Oundwater Flow Theory Evaluation Utilization

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GRAVITATIONAL SYSTEMS OF GROUNDWATER FLOW

Theory, Evaluation, Utilization
Groundwater of meteoric origin permeates the upper parts of the Earths crust in spatially
organized ow systems down to several kilometres. Since the discovery of the ow-system
concept in the 1960s, hydrogeologys basic paradigm has shifted from conned ow in
aquifers to cross-formational ow in drainage basins. Consequently, groundwater has been
recognised as a fundamental geologic agent, generating and modifying natural processes
and phenomena of scientic, practical and economic interest.
This book is the rst to present an extensive and illustrated overview of the history, principles, study methods, practical applications and natural effects of gravity-driven groundwater
ow. Its user-friendly presentation requires no advanced background in mathematics, with
the necessary mathematics being explained in full, and the physical meaning of the equations
emphasized. The author highlights signicant inter-relationships between the broad range
of seemingly disparate processes and systems, demonstrating how these can be traced to
a common root cause involving gravity-driven groundwater ow. Examples are used to
illustrate practical applications in areas as diverse as hydrogeology, land-use planning,
environment protection, wetland ecology, agriculture, forestry, geotechnical engineering,
nuclear-waste disposal, mineral and petroleum exploration, and geothermal heat ow.
Written by one of the founding fathers of modern hydrogeology, and including an extensive glossary to aid students and researchers from a variety of disciplines, this book is a key
reference for researchers, consultants and advanced students of hydrogeology and reservoir
engineering.
jzsef tth began his study of geophysics in Hungary in the early 1950s, but moved to the
university of Utrecht in the Netherlands in 1956 following the Hungarian revolution. He later
emigrated to Canada, where he joined the Alberta Research Council in 1960. He shifted the
paradigm of strata-bound groundwater ow in drainage basins to cross-formational water
movement by two ground-breaking papers in 1962 and 1963 before defending his PhD
thesis in Utrecht in 1965, and has contributed fundamental concepts and observations to
the role of groundwater as a geologic agent. He joined the University of Alberta in Canada
as a sessional instructor in 1966 and as a full-time faculty member in 1980. He currently
holds the positions of Professor Emeritus at the University of Alberta, and Titular Professor
at the Etvs Lornd University in Budapest, Hungary.
Professor Tth has received many awards for his work in hydrogeology, including: the
rst O. E. Meinzer Award from the Geological Society of America in 1965; the 1999 Presidents Award from the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH); the 2002 Prix
R. N. Farvolden Award from the Hydrogeology Division of the Canadian Geotechnical
Society; the 2003 M. King Hubbert Science Award of the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) of the USA; and the 2004 C.V. Theis Award of the American Institute of
Hydrology.
GRAVITATIONAL SYSTEMS OF
GROUNDWATER FLOW
Theory, Evaluation, Utilization
JZSEF TTH
University of Alberta, Canada; Eotvos Lornd University, Hungary
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, So Paulo

Cambridge University Press
The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK
Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521886383
J. Tth 2009
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the
provision of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part
may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published in print format 2009
ISBN-13
978-0-511-53440-9
eBook (NetLibrary)
ISBN-13
978-0-521-88638-3
hardback
Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy

of urls for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication,
and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain,
accurate or appropriate.
To my wife Erzsike, who has patiently endured the many lonely days,
weeks and months that I have devoted to my hobby
Contents
Preface
page ix
Introduction
1
1.1 The subject matter: denition, history, study methods
1
1.2 Portrayal of groundwater ow systems
8
The Unit Basin
26
2.1 The basic ow pattern
26
2.2 Basic patterns of uid-dynamic parameters
29
Flow patterns in composite and heterogeneous basins
33
3.1 Effects of basin geometry
33
3.2 Effects of basin geology
50
3.3 Effects of temporal changes in the water table: transient pore
pressures and ow systems
71
3.4 Hydraulic continuity: principle and concept
81
Gravity ow of groundwater: a geologic agent
91
4.1 Introduction
91
4.2 The basic causes
93
4.3 The main processes
97
4.4 Manifestations
102
4.5 Summary
126
Practical applications: case studies and histories
128
5.1 Characterization and portrayal of regional hydrogeologic
conditions
129
5.2 Effects of rechargedischarge area characteristics on
groundwater-related practical problems
143
5.3 Site-selection for repositories of high-level nuclear-fuel waste:
examples for groundwater ow-system studies
188
5.4 Interpretation and utilization of observed deviations from
theoretical patterns of gravity-driven groundwater ow
206
vii
viii
Contents
5.5
5.6
Exploration for petroleum and metallic minerals

Potential role of ow-system analysis in surface geochemical
prospecting
Epilogue: gravitational systems of groundwater ow and the
science of hydrogeology
Glossary
References
Appendices
Appendix A
Appendix B
Index
225
231
244
248
259
274
275
281
294
Preface
This monograph is intended to present a personal perception of the birth, evolution and consequences of a single geological concept: the gravitational systems of
groundwater ow. The concept seems to have been instrumental in redening the
scope of a single-issue water-supply problem into the many-faceted earth science
sub-discipline of modern hydrogeology. It has shifted the paradigm of aquiferbound groundwater ow to cross-formational water movement in hydraulically
continuous drainage basins.
This view was corroborated recently by approximately twenty-ve papers presented at theAnnual Meeting of the Geological Society ofAmerica, Denver, October
2831, 2007, in the two sessions of Topic 34, Regional Groundwater Flow: . . .
The papers demonstrated a still lively interest in the topic 45 years after the rst publication of the concept (Tth, 1962a, 1962b), a still broadening scope of research,
and an increasing variety of practical applications, as exemplied by Glaser and
Siegel (2007), Gleeson and Manning (2007), Mdl-Szo nyi, (2007), Otto (2007),
Rudolf and Ferguson (2007) and Winter (2007).
My perception has evolved from my own research, practical experience and
literature studies in hydrogeology over 47 years (Tth, 2002, 2005, 2007). It is
presented here as a distilled summary of the relevant parts of my earlier publications,
lectures and courses. I hope to summarize the results and the consequences of that
work in the form of a consistent, coherent and all-round story. Illustrative case
studies and case histories have been taken from my eld and theoretical work as
well as from published literature.
The subject matter is the basinal-scale systems of gravity-driven natural groundwater ow. It is recognized, however, that the term basinal scale is relative and
the question is addressed explicitly (Section 3.1.3). Conceptually, the discussion
is focused on three main aspects of the topic: (i) the mathematically formulated
theory of the formation, evolution and controlling factors of gravity-driven ow
ix
Preface
systems; (ii) the methods of and approaches to the practical evaluation and portrayal of those ow systems; (iii) the hydrological, hydrogeochemical, geothermal,
geotechnical, mineralogical, pedological, botanical and ecological factors, i.e. the
natural consequences and manifestations of ow systems.
Since the publications of Domenico (1972) and Freeze and Cherry (1979), most
monographs and textbooks on hydrogeology discuss certain aspects of gravitational
ow systems of regional scales. In the present treatise I try to give a comprehensive
overview of all the principal aspects of the topic.
Hydrogeology is not treated generally at the introductory level in the book. Only
basic concepts directly relevant to the subject matter are dened and explained
explicitly. Nevertheless, I have noticed over the years that some concepts and
parameters, particularly those that are novel or not generally discussed in basic texts,
are notoriously difcult for some students to grasp. In order, therefore, to ensure
a thorough understanding of the intended subject I found it necessary to go into
almost elementary detail of the elucidation of such questions. In these explanations
I place the emphasis on the physical content rather than on mathematical pedantry.
In general, owing chiey to the rapidly increasing popularity of hydrogeology both
in academia and practice, a growing number of professionals from a wide variety
of disciplines probably already possess the required basic knowledge in hydrogeology to be interested in the book. I would thus expect the primary readership to be
graduate students, researchers and consultants in the various disciplines mentioned
above. However, undergraduate students in hydrogeology, land-use planners and
administrators in water and natural resources may also have an interest in some
aspects of the topics presented.
A piece of work like this can never be considered to be the product of one single
individual. This book is no exception. I would, therefore, like to acknowledge the
contribution of the many friends, colleagues and coworkers who have broadened
my knowledge, questioned, tested, or complemented my ideas, or warned of possible dead-ends through extended collaboration, chance discussions, private and
published debates and many other means. There are too many such people to name
them individually. Nevertheless, I cannot leave unmentioned my former Graduate
Students at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, an ever challenging and
rewarding group. I am sure you, my friends, will recognize your contributions sprinkled all over the following pages. I must also express my gratitude, while retaining
responsibility for the contents, to Dr O. Batelaan and Dr Zijl for kindly reviewing
and advising on the sections developed from their papers, Dr E. Eberhardt and
Dr G. D. Lazear, for providing me with the originals of some diagrams from their
papers that I discuss, and Dr D. Hansen who, without knowing me personally, spontaneously offered to have the derivations in Appendices A and B typed from my
then forty year old hand written script. Last, but by no means least, I am indebted
Preface
xi
to the Department of Physical and Applied Geology, Etvs Lornd University,

Budapest, Hungary, for giving me a comfortable and warm working environment
for writing this book.
As a participant in this small but personally rewarding part of scientic history
it has given me a life-long pleasure to be part of the process.
Jzsef Tth
Budapest, 2008
1
Introduction

Gravity-driven regional groundwater ow is induced by elevation differences in the
water table and its pattern is self-organized into hierarchical sets of ow systems.
Tth (1963, p. 4806) dened a groundwater ow system as a set of ow lines in
which any two ow lines adjacent at one point of the ow region remain adjacent
through the whole region; they can be intercepted anywhere by an uninterrupted
surface across which ow takes place in one direction only.While ow is generated
by the relief of the water table, its patterns are modied by heterogeneities in the
rock frameworks permeability.
Topographic effects are ubiquitous and may cause water to move at depths of
several kilometres beneath the Earths terrestrial areas. Most of peoples needs for
subsurface water are met with water obtained from this depth range. However,
in addition to satisfying this need, gravity-driven groundwater also generates and
affects a wide variety of economically important natural processes at or below the
land surface. It is of both economic and environmental importance, therefore, to
understand the properties, controlling factors, effects and manifestations of this
type of ow, as well as to develop methods and techniques for its study and possible modication. Furthermore, because of the relatively easily accessible depths,
known and measurable controlling factors, observable natural effects and manifestations, in short, unique tractability, the study of gravity-driven groundwater ow is
instructive and useful in the understanding and exploitation of groundwater motion
generated by other sources of driving forces, such as differences in dissolved salt
contents, thermal convection, sedimentary compaction and tectonic compression.
Owing to their practical relevance and scientic nature, the questions of driving
forces, spatial patterns and controlling factors of natural groundwater ow have
long interested hydrologists, hydrogeologists and, more recently, Earth scientists
in general. Munns hydraulic theory of oil and gas migration is one of the many
Zone of increased
permeability
stream
hill
hill
stream
Introduction
stream
Oil pool with or

without gas
Flow by capillary
Flow by gravity
Fig. 1.1 Groundwater ow and hydrocarbon accumulation conceptualized by

Munn (1909; modied from Fig. 77, p. 526).
possible examples that illustrate the point. Munn (1909) envisaged meteoric water
to descend from the land surface across beds of sandstone and shale and, driven
by capillary forces, to push ahead particles of oil and gas dispersed in these beds
(Fig. 1.1).
Permeability differences in the rock would cause different parts of the uid front
to advance at different rates which would nally result in zones of conicting
currents of water between which the bodies of oil and gas would be trapped and held
(Munn, 1909, Figs. 7779; p. 525). The idea of conicting currents of groundwater
appears to be a realistic mechanism for entrapment (its application to petroleum
exploration based on the theory of gravity-driven ow systems will be shown in
Section 5.5). However, sites where such conditions might occur cannot be identied
in practice from Munns concept because the relations between ow directions and
the factors controlling them are not specied.
Perhaps the earliest published conceptualization of hierarchically distributed
groundwater ow systems is reproduced by Fourmarier in his Hydrogologie
(1939, Fig. 43, p. 87, from DAndrimont, 1906). Figure 1.2 shows a major water
divide with a sub-basin to the left from its crest. From both sides, the sub-basin
attracts two, what we call today local, groundwater ow-systems. The local systems are superimposed on a larger system that originates on the principal divide
and moves towards the main valley of the watershed. A similar notion seems to be
reected by two tiny ow systems leading to a saline Discharge area in sidehill
valley on the right-hand side ank of Meybooms (1962, Fig. 2, not reproduced
here) Prairie Prole. But the minuteness of the feature suggests a lack of
Su
rface
Surface
de
limite
la
d equlibre
nappe
hydrostatique
Fig. 1.2 Allure complex des lets liquids dans une nappe libre: Complex pattern
of uid ow in an unconned aquifer (Fourmarier, 1939, Figure 43, p. 87: after
DAndrimont, 1906).
conviction by the author concerning its existence or importance in nature. Both of

these diagrams are perceptive generalizations of possible patterns of gravity-ow in
complex drainage basins. However, they are only the mental images of individuals
without the accompanying mathematical descriptions that would enable others to
reproduce and further develop them.
The door to the transition from the age of speculative and qualitative conceptualizations of regional groundwater ow to rigorous mathematical analyses was opened
by Hubberts (1940) paper, The Theory of Ground-Water Motion. In this classic
treatise, Hubbert derived the concept of uid potential, , from rst principles. He
also showed that, for subsurface liquids in general, comprises two terms: one
related to pore pressure, p, the other to topographic elevation, z, (because of low
velocities the inertia-dependent kinetic energy associated with the uids motion
can be neglected) and that the impelling force acting upon a unit mass of uid is the
negative rst derivative of the uid potential. Consequently, the force eld can be
calculated, or modelled, for any given ow domain along the boundaries for which
or its rst derivatives can be stated. In turn, the ow eld can be determined by
combining the force eld with the rocks hydraulic properties (porosity, permeability,
storativity). Basinal-scale groundwater ow patterns could thus now be produced
mathematically as solutions to formal boundary value problems. However, another
twenty years went by before this gift to hydrogeology was exploited.
In the course of my regular duties as a hydrogeologist in Central Alberta, Canada,
I noticed a discrepancy between what I expected on the basis of Hubberts (1940)
Figure 45, on the one hand (Fig. 1.3), and what I saw in the eld, on the other.
Hubberts gure showed all inltrating water resurfacing in the thalweg of the
valley, as though the watercourse were a drainage ditch. In reality, the beds of the
numerous creeks in my area were dry in many places and whatever water they had
was frozen to the bottom in the winter. Based on Figure 45, and considering the
steep topographic slopes, shallow water tables (<3 m deep) and permeable rock,
together providing sufcient supplies of water to the areas farms and towns, I
Introduction
Water table
Fig. 1.3 Approximate ow pattern in uniformly permeable material between the

