Advances in conceptualising transport in chalk aquifers

2021 ◽  
pp. SP517-2020-173
Author(s):  
Aidan E. Foley ◽  
Stephen R. H. Worthington
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transport ◽  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Mapping Method ◽  
Effective Porosity ◽  
Velocity Mapping ◽  
Spatial Scaling ◽  
Groundwater Velocity ◽  
Transport Modelling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supplementary Material

AbstractThe conceptualisations of matrix, fracture and fissure porosity are important for understanding relative controls on storage and flow of groundwater, and the transport of solutes (and non-aqueous phase liquids) within chalk aquifers. However, these different types of porosity, rather than being entirely distinct, represent elements in a continuum of void sizes contributing to the total porosity of the aquifer. Here we define such a continuum and critically examine the selection of appropriate values of effective porosity, a widely-used parameter for mass transport modelling in aquifers. Effective porosity is a transient phenomenon, related to the porosity continuum by the timescales under which mass transport occurs. An analysis of 55 tracer tests and 20 well inflow tests in English chalk aquifers identifies spatial scaling in groundwater velocity and groundwater flow respectively, which are interpreted within the context of the wider literature on carbonate aquifers globally. We advance transport modelling in the Chalk by developing a fissure aperture velocity mapping method using transmissivity data from existing regional groundwater models, together with the identified transient and spatial scaling phenomena. The results show that chalk aquifers exhibit widespread rapid groundwater flow which may transport contaminants rapidly in almost any setting.Supplementary material at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5403807

scholarly journals Evolution of a sand-rich submarine channel-lobe system and impact of mass-transport and transitional flow deposits on reservoir heterogeneity: Magnus Field, northern North Sea

2021 ◽  
pp. petgeo2020-095
Author(s):  
Michael J. Steventon ◽  
Christopher A-L. Jackson ◽  
Howard D. Johnson ◽  
David M. Hodgson ◽  
Sean Kelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transport ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Fluid Pressure ◽  
Transitional Flow ◽  
Rock Properties ◽  
Sweep Efficiency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supplementary Material ◽  
Northern North Sea ◽  
The Impact

The geometry, distribution, and rock properties (i.e. porosity and permeability) of turbidite reservoirs, and the processes associated with turbidity current deposition, are relatively well known. However, less attention has been given to the equivalent properties resulting from laminar sediment gravity-flow deposition, with most research limited to cogenetic turbidite-debrites (i.e. transitional flow deposits) or subsurface studies that focus predominantly on seismic-scale mass-transport deposits (MTDs). Thus, we have a limited understanding of the ability of sub-seismic MTDs to act as hydraulic seals and their effect on hydrocarbon production, and/or carbon storage. We investigate the gap between seismically resolvable and sub-seismic MTDs, and transitional flow deposits on long-term reservoir performance in this analysis of a small (<10 km radius submarine fan system), Late Jurassic, sandstone-rich stacked turbidite reservoir (Magnus Field, northern North Sea). We use core, petrophysical logs, pore fluid pressure, quantitative evaluation of minerals by scanning electron microscopy (QEMSCAN), and 3D seismic-reflection datasets to quantify the type and distribution of sedimentary facies and rock properties. Our analysis is supported by a relatively long (c. 37 years) and well-documented production history. We recognise a range of sediment gravity deposits: (i) thick-/thin- bedded, structureless and structured turbidite sandstone, constituting the primary productive reservoir facies (c. porosity = 22%, permeability = 500 mD), (ii) a range of transitional flow deposits, and (iii) heterogeneous mud-rich sandstones interpreted as debrites (c. porosity = <10%, volume of clay = 35%, up to 18 m thick). Results from this study show that over the production timescale of the Magnus Field, debrites act as barriers, compartmentalising the reservoir into two parts (upper and lower reservoir), and transitional flow deposits act as baffles, impacting sweep efficiency during production. Prediction of the rock properties of laminar and transitional flow deposits, and their effect on reservoir distribution, has important implications for: (i) exploration play concepts, particularly in predicting the seal potential of MTDs, (ii) pore pressure prediction within turbidite reservoirs, and (iii) the impact of transitional flow deposits on reservoir quality and sweep efficiency.Supplementary material:https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5313860

scholarly journals Groundwater modeling of Musi basin Hyderabad, India: a case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Sundararajan ◽  
S. Sankaran
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transport ◽  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Groundwater Modeling ◽  
Flow Model ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Transport Models ◽  
Groundwater Velocity ◽  
Water Quality Data ◽  
Pollutant Load

