Quality Systems: Optimization of Experimental Design for Groundwater Supply and Theory and Field Validation

本提案的目的是对地下水供应和水质耦合系统的实验设计问题进行理论研究，并通过在博登含水层进行改进的泵试验来评估所开发的设计方法，其中水力和质量输运参数已经由其他实地研究确定。试验设计问题包括确定地下水系统水力和质量输运参数估计的最佳试验条件。实验条件规定了抽取或回灌地下水的位置、时间和规模，以及观测井在含水层系统中的位置，以及实验的采样频率和持续时间。从管理和预测的角度出发，设计了基于成本、可靠性和可识别性标准的实验条件，以提供参数估计的最佳信息，从而最大限度地减少识别过程中的不适。实验室和现场任务预计将完善对Borden含水层对几种有机溶质的吸附特性的理解（其中大量的运移数据已经可用），然后在Borden含水层中实施改进的泵测试，其中注入无机示踪剂和有机溶质。改进的泵试验将被设计用于水力和质量传递参数的最佳估计。然后通过将估计参数与其他现场和实验室研究确定的参数进行比较来评估设计。预期这项研究的结果将有助于确定水力和质量运输参数的可识别性标准，与监测网络费用和可靠性有关的权衡，并为地下水监测网络的设计和操作提供基线资料。

The objective of this proposal are to conduct theoretical work on the experimental design problem in coupled groundwater supply and water quality systems, and to evaluate the developed design methodology by conducting modified pump tests in the Borden aquifer, for which the hydraulic and mass transport parameters have already been determined by other field studies. The experimental design problem includes the determination of the optimal experimental conditions for estimation of the hydraulic and mass transport parameters in groundwater systems. The experimental conditions define the location, timing and magnitude of groundwater pumping or recharge, the location of observation wells in the aquifer system, and the sampling frequency and duration of the experiment. The experimental conditions, which are based on cost, reliability, and identifiability criteria, are designed, from a management and prediction perspective, to provide optimal information for parameter estimation, and as a result, minimize the ill- posedness of the identification process. The laboratory and field tasks are expected to refine understanding of the sorptive characteristics of the Borden aquifer for several organic solutes (for which extensive transport data are already available), and then implement a modified pump test in the Borden aquifer in which inorganic tracers and the organic solutes are injected. The modified pump test will be designed for optimal estimation of the hydraulic and mass transport parameters. The design will then be evaluated by comparing the estimated parameters to those determined by other field and laboratory studies. Results of this research are expected to be useful in determining identifiability criteria for hydraulic and mass transport parameters, the trade-offs associated with monitoring network costs and reliability, and provide baseline information for the design and operation of groundwater monitoring networks.