sources distributed over the airwater interface and the valley sinks (Hubbert,
1940, Fig. 45, p. 930).
would have expected healthy runoffs in the creeks. A possible solution to the riddle
occurred to me one day when I realized that the convergence of the ow lines in the
gure was a postulate, not a result; Hubbert made the ow lines converge on the
thalweg! I decided to nd out where the water wants to go by itself, and solved the
Laplace equation for a drainage basin of simple geometry (Fig. 1.4, App. A; Tth,
1962a, Fig. 3, p. 4380).
The results were revealing: they showed that instead of the sinks being limited
to the bottoms of valleys containing streams (Hubbert, 1940, p. 928), groundwater
discharge is not concentrated in the valley bottom (Tth, 1962a, p. 4386). Thus
the entire lower half of the basin was revealed to be a discharge area. This simple
discovery has triggered a number of follow-up studies in rapid succession.
During the preparation of the above, my rst, paper (Tth, 1962a), I already
knew that assuming a linearly sloping valley ank was an oversimplication. I
solved the Laplace equation again, now for a drainage basin with a sinusoidal
surface superimposed on a linear regional slope (Fig. 1.4c; App. B; Tth, 1962b,
1963 Fig. 3, p. 4807, reprinted in 1983). The analysis resulted in the groundwater
ow-pattern for composite basins with homogeneous and isotropic rock framework.
It was aptly called the hierarchically nested ow systems by Engelen (Engelen
and Jones, 1986, p. 9).
By fortunate coincidence, at the time when numerical methods just started to gain
popularity R. Allan Freeze was looking for a Ph.D. thesis topic at the University
of California, Berkeley. Advised by P. Witherspoon, he intended to show the value
of the method to groundwater-related problems. Freeze took off from my solution
to the composite-basin problem and produced a trail-blazing series of three papers
from his thesis showing that quantitative ow-nets can be calculated by numerical,
as opposed to analytical, methods for gravity-driven groundwater ow in drainage
basins of arbitrary topography and heterogeneous and anisotropic rock framework
(Freeze and Witherspoon, 1966, 1967, 1968).
(a)
mid-line
700
600
0
51
890
1000
800
600
400
200
z=0
800
Standard datum
s = 20,000 feet
(b)
mid-line
Elevation above standard

datum in feet
(b)
10
20
10 0
38
8000
10
10
10
30
6000
4000
10 2000
Elevation above standard datum in feet
10 000
2000
z=0
s = 20,000 feet
Standard datum
(a)
Fig. 1.4 Groundwater ow in a simple drainage basin: (a) the concept-inspiring

topography, Central Alberta, Canada (photo by J. Tth); (b) two-dimensional theoretical uid-potential distributions and ow patterns for different depths to the
horizontal impermeable boundary in a drainage basin with linearly sloping water
table (Tth, 1962a, Fig. 3, p. 4380). (c) Hierarchically nestled gravity-ow systems
of groundwater in drainage basin with complex topography (Tth, 1963, Fig. 3,
p. 4807).
1000
800
600
400
200
0
35
where m = 1, 2, 3, . . . , .
If Equation (3.2) is solved for an adequate number of points, Pxz , equal values of
hydraulic head can be contoured and ow nets constructed. The effects of variations
of the basins shape on the geometric patterns of the ow eld and hydraulic-head
can then be analysed by comparing ow nets constructed for basins with different
values of the parameters of regional slope c , the amplitude of the local topography
a, and depth-to-width ratio z0 /s.
3.1.1.1 Effects of undulations of the water table
The primary effect of water-table undulations on basinal water ow is the generation of hierarchically nested ow systems of different orders (Fig. 3.2). Strictly
dened (Tth, 1963, p.4806), a ow system is a set of ow lines in which any
two ow lines adjacent at one point of the ow region remain adjacent through the
whole region; they can be intersected anywhere by an uninterrupted surface across
which ow takes place in one direction only. Similar to the unit basins basic pattern, each individual system has three identiable segments, or ow regimes, also
in the complex basin, namely: recharge, midline and discharge. However, three
different orders of ow systems may be distinguished in the complex case: local,
intermediate, and regional (Figs. 1.4c, 3.2a).
A system is termed local if its recharge and discharge areas are contiguous,
intermediate if these areas are separated by one or more local systems but do
not occupy the main divide or valley bottom and regional if it links the basins
principal divide and thalweg hydraulically. The depth of penetration of the various
ow systems is a function of the relative magnitudes of the local relief and regional
slope. It may exceed a thousand metres in a homogeneous rock framework under
the effect of a local relief of a few tens of metres. The changes in spacing between
the equipotential lines show that the intensity of the ow decreases, thus the waters
residence time increases, from the local to the regional systems (the questions of
penetration depth and characteristic time have been analytically investigated by
Zijl (1999) and are reviewed later in Section 3.1.3).
Patterns of multiple ow systems are characterized by alternating regions of
recharge and discharge (Fig. 3.2a). A result of the alternating arrangement is that
waters recharged on a given water-table mound may be destined for different discharge areas or, conversely, waters discharging in a given area side by side, or even
mixed by diffusion and/or dispersion, may have inltrated in different parts of the
basin.
Another important feature of the complex ow pattern is the possible existence
of quasi-stagnant zones (or, mathematically, singular points) at locations where
ow systems of any order may converge from, or part towards, opposite directions. In these areas, the low or zero lateral hydraulic gradients, combined with the
36
Elevation above datum, ft
(a)
z
5
12 000
Regional mid-line
4
1
a = 50 ft
Local flow systems

3
2
c' = 0.02
LEGEND
10 000
Regional slope
Amplitude of local
topography
8000
Line of equal hydraulic

head
Intermediate flow system
6000
Line of flow
4000
2000
Boundary between flow

systems
Regional flow system
z=0
(Adapted from Tth, 1963,

Fig. 2f, p. 4802)
20 000 ft
(b)
Depth below land surface, ft
c'
Pressure
0
2000
4000
Supernormal
pressures
b
p2
+p4
p3
10 000
LEGEND
+p5
6000
8000
Dynamic pressure increment

at site 4, depth 8000 ft
Local system
+p4
Intermediate system
5
4
Regional system
Subnormal
pressures
2 3 1
10
10
20
10
20
10
30
10
50
50
10 000
LEGEND
8000
2
10 400
6000
20
4000
10
Elevation of land surface above datum, ft

5
4
1
3
10 000
10 100
10 200 10 300
0
+
+
+
+
2000
(c)
Line of equal dynamic

pressure increment
(Adapted from Tth, 1978, Fig. 12)
Fig. 3.2 Relation between uid-dynamic parameters in a basin of complex

water-table relief: (a) hydraulic head, h(x, z) and ow, q(x, z); (b) pore pressure, p(d ); and (c) dynamic pressure increment, p(z0 , d ) (Tth, 1980, Fig. 4,
p. 126; reprinted by permission of the AAPG, whose permission is required for
further use).
corollary poor transport ability of the waters and converging ow directions, have
signicant ramications for the accumulation of matter and/or geothermal heat, as
exemplied by many anomalously warm elds of petroleum.
Finally, it should be noted that the equipotential lines cross ow-system boundaries without abrupt, or any, changes in direction. Accordingly, no sudden changes
37
in water levels or pore pressures can be expected when crossing ow-system

boundaries by boreholes.
The pressure conditions that may be expected in complex ow-systems are shown
in Figures 3.2(ac). Again, the vertical pressure-gradient is hydrostatic beneath the
regional midline area as indicated by the p(d )-prole, and the 0 value for p for
Site 1 (Figs. 3.2b,c). An inverse relation between the regional water-table elevations
and the vertical pressure-gradient is reected by the counter-clockwise sweep of
the p(d )-proles from sites of high altitude (2 and 3) towards the low ones (4
and 5). Sharp changes, indeed trend-reversals in the vertical pressure-gradients are
suggested by p(d ) curves 3 and 4 crossing over the hydrostatic pressure curve 1
(Figs. 3.2a,b). The depth of the point where the value of the tangent to the local
segment of the p(d )-curve is hydrostatic is an approximate indication of the depth of
the local ow systems. The regional recharge- and discharge-character of the areas
upslope and downslope from the midline are indicated by the dominantly negative
and, respectively, positive p-elds in the p(z0 , d ) diagram (Figs. 3.2a,c). The
alternating recharge and discharge zones of the shallow local and intermediate
systems are reected, on the other hand, by the alternating signs of the dynamic
pressure increments at shallow depths across the elevation range of the water table.
3.1.1.2 Effects of the regional slope and local relief of the water table
A general increase in the regional slope, c , of the valley ank results in an increased
component of lateral-ow towards the valley bottom. The extent of the surface
areas of local systems owing towards the basins centre increase, while those of
the oppositely oriented systems decrease. The latter systems may degenerate to
stagnant regions and even vanish, thus allowing intermediate and regional systems
to form (Figs. 3.3a,b).
The interplay between the regional and local relief of the water table can be well
observed by comparing the ow patterns in Figures 3.3(b) and (c).Although the steep
regional slope of Figure 3.3(b) is maintained, its well developed regional system
is replaced by local systems driven by the high local relief and thus reaching the
impermeable boundary in Figure 3.3(c). The various ow-pattern combinations can
thus be bracketed between two end members: a linearly sloping water table without
local undulation, resulting in one single basinal-scale local-system (the unit basin:
Fig. 2.1) on the one hand, and a local relief superposed on a horizontal regional
surface, with several but only local systems to form (e.g. Fig. 3.3c), on the other.
3.1.2 Effect of basin depth
The effect of a basins depth on the ow pattern depends also on the basins width.
It is more informative, therefore, to analyse this effect in terms of the combined
c = 0.05 feet
a = 50 feet
s = 20 000 feet
z0 = 1000 feet
1000
2000
3000
6000
7000
8000
Line of force
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
Equipotential line: interval other than 10 feet
Equipotential line: interval 10 feet
5000
9000
10 000
11 000
1250
s = 20 000 feet
10 000
11 000
s = 20 000 feet
9000
12 000
12 000
13 000
13 000
1250
1050
112
14 000
15 000
16 000
17 000
18 000
Potential distributuion on the surface of the

theoretical flow region
14 000
Potential distribution on the surface of

the theoretical flow region
15 000
16 000
17 000
18 000
19 000
20 000
19 000
20 000
Standard datum
Fig. 3.3 Effect of regional slope, c , amplitude of local water-table relief, a, and thalweg depth, z0 , on the groundwater ow pattern
in composite basins: (a) c = 0.02, a = 50 ft, z0 = 1000 ft; (b) c = 0.05, a = 50 ft, z0 = 1000 ft; (c) c = 0.05, a = 200 ft,
z0 = 1000 ft; (d) c = 0.05, a = 200 ft, z0 = 5000 ft (Tth, 1963, Figs. 2a, c, d, and e, resp. pp. 47994801).
z=0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
4000
11
11225
6
Topographic elevation and head of

water above standard datum in feet
Topographic elevation and head of water

above standard datum in feet
50
2000
1125
105
11
1050
1050
3000
1300
(b)
1100
2000
75
1100
1200
1250
1000
13
0
0
1150
1350
1450
200
1375
z=0
1500
115
140
1200
1550
400
600
1600
800
162
1300
1800
1000
170
0
1750
Line of force
Equipotential line: interval 10 feet
16
2
16 4
25
0
50
0
4
1150
1375
1350
1200
185
125
16
135
187
c ' = 0.02
a = 50 feet
1875
1400
s = 20 000 feet
zo = 10 00 feet
900
(a)
187
187 4
5
1350
1950
Topographic elevation and head water

above standard datum in feet
1000
Fig. 3.3 (cont.)
z=0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
00
c = 0.05
a = 200 feet
11
1600
2000
1100
3000
4000
1300
1100
1200
5000
6000
Line of force
7000
8000
1300
1400
Equipotential line, interval 50 feet
9000
1400
1500
10 000
1600
11 000
1700
s = 20 000 feet
12 000
13 000
15 000
1600
14 000
16 000
Potential distribution on the surface

of the theoretical flow region
1700
z0 = 1000 feet
1800
1400
s = 20 000 feet
1900
1800
17 000
20 000
Standard datum
18 000 19 000
1800
2000
1900
(c)
1900
1600
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
Line of force
7000
8000
5500
10 000 11 000 12 000 13 000 14 000 15 000 16000 17 000 18 000 19 000 20 000
Standard datum
560
s = 20 000 feet
9000
58
00
58
00
Potential distribution on the surface

of the theoretical flow region
5700
z=0
1000
2000
3000
4000
520
Equipotential line, interval 25 feet
00
Fig. 3.3 (cont.)
Topographic elevation and head of water above standard datum in feel
5000
51
00
52
00
s = 20 000 feet
z0 = 5000 feet
c = 0.05
a = 200 feet
5300
6000
5400
(d)
58
41
parameter relative depth z0 /s, i.e. the ratio of depth at the thalweg z0 to the anks
width s, than solely in terms of the depth. An appreciation of the effect of depth can
be obtained by comparing the ow pattern of a shallow basin to that of a deeper
one. Figures 3.3(c) and (d) illustrate two such basins with depth-to-width ratios
z0 /s of 1/20 and, respectively, 1/4. The conguration of the water table is identical
in both cases.
The principal difference between the two ow patterns is that only local systems
are generated in the shallow basin (Fig. 3.3c), while sufcient room is available
in the deeper basin for intermediate and regional systems to form (Fig. 3.3d).
Because of the identical water-table congurations, the amounts and distribution of the ow-inducing forces, i.e. the upper boundary conditions, are equal
also. Consequently, the same amounts of water are driven through both basins.
However, due to the deep basins larger vertical cross-section, the ow intensity
through it is generally less than that in the shallow case. In particular, the local
systems of the deep basin reach more deeply thus are less intense than in the shallower one. Several levels of quasi-stagnant zones also may exist in the deeper
basin.
3.1.3 Zijls analysis of the scales of water-table relief, depths of ow-system
penetration, and relation between spatial and temporal scales
In a series of three seminal papers Freeze and Witherspoon (1966, 1967, 1968)
placed the theory of gravity-driven groundwater ow into the realm of the real
world. Based on the equation of hydraulic continuity ( q = 0) and on Darcys
Law (q = K) they have applied numerical techniques to evaluate the effects
of arbitrary topography and heterogeneous and anisotropic rock framework. They
have thus liberated the study of ow systems from the strictures of analytical
solutions.
The rst, and since those papers so far the only step in the theorys conceptual
advancement is due to Zijl and Nawalany (1993). They examined and expanded
on several aspects of the theory and its possible practical applications by classical mathematical analysis. One such aspect was the often asked but never before
answered question of how to rationalize the denition and the naming of ow
systems of different hierarchical order. In other words, how to remove the subjectivity from the commonly used qualiers of local, intermediate and regional,
terms which depend on the size of the area of interest. A corollary question was
how to quantify various hydraulic and hydrologic properties of given ow systems,
namely: penetration depth; ux and its lateral and vertical variations; the lag time,
or characteristic time, between a change in water-table elevation and the response
of the ow to it in the associated system; and the relation between the spatial and
42
temporal scales of ow systems. The following review of the scales and hydrologic
effects of the water-table relief is based on Zijls paper (1999) and uses its notation.
The key idea in Zijls (1999) approach to dening the scales of ow systems
independently of the size of the area of interest is to resolve the topographic relief of
the water table, hf (x, y, t), into individual periodic functions, H(x,y) (, , t), called
Fourier components or Fourier modes (Zijl,1999, p. 143, Eqs. 3a and b):