AbstractIn general, groundwater flow and transport models are being applied to investigate a wide variety of hydrogeological conditions besides to calculate the rate and direction of movement of groundwater through aquifers and confining units in the subsurface. Transport models estimate the concentration of a chemical in groundwater which requires the development of a calibrated groundwater flow model or, at a minimum, an accurate determination of the velocity and direction of groundwater flow that is based on field data. All the available hydrogeological, geophysical and water quality data in Musi basin, Hyderabad, India, were fed as input to the model to obtain the groundwater flow velocities and the interaction of surface water and groundwater and thereby seepage loss was estimated. This in turn paved the way to calculate the capacity of the storage treatment plants (STP) to be established at the inlets of six major lakes of the basin. The total dissolved solid was given as the pollutant load in the mass transport model, and through model simulation, its migration at present and futuristic scenarios was brought out by groundwater flow and mass transport modeling. The average groundwater velocity estimated through the flow model was 0.26 m/day. The capacities of STP of various lakes in the study area were estimated based on the lake seepage and evaporation loss. Based on the groundwater velocity and TDS as pollutant load in the lakes, the likely contamination from lakes at present and for the next 20 years was predicted.

Mass Transport Modelling in Porous Media Using Delay Differential Equations

2006 ◽  
Vol 258-260 ◽  
pp. 586-591
Author(s):  
António Martins ◽  
Paulo Laranjeira ◽  
Madalena Dias ◽  
José Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Differential Equations ◽  
Mass Transport ◽  
Delay Differential Equations ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Convective Transport ◽  
Transport Modelling ◽  
Flow Field Characteristics ◽  
Delay Differential

In this work the application of delay differential equations to the modelling of mass transport in porous media, where the convective transport of mass, is presented and discussed. The differences and advantages when compared with the Dispersion Model are highlighted. Using simplified models of the local structure of a porous media, in particular a network model made up by combining two different types of network elements, channels and chambers, the mass transport under transient conditions is described and related to the local geometrical characteristics. The delay differential equations system that describe the flow, arise from the combination of the mass balance equations for both the network elements, and after taking into account their flow characteristics. The solution is obtained using a time marching method, and the results show that the model is capable of describing the qualitative behaviour observed experimentally, allowing the analysis of the influence of the local geometrical and flow field characteristics on the mass transport.

scholarly journals Measurement on Diffusion Coefficients and Isotope Fractionation Factors by a Through-Diffusion Experiment

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 208
Author(s):  
Takuma Hasegawa ◽  
Kotaro Nakata ◽  
Rhys Gwynne
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Diffusion Coefficients ◽  
Isotope Fractionation ◽  
Free Water ◽  
Effective Porosity ◽  
Diffusion Experiment ◽  
Fractionation Factor ◽  
Through Diffusion ◽  
Geological Formations ◽  
Fractionation Factors

For radioactive waste disposal, it is important that local groundwater flow is slow as groundwater flow is the main transport medium for radioactive nuclides in geological formations. When the groundwater flow is very slow, diffusion is the dominant transport mechanism (diffusion-dominant domain). Key pieces of evidence indicating a diffusion-dominant domain are the separation of components and the fractionation of isotopes by diffusion. To prove this, it is necessary to investigate the different diffusion coefficients for each component and the related stable isotope fractionation factors. Thus, in this study, through-diffusion and effective-porosity experiments were conducted on selected artificial materials and natural rocks. We also undertook measurements relating to the isotope fractionation factors of Cl and Br isotopes for natural samples. For natural rock samples, the diffusion coefficients of water isotopes (HDO and H218O) were three to four times higher than those of monovalent anions (Cl−, Br- and NO3−), and the isotope fractionation factor of 37Cl (1.0017–1.0021) was slightly higher than that of free water. It was experimentally confirmed that the isotope fractionation factor of 81Br was approximately 1.0007–1.0010, which is equivalent to that of free water. The enrichment factor of 81Br was almost half that of 37Cl. The effective porosity ratios of HDO and Cl were slightly different, but the difference was not significant compared to the ratio of their diffusion coefficients. As a result, component separation was dominated by diffusion. For artificial samples, the diffusion coefficients and effective porosities of HDO and Cl were almost the same; it was thus difficult to assess the component separation by diffusion. However, isotope fractionation of Cl and Br was confirmed using a through-diffusion experiment. The results show that HDO and Cl separation and isotope fractionation of Cl and Br can be expected in diffusion-dominant domains in geological formations.

