Hydrological Parameter Estimations from a Conservative Tracer Test With Variable-Density Effects at the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site
Abstract
Reliable predictions of groundwater flow and solute transport require an estimation of the detailed distribution of the parameters (e.g., hydraulic conductivity, effective porosity)controlling these processes. However, such parameters are difficult to estimate because of the inaccessibility and complexity of the subsurface. In this regard, developments in parameter estimation techniques and investigations of field experiments are still challenging and necessary to improve our understanding and the prediction of hydrological processes. Here we analyze a conservative tracer test conducted at the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site in 2001 in a heterogeneous unconfined fluvial aquifer. Some relevant characteristics of this test include: variable-density (sinking) effects because of the injection concentration of the bromide tracer, the relatively small size of the experiment, and the availability of various sources of geophysical and hydrological information. The information contained in this experiment is evaluated through several parameter estimation approaches, including a grid-search-based strategy, stochastic simulation of hydrological property distributions, and deterministic inversion using regularization and pilot-point techniques.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 15, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA558939
Entities
People
- B. Dafflon
- M. Cardiff
- T. C. Johnson
- W. Barrash
Organizations
- Boise State University