Geology mapping-Groundwater modelling links
To conceive and build a groundwater model (e.g., for water resources), one must go through a geological model; both models are complex in nature and require experts in each domain with very specific knowledge. In general, the hydrogeologist begins building of the groundwater model from a rough idea of groundwater flows, backwards into describing the “reservoir”; the geologist, on the other hand, begins building of the geological model from the knowledge of the geology of the region under study, forwards into proposing a “reservoir”. The hydrogeologist would tend to simplify the geology in an attempt to explain groundwater fluxes. His numerical grid would be built to accommodate traits of groundwater flow systems into “aquifers” defined by hydrostratigraphy; he would be interested in water pressures, flows and the physical and chemical parameters describing these. The geologist would tend to amplify the geological processes in an attempt to explain reservoir systems. His map and associated 3D model would be built to accommodate a detailed succession of layers, the history of rocks and an extensive explanation of the geological processes that have shaped the rocks with time (tectonics, magnetism, Quaternary stratigraphy). Both approaches are very rich and should complement; that is however not always the case.
The current emphasis in both domains is on how well one can generate model grids. We have seen an explosion of grid generators in the last 10 years; petroleum engineering and radioactive waste disposal being the most advanced ones. There are different motivations and interests in each of these domains. Given the environmental and social issues linked to the radioactive waste, the impetus and motivations of this industry, for instance, has been visualization. In this case, grid generators are designed to show longterm processes and to virtually show the public how radioactivity from the wastes is contained in deep underground repositories. They need “to convince” the public and sponsors of the safety of underground structures. Given the very important investments in the oil industry, petroleum engineering has developed a very extensive set of numerical tools to build reservoir models used in their surveys. Groundwater modelers have taken advantage of some of these developments from both industries. In addition to building model grids and a conceptual model (the geological modeling process), groundwater modelers also need numerical hydrodynamic models to solve for the physical-chemical processes of groundwater. Hydrogeologists have also learnt extensively from developments of both the radwaste and oil industries.
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Reference : Alfonso Rivera - Geologic Survey of Canada “GROUNDWATER MODELLING: FROM GEOLOGY TO HYDROGEOLOGY”
Tags: aquifers, geological model, geological processes, Geology mapping, groundwater fluxes, groundwater model, Groundwater modelling, hydrodynamic models, hydrogeologist, hydrostratigraphy, magnetism, model grids, petroleum engineering, physical-chemical processes of groundwater, Quaternary stratigraphy, reservoir systems, tectonics, the physical and chemical parameters, water resources