A coupled FE model for the joint resolution of the shallow water and the groundwater flow equations

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1553-1569 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.G. Rábade ◽  
P. Vellando ◽  
F. Padilla ◽  
R. Juncosa
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Shallow Water ◽  
Free Surface Flow ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Surface Flow ◽  
Fe Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Flow Equations ◽  
Natural Watersheds ◽  
Joint Resolution

Purpose – A new coupled finite element model has been developed for the joint resolution of both the shallow water equations, that governs the free surface flow, and the groundwater flow equation that governs the motion of water through a porous media. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The model is based upon two different modules (surface and ground water) previously developed by the authors, that have been validated separately. Findings – The newly developed software allows for the assessment of the fluid flow in natural watersheds taking into account both the surface and the underground flow in the way it really takes place in nature. Originality/value – The main achievement of this work has dealt with the coupling of both models, allowing for a proper moving interface treatment that simulates the actual interaction that takes place between surface and groundwater in natural watersheds.

Volcano-sedimentary processes at Las Derrumbadas rhyolitic twin domes, Serdán-Oriental basin, Eastern Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

2021 ◽  
pp. SP520-2021-144
Author(s):  
Marie-Noëlle Guilbaud ◽  
Corentin Chédeville ◽  
Ángel Nahir Molina-Guadarrama ◽  
Julio Cesar Pineda-Serrano ◽  
Claus Siebe
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Belt ◽  
Debris Avalanche ◽  
Density Currents ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mexican Volcanic Belt ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Eruptive Episode ◽  
Basin Floor ◽  
Supplementary Material ◽  
Trans Mexican Volcanic Belt

AbstractThe eruption of the ∼10 km3 rhyolitic Las Derrumbadas twin domes about 2000 yrs ago has generated a wide range of volcano-sedimentary deposits in the Serdán-Oriental lacustrine basin, Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Some of these deposits have been quarried, creating excellent exposures. In this paper we describe the domes and related products and interpret their mode of formation, reconstructing the main phases of the eruption as well as syn-and-post eruptive erosional processes. After an initial phreatomagmatic phase that built a tuff ring, the domes grew as an upheaved plug lifting a thick sedimentary pile from the basin floor. During uplift, the domes collapsed repeatedly to form a first-generation of hetero-lithologic hummocky debris avalanche deposits. Subsequent dome growth produced a thick talus and pyroclastic density currents. Later, the hydrothermally-altered over-steepened dome peaks fell to generate 2nd generation, mono-lithologic avalanches. Subsequently, small domes grew in the collapse scars. From the end of the main eruptive episode onwards, heavy rains remobilized parts of the dome carapaces and talus, depositing lahar aprons. Las Derrumbadas domes are still an important source of sediments in the basin, and ongoing mass-wasting processes are associated with hazards that should be assessed, given their potential impact on nearby populations.Supplementary material at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5752296

Jurassic–Cretaceous arc magmatism along the Shyok–Bangong Suture from NW Himalaya: Formation of the peri-Gondwana basement to the Ladakh Arc

2021 ◽  
pp. jgs2021-035
Author(s):  
Wanchese M. Saktura ◽  
Solomon Buckman ◽  
Allen P. Nutman ◽  
Renjie Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
Nw Himalaya ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Magmatic Arc ◽  
Basement Rocks ◽  
Ladakh Himalaya ◽  
Accreted Terranes ◽  
Volcaniclastic Rocks ◽  
Supplementary Material ◽  
Depositional Age

