ORBi: Huysmans Marijke - Application of multiple-point geostatistics on modelling groundwater flow and transport in a cross-bedded aquifer

Reference : Application of multiple-point geostatistics on modelling groundwater flow and transport ...


	Document type :	Scientific journals : Article
	Discipline(s) :	Engineering, computing & technology : Geological, petroleum & mining engineering
	To cite this reference:	http://hdl.handle.net/2268/28470

Title :	Application of multiple-point geostatistics on modelling groundwater flow and transport in a cross-bedded aquifer
Language :	English
Author, co-author :	Huysmans, Marijke [Katholieke Universiteit Leuven - KUL > Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences > Applied Geology and Mineralogy > >]
	Dassargues, Alain [Université de Liège - ULg > Département Argenco : Secteur GEO3 > Hydrogéologie & Géologie de l'environnement >]
Publication date :	2009
Journal title :	Hydrogeology Journal
Publisher :	Springer
Volume :	17
Issue/season :	8
Pages :	1901-1911
Audience :	International
ISSN :	1431-2174
City :	New York
Country :	NY
Keywords :	[en] Groundwater flow ; Multiple-point geostatistics ; Heterogeneity ; Solute transport
Abstract :	[en] Sedimentological processes often result in complex three-dimensional subsurface heterogeneity of hydrogeological parameter values. Variogram-based stochastic approaches are often not able to describe heterogeneity in such complex geological environments. This work shows how multiple-point geostatistics can be applied in a realistic hydrogeological application to determine the impact of complex geological heterogeneity on groundwater flow and transport. The approach is applied to a real aquifer in Belgium that exhibits a complex sedimentary heterogeneity and anisotropy. A training image is constructed based on geological and hydrogeological field data. Multiple-point statistics are borrowed from thistraining image to simulate hydrofacies occurrence, while intrafacies permeability variability is simulated using conventional variogram-based geostatistical methods. The simulated hydraulic conductivity realizations are used as input to a groundwater flow and transport model to investigate the effect of small-scale sedimentary heterogeneity on contaminant plume migration. Results show that small-scale sedimentary heterogeneity has a significant effect on contaminant transport in the studied aquifer. The uncertainty on the spatial facies distribution and intrafacies hydraulic conductivity distribution results in a significant uncertainty on the calculated concentration distribution. Comparison with standard variogram-based techniques shows that multiple-point geostatistics allow better reproduction of irregularly shaped low-permeability clay drapes that influence solute transport.
Research units :	Aquapôle - AQUAPOLE
Funders :	Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek - FWO
Target :	Researchers ; Professionals
Permalink :	http://hdl.handle.net/2268/28470
DOI :	10.1007/s10040-009-0495-2
Other URL :	http://www.springerlink.com/content/324114506t32573m/fulltext.html
Mentions required by the publisher for OA :	We acknowledge Springer. The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com

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