A literature review on pumping test analysis (2000-2022)

Area of Science:

• Hydrogeology
• Groundwater Hydrology
• Water Resources Engineering

Background:

• Accurate hydrodynamic parameters (transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity, storage coefficient) are crucial for effective groundwater modeling and management.
• Pumping tests are the standard method for estimating these parameters, with analytical and numerical modeling being common approaches.
• Graphical analyses, while widely used, can be time-consuming and approximate, prompting interest in alternative methods like type-curve analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive literature review of graphical type-curve methods applied to pumping test analysis.
• To compare the characteristics and capabilities of these methods from 2000 to 2022.
• To provide guidance for researchers and identify future research directions in hydrodynamic parameter estimation.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search and review of journal articles on type-curve graphical methods in pumping test analysis.
• Categorization of reviewed papers into graphical, modeling, and hybrid approaches.
• Comparative analysis of the strengths and limitations of different methods.

Main Results:

• Identified and categorized various graphical type-curve methods used in pumping test analysis.
• Highlighted the evolution and application trends of these methods over two decades.
• Provided a detailed overview of the strengths and weaknesses of different modeling approaches.

Conclusions:

• Graphical type-curve methods offer a promising avenue for more efficient and potentially accurate estimation of aquifer hydrodynamic parameters.
• This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, consolidating knowledge and identifying research gaps.
• Further research is recommended to refine these methods and enhance the reliability of groundwater parameter estimation.