The Jurassic–Cretaceous Tsoltak Formation from the eastern borderlands of Ladakh Himalaya consists of conglomerates, sandstones and shales, and is intruded by norite sills. It is the oldest sequence of continent-derived sedimentary rocks within the Shyok Suture. It also represents a rare outcrop of the basement rocks to the voluminous Late Cretaceous–Eocene Ladakh Batholith. The Shyok Formation is a younger sequence of volcaniclastic rocks that overlie the Tsoltak Formation and record the Late Cretaceous closure of the Mesotethys Ocean. The petrogenesis of these formations, ophiolite-related harzburgites and norite sill is investigated through petrography, whole-rock geochemistry and U–Pb zircon geochronology. The youngest detrital zircon grains from the Tsoltak Formation indicate Early Cretaceous maximum depositional age and distinctly Gondwanan, Lhasa microcontinent-related provenance with no Eurasian input. The Shyok Formation has Late Cretaceous maximum depositional age and displays a distinct change in provenance to igneous detritus characteristic of the Jurassic–Cretaceous magmatic arc along the southern margin of Eurasia. This is interpreted as a sign of collision of the Lhasa microcontinent and the Shyok ophiolite with Eurasia along the once continuous Shyok–Bangong Suture. The accreted terranes became the new southernmost margin of Eurasia and the basement to the Trans-Himalayan Batholith associated with the India-Eurasia convergence.Supplementary material:https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5633162

Geochemical evaluation of the in-situ regolith of Madengi hills of Dodoma, Tanzania. Implication on bedrock mapping and delineating gold mineralization target

2021 ◽  
pp. geochem2021-074
Author(s):  
Godson Godfray
Keyword(s):  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Soil Geochemistry ◽  
Residual Soils ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Geochemical Evaluation ◽  
Supplementary Material ◽  
Pathfinder Elements

Successful gold exploration projects depend on a piece of clear information on the association between gold, trace elements, and mineralization controlling factors. The use of soil geochemistry has been an important tool in pinpointing exploration targets during the early stage of exploration. This study aimed to establish the gold distribution, the elemental association between gold and its pathfinder elements such as Cu, Zn, Ag, Ni, Co, Mn, Fe, Cd, V, Cr, Ti, Sc, In, and Se and identify lithologies contributing to the overlying residual soils. From cluster analysis, a high similarity level of 53.93% has been shown with Ag, Cd, and Se at a distance level of 0.92. Au and Se have a similarity level of 65.87% and a distance level of 0.68, hence is proposed to be the most promising pathfinder element. PCA, FA, and the Pearson's correlation matrix of transformed data of V, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cr, and Co and a stronger correlation between Pb and U, Th, Na, K, Sn, Y, Ta and Be shows that source gold mineralization might be associated with both hornblende gneisses interlayered with quartzite, tonalite, and tonalitic orthogneiss. From the contour map and gridded map of Au and its pathfinder elements, it has been noted that their anomalies and target generated are localized in the Northern part of the area. The targets trend ESE to WNW nearly parallel to the shear zones as a controlling factor of Au mineralization emplacement.Supplementary material:https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5721965

First evidence for tooth-tooth occlusion in a ctenochasmatid pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota

2021 ◽  
pp. SP521-2021-141
Author(s):  
Chang-Fu Zhou ◽  
Xinyue Wang ◽  
Jiahao Wang
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Tooth Wear ◽  
First Record ◽  
Jehol Biota ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction ◽  
Supplementary Material ◽  
Ct Data

AbstractCtenochasmatid pterosaurs flourished and diversified in the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota. Here, a partial mandible of Forfexopterus is described based on a three-dimensional reconstruction using high-resolution X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) data. The first nine pairs of functional teeth of the rostral dentition revealed along with their replacements. The functional teeth are evenly arranged with a tooth density of 2.2 teeth/cm. The tooth crown is distinctly reduced from its base to the tip, and framed by two weak ridges, possibly as a pair of vestigial carinae. The replacement teeth are sharp and pointed, and have erupted slightly against the medial surface of the functional teeth. Surprisingly, tooth wear is observed in this specimen, the first record of tooth-tooth occlusion in ctenochasmatids. The wear facets exhibit high-angled lingual and lower-angled labial facets, implying a tooth-tooth occlusion in pterosaur clade. This discovery indicates that the Jehol ctenochasmatids possibly employed a more active feeding strategy than other filter-feeding pterosaurs (e.g. Ctenochasma, Pterodaustro, Gnathosaurus).Supplementary material at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5722060

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