Aquifer Characterization Using Fiber Bragg Grating Multi-Level Monitoring System

Area of Science:

• Hydrogeology
• Geophysical methods

Background:

• Aquifer heterogeneity delineation is crucial for groundwater management.
• Traditional hydraulic tomography (HT) surveys are often expensive and time-consuming due to the need for numerous monitoring wells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and validate a novel multi-level monitoring system (MLMS) for hydraulic tomography (HT) surveys.
• To assess the efficiency and accuracy of a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) based MLMS for collecting depth-discrete groundwater data.

Main Methods:

• Development of a multi-level monitoring system (MLMS) utilizing fiber Bragg grating (FBG) technology.
• Deployment of the FBG MLMS in a fully penetrated 2-inch well for depth-discrete groundwater observation.
• Conducting three field campaigns to validate the FBG MLMS performance in HT surveys.

Main Results:

• The FBG MLMS demonstrated reliable accuracy and stability for groundwater monitoring.
• The system significantly increased the number of cross-hole tests and head observations compared to traditional methods.
• Improved efficiency in achieving ergodic flow field conditions and enhanced accuracy in estimating hydraulic heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

• The FBG MLMS is a reliable and beneficial tool for conducting hydraulic tomography (HT) surveys.
• This innovative system provides an efficient and economical alternative for aquifer characterization.