Geological and tectonic preconditions for hydraulic heterogeneity of the rocks in the area of the Gotse Delchev valley

Hydrogeological conditions largely depend on the permeability of the geological environment. In areas with complex geological and tectonic conditions, the detection of hydraulic heterogeneity of the rocks and determination of groundwater-rich zones is a challenge for hydrogeological practice. The aim of the study is to analyze the geological and tectonic prerequisites for hydraulic heterogeneity of the sediments for the Gotse Delchev valley (Southwestern Bulgaria), which predetermine the degree of their water productivity. In order to obtain more precise data for specific sites, a geophysical survey was conducted. The Self-Potential method was chosen, which is one of the most commonly used techniques for applications for hydrogeological purposes. The results of the geophysical survey carried out in selected sites allowed to locate groundwater-rich zones, to establish the depth of occurrence of hard low permeable rocks, as well as to confirm the presence of faults.

THE SIZE OF THE SANITARY PROTECTION ZONE OF THE WATER INTAKE WELL IN THE LAYERED HETEROGENEOUS AQUIFER

Sanitary protection zones (SPZ) of water intakes allocate on the time of movement from the outer boundary of the zone to the water intakes. For example, for zone II it is the time of microbial contamination transport, accepted for target aquifers insufficiently protected from the surface, which is equal to 400 days. For zone III, this is the time of chemical pollution transport equal to the estimated lifetime of the water intake. To calculate the spatial position of the boundaries of these zones, analytical and numerical methods are used based on the integration of equations for the velocities of neutral particles in the groundwater flow, the flow field of which formed by the superposition of the natural flow velocities and the disturbances imposed on it by groundwater abstraction. When these methods are used, the only configuration of the sanitary protection zone that corresponds to some homogeneous or heterogeneous spatial field of hydraulic parameters obtained from field materials and (or) from the solution of the inverse problem is obtained as a result of calculations. At the same time, possible variations of SPZ boundaries are not considered due to local hydraulic heterogeneity, which is not taken into account in the water intake model. The article analyzes the influence of vertical hydraulic heterogeneity on the formation of sanitary protection zones in the layered heterogeneous aquifer. Random stationary fields of normally distributed logarithms of hydraulic conductivity were used as a basis for the model of hydraulic heterogeneity. As a result, the sizes of the first and second zones of sanitary protection were estimated and the comparative analysis of the received values with the sizes of SPZ was carried out, which were determined without taking into account model hydraulic heterogeneity. The analysis showed that the consideration of model hydraulic heterogeneity leads to a significant increase in the sanitary protection zones.

Characterization of Hydraulic Heterogeneity of Alluvial Aquifer Using Natural Stimuli: A Field Experience of Northern Italy

This study investigates the hydraulic heterogeneity of the alluvial aquifer underneath the dam and the stilling basin of a flood protection structure in Northern Italy. The knowledge of the interactions between the water in the reservoir upstream of the dam and the groundwater levels is relevant for the stability of the structure. A Bayesian Geostatistical Approach (BGA) combined with a groundwater flow model developed in MODFLOW 2005 has been used to estimate the hydraulic conductivity (HK) field in a context of a highly parameterized inversion. The transient hydraulic heads collected in 14 monitoring points represent the calibration dataset; these observations are the results of the hydraulic stresses induced by the variations of the lake stage upstream of the dam (natural stimuli). The geostatistical inversion was performed by means of a computer code, bgaPEST, developed according to the free PEST software concept. The results of the inversion show a moderate degree of heterogeneity of the estimated HK field, consistent with the alluvial nature of the aquifer and the other information available. The calibrated groundwater model is useful for simulating the interactions between the reservoir and the studied aquifer under different flood scenarios and for forecasting the hydraulic head levels due to strong flood events. The use of natural stimuli is useful for obtaining information for aquifer heterogeneity characterization.

Hydrodynamics in Evaporate-Bearing Fine-Grained Successions Investigated through an Interdisciplinary Approach: A Test Study in Southern Italy—Hydrogeological Behaviour of Heterogeneous Low-Permeability Media

Messinian evaporates are widely distributed in the Mediterranean Sea as outcropping sediments in small marginal basins and in marine cores. Progressive filling of subbasins led to the formation of complex aquifer systems in different regions where hypersaline and fresh water coexist and interact in different manner. It also generates a significant diversification of groundwater hydrochemical signature and different microbial communities. In the case study, the hydrogeology and hydrochemistry of the whole system are influenced by good hydraulic connection between the shallower pyroclastic horizon and the underlying evaporate-bearing fine-grained Messinian succession. This is demonstrated by the merge of hydrogeological, chemical, isotopic, and microbiological data. No mixing with deep ascending waters has been observed. As shown by geophysical, hydraulic, and microbiological investigations, the hydraulic heterogeneity of the Messinian bedrock, mainly due to karstified evaporitic interstrata/lenses, causes the hydraulic head to significantly vary with depth. Somewhere, the head increases with the depth’s increase and artesian flow conditions are locally observed. Moreover, the metagenomic investigations demonstrated the existence of a poor hydraulic connection within the evaporate-bearing fine-grained succession at metric and decametric scales, therefore leading to a patchwork of geochemical (and microbiological) subenvironments.