer seepage velocity. However, both of these assumptions (1D flow and 1D transport) are violated due to the flow geometry, media heterogeneity, and localized heat sources. Attempts to apply more realistic conceptual models still lack full 3D view, and known 2D examples are treated numerically, or by making additional simplifying assumptions about velocity orientation. Heat pulse instruments and sensors already offer an opportunity to collect data sufficient for 3D seepage velocity identification at appropriate scale, but interpretation tools for groundwater-surface water interactions in 3D have not been developed yet. We propose an approach that can substantially improve capabilities of already existing field instruments without additional measurements. Proposed closed-form analytical solutions are simple and well suited for using in inverse modeling. Field applications and ramifications for applications, including data analysis are discussed. The approach simplifies data collection, determines 3D seepage velocity, and facilitates interpretation of relations between heat transport parameters, fluid flow, and media properties. Results are obtained using tensor properties of transport parameters, Green's functions, and rotational coordinate transformations using the Euler angles
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017AGUFM.H21A1421Z
- Keywords:
-
- 1805 Computational hydrology;
- HYDROLOGY;
- 1829 Groundwater hydrology;
- HYDROLOGY;
- 1832 Groundwater transport;
- HYDROLOGY;
- 1835 Hydrogeophysics;
- HYDROLOGY