Fibre Optic Tools to support Distributed Fibre Optic Sensing of Groundwater Flow in Boreholes

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Distributed fibre optic sensing is an exciting new technique for characterizing groundwater flow, and its true potential has only recently been identified. Distributed temperature sensing can be used to identify natural groundwater flow in boreholes, and distributed acoustic sensing can be used for seismic surveying to help identify structures within the bedrock aquifer. Together these datasets are incredibly powerful for characterizing groundwater flow in bedrock environments which is an integral part of predicting contaminant transport and fate which has significant economic and health impacts. Initial research results using these technologies has been tremendously promising and significant investments have been made by our research group to purchase a distributed temperature sensor unit and in drilling a network of boreholes to conduct the research. This sensor and borehole cluster have been critical in advancing the science to date; however, the research group does not own the basic fibre optic tools required to splice fibre optic cables, test the performance and splices in the cables, or various other fibre optic related tasks. Also, initial field trials identified the need for a different type of cable design that the university does not own. As we do not have the required cables or equipment to work with the cables, further research potential is limited and current graduate students are experiencing significant delays. The tools and equipment identified in this proposal would not only allow the research advance, but would supply our research group with the standard tools needed to be fully self-sufficient at working with fibre optic cables.