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Distribution of downward flux in unsaturated heterogeneous hydrogeology

George Bloomsburg, Roy E. Williams and James Leo Osiensky
Distribution of downward flux in unsaturated heterogeneous hydrogeology
Geological Society of America Bulletin (December 1989) 101 (12): 1623-1630

Abstract

Finite-element computer program UNSAT2 used to quantify the horizontal distribution of unsaturated downward flux in porous tuff as a function of hydrogeologic heterogeneities under two different recharge rates. The distribution of downward flux is important because it influences ground-water travel time at a potential geologic repository for high-level radioactive wastes. Hydraulic properties of the Topopah Spring Member of the Paintbrush Tuff Formation at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, were selected for use in the eight simulations that were conducted. All simulations were run essentially to study state (referred to herein as quasi-steady state). The simulations show that (1) heterogeneities in an isotropic porous rock matrix will cause downward flux to be distributed nonuniformly, (2) zones in which saturated matrix hydraulic conductivity is less than the downward flux tend to develop positive pressures that may divert flow into fractures if they exist, (3) one-dimensional analysis of vertical flow in the unsaturated zone is insufficient to ensure that fracture flow does not occur even if the true magnitude of vertical flux is known, and (4) the true spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivity above the regional water table must be determined in order to obtain the true spatial distribution of downward flux.--Modified journal abstract.


ISSN: 0016-7606
EISSN: 1943-2674
Coden: BUGMAF
Serial Title: Geological Society of America Bulletin
Serial Volume: 101
Serial Issue: 12
Title: Distribution of downward flux in unsaturated heterogeneous hydrogeology
Affiliation: Univ. Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
Pages: 1623-1630
Published: 198912
Text Language: English
Publisher: Geological Society of America (GSA), Boulder, CO, United States
References: 16
Accession Number: 1989-074848
Categories: HydrogeologyEngineering geology
Document Type: Serial
Bibliographic Level: Analytic
Illustration Description: illus. incl. charts, sketch map
N36°34'60" - N37°52'00", W117°04'60" - W115°19'60"
Country of Publication: United States
Secondary Affiliation: GeoRef, Copyright 2019, American Geosciences Institute.
Update Code: 1989
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