hf (x, y, t) =
H(x,y) (, , t) d d
(3.3)
where
H(x,y) (, , t) = A (, , t) cos (x + y) + B (, , t) sin (x + y) .
(3.4)
In these expressions hf (x, y, t) [L] is the hydraulic head at the water table, i.e. the
elevation of the water table with reference to the datum plane z = constant, here
chosen as z = 0; x[L] and y[L] are the co-ordinates along the X and Y axes; t[T ] is
time; and H(x,y) (, , t) d d [L] is the value of the specic Fourier component for
wave numbers [L1 ] and [L1 ] in the X and, respectively, Y directions. A and
B are
constants (i.e. independent from X and Y ) to be determined from the amplitude, (A2 + B2 ), and phase, arctan(B/A), of the specic Fourier component of the
water-table elevation. The actual water table elevation is given by z = hf (x, y, t),
where hf (x, y, t) is considered to consist of the integral of the individual periodic
functions, H(x,y) (, , t) d d . Or, as a practical approximation, as the sum of a
nite numberin many cases a relatively small numberof individual periodic
functions, H(x,y) (, , t) d d [L], that are characterized by their particular wave

length = 2 2 + 2 [L]. (Note that the thus-dened H(x,y) (, , t) is equal

j d,
to the integral
over
suitably
chosen
spectral
intervals
=
1/
j
j

j = 1/j j d , j = 1, 2, . . . , n, of the earlier-dened H(x,y) (, , t)d d .)
Flow systems are thus envisaged as generated by gradients of uid potentials caused
by spatial variations in the elevation of the water table. This way the uid potentials
are proportional to the sum of the Fourier components averaged over those intervals
and multiplied by the constant of proportionality g.
According to this conceptualization, the uid potential is represented as the
projection of the water table onto the horizontal plane z = 0: (x, y, 0, t) =
f (x, y, t) = ghf (x, y, t). Expressed in terms of Fourier components (x, y, 0, t) =
F(x,y) (, , t) = gH(x,y) (, , t).
In this formulation the dimension of the uid potential is pressure, [] =
[M /T 2 L], with g = 1 dbar/m where, by denition, 1 dbar = 104 kg/s2 m. A
pressure of 1 dbar thus corresponds to a column of fresh water with a height of
1 m. If this equality is assumed, as is customary in hydrogeological practice, then
43
f (x, y, t) = hf (x, y, t). Use of the right-hand side expression, however, does not
reveal the role of gravity and density in the mathematical formulations. In order,
therefore, to underscore that role in dealing with a problem of gravity-driven ow,
Zijl (1999) has developed the following equations with g shown explicitly.
With the uid potential dened, the uid-driving force, and hence the horizontal
and vertical ux, can be calculated. To simplify considerations, the horizontal coordinate axes are rotated into an X Y co-ordinate system so that the uid potential
can be written as a function only of x and t:

F(x ) (, t) = g A (, t) cos x + B (, t) sin x ,
(3.5)

where =
2 + 2 = 2/.
After differentiation of Equation (3.5) (to determine the driving force from the
potential) and applying Darcys Law (to determine the horizontal uxes caused by
the Fourier component considered) the horizontal ux for an innitely deep basin
is obtained:

QX (x ) (, 0, t) = g Kh A (, t) sin x B (, t) cos x .
(3.6)
After differentiation of Equation (3.6) and applying the continuity equation and
Darcys Law (to determine the vertical uxes caused by the Fourier component
considered) the vertical ux for an innitely deep basin is obtained:

QZ (x ) (, 0, t) = g (Kh Kv ) A (, t) cos x + B (, t) sin x . (3.7)
The magnitude of the ux components at depth z is (Zijl,1999, p. 143, Eqs. 8a
and 8b):

QX (x ) (, z, t) = QX (x ) (, 0, t) exp (2z/) (Kh /Kv ) ,
(3.8a)

(3.8b)
QZ (x ) (, z, t) = QZ (x ) (, 0, t) exp (2 z/) (Kh /Kv ) ,

where = (2z/) Kh Kv is the exponential rate of decay of the uxs
intensity with depth. This rate can be appreciated by comparing the factors of
ux-intensity decay, exp (), determined for different depths. If these depths are
chosen as fractions of the wavelength as, for instance, z = /4, /2, 3/4, ,
then, in a homogeneous and isotropic rock framework, the corresponding values
of and the factors of decay, exp(), are, respectively, as follows: = /2, ,
3/2 and 2 and exp() 0.21, 0.043, 0.01 and 0.002. It seems therefore that,
somewhat depending on the purpose of the analysis, the depth of an effectively
impermeable base, or penetration depth, can be quantitatively estimated based on
44
the factor of decay. If, for instance, a 0.2 per cent loss from the ow systems ux is
acceptable for the objective of the analysis, then the depth z at which the factor of
decay, exp(), is 0.002 (i.e. = 2 and z = ), may be deemed as effectively
impermeable for the ow system of wavelength . Thus from Equations (3.8a) and
(3.8b) the penetration depth, , is dened as (Zijl, 1999, p. 143, Eq. 9):

(3.9)
= Kv Kh .
The choice of = 2, i.e. = z = , is not entirely arbitrary. Rather, it is based
on the fact that a hydraulic conductivity distribution different from Kv and Kh below
z = has little effect on the strength of ow, whereas such a disturbance above it
has a considerable inuence (Meekes, 1997). Figure 3.4(a) illustrates the effectively
impermeable shallow base, or penetration depth, of ow systems generated by short
wavelength undulations of the water table, while Figure 3.4(b) shows the deeper
reach of systems induced by longer waves. Since the shallow ow velocities caused
by the short waves have much larger ux intensity than the shallow ow velocities
caused by the long waves, the shallow streamlines are almost fully determined by
the short wavelengths. On the other hand, at depths below the effectively impervious
base of the short waves, the ow velocities caused by the long waves are dominant. Hence the deep streamlines are almost fully determined by the long waves.
(Zijl, 1999, p. 144).
The hierarchical nesting of ow systems of three different orders generated by
three different wavelength components of the water table (short or local, intermediate and long or regional) is illustrated in Figure 3.5. The dashed lines
indicate boundaries between the domains of the different orders of ow systems
with quasi-stagnant regions (singular points) located at their nodes.
Unlike in a homogeneous rock framework, the depth of the effectively impervious base is sharply dened in the cases of horizontally layered alternating aquifers
and aquitards. Instead of the exponentially diminishing smooth decay of ux intensity with increasing depth of the rst case, a stepwise change occurs across the
boundary between the base of an aquifer and the top of the subjacent aquitard.
Zijl (1999) discussed quantitative relations also between the spatial and temporal
scales of groundwater ow systems. He used wave length to characterize the relief
of the water table, and characteristic time to measure ow-system sensitivity to
show that the dependence [on time] of the amplitude of a Fourier mode depends
on the wave length of that component (Zijl, 1999, p. 144). His analysis starts
with the kinematical boundary condition on the water table, which holds for each
Fourier component separately:
nH(x ) (, t)
= P(x ) (, t) QZ(x ) (, 0, t) ,
t
(3.10)
45
(a)
z
Shallow effectively impervious base for short waves at depth z = d(l
short)
(b)
Disturbed by
short waves
Shallow effectively impervious base for short waves at depth z = d(l
long)
Deep effectively impervious base for long waves at depth z = d(l
long)
Fig. 3.4 Penetration depths considered as effectively impervious bases for (a)
short and (b) long waves in the water table and the resulting streamline patterns
(Zijl 1999, Fig. 1, p. 144).
Long-wave +
intermediate wave +
short wave of water table =
actual water table
Long-wave component
of water table
Long-wave +
intermediate wave
of water table
Fig. 3.5 Superposition of long, intermediate and short waves of the water table
and the resulting streamline pattern (Zijl, 1999, Fig. 2, p. 144).
46
where n is the specic yield of the zone of the water table (porosity); H(x ) (, t)
is the Fourier component of the water table along co-ordinate axis X ; P(x ) (, t)
is the Fourier component of that part of precipitation replenishing the groundwater
body; and QZ(x ) is the vertical ux of descending groundwater ow projected onto
the datum plane z = 0.
Evaluating QZ(x ) (, 0, t) from Equations (3.5) and (3.7) and combining with
Equation (3.10) yields:

nH(x ) (, t)
= P(x ) (, t) (2/) (Kh Kv )gH(x ) (, t) .
t
(3.11)
If accretion of the groundwater body from precipitation is assumed to be constant, i.e. P(x ) (, t) = P(x ) () then the relief of the water table will attenuate
asymptotically to a steady state:

H(x ) (, t) = H(x ) (, ) + H(x ) (, 0) H(x ) (, )

exp (2/) (Kh Kv )g/n t .
(3.12)
In Equation (3.12) H(x ) (, 0) is the height of the water table at time t = 0 and
H(x ) (, ) = P(x ) () /(2/) (Kh Kv )g is the nal, steady-state position of

the water table. The characteristic time, which is dened as the time in which the
water table has changed from initial elevation H(x ) (, a) to height H(x ) (, ) +
{H(x ) (, t) H(x ) (, )}/e is then (Zijl, 1999, Eq. 14, p. 145):

= n / 2 (Kh Kv ) g .
(3.13)
Equation (3.13) shows that the characteristic time increases with increasing
wavelength of the water tables undulation. For instance, for a wavelength of
12.6 km, effective hydraulic conductivities Kh = 1 m2 /dbar per day and Kv =
0.0025 m2 /dbar per day, porosity n = 0.25, and g = 1 dbar/m, the characteristic time is = 10 000 days
27 years. Below the calculated penetration depth
of = (Kv /Kh ) = 12 600 0.0025 = 630 m, the ow is not affected by shortterm precipitation events such as daily rainfall or even annual changes in weather
pattern.
On the other hand, in the case of a local wavelength of 63 m, hydraulic conductivities of Kh = 1 m2 /dbar per day and Kv = 0.1 m2 /dbar per day, porosity
n = 0.35, and g = 1 dbar/m, the characteristic time becomes = 11 days. With
penetration depth of approximately 20 m, this ow system is sensitive to even
weekly changes in precipitation.
47
3.1.4 Effects of major regional land-form types

In order to highlight and summarize the regional effects of major land forms on basinal ow patterns, schematic distributions are shown for four common topographic
settings: (a) V-notch canyon; (b) intracratonic broad upland; (c) intermontane broad
valley; and (d) cordillera-cum-foreland (Figs. 3.6ad). Actually, the rst three of
these land forms may be considered as unit basins modied by major single breaks
Z
(a)
X
0
10
Z
(b)
km 5
4
3
2
1
0
20
30
40 km
20
30
40 km
20
30
40 km
km 5
4
3
2
1
0
0
10
Z
(c)
X
0
(d)
km 5
4
3
2
1
0
10
Cordillera
Foothills
Foreland
Platform
km 6
5
4
3
2
1
0
X
0
10
20
30
40 km
Fig. 3.6 Schematics of groundwater ow patterns for four common types of

