Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1002/2015WR018509
Title (Primary) Extending Theis' solution: Using transient pumping tests to estimate parameters of aquifer heterogeneity
Author Zech, A.; Müller, S. ORCID logo ; Mai, J.; Heße, F.; Attinger, S.
Source Titel Water Resources Research
Year 2016
Department CHS
Volume 52
Issue 8
Page From 6156
Page To 6170
Language englisch
UFZ wide themes RU5;
Abstract A framework for interpreting transient pumping tests in heterogeneous transmissivity fields is developed to infer the overall geostatistical parameters of the medium without reconstructing the specific heterogeneous structure point wise. The methodology of Radial Coarse Graining is applied to deduce an effective radial description of multi-Gaussian transmissivity. It was used to derive an Effective Well Flow Solution for transient flow conditions including not only the storativity, but also the geometric mean, the variance, and the correlation length of log-transmissivity. This solution is shown to be appropriate to characterize the pumping test drawdown behavior in heterogeneous transmissivity fields making use of ensembles of simulated pumping tests with multiple combinations of statistical parameters. Based on the Effective Well Flow Solution, a method is developed for inferring heterogeneity parameters from transient pumping test drawdown data by inverse estimation. Thereby, the impact of statistical parameters on the drawdown is analyzed, allowing to determine the dependence of reliability of parameter estimates on location and number of measurements. It is shown, that the number of measurements can be reduced compared to steady state pumping tests. Finally, a sampling strategy for single aquifer analysis is developed, which allows to estimate the statistical parameters, in particular variance and correlation length for individual heterogeneous transmissivity fields making use of transient pumping test measurements at multiple locations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=17660
Zech, A., Müller, S., Mai, J., Heße, F., Attinger, S. (2016):
Extending Theis' solution: Using transient pumping tests to estimate parameters of aquifer heterogeneity
Water Resour. Res. 52 (8), 6156 - 6170 10.1002/2015WR018509