A new method for high-resolution characterization of hydraulic conductivity

• Published in: Water resources research Vol. 45; no. 8; pp. W08202 - n/a
• Main Authors: Liu, Gaisheng, Butler, James J. Jr, Bohling, Geoffrey C, Reboulet, Edward, Knobbe, Steve, Hyndman, David W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Geophysical Union 01-08-2009; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: contaminant transport; direct push; field experimentation; Groundwater hydraulics; Groundwater hydrology; Groundwater transport; hydraulic conductivity; Hydrology; Instruments and techniques; MADE site; methodology; monitoring; site characterization; spatial variation; Mississippi; site characterization; direct push; hydraulic conductivity; MADE site; contaminant transport
• ISSN: 0043-1397; 1944-7973
• DOI: 10.1029/2009WR008319

A new probe has been developed for high-resolution characterization of hydraulic conductivity (K) in shallow unconsolidated formations. The probe was recently applied at the Macrodispersion Experiment (MADE) site in Mississippi where K was rapidly characterized at a resolution as fine as 0.015 m, which has not previously been possible. Eleven profiles were obtained with K varying up to 7 orders of magnitude in individual profiles. Currently, high-resolution (0.015-m) profiling has an upper K limit of 10 m/d; lower-resolution (approximately equal to 0.4-m) mode is used in more permeable zones pending modifications. The probe presents a new means to help address unresolved issues of solute transport in heterogeneous systems.