regional landforms: (a) V-notch canyon; (b) intracratonic basin with broad uplands;
(c) intermontane broad valley; (d) cordillera-cum-foreland.
48
in the water table. The basins are assumed to be approximately 40 km wide and
56 km deep. Although these dimensions are arbitrarily chosen, numerous real-life
situations can be characterized by them. Positing homogeneity of permeability over
rock volumes of such sizes is less realistic. However, in gravity regimes the relief
of the water table generates the ow thus controlling its sense and pattern type.
Permeability plays a modifying role. Consequently, the principal attributes of ow
patterns in basins of given geometric conguration will be preserved under a great
variety of permeability distributions.
(a) V-notch canyon basins. A V-notch canyon can be considered as an extreme
type of regional land form. It is composed of an extensive and gently sloping at
upland, and a deeply incised, narrow central valley (Fig. 3.5a). Hydraulically, the
valley is a line sink: it is the locus of discharge of all waters moving through the
basin. On either side of the valley, there is one single area of recharge, R, and
one of discharge, D. The recharge areas are much greater than the discharge areas,
R/D 1 Consequently, ow through most of the basin is descending and/or
lateral. Formation-uid pressures and vertical pressure-gradients are, therefore,
largely subhydrostatic and/or hydrostatic, respectively. The quasi-stagnant zone
beneath the discharge areas is relatively small, resulting in only a narrow band of
superhydrostatic pressures and pressure gradients.
(b) Intracratonic broad upland basins. An intracratonic broad upland basin consists of two relatively at anks sloping gently toward a broad and shallow central
depression that may be occupied by one or more shallow lakes, meandering rivers
with broad ood plains, marshes or some other types of poorly integrated drainage
systems (Fig. 3.6b). The regional ow pattern developed under these topographic
conditions resembles closely that of the unit basin. Local ow systems are insignificant on the basins scale and the recharge area is only slightly greater than, or is
equal to, the area of discharge, R/D 1. Pore pressures and vertical pressuregradients are hydrostatic or slightly subhydrostatic under wide areas in the midline
regions. However, superhydrostatic pressures and pressure gradients, possibly to
the degree of owing-well conditions, also exist under relatively broad regions,
indicating a large areal extent for the quasi-stagnant zone of the central discharge
area.
(c)Intermontane broad valleys. Intermontane broad valleys are characterized by
upward concave and relatively at river valleys or lake basins bordered by abruptly
rising sub parallel or circular mountain ranges (Fig. 3.6c). Formation waters in
these basins are recharged primarily in the mountains. Most of the lowland area
is, therefore, one of groundwater discharge although some shallow local systems
49
may develop in response to local undulations of the water table. The ratio of
recharge- to discharge-area is R/D < or 1. Accordingly, pore pressures and pressure gradients are superhydrostatic under most of the basins area, possibly reected
by widespread, but mild, owing-well conditions. The areal extent of the quasistagnant central zone is signicant as compared to the basins dimensions. In case
of unequal elevations of the bordering mountain ranges, the zone may be shifted
towards the side of the lower mountains.
(d) Cordillera-cum-foreland basins. Cordillera-cum-foreland basins comprise one
side of cordillera-type high mountain ranges, their foothills, and the adjacent,
rolling, plains, i.e. the foreland (Fig. 3.6d). Usually, the mountains are tectonically
detached from the foothills by a belt of low angle thrust faults.
It is generally unknown whether the thrust belt is a conduit or barrier to uid
ow between the mountains and the foothills. Similarly open is the question of
hydraulic communication between the foothills and the foreland plains. Yet, these
questions can be important for certain practical reasons, such as exploration for
water resources or petroleum. For instance, the migration trajectories of petroleum
transporting uids, thus locations of potential entrapment sites, are fundamentally
different in the foothills and foreland regions if, on the one hand, they are affected
by the high uid potentials of the contiguous physiographic units or, on the other, if
they are not. In my opinion, based on theoretical considerations and eld data from
the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (Tth, 1978) and the Carpathian Basin
of Central Europe (Tth and Almsi, 2001), subsurface hydraulic conditions in the
high mountains may have some inuence on formation-water ow in the foothills,
but they have little or no effect in the foreland or beyond.
The theoretical basis of this postulate is the assumption that, due to the great
depth and relatively small width of cordilleran valleys (the short wavelength highfrequency local undulations at the mountain-range scale; Fig. 3.5; Eq. 3.9), the
penetration depth of the water recharged high in the mountains is relatively shallow.
Most of the water recharged there is also discharged locally through the lower
slopes of the valleys and the valley oors. Consequently, no or only minor amounts
of water are left for deeper inltration: the high uid potentials available at the
mountain peaks are, therefore, not transmitted far below the valley bottoms. The
strongly accentuated topography favours the development of local systems and
robs the deep subsurface of regional recharge. Furthermore, the elevation of the
valley bottoms is generally not signicantly higher than the average elevation of
the forelands. The situation results in relatively low regional hydraulic gradients and
lets the effect of the local relief prevail (Figs. 3.3b and c). Consistent with this view
is the observation that, for instance, in the Rocky Mountain Foothills and forelands
in Alberta, Canada, as well as in the Carpathian Basin, no formation pressures and
50
ow patterns are observed that would reect the transfer of high uid-potentials
from the mountains to the foreland regions [the high formation pressures in the
Hungarian Great Plain of the Carpathian Basin have been attributed to tectonic
compression by Tth and Almsi (2001)].
Figure 3.6(d) is intended to suggest, therefore, the following principal features
perceived to characterize the subsurface ow regimes of cordillera-cum-foreland
basins:
(i) In the cordilleras, local ow systems of single, intensive, and deep cells originate in the
high mountains and terminate in the valleys. Some very sluggish intermediate systems
discharging in the foothills may develop, but no water inltrating in the mountains reaches
the foreland.
(ii) Intensive, deep, local systems, adapted to the major elements of the topographic relief,
prevail in the foothills. Nevertheless, due to the less accentuated topography resulting in
a reduced ratio of the local relief to the regional slopes, intermediate systems discharging
in the foreland are enhanced: ow toward the foreland may take place beneath extensive
quasi-stagnant zones associated with broad valleys in the foothills.
(iii) The ow pattern in the foreland is dominated by large local systems adjusted to the
principal topographic features of this region. Inter-valley ow (intermediate or regional
systems) is possible but rare; its development depends on the ratio of local vs. regional
relief and the basins depth. Foreland basins nearest to the mountains may receive discharge from the foothills. Otherwise, formation-water ow in the foreland is maintained
by local recharge. The relative extents of the recharge and discharge areas depend on the
morphology of the particular area considered but a ratio of R/D 1 may be typical.
The discharge areas are associated with the quasi-stagnant zones of the ow systems
ascending limbs and are thus located primarily in the central parts of the valleys of the
foothills and the foreland.

Macro-scale variations, or heterogeneity, in the rock frameworks permeability is
a third major factor affecting basinal groundwater ow patterns (in addition to
water-table relief and basinal depth). A comprehensive overview of the effects of
heterogeneity is impractical if not impossible, however, due to the great diversity of
its possible types and patterns. Instead, an attempt is made to identify permeability
variations that either change the character of a ow eld, or are important in some
practical hydrogeological problems, such as water-well eld design, petroleum
exploration, slope stabilization, subsurface contamination, and so on. The rock
congurations selected by these criteria are: (1) stratication; (2) lenses; (3) faults
and (4) anisotropy.
51
The effects of permeability variation are studied here by analyzing the differences between reference patterns of ow and dynamic parameters calculated for
homogeneous theoretical ow domains, on the one hand, and those obtained for
heterogeneous real-life domains of similar boundary conditions, on the other.
3.2.1 Effects of stratication

Reference cases for homogeneous basins are shown in Figures 2.2 and 3.7(a), for
relatively simple topography, while Figures 3.2 and 3.7(b) represent basins with
undulating water tables (Fig. 2.2 and 3.2: Tth, 1980; Figs. 3.7a and 3.7b: Freeze
and Witherspoon, 1967). The Freeze and Witherspoon examples are calculated for
dimensionless basins. In the latter cases the basins depth is normalized to its width
s with the depth-to-width ratio being approximately z0 /s 0.08.
3.2.1.1 Two-layer cases
(i) Aquifer above aquitard. In Figure 3.8 a high permeability stratum, k = 100,
overlies an aquitard of k = 1. Comparison with Figure 3.7(a) shows little difference
between the two patterns of hydraulic head. Yet, ow intensity is one-hundred
times greater in the aquifer than in the aquitard as seen from the spacing of the
equipotential lines: the spacing, i.e. the driving force, remains the same in both
0.2 S
0.1 S
0
0
0.1 S
0.2 S
0.3 S
0.4 S
0.5 S
0.6 S
0.7 S
0.8 S
0.9 S
0.6
0.7 S
0.8 S
0.9 S
(a)
0.2 S
0.1 S
0
0
0.1 S
0.2 S
0.3S
0.4 S
0.5 S
(b)
Fig. 3.7 Effect of topography on regional groundwater ow patterns: (a) linear

basin surface, broad central valley; (b) undulating basin surface, broad central
valley (after Freeze and Witherspoon, 1967, Fig. 1A,C, p. 625.
52
0.2S
0.1S
K = 100
0
0
K=1
0.1S
0.2S
0.3S
0.4S
0.5S
0.6S
0.7S
0.8S
0.9S
Fig. 3.8 Effect of stratication, aquifer above aquitard (after Freeze and Witherspoon, 1967, Fig. 2E, p. 627)
strata, but the top one conducts water a hundred times better than the lower one.
The base of the domain of strong ow has risen to the bottom of the highly permeable
layer. Nevertheless, ow does occur through the aquitard too. The fact that water
crosses its upper boundary is indicated by equipotential lines meeting that boundary
at angles different from 90 at the recharge and discharge ends of the basin.
(ii) Aquifer below aquitard. Signicant effects on the distribution of basinal ow
can be caused by highly permeable strata that underlie surcial aquitards. With
respect to the patterns of ow and hydraulic-head in a homogeneous basin with no
local relief (Fig. 3.7a), the following modications may be attributed to horizontal aquifers of permeabilities 10 and 100 times greater than that of the overlying
surcial aquitard (Figs. 3.9a and b; Freeze and Witherspoon, 1967):
(1) The direction of the descending and ascending ow through the upper portion of the
basin (the aquitard in Figs. 3.9a and b) is oriented more towards the vertical as the
permeability of the underlying aquifer increases: essentially, the hydraulic polarization between recharge and discharge is enhanced. The effect stops increasing at a
permeability ratio of approximately 1000.
(2) With increasing aquifer permeabilities, the hydraulic midline migrates upslope from
the area of upward ow toward that of downward ow, thus increasing the discharge
area and the lateral extent of the quasi-stagnant zone beneath it.
(3) The greater the permeability contrast between the aquifer and aquitard, the larger is the
portion of the total basinal water ow through the aquifer. However, this effect also
stops increasing beyond a limiting ratio of permeabilities: at such a ratio the aquifers
capacity to transmit water laterally becomes greater than that of the aquitard for vertical
ow.
If the basin is bounded at the surface by an undulating water table, a highly

permeable basal aquifer causes a reduction in the extent of the local discharge areas
and an expansion of the local recharge areas, in addition to the above mentioned
effects (Figs. 3.7b and 3.9c). In extreme situations, the basinal ow pattern of an
undulating water table may revert to one of a simple basin.
53
(a) 0.2S
Approximate hydraulic
midline
0.1S
K=1
0
K = 10
0
0.1S
0.2S
0.3S
0.4S
0.5S
0.6S
0.7S
0.8S
0.9S
0.6S
0.7S
0.8S
0.9S
0.6S
0.7S
0.8S
0.9S
(b) 0.2S
Approximate hydraulic
midline
0.1S
K=1
K = 100
0
0
0.1S
0.2S
0.3S
0.4S
0.5S
(c) 0.2S
0.1S
K=1
K=100
0
0
0.1S
0.2S
0.3S
0.4S
0.5S
Fig. 3.9 Effect of stratication, aquitard K1 above aquifer K2 : linear basin surface,
broad central valley, (a) K1 /K2 = 1/10; (b) K1 /K2 = 1/100 and (c) undulating
basin surface, broad central valley, K1 /K2 = 1/100 (modied from Freeze and
Witherspoon, 1967, Figs. 2A, B, p. 627 and 3A, p. 628).
0.2S
0.1S
K=1
K = 10
K=1
0
0
0.1S
0.2S
0.3S
0.4S
0.5S
0.6S
0.7S
0.8S
0.9S
Fig. 3.10 Aquifer sandwiched between two aquitards (after Freeze and Witherspoon, 1967, Fig. 2F, p. 627).
3.2.1.2 Three-layer cases.

(i) Aquifer sandwiched between two aquitards. The general characteristics of this
three-layer pattern (Fig. 3.10) can be derived from the combination of the twolayer cases discussed above: increased verticality and intensity of the downward and
upward ow through the top aquitard; increased ux through the aquifer; expansion
54
of the area of discharge and little change in the pattern, but signicant reduction in
the intensity, of the ow in the bottom aquitard.
(ii) Aquitard sandwiched between two aquifers. A reversed situation is presented
in Figures 3.11(ac), namely that of a slightly permeable, K2 = 1, aquitard separating an upper aquifer of K1 = 100 from a bottom aquifer of K3 = 1000. The
patterns of ow and dynamic parameters were generated originally to study general
characteristics of the ow eld, and to analyse porewater dynamics in an actual
basin, in northern Alberta, Canada (Tth, 1978, 1979). Corresponding patterns of
ow- and uid dynamic parameters for a unit basin are given in Figure 2.2, which
can be used as a reference base in evaluating the effects of the aquitard.
The general characteristics of parameter distribution in the three-layer case
appear to be similar to those of the homogeneous basins (Figs. 2.1 and 2.2). However, the areas of recharge and discharge have now shrunk to the vicinity of the
divide and thalweg, and ow has become dominantly subhorizontal in the depth
ranges of the two aquifers. The changes can be attributed to the reduced depthto-width ratio in the upper aquifer relative to the homogeneous case, to the high
permeability of the lower aquifer, and to the high vertical hydraulic resistance
(thickness/permeability) of the aquitard with the corollary requirement of a large
surface area of ow through it. Consequently, the area of vertical ow is more
extensive in the aquitard than in the aquifers. This situation can be seen from the
refraction of equipotential lines (Fig. 3.11a), the high vertical pressure gradients
through the aquitard (stippled sections, Fig. 3.11b), and from the high absolute values of the dynamic pressure-increments and an increase in density of their iso-lines
(Fig. 3.11c).
Attention is drawn at this point to the possible misinterpretation of actual observations made in similar real-life situations. The characteristic elements of such
observations are the following (Figs. 3.11ac): an absence of pressure measurements through the aquitard, i.e. between the two aquifers; on average, normal
hydrostatic pressure gradients in the upper aquifer; and major pressure anomalies in
the lower one. The conventional, and erroneous, interpretation of these observations
would probably be that:
(a) the upper and lower aquifers of the basin are hydraulically disconnected by an
impermeable formation between them;
(b) water is unconned and static in the upper aquifer; but
(c) it is conned in the lower aquifer, with strong positive and negative pressure anomalies
indicating either ow or compartmentalized static conditions.
In fact, all the above phenomena represent the effect of an areally extensive
aquitard through which ow takes place between two highly permeable aquifers:
the three strata constitute one single, hydraulically continuous ow domain.

z
1
c' = 0.011
2800
2000
1000
1200
z=0
K1 = 100
1000
2000
K2 = 1
3000
4000
x
30 miles
(b)
K3 = 1000
c'
Regional slope of land

surface
Line of equal hydraulic
head
Line of flow
Relative hydraulic
conductivities
K1, K2
(Adapted from Tth, 1978, Fig.14)
Pressure
0
LEGEND
300 1700
Elevation above datum, ft
3000
6000 ft
(a)
55
2000
LEGEND
4000
+p3
3
p1
6000
p3

p(d) curve
Likely gap in real data
on p(d) curve
8000
d
0.
1

pressure increment
(Adapted fromTth, 1978, Fig.3)

25 50
50 75
10
5000
25
10
.25
3000
0.5
4000
LEGEND
.1
2000
75
1000
10
5
1000
0
25
0. 0.1

3
2
1
1500
2000
2500
2800
(c)
6000
d
Fig. 3.11 Aquitard sandwiched between two aquifers, effects on: (a) hydraulic
heads, h(x, z) and ow, q(x, z); (b) pores pressures, p(d ), and (c) dynamic pressure
increments, p(z , d ); (after Tth, 1980, Fig. 3, p. 125; reprinted by permission
of the AAPG, whose permission is required for further use).
The effect of an aquitard sandwiched between two aquifers is still further accentuated if the basal aquifer outcrops at an elevation below the base of the aquitard.(A
common situation in mountainous and hilly areas.) The dynamic parameter patterns of a relatively general situation (Figs. 3.12ac) simulate conditions in the
56

3
(a)
K2 = 1
K1 = 1000
2000
1000
1000
2000
K1 = 1000
Elevation amsl, ft
3000
LEGEND
Line of equal hydraulic head
Line of flow
40 miles
Pressure
p=0
(b)
+p
+p4
2000
LEGEND
p3
3 1
4000
6000
2
p3
p2


4
700
0
1
1000 1500
+
+0
3
2000
50
1
(c)
2
2500 2900
0 + 0
10
LEGEND
3000
300
4000

pressure increment
250
210
75
0
0
75
150
100
2000
50
20
1000
5000
6000
Fig. 3.12 Aquitard sandwiched between two aquifers, with basal aquifer outcropping at low elevation, effects on: (a) hydraulic heads, h(x, z) and ow, q(x, z); (b)
pores pressures, p(d ), and (c) dynamic pressure-increments, p(z , d ) (after Tth,
1980, Fig. 5, p. 128; reprinted by permission of the AAPG, whose permission is
required for further use).
57
Late Devonian and younger sediments in northern Alberta, Canada (Tth, 1978,
1979).
The patterns exhibit most major features of previously discussed cases. Thus, the
potential- and ow-distribution is sensitive to the local relief above the aquitard.
Consequently, local recharge and discharge areas alternate across the basin as
reected, for instance, by descending ow lines, subhydrostatic vertical pressure
gradients, and negative dynamic pressure increments at Site 3, on the one hand,
and ascending ow, superhydrostatic pressure gradients and a shallow local eld
of positive p s at Site 2, on the other (Figs. 3.12ac).
These observations show also that most of the ow is deected along the top of the
aquitard and only a fraction of the total recharge enters the unit. The large losses of
energy and the relatively small ow through this zone are indicated by a congestion
of the lines of equal head (Fig. 3.12a) and by correspondingly rapid drops in pressure
and dynamic pressure-increments (Figs. 3.12b,c). Indeed, the deciency of recharge
from above into the lower aquifer, as compared with the aquifers capacity to
transmit lateral ow, can be sufciently large to generate pore pressures that are
negative with respect to atmospheric pressure. If the elevation of the discharge area
is low enough to maintain an excess of outow over replenishment available through
the aquitard above suction, or a tensiometric effect, may develop in the aquifer
some distance away from its outcrop (Tth, 1981). Air may thus enter into the
region at and near the aquifers edge resulting in the development of a water table.
Flow is slow and essentially subhorizontal in the lower zone of high permeability.
This is indicated by the wide spacing between and vertical trend of the h = constant
equipotentials and iso-p lines (Figs. 3.12a,c), and by the essentially hydrostatic
rates of pressure increase at Sites 13 (Fig. 3.12b). Slightly supernormal rates of
pressure increase at Site 4 (Fig. 3.12b) and positive values of the pressure increments
at elevations below the outcrop of the aquitard (Figs. 3.12a,c) are indicative of a
discharge regime at the outcrop regions of the lower aquifer.
3.2.1.3 Sloping beds outcropping at the land surface
Aquifers and aquitards that are exposed at the land surface may affect the groundwater ow conditions in the vicinity of the outcrop area. The effects depend on a large
number of factors, such as: the hydraulic regime of the area (recharge, midline, discharge); hydrostratigraphic nature (aquifer, aquitard), orientation, dip and thickness
of the outcropping stratum; and permeability contrast with the surrounding rocks.
The main forms of the effects include: reversal of recharge or discharge conditions,
modication of ow intensity and changes in the areal extents of recharge and discharge regions. These effects may be particularly important in the hydrogeological
interpretation of surface geochemical phenomena (to be discussed later).
The only example presented here is from Freeze and Witherspoon (1967) and
it is intended to dispel a time honored fallacy in some geologists thinking. In
58
(a) 0.2S
Discharge
0.1S
K =1
K = 10
K=1
0
0
0.1S
0.2S
0.3S
0.4S
0.5S
0.6S
0.7S
0.8S
0.9S
(b) 0.2S
Discharge
0.1S
K = 100
K=1
0
0.1S
0.2S
0.3S
0.4S
0.5S
K=1
0.6S
0.7S
0.8S
0.9S
Fig. 3.13 Regional groundwater ow in sloping aquifers outcropping in discharge

area: (a) outcrop enhancing recharge; (b) outcrop causing discharge (modied from
Freeze and Witherspoon, 1967, Fig. 5A, C, p. 630).
that view, the outcrop of a highly permeable bed is synonymous with an area
of groundwater recharge. A permeable outcrop is thus axiomatically accepted to
induce groundwater recharge, i.e. down-dip ow. Recharge is enhanced, indeed,
by the aquifer in Figure 3.13(a). However, this is so only because this outcrop is
located in an area that would be one of recharge in a homogeneous basin also.
At the same time, part of the induced water is discharged immediately downslope
from the point where the aquifers upper boundary intersects the water table; a
would-be area of recharge without the presence of the aquifer. On the other hand,
the aquifer in Figure 3.13(b) causes groundwater to discharge by outcropping in
an area that would be one of recharge in a homogeneous basin. Clearly, the mere
presence of a highly permeable rock at the surface is not a sufcient condition for
down-dip ow.
3.2.2 Effects of lenses
Highly permeable lenticular rock bodies can cause signicant perturbations in the
groundwater ow and uid-potential elds, as shown by theoretical and eld studies (Tth, 1962a, 1966b; Freeze and Witherspoon, 1967; Obdam and Veiling, 1987;
Tth and Rakhit, 1988; Parks, 1989; Fitts, 1991). Such perturbations can encompass portions of the basin that are considerably larger than the causative rock pod
and may alter basinal aspects of groundwater such as, for instance, its hydrology, chemistry, temperature and surface manifestations. Modications of the ow
eld of such areal extent are termed here the basin-scale effects of lenticular rock
bodies. Another type, the lens-scale effects, are limited to distances around the
rock lens comparable to the lens own dimensions. In applying hydrogeology to
59
petroleum exploration, for instance, basin-scale effects should be considered when

planning and/or interpreting surface geochemical measurements (to be discussed in
Chapter 5). Lens-scale effects, on the other hand, may serve as direct potentiometric
indicators of the presence of reservoir quality rock.
3.2.2.1 Basin-scale effects of lenticular rock bodies
One of the most signicant basin-scale effects of lenticular rock bodies is the possible change in, or even reversal of, the type of groundwater ow-regime between
the lens and the land surface. Other effects include modications in the hydrologic
balance of the land surface and radical changes in ow-path trajectories (possibly
important factor in contaminant migration).
By means of a series of computed ow elds, Freeze and Witherspoon (1967)
showed that areas of lateral ow and recharge in a homogeneous basin can be
converted into areas of discharge by a highly permeable lens located beneath the
upslope regions (compare Figs. 3.7a and 3.14). The effect is the opposite if the
lens is located in the downslope part of the basin: areas of lateral and ascending
ow of a homogeneous basin may thus be changed into regions of descending ow.
In both cases, the effects may be intensive enough to cause the segmentation of a
hydraulically simple basin (with one of each of recharge, midline, and discharge
area) into a region of multiple recharge, midline, and discharge areas. The appearance of several segregated areas of the same hydraulic type in a topographically
featureless basin may be puzzling without the understanding of the possible effects
of heterogeneities on the ow eld. On the other hand, such understanding may
lead to useful inferences on the subsurface geology and groundwater ow directions
from surface observations.
3.2.2.2 Lens-scale effects of lenticular rock bodies
Lens-scale effects are perturbations in the potentiometric and ow elds comparable in size to the causative rock bodies encased in a rock matrix of different
permeability. In nature, a rock pod may have greater or lower permeability than
that of its surroundings. Pods of high permeability are of particular interest because
0.2S
0.1S
K=1
K = 10
0
0
0.1S
0.2S
0.3S
0.4S
0.5S
0.6S
0.7S
0.8S
0.9S
Fig. 3.14 Groundwater ow eld modied by highly permeable lens located

beneath the upslope region of a basin with linearly sloping surface and broad
central valley (after Freeze and Witherspoon, 1967, Fig. 4A, p. 629).
60
they can concentrate ow and entrap transported matter, such as contaminants,

hydrothermal uids carrying salts of metals, or natural hydrocarbons. The present
discussion is focused, therefore, on the effects of relatively highly permeable rock
lenses.
The perturbations in the potentiometric eld depend on a number of parameters
related to the geometry, permeability, and orientation of the rock body. The relations may be studied by calculating the effects on the uid-potential eld of rock
lenses whose various parameters are systematically changed. Figure 3.15 shows
an elliptical rock lens of width W , length L, and permeability, k , placed in a rock
matrix of homogeneous permeability, k, and in an originally uniform ow eld of
qo and o . The presence of the lens induces the perturbed, or anomalous, elds of
ow, qa , and uid potential, a .
As a basic measure of the lenss effect, the absolute anomaly (or simply anomaly)
of the uid potential , or hydraulic head h, is dened as the difference between
the perturbed and the original, or unperturbed, potential or hydraulic-head elds at
a given point in the ow domain (Fig. 3.15):
= a o = gh = g (ha ho ) .
(3.14a)
If, however, the effects of different rock pods are to be compared, it is useful to
introduce two additional parameters, namely, the limit anomaly, l or hl , and
the relative anomaly, r or hr .
The limit anomaly, l = g hl , is the maximum possible change in the uid
potential at each end of the lens. Its absolute value is:
|l | =
L o
L ho
= |ghl | = g
,
2 x
2 x
(3.14b)
where x is the direction of the original potential gradient (Fig. 3.15).

The signicance of the limit anomaly as a reference value becomes clear when
it is realized that lens-induced anomalies of the uid potential increase with lens
permeability k only to a limiting value of the permeability ratio = k /k, where
k is the permeability of the rock matrix surrounding the lens. In the case that
= k /k l , the lens permeability may be considered innitely large, k .
Essentially, in such cases the lens no longer offers signicant resistance to ow
and the hydraulic gradient in it approaches zero. Those values of the uid potential
that occurred in the central portions of the lens in the undisturbed case migrate to
the lenss extremities: the original values at the upstream end reduce, while at the
downstream end they increase, respectively, to the limiting minimum and maximum
values possible under the given set of parameters.

2
8
qo
Y or Z
10
12
qa
o a
61
L
k' w
p = 54 = 1
X
Equipotential line
Flow line
Original
(undisturbed)
qo
Anomalous
(disturbed)
qa
a 0 = p : (absolute) fluid-potential anomaly in point P

k
k'
permeability of matrix
permeability of lens ('rock pod') k ' > or >> k
highly permeable rock material

co-ordinate system:
X,Y
map view (potentiometric surface)
X,Z
vertical section (hydraulic cross-section)
Fig. 3.15 Effect of relatively highly permeable rock lens on originally uniform
elds of ow, q0 , and uid potential, 0 (Tth and Rakhit, 1988, Fig.1, p. 363).
The relative anomaly, r or hr , is dened as the ratio of the absolute anomaly
at one end point of the lens, L/2 or hL/2 , to the limit anomaly l or hl :
r =
L/2
hL/2
= ghr = g
.
l
hl
(3.14c)
The relative anomaly is a measure, therefore, of the actual effect of a permeable

lens on the uid-potential eld, expressed in terms of the theoretically possible
maximum distortion caused by a lens of the same geometry.
(i) Effect of permeability contrast and lens geometry. The effect of the permeability
contrast and lens geometry L/W (length-to-width ratio) on the hydraulic head is
analysed by calculating the perturbed potential elds ha , absolute anomalies h,
62
and relative anomalies hr , for different values of and L/W (Tth and Rakhit,
1988). The example in Figure 3.16 demonstrates the effects on the hydraulic head
eld of changes in the lenses sphericity, i.e. L/W ratio.
The length L of the longitudinal axis is kept parallel to the ow direction and
constant while the width of the lens is increased. As the ratio L/W decreases from
10:1 to 5:4, both the areal extent and the intensity of the perturbation increase. The
anomalies become increasingly elliptical in a direction normal to the original ow
direction. The effect of increasing lens sphericity is even more strongly expressed
by the relative anomaly, hr , which shows a marked increase with increasing lens
width W for any given conductivity ratio , from = 1 (homogeneous rock), to
the limiting value of = l 1000 (Fig. 3.17).
= k'/k=100
L/W = 10/1
ha
5
5
3 45
30 45
15
0
0
450
405
360
315
225
270
135
180
90
45
0
(a)
(b)
L/W = 5/4
h
ha
15
3
0
6405
60 5
4 0
3
15
0
0
360
450
405
270
315
225
180
90
135
45
(c)
(d)
Fig. 3.16 (a, c) Calculated distributions of hydraulic head, ha and (b, d) corresponding hydraulic-head anomalies, h produced in a homogeneous eld of
hydraulic gradient h/x = 0.02 by permeable lenses of permeability contrast
= 100 and different length-to-width ratios, L/W . Contour values are in arbitrary
relative units (after Tth and Rakhit, 1988, Fig. 3, p. 365).
63
1.0
r = hr
0.8
L/W = 5/4
L/W = 5/4
L/W = 2/1
0.6
L/W = 5/1
0.4
L/W = 2/1
L/W = 10/1
L/W = 5/1
0.2
L/W = 10/1
0.0
10
100
1000
Permeability contrast ()
10 000
Fig. 3.17 Relative anomaly of the uid potential, r (or hydraulic head hr ) as
a function of length-to-with ratios, L/W and permeability contrast, , of ellipsoidal
lenses placed in a uniform eld of hydraulic gradient /x = h/x = 0.02
(analytical solution; after Tth and Rakhit, 1988, Fig. 4, p. 365).
The effect of changes also in the permeability contrast is clearly seen in

Figure 3.17: an increase in = k /k up to a value of approximately = 1000
results in increases in the relative anomalies. Beyond this value, however, the
relative anomaly closely approximates the theoretically possible maximum. Further increases in the lens permeability (and thus in ) cannot produce signicant
additional distortions in the hydraulic head eld. It should be noted that with increasing sphericity the permeability contrast needed to reach the maximum anomaly
decreases. Conversely, probably no practically signicant increases are induced in
possible maximum anomalies by permeability contrasts beyond = 1000, if the
ratio L/W 10. As mentioned earlier a, similar conclusion was also reached by
Freeze and Witherspoon (1967) in connection with the basin-scale effects of highly
permeable strata [p. 31, Sec. 3.2.1, a(ii)].
(ii) Effect of lens orientation. The orientation, , of a rock lens relative to the
undisturbed direction of the hydraulic-head gradient (gradh0 )x has characteristic
effects on the distribution patterns of both the hydraulic head ha and anomaly h.
Figure 3.18(af) illustrate such effects for three different positions of a rock lens,
namely, for = 0, 45and 90. As a result of the lenss rotation from a parallel to
a perpendicular position (Figs. 3.18 af, respectively) relative to the original ow
direction (h/x)0 = (gradh0 )x the areal extent and the intensity of the perturbation
decrease, as seen from the patterns and values of both the equipotentials and the
anomalies (Figs. 3.18a,c,e and 3.18b,d,f, respectively). In an oblique position (e.g.,
Figs. 3.18c,d), which is probably the most common situation in reality, the major
perturbations of the potential eld are displaced laterally and in opposite directions
64

L/W = 5/1; = k'/k = 100
k 'h /k 'v = 1
h
ha
= 0
1
5
4 30
5
45
30
15
( hx o
(
45
0
0
450
405
360
315
270
225
180
135
90
(a)
(b)
ha
1
3
0
qo
15
30
315
450
360
405
225
135
90
180
45
(c)
(
270
45
a=
h
x o
(d)
ha
10
15
(f)
15
10
450
360
405
270
225
90
135
180
45
(e)
315
a = 90
h
x o
Fig. 3.18 Calculated distributions of hydraulic head ha (a, c, e) and corresponding hydraulic-head anomalies h(b, d , f ) produced in a homogeneous eld of
hydraulic gradient h x = 0.02 by a permeable lens of length-to-width ratio
L/W = 5/1, permeability contrast = 100, and with angles between its long
axis and the direction of original gradient h/x of 045and 90. Contour values
are in arbitrary relative units (after Tth and Rakhit, 1988, Fig. 5, p. 366).
65
with respect to the original gradient (gradh0 )x (Figs. 3.18c,d). Clearly, the more
closely the long axes, for instance, of a sand bar or channel sand are aligned with
the undisturbed direction of the formation-uid ow, the greater is the accuracy by
which their positions and dimensions may be deduced from observed potentiometric
perturbations.
(iii) Effect of multiple lenses. When two or more rock pods are placed closer
together than the combined radii of their potentiometric inuence, the perturbations coalesce and the resulting total anomaly is different from one that would be
caused by a single lens. From numerous possible situations (Tth and Rakhit, 1988),
one example is presented in Figure 3.19(a,b): two identical lenses in parallel positions and with partial overlap along their lengths. The pair of positive and negative
anomalies associated with the overlapping, i.e. proximate, ends of the lenses might
be (mis-) interpreted to indicate a single lens. The long axis of such a lens would be
nearly normal to those of the real lenses. This interpretation would, however, also
require a ow eld that is oriented approximately parallel to an imaginary line joining the foci of the positive and negative anomalies. It could, therefore, be readily
invalidated by a potentiometric map, which indicates the actual ow direction.
L/W = 5/1; = k '/k = 100

d/w = 2/1
h
ha
15
30
5
46
0
4
30 5
4
5
45
60
30
(b)
Fig. 3.19 (a) Calculated distributions of hydraulic head, ha and (b) corresponding
hydraulic-head anomaly, h, produced in a homogeneous eld of hydraulic gradient, h/x = 0.02, by two identical permeable lenses in parallel position, partial
overlap; length-to-width ratio L/W = 5/1, permeability contrast = 100, longitudinal axes parallel to undisturbed gradient directions, lens separation, d , two
width units. Contour values are in arbitrary relative units (after Tth and Rakhit,
1988, Fig. 9, p. 369).
30
5
405
360
270
315
225
180
135
45
90
450
0
(a)
66
In summary, the lens-scale effects of highly permeable rock bodies on formationwater ow may be characterized by the following intrinsic properties (Tth and
Rakhit, 1988):
(i) the potentiometric anomaly, or h, is negative at the upstream end and positive at
the downstream end of a highly permeable lens;
(ii) the absolute value, || or |h|, of the anomaly increases with increases in any of the
following parameters: permeability contrast = k /k, length L, width W , or length-towidth ratio L/W of the lens;

L ho
o
(iii) the absolute value || or |h| of the anomaly cannot exceed L2
or

x
2 x .
3.2.3 Effects of faults

A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures caused by movement of rock blocks relative
to one another on both sides of its predominantly planar and parallel surfaces. Movement along a faults opposite surfaces may stop and resume several times during
the geologic history of a region. In many instances, faults represent discontinuities
in permeability and may thus affect the ow of formation waters.
The effects of faults on formation-uid ow can vary greatly, from being insignificant to determinant. They depend on numerous factors, the most important of which
include: permeability and thickness of the faults body; permeability of the strata
juxtaposed across the fault; uid-potential values at the faults termination and,
in particular, whether or not the fault outcrops at the land surface; the hydraulic
regime (recharge, midline, discharge) of the faults outcrop area, if any; the dip
angle of the fault; and the angle of incidence between ow lines and the faults
surface.
A comprehensive discussion of the possible types and roles of faults in basinal
hydraulics is beyond the scope of this book. [Jones et al., (1998) contains several
relevant papers; Underschultz et al., (2005) present some general concepts and eld
examples from Western Canada and the North West Shelf of Australia]. Instead,
two basic hydraulic types of faults are briey and qualitatively mentioned, namely:
barrier faults and conduit faults.
3.2.3.1 Barrier faults
A fault is considered a hydraulic barrier when its body (i.e. the rock between
its bounding walls: fault breccia, fault gouge), has a contrastingly lower permeability than the formations juxtaposed across it. As an end-member of such
situations a barrier fault functions and may be modelled as an impermeable
boundary. Impermeability of a fault, however, is only a theoretical limiting case.
It seldom, if ever, exists in nature. The assumption of absolute impermeability
67
of faults may lead to erroneous conceptualizations of basinal ow patterns and

their evolutionary history, thus to false conclusions regarding the ows expected
consequences. The barrier effect of faults on basinal ow can be reduced by possible temporal changes in a faults permeability. Such changes may be brought
about by mechanical and/or chemical alterations of the faults body or its surface, by dissolution and removal of gouge material by formation uids, or by
changes in relative positions of the aquifers and aquitards on both sides of the fault
plane.
Two basic effects on groundwater ow of single, idealized barrier faults in a
unit basin can be identied and are illustrated in Figures 3.20(ad), namely: (i)
compartmentalization, and (ii) hydraulic sheltering.
(i) Compartmentalization. Barrier faults divide the ow domain into sections in
which the ow is controlled by the sections own boundary conditions. Vertical and
high-angle, or outcropping, barrier faults result in the development of new basins
of reduced horizontal dimensions and positioned side-by-side (Figs. 3.20a,c,d).
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Fig. 3.20 Effects of barrier faults on groundwater ow patterns in the unit basin:
(a) vertical fault; (b) horizontal fault; (c) fault dipping opposite to direction of
regional ow; (d) fault dipping in direction of regional ow.
68
Hydraulic heads drop step-wise across the barriers in the direction of the ow,
as is indicated by a crowding of the equipotential lines in a band along the fault
on the potentiometric map. New areas of discharge develop, possibly marked by
owing artesian conditions, adjacent to the upstream sides of new areas of recharge
downslope from the fault. Horizontal and low-angle faults, i.e. non-outcropping,
barrier faults, compartmentalize the ow domain in a vertical sense: the depth of
the upper zone of strong ow is reduced, and the water becomes stagnant in the
isolated basal zone (Fig. 3.20b).
(ii) Hydraulic sheltering. Each new ow cell generated by barrier faults is accompanied by additional quasi-stagnant zones. Consequently, the relative volumes
of water that are sheltered from active circulation, as compared with undivided basins, are thereby increased. The sheltering effect is particularly strong
beneath the foot wall of a barrier fault. The effect seems to increase with
a decrease in the faults dip and it reaches maximum beneath a horizontal
fault (Fig. 3.20b).
3.2.3.2 Conduit faults
A fault is considered a hydraulic conduit if it enhances uid ow through it.
Two major types of conduit faults can be distinguished based on the relative
direction of ow path, namely: a conductive conduit fault and a barrier conduit
fault.
A fault is conductive conduit if its body has a contrastingly higher permeability
than the formations around it and the bulk of ow is parallel to and between its walls.
It is, however, a barrier conduit if, notwithstanding the low permeability of its body,
the relative displacement of its walls has resulted in hydraulic communication of
permeable formations juxtaposed on its opposite sides and the bulk of ow is thus
normal to its walls. Flow patterns in and around the barrier conductive faults are
so diverse and complex as to defy any attempt at generalization within the scope
of the present work.
The basic effect of a conductive conduit fault can, however, be briey summarized: it is the collection and concentration of ow into the fault zone (Figs. 3.21ad).
Essentially, the effect is the same as that of an aquifer embedded in a relatively
low-permeability matrix. It depends on the permeability contrast between the fault
material and the surrounding rock, on the thickness of the fault, and on the angle
of incidence between the ow lines and the fault plane.
The effect of a conductive conduit fault on the ow eld is virtually nil if the angle
of incidence is 90: the ow lines cross the fault un-refracted (Fig. 3.21a). If
the angle is different from 90, part of the water is deected into and along the fault:
69
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Fig. 3.21 Effects of conduit faults on groundwater ow patterns in the unit basin:
(a) vertical fault; (b) horizontal fault; (c) fault dipping opposite to direction of
regional ow; (d) fault dipping in direction of regional ow.
the ux in the fault increases (Figs. 3.21bd). If the fault outcrops then, depending
on the dip direction relative to the ow, part of the water may be shunted to the
surface where it may appear as fault springs, whilst ow intensity is reduced on
the faults footwall side (Fig. 3.21c). Alternatively (Fig. 3.21d), additional recharge
may be induced through the outcrops resulting in increased ow intensity through
the basin on the downstream side of the fault. A slight reduction in ow intensity,
accompanied by an expansion of the quasi-stagnant zone, occurs beneath the footwalls of the conductive faults too. The extent of the reduction is less, however, than
it is in the case of the barrier faults: the reduction is caused now by water being
shunted away from hydraulically continuous parts of the basin, rather than those
parts being hydraulically isolated. The difference becomes important in terms of
consequences should boundary conditions change during the basins evolutionary
history.
3.2.4 Effects of anisotropy
The rock frameworks permeability is generally anisotropic, i.e. its permeability
(hydraulic conductivity) has different magnitudes in the three coordinate directions, kx = ky = kz . Anisotropy results in increased ux in the direction of higher
k value. A basin-wide effect of this differentiation of ow-intensity is demonstrated by Freeze and Witherspoon (1967). Using their homogeneous-isotropic
70
(a) 0.2S
0.1S
kh=10, kv=1
0
0.1S
0.2S
0.3S
0.4S
0.5S
0.6S
0.7S
0.8S
0.9S
0.7S
0.8S
0.9S
(b) 0.2S
0.1S
kh = 1, kv = 10
0
0
0.1S
0.2S
0.3S
0.4S
0.5S
0.6S
Fig. 3.22 Effect of anisotropy on regional groundwater ow patterns, linear basin

surface, broad central valley: (a) kh /kv = 10; (b) kh /kv = 1/10 (after Freeze and
Witherspoon, 1967, Fig. 6A,B, p. 631).
model (Fig. 3.7a) as the reference case, Figure 3.22(a) shows that an increase
in the horizontal permeability, kh , relative to the vertical permeability, kv , to a ratio
of kh /kv = 10 results in an increased area of recharge and in less arcuate, horizontally stretched, ow trajectories. A relative increase in vertical permeability, kv , to
a ratio of kh /kv = 1/10 (Fig. 3.22b), on the other hand, accentuates the vertical
ow components, reducing thereby the areas of descending ow and extending the
lateral-ow segment of the ow eld.
An impression of the local-scale effects of anisotropy is obtained by comparing
the potentiometric perturbations and anomalies caused by a homogeneous-isotropic
lens, kh /kv = 1 (Figs. 3.18a,b), with those of two similar rock bodies, but with
horizontal-to-vertical permeability ratios kh /kv of 2 and 10 (Figs. 3.23a,b and c,d,
respectively (Tth and Rakhit, 1988)). It appears that an increase in horizontal
permeability reduces the vertical extent of the potential elds perturbations and, at
the same time, extends it laterally (compare Figs. 3.18a and 3.23a,c). The effect is
emphasized by the anomaly contours, as their shapes change from an ellipse with
long axis normal to ow in the isotropic case (Fig. 3.18b), to ellipses increasingly
elongated in the direction parallel to ow, as the degree of anisotropy increases
(Figs. 3.23b,d).
One practical signicance of these observations is that in beds or strata of common anisotropy type, for instance, in argillaceous or siliciclastic rocks, where kh >
or kv , lens-induced potentiometric anomalies tend to be conned to within the
units boundaries. The possibility of interference between lens-induced anomalies
in the vertical direction, i.e. cross-formationally, is thus reduced by anisotropy.
3.3 Transient pore pressures and ow systems
71
L/W = 5/1 ; = k'/k = 100

k'h /k'v = 2
ha
10
20
30
30
20
10
450
405
360
315
270
225
180
135
90
45
0
(a)
(b)
k'h /k'v = 10
ha
405
450
360
315
270
225
180
90
135
45
(c)
1
2 0
30 0
2 30
10 0
(d)
Fig. 3.23 (a, c) Calculated distributions of hydraulic head, ha and (b, d) hydraulichead anomalies, h, produced in a uid-potential eld of hydraulic gradient,
h/x = 0.02, by a permeable lens. The lenss properties are: length-to-width
ratio L/W = 5/1, permeability contrast = 100, longitudinal axis parallel to the
undisturbed gradient, degrees of anisotropy, kh /kv , 2 and 10. Contour values are
in arbitrary relative units (after Tth and Rakhit, 1988, Fig. 6, p. 367).
3.3 Effects of temporal changes in the water table: transient pore pressures
and ow systems
Temporal modications in the shape of the water table at different scales are common in nature. Such changes may be due to a number of different geologic factors
such as erosion, uplift, rifting or crustal warping, but also to changes in seasonal
precipitation, weather pattern or climate. Their time rates, durations and magnitudes
vary over widely different ranges.
72
In turn, a change in the water table disturbs the current equilibrium between the
boundary conditions and the ow eld in the domain. It induces changes in pressure,
hydraulic head, and ow, striving to reestablish steady-state patterns adjusted to
the new boundary conditions. During the time of adjustment the various dynamic
parameters and their patterns of distribution are transient, i.e. in disequilibrium.
Depending on the time rate of change in the boundary conditions relative to the
rate of adjustment inside the ow domain and the duration of the process, different
degrees of disequilibrium develop between the boundaries and the pressure and
ow elds. Symptomatic of such disequilibria are abnormal poreuid pressures.
In basinal hydrogeology, the most important consequences of temporal changes
in the water table are: (i) transient pore pressures; (ii) changes in ow patterns;
(iii) time-dependent water-ow rates; (iv) anomalies in ow-generated or owsensitive processes and phenomena. Such processes and phenomena may include,
e.g., chemical composition of groundwater, subsurface temperature elds, accumulation and dissipation of matter, and so on. Whether or not an anomaly exists
in reality is inferred from discrepancies between observable eld conditions and
theoretically expected consequences of the ow systems. The basis of analysis,
interpretation, and modelling of transient basinal ow conditions, and their expected
consequences, is the diffusion equation (Eq. 1.1), presented earlier.
3.3.1 Time lag and time scales in pore-pressure adjustment
According to the diffusion equation,
S0 h
2h 2h 2h
2
,
h
=
div
grad
h
=
+
+
=
K t
z 2
x2
y2
(1.1)
if the hydraulic head changes with respect to time in an elementary volume, i.e.
when h/t = 0, the change results in a nite difference between the ow rates
into and out of the volume element. The volume functions as a source or a sink
for the uid involved. The difference in the ow rates is controlled by the terms
2 h/x2 , etc., and by the diffusion coefcient D = K/S0 .
A change in the inowoutow balance in one part of the ow region does, of
course, disturb the ow direction and ow intensity in other, hydraulically connected, points. The effect is manifested by changes in the hydraulic heads: a head
(or pressure) disturbance propagates through the voids of the rock framework to
other points by diffusion. The rate of this pressure dissipation is a function of the
coefcient of diffusivity, D. In this coefcient, the hydraulic conductivity K represents the ease with which a uid ows through the rock. The rate of pressure and
uid-mass transfer is, therefore, directly proportional to K. The specic storage,
S0 , on the other hand, is a measure of the uid volume that a rock/uid system can
73
absorb or release by a unit change in hydraulic head due to elastic changes in the
volume of water and pore space. Consequently, the rate of pressure and uid-mass
transfer is inversely proportional to S0 .
Pressure changes can thus be expected to propagate more rapidly in highly permeable (high K) and slightly deformable (low S0 ) rigid rocks, such as indurated
porous sandstones, than in poorly permeable and highly deformable rocks as, for
instance, clays or incompletely compacted shales. In all cases, however, because
of the nite value of the coefcient of diffusivity, a time lag develops between an
initial, inducing change in pore pressure (the cause) at one point, and the response
of induced changes in pore pressure (the effect) at all other points of the ow region.
The time lag increases with increasing distance between the points of origin and
observation, with increasing specic storage S0 , and with decreasing hydraulic
conductivity K.
Whether or not the question of lag time needs to be included in the considerations of a given problem depends on the time scale of the expectable pore-pressure
response to a perturbation, relative to the time scale of the problem itself. The time
scales of both the propagation of pore-pressures in nature and the related natural
processes of human interest range over many orders of magnitude. Consequently,
in certain problems the two time scales do not overlap. Ignoring the transient nature
of the problem is justied in these cases. On the other hand, ignoring the fact that
a nite length of time is required for pore-pressure disturbances to traverse certain distances in the rock framework can lead in many instances to incomplete
or erroneous interpretations, conclusions, and practical decisions in ow-related
questions. The two examples presented below are intended to illustrate a number
of points related to transient pore-pressure conditions. These include: the often
ignored, even denied, fact that pore-pressure disturbances do propagate through
rocks of very low permeability; the wide range of time scales possibly relevant
to practical problems such as subsurface waste disposal or petroleum hydrogeology; the fact that the time required for pore-pressure changes initiated at one
point to cause observable changes in other points may exceed the duration of
observation; potential errors that can be made by ignoring transient conditions;
and the fact that transient pore pressures exist on the geological time scales,
in general, and that changes in topographic conguration can induce them, in
particular.
The rst example illustrates the phenomenon of time lag in pore-pressure
responses on the human time scale. As part of the evaluation of a potential gasstorage reservoir, Witherspoon and Neuman (1967) determined the permeability
of a 16-foot ( 4.9 m) thick shale by observing the response of water levels in
the Galesville Sandstone aquifer above the shale, to pumping from the potential reservoir, below the shale (Fig. 3.24). A permeability of k = 0.7104 md
74
(K 0.7 1012 m/s) was obtained from the pumping test, in good agreement
with core-analysis results yielding k = 1.8 104 md (K 1.8 1012 m/s).
However, had pumping and observations stopped before 30 days (in practice, few
pumping tests are conducted for more than a few days) the 16 foot ( 4.9 m)
thick caprock would have appeared impermeable and the two sandstones above
and below it hydraulically unconnected. In the authors own words (Witherspoon
and Neuman, 1967, p. 954): it was apparent that there is no evidence of drawdown
until after about 30 days (of pumping). An unmistakable downward trend began
after 40 days and continued for 20 days after the water withdrawal stopped. About
45 days after the pumping ceased, the uid levels began to recover. (Fig. 3.24).
In the second example, delays in cross-formational responses to pressure changes
on the geological time scale are demonstrated. Such lag times are beyond the
possibility of direct observation on the human time scale and estimates can only
Water level amsl, ft
(b)
680
679
678
Stop pumping
Start pumping
Fluid level in
observation well
677
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Time(days)
(a)
Q = 100 gpm
Observation
well
50 ft
Galesvile
ss
Caprock
16 ft
30 ft
Potential
reservoir
Fig. 3.24 Observed lag of water-level changes caused by pumping across thin
caprock (modied from Witherspoon and Neuman, 1967, Figs. 1 and 7, p. 950
and 953, respectively; conversion of values shown on gure: 50 ft 15.3 m, 16 ft
5 m, 30 ft 9 m, 680 ft 208 m, 677 ft 206 m, 100 gpmUS gallons per
minute 6.3 l/s 380 l/min).
75
be based on theory and calculations. In this case, times were calculated for porepressure adjustments at the base of an approximately 1000 m thick sedimentary
rock column including slightly permeable strata to changes in the water table, for
a realistic geological situation in northern Alberta, Canada (Figs. 3.25a,b; Tth,
1978; Tth and Millar, 1983).
The coefcient of diffusivity D = K/S0 was varied in Equation 1.1 by varying
the hydraulic conductivity, K, while keeping the specic storage constant at S0 =
106/cm for all strata. The required adjustment times ta were expressed as a function
of the relative adjustment of hydraulic head, Ran . It is dened as the ratio of the
induced head-change actually accomplished at depth, to the inducing total change
at the land surface:
Ran =
han
.
hT
Birch Mts.
Wabasca R
1
(SW)
Hydrogeological Unit
No.
5.
Thickness
z al x=0,
metres
518
183
480
45
13 m.y B.P > t > 1 m.y B.P

(from Early Pliocene to end Pliocene)
p0
rg 0
0 = hT
han
hrn
p0
137
Stage 2: Land surface after t01
Athabasoa R.
Stage 3: Ice surface during Glaciation:

1m.y B.P >t > 0.01m.y B.P.
(possible erosional surface during
Interglacial intervals) 1
(NE)
(a)
Stage 1: Land surface prior to t01

t > 13 m.y B.P.
(3.15)
CRETACEOUS QUATERNARY I
CRETACEOUS AB
Stage 4: Land surface at t 0.01m.y B.P.

(after end of last glaciation, but
probably from t02 = 0.3 my B.P)
P2
PALEO MESOZOIC UNCONFORMITY I
hT
hn
h0
DEVONIAN AB
NIAN
DEVO
PRECAMBRIAN
X
Z=0
P1
100 km
100 km
Aquifer
Aquitard
Aquiclude
Ice
erosional
surface
Devonion I Hydrogeological unit

Po
Point where pressure change originates
Point where pressure change is observed
P1
Original pressure head in P0

Initial hydraulic head in Po and P1
Final hydraulic head in Po and P1
hn(n = 0,1 2...T.) Transient hydraulic head in P1 at t = tn
Ultramate head change in P1 at t = 1
hT
hrn
Excess, or residual head in P1 at t = tn
Excess adjustment in P1 at t = tn
han
0
h0
hT
Fig. 3.25 Calculated times for pore-pressure adjustment on geological time scale,
Red Earth region, northern Alberta, Canada: (a) idealized hydrogeological crosssection and evolutionary stages used in calculating hydraulic-head changes at P1
in Devonian I Aquifer; (b) hydraulic-head changes at the base P1 of a sedimentary
column generated by an instantaneous head change at the land surface P0 , as a
function of the hydraulic parameters of hydrogeological units 2 and 4 (after Tth
and Millar, 1983, Figs. 3 and 4, p. 1587 and 1590, respectively).
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
102
Fig. 3.25 (cont.)
Relative head-adjustment: Ran=
han
hT
(b)
103
104
A
B
C
106
105
Adjustment time, ta, years
Principal set 1:
K2 = 107 cm/sec
107
Principal set 4:
10
K2 = 10 cm/sec
108
A :K4 = 107cm/sec
B:K4 = 108cm/sec
C:K4 = 109cm/sec
Subsets
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
109
Principal set 6:
12
K2 = 10 cm/sec
Relative residual head: Rrn =

hrn
hT
77
In Equation (3.15) han is the actual change in head at the point of observation at
time tn , and hT is the total change in head at the water table.
Figure 3.25b shows that as the hydraulic conductivity K2 of the lower aquitard
decreases through the values K2 = 107 , 1010 and 1012 cm/s, (principal sets 1,
4, 6) the onset time ta0 (the time required for the rst noticeable change in head
at depth) increases through the values of 2 102 , 4 104 and 4 106 years,
respectively, while the conductivity of the upper aquitard is kept at a constant
value of K4 = 107 cm/s (curves 1A, 4A, 6A). The respective times for complete
adjustment ta100 are approximately 1 104 , 2 106 and 2 108 years. The rst
indication, or breakthrough, and the transmittal of 50 and 100 per cent of the
hydraulic head change are delayed by 7 104 , 4.7 105 and 2 106 years,
respectively, by a combination of two thick strata with the slight, but in nature
common, values of K2 = 1010 and K4 = 109 cm/s (curve 4C). Many geologic
phenomena and processes may be affected by changes in subsurface ow lasting
for time spans mentioned above, such as: regional patterns of temperatures and
ionic and isotopic constituents of formation waters; migration and accumulation of
hydrocarbons and metals; diagenetic changes of silicate and carbonate minerals.
3.3.2 Effect on basinal ow patterns
Delays in pore-pressure responses to changes in boundary conditions may affect
the basinal elds of pressure, hydraulic head and, thus, ow and its natural consequences. Awareness of these effects is useful and can be important in applied
hydrogeology. One potentially puzzling effect is a possible discrepancy, i.e. disequilibrium, between observed elds of dynamic parameters and their expected
patterns derived theoretically from the current topography and assumed steadystate conditions. A corollary to this effect is the possible inconsistency between
the actual ow patterns and various ow-generated or ow-sensitive natural processes and phenomena. While abnormal pore pressures are known possibly to result
from time lag in pressure adjustment to a relatively rapidly changing topographic
relief, they are also frequently misinterpreted as steady-state anomalies caused by
impermeabilty of strata or faults, or both.
Figures 3.26(ac) illustrate schematically the possible effects that an inversion of
the topographic relief can have on basinal water ow in the presence of a stratum of
low diffusivity (Tth, 1984; Tth and Corbet, 1986). On a basinal scale, the water
table is assumed to coincide with the land surface. Modication to the topographic
relief begins at time t1 (Fig. 3.26a). At this time the land surface is S1 . Surface S1
has already been in existence for a sufciently long time prior to t1 that the contemporaneous ow systems, q1 , are perfectly adjusted to it, thus they are in steady-state
equilibrium with the topography. At time t1 the land surface begins to change and
78

3
q1
S1
S2
d3
(a)
t1
S1
q2
Aquitard
d2
S2
q1
q1
d1
1
q1
(b)
S1
q2
S2
q3
q3
Aquitard
Aquitard
q1
q3
t2
(c)
t3
Fig. 3.26 Conceptual illustration of delayed adjustment of ow systems to temporal changes in water-table relief: (a) original, t1 , steady-state ow-systems,
monochronous ow eld; (b) transient, t2 , ow systems, heterochronous ow
eld; (c) nal, t3 , steady-state ow systems, monochronous ow eld. Current
surface: solid line; future and paleo surface: dashed line (Tth, 1995, Fig. 8, p. 12;
modied from Tth, 1988, Fig. 22, p. 498).
by time t2 the former ridge S1 becomes the new valley of S2 (Fig. 3.26b). If the
rate of topographic change is greater than the possible rate of cross-formational
pressure-diffusion from the zone below the aquitard, a ow pattern develops that is
incongruous with the relief. The now-modern ow systems q2 in the high diffusivity
upper parts of the basin follow the changes in the topography and remain adjusted
to the boundary conditions. As a result, the original systems q1 are eliminated in
this upper zone: they are rendered to the status of paleo-, i.e. extinct, ow systems q1 . Due to the low diffusivity of the aquitard, however, remanent differences
in uid potentials (and pore pressures) keep driving the uids centrifugally, thus
maintaining the relict, gradually decaying and therefore transient, q1 systems for a
while in the lower portions of the ow region.
Finally, at time t3 (Fig. 3.26c), after a sufciently long time has elapsed for
the relict potential differences in the aquitard to dissipate, the modern, continually
renewed systems, q3 , prevail throughout the entire depth of the basin. By now, all
previous ow systems become paleo, i.e. extinct. At this time, all ow systems in
the basin are perfectly adjusted to the current land surface S2 and are, therefore, in
steady state. They are, however, completely opposite in direction to what was their
original orientation at time t1 . In between, at time t2 (Fig. 3.26b), the incongruous
situation existed that shallow and deep systems were oppositely directed, with the
deep systems owing centrifugally toward topographically high regions. In view
of the adjustment times, discussed in the previous section, such a puzzling situation
appears to be entirely possible in a uid regime which is hydraulically continuous
79
and driven solely by gravity. This observation is not meant, however, to propose
that gravity is the sole driving force in all such situations!
One possible, but erroneous, explanation for the basinal ow pattern at time
t2 could envisage a hermetically sealed aquifer in which unbalanced compaction,
thermal, or osmotic forces cause over-pressuring and drive centrifugal ow. The
sealing aquitard would be overlain by a basin with a gravitational ow regime
completely separated from the deeper system. In reality, however, the entire basin
is one hydraulically continuous unit, which has experienced a change in the relief
of the water table and is now undergoing hydraulic adjustment, controlled by the
diffusivity of a major aquitard.
Indeed, the diffusivity even of a major aquitard is only one of the important
controls on the adjustment of pore pressures. In a sensitivity analysis of a twodimensional version of the previously discussed example from northern Alberta
(Fig. 3.25a,b; Tth and Millar, 1983), England and Freeze (1988) examined the
effect of variations in several factors on the rate of hydraulic head decay, namely:
hydraulic conductivity, anisotropy, specic storage, water-table conguration and
basin size. They found that adjustment times are, in general, relatively highly sensitive to changes in: hydraulic conductivities of the poorly permeable strata, vertical
components of K if the rock is anisotropic, specic storage of the aquifers, and
thickness of the basin, i.e. the vertical dimensions of the strata. On the other hand,
adjustment times show less sensitivity to changes in: hydraulic conductivity of the
highly permeable strata, the magnitude of the horizontal component of K in case of
anisotropy, specic storage of poorly permeable rocks, water-table conguration
and the length of the basin.
In a study aimed at evaluating the suitability of two sites possibly considered
for high-level nuclear fuel-waste repositories, Senger et al. (1987) examined the
effects that topographic modications due to tectonic and geomorphic processes
may have had on the subsurface ow systems since Miocene times in the Palo Duro
Basin of West Texas, USA. The analysis was conducted by transient numerical
modeling along an approximately 600 km long westeast section crossing the High
Plains from New Mexico to the Eastern Caprock Escarpment. It simulated four
major stages in the basins evolutionary history: (i) uplift and tilting; (ii) deposition
of the surcial Ogallala aquifer; (iii) erosion of the Pecos River valley; (iv) the
westward retreat of the Eastern Caprock Escarpment. In the series of successive
simulations, the nal distribution of hydraulic heads for each stage was used as the
initial condition for the subsequent step.
The basin is divided into three major hydrogeologic units: the Deep Basin Brine
aquifer at the base; the Ogallala and Dockum aquifers at the top; and, between and
separating the two units, a thick aquitard made up of Permian evaporites. During all
four stages of the topographic modications, signicant adjustments in hydraulic
80
heads are observed in the Deep Basin Brine aquifer 1 Ma after the change in
topography, and near or fully steady-state conditions develop within a maximum of
9 Ma. In particular, in simulating the effect of the erosion of the Pecos River valley,
hydraulic heads were gradually lowered during a period of 4 Ma. By 5 Ma after the
start of the erosion, i.e. 1 Ma after it has ended, virtually steady-state conditions
prevailed, with only about 1.7 m maximum head change occurring over the last
1 Ma.
The approximate distributions of steady-state hydraulic heads and stream lines
5 Ma after the onset of the erosion of the Pecos River valley, and the effect of the
erosion in terms of hydraulic-head differences before and thereafter, are shown in
Figures 3.27(a,b) respectively (Senger et al., 1987, Figs. 12 and 25). Figure 3.27(a)
shows that, in spite of the deeply penetrating effect of the Pecos River, a deep
regional ow system does pass beneath its valley. The ow rate of the deep system is,
however, only a fraction of that of the shallow systems (note values of the streamline
contour intervals). Figure. 3.27(b) illustrates the magnitude and areal extent that
major changes in topography can have on the hydraulic head distribution, thus
(a)
West
East
Pecos River
NEW MEXICO
prescrib
TEXAS
Q
prescribed
1,40
0
80
70
60
00
00
0
90
1,0
00
1,2
1,300
1,1
Sea level
500
1,400
1,600
prescribed
1,500
1,800
1,700
ed h
OKLAHOMA
2500 ft 750 m
25 mi
0
40 km
EXPLANATION
900
Equipotential (m above m.s.l)
Contour interval 50m

Formation boundary
Streamline
Streamline contour interval
Computed hydraulic heads

(Deep-Basin Brine aquifer)
Kriged hydraulic heads
(Deep-Basin Brine aquifer)
0.2 m3/d
Kriged hydraulic heads

(Pre-Wolfcamp aquifer))
0.01 m3/d
Graite wash: k = 8.6 md

Granite wash: k =100 md
ft m
5000 1500
50 mi
80 km
Fig. 3.27 Simulation of transient ow elds on geologic time-scale for the Palo
Duro Basin, West Texas, USA: (a) subhydrostatic conditions in the Deep-Basin
Brine aquifer east of the Eastern Caprock Escarpment; (b) difference in hydraulic
heads before and after Pecos River valley erosion (modied from Senger et al.,
1987, Figs. 12 and 25, respectively)
Sea
level

(b)
81
West
East
TEXAS
NEW MEXICO
OKLAHOMA
150
200
50
100
Pecos River
Sea
level
200
Sea level
50
Difference in hydraulic head

before and after Pecos River
erosion
Contour interval 25 m
10
15
EXPLANATION
m
ft
2500 750
100
25 mi
0
40 km
Formation boundary
Fig. 3.27 (cont.)
also on the direction and intensity of ow, even beneath very slightly permeable
(2.8 104 md 2.8 1012 m/s) and thick (several hundred metres) evaporite
aquitards, within less than 5 million years.

The theories, their practical applications, and the interpretations of eld observations discussed so far were based on the assumption that the rock framework is
hydraulically continuous. The assumption was justied tacitly by recognizing that:
(i) the existence of large-scale groundwater ow systems and regionally extensive patterns of hydrogeologic phenomena are conrmed by observations; (ii) the
effects of naturally and articially imposed stresses on the groundwater body propagate over great distances and depths; (iii) the rate of sustainable water production
depends ultimately on some weighted average permeability of all the rocks included
in a basin-wide representative elementary volume (REV), or even on available
recharge, rather than on the pumped aquifers transmissivity T and storage coefcient S; (iv) industrial, agricultural, and municipal contaminants of known sites of
origin may appear at unexpected distances, locations and depths. Indeed, one even
might argue that the primary, although not necessarily obvious, justication for
considering large sedimentary basins as natural units for hydrogeological analysis
is the fact that their different and often distant regions and depths are linked through
a hydraulically communicating network of voids.
This fact, however, has not been generally recognized or accepted. For instance,
one of the most eminent petroleum geologists of his day explained petroleum
82
migration and entrapment, and several associated pressure, temperature, and mineralogical conditions by invoking hermetically sealed three-dimensional rock
compartments (Hunt, 1990). While Hunts ideas have gained some acceptance,
the processes and phenomena discussed by him can also be understood on the basis
of a hydraulically-continuous rock framework (Tth et al., 1991). The concept,
with some supporting arguments, of regional hydraulic continuity as well as its
natural consequences and effects are, therefore, reviewed below in the context of
gravity-driven groundwater ow systems.
3.4.1 The concept of regional hydraulic continuity
Hydraulic continuity is a phenomenological property of the rock framework. It
can be characterized quantitatively as the ratio of an induced change in hydraulic
head (or pore pressure) to an inducing change in head (or pressure). Because porepressure changes propagate through the rocks at nite velocities (as controlled
by the hydraulic diffusivity D = K/S0 = hydraulic conductivity/specic storage;
Eq. (1.1)), whether or not hydraulic continuity can be perceived depends on the
distance, and the travel-time of a pressure disturbance, between the points of origin
and observation. Consequently, its demonstrability is a function of the scales of
space and time at which a given problem is treated. In other words, it is a relative
property.
The concept of hydraulic continuity is particularly useful in characterizing the
hydraulic behaviour of heterogeneous rock masses on specied spatial and temporal scales, in general, and on the regional and geological segments of the spaceand time-scale spectra, in particular. Thus, a subsurface rock body is considered
hydraulically continuous on a given time scale if a change in hydraulic head at any
of its points causes a head change at any other point, within a time interval that is
measurable on the specied time scale (Tth, 1995, p. 6).
Regional hydraulic continuity is not a self-evident or easily veriable property
of the rock framework. Large contrasts in permeabilities of contiguous rock bodies may make the less permeable ones appear impervious from conventional types
of observations. Pore-pressure responses at various points in the ow region to a
pressure change elsewhere may take longer than the time span of observation, thus
rendering the rock body, or parts of it, to appear impermeable. Or, where major
contrasts in water chemistry, temperature or other ow-sensitive uid properties
coincide with low-permeability rock boundaries, an impression of hydraulic discontinuity is created or reinforced. It is, therefore, not entirely surprising that the
century-long debate about hydraulic continuity, i.e. about the existence of absolutely
isolated portions of the rock framework, has not yet been settled. The evolution of
the concept and the principal arguments in support of hydraulic continuity are best
reviewed by means of a brief historical retrospective.
83
3.4.1.1 Evolution of the concept

Current understanding of hydraulic continuity has developed independently from
two different, indeed, opposite types of groundwater investigations, namely: aquifer
and well hydraulics (local pumping tests) and basin hydraulics (regional water
resources).
(i) Hydraulic continuity inferred from aquifer hydraulics. Chamberlain (1885),
noted in his discussion of The Requisite and Qualifying Conditions of Artesian
Wells, that No stratum is entirely impervious. Nevertheless, authors of all early
calculations of ow to wells assumed either a free water table or ideally conned
conditions (e.g., Thiem, 1906; Theis, 1935, respectively). Hydraulic communication across conning strata was not formally taken into account until Hantush and
Jacob (1954, 1955) included a leakage factor in Theis non-equilibrium equation:
the ideally conned aquifer was thus replaced by the multiple aquifer. This
concept was extended and rened by Neuman and Whitherspoon (1971, 1972),
whose calculations illustrate clearly the time-dependent nature of the hydraulic
behaviour of multi-aquifer systems. In pumped aquifer 1 of the two-aquifer system of Figure 3.28, the calculated drawdown at distance r from the well is similar
for small values of time to that of the Theis solution for an ideally conned
stratum.
The deviation from the ideally conned behaviour increases, however, with
increasing pumping time, as indicated by the intermediate values of time
r/B11
101
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
N
UT
IO
100
EI
SO
L
TH
Drawdown [L]
small values of time

large values of time
intermediate values
of time
101
b2, K2
Unpumped
aquifer 2
b1, K1
Aquitard
Pumped
aquifer 1
r
K1
r/B11 = r
K1b1b1
b1, K1
102
101
100
101
102
103
104
Time [T ]
Fig. 3.28 Example of relative hydraulic behaviour of conned aquifer as function

of time (Tth, 1995, Fig. 1; simplied from Neuman and Witherspoon, 1971, Fig.
IV-18).
84

Pumping well
Q
Observation wells
Aquifer 5
Aquifer 4
Aquifer 4
Aquifer 3
Aquifer 3
Aquifer 2
Aquifer 2
Aquifer 1
Aquifer 1
Fig. 3.29 Hydraulic continuity of multiple-aquifer systems a and b, as inferred

from short- and long-term pumping tests, respectively (Tth, 1995, Fig. 2).
in Figure 3.28. And nally, all water is derived at large values of time through
leakage from the un-pumped surcial aquifer. If pumping were to stop early, the
aquifer would be perceived as ideally conned; if only late drawdowns were considered, the aquifer would appear unconned. These theoretical conclusions were
empirically corroborated by a eld test in which a time lag of approximately 30
days was observed across a shale bed 16 feet (4.9 m) in thickness (Fig. 3.24; Witherspoon and Neuman, 1967). Consequently, whether system a or b (Fig. 3.29)
is deemed hydraulically continuous depends primarily on the relative lengths of
pumping and observation.
(ii) Hydraulic continuity inferred from basin hydraulics. In what might be the
earliest attempt at explaining petroleum accumulation by cross-formational water
ow, Munn (1909) calls imperviousness of strata a time-honored delusion and
continues: No unaltered sedimentary rocks of the type in which oil and gas pools
occur are impervious (Munn,1909, p. 516). From the 1950s on, regional studies
have led increasingly to the conclusion that a quantitative interpretation of long
pumping tests, regional pressure patterns, basinal water balances and large-scale
ow models is possible only if regional and cross-formational hydraulic communication is assumed. Walton (1960) observed, for instance, that in the southern Illinois
Basin Available data indicate that on a regional basis, the entire sequence of strata,
from the top of the Galena-Platteville to the top of the shale beds of the Eau Claire
Formation, essentially behave [sic] hydraulically as one aquifer (Walton,1960,
p. 18). Kolesov (1965) stated explicitly that thousands of observed pressures in
85
Siberia, Russia and the Dnieper-Donets basin are easily explained If the artesian
waters in different strata are considered one single complex entity hydraulically
connected (Kolesov, 1965, p. 197). A group of French hydrogeologists (Albinet
and Cottez, 1969; Asti et al., 1969; Margat, 1969) interpreted vertical hydraulic
head differences in various large sedimentary basins (e.g., Paris, W. Africa, Sahara,
Aquitain) as indicating ow between conned aquifers through the intervening
aquitards. They argued that if leakage can be produced articially by pumping, it
must occur also under the effect of natural head differences. By means of a quantitative water-balance model of the Aquitain basin, France, covering an area of over
100 000 km2 , Besbes et al. (1976) veried the hydraulics of eight main aquifers,
which communicate through aquitards (Fig. 3.30; Besbes et al., 1976, p. 294).
More recently, Neuzil et al., (1984) showed by numerical simulation that the
actual amount and rate of water withdrawal from the Dakota aquifer would be
impossible without leakage through the overlying Pierre Shale. The vertical permeability of the shales, however, must be 101000 times larger on the regional
scale than on the local scales.
(iii) Convergence of transmissivities to regional eld values inferred from pumping
tests, Cretaceous, Alberta, Canada. Transmissivities determined by pumping tests
of increasing lengths (Tth, 1966b, 1973) approached a value evaluated from the
annual pattern of regional water-level uctuations (Tth, 1968, 1982) in heterogeneous clastic rocks in the Alberta Sedimentary Basin, Canada (Fig. 3.31). The
asymptotic convergence of transmissivities towards a limiting nite value suggests
that the ow domain sampled by the water withdrawn through individual aquifers
for a sufciently long time is the same as the one traversed by the regional ow,
i.e. that the rock framework is hydraulically continuous.
SE
NW
Bassin d'Arcachon
Plio-Quaternaire
Miocne
ne
Oligoc
ocne
res
r
infrieu
suprieu
tac
r
C
u
et d
ur
Somm
u p r i e
tac s
u Cr
d
e
ien
Ba s
oy e
ortland
em
r et P
s iqu
rieu
s
f
a
n
i
r
u
J
ac
Crt
p.
su
Miocne
Aquifer
&
Sables
olassique s
sous-m +
Sables
+ +
+?
+ +
iqu
ith
rol
Sid
km
Aquitard
100
Flow direction
(approx.)
Fig. 3.30 Schematic of multiple-aquifer systems and computed ow paths,

Aquitain Basin, France (Tth, 1995, Fig. 3; modied from Besbes et al., 1976).
Transmissivity (T ),
Imp.gallon
day.foot
86
t = 10 minutes
T = 30610
t = 5 days
T = 1948
t = 5.5 years
T = 750
103
1
102 1
10
Imp.gall
=
day.foot
102
1491
m2
102
day
103
104
105
Time (t ), minutes
106
107
t=8
steady
state
T 480
108
Fig. 3.31 Transmissivities determined from pumping tests of increasing duration

and converging toward values inferred from seasonal water-level changes (Tth,
1995, Fig. 4; compiled from Tth, 1966b, 1968, 1973, 1982).
3.4.1.2 Additional arguments in support of regional hydraulic continuity

In addition to conclusions inferred from aquifer and basin hydraulics, regional
hydraulic continuity is also supported by observations of rock-pore sizes and rock
permeabilities.
Rock-pore sizes were estimated by Tissot and Welte (1978) to decrease to an
apparent minimum of 1 nm at a depth of 4000 m, whereas the effective diameter of a
water molecule is 0.32 nm only. Consequently, a water molecule should be able to
pass through the intergranular voids of the tightest shales even if two monomolecular water layers are assumed to line the pore walls. Brace (1980) reported measurable
permeability values in any rock type (pure halite being the only possible exception) and at any depth accessible by the days drilling technology (to depths of
810 km). In the Swan Hills region of Alberta, Canada, minimum values for