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On-line groundwater velocity probe: laboratory testing and field evaluation
Bradley M Patterson1, Michael D Annable, Elise B Bekele
1CSIRO Land and Water, Wembley, WA 6913, Australia. bradley.patterson@csiro.au
Journal of Contaminant Hydrology
|August 19, 2010
Summary
A new automated instrument measures groundwater velocity in wells using a carbon dioxide tracer. This method accurately determines groundwater flow rates, offering reliable data for aquifer studies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Hydrogeology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Accurate measurement of groundwater velocity is crucial for understanding aquifer dynamics and contaminant transport.
- Existing methods for in-situ groundwater velocity measurement can be time-consuming or lack precision.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an automated, on-line instrument for rapid measurement of groundwater velocity within screened wells.
- To assess the instrument's accuracy and reliability across a range of groundwater flow rates.
Main Methods:
- An automated instrument utilizing a carbon dioxide gas tracer delivered to a permeable chamber within a screened well.
- Monitoring the reduction in tracer concentration over time to determine groundwater velocity based on mass transfer limitations.
- Laboratory calibration in a flow chamber and field testing in a sandy aquifer.
Main Results:
- The instrument demonstrated rapid diffusion of the tracer, with groundwater velocity controlling gas entrainment.
- Laboratory tests confirmed accurate and reliable determination of groundwater flow velocities (25-300 m y(-1)) at 3-hour intervals.
- Field testing showed consistent results compared to passive flux meters and site modeling.
Conclusions:
- The developed automated instrument provides a reliable and efficient method for measuring groundwater velocity.
- This technology offers a valuable tool for real-time monitoring of groundwater flow in various hydrogeological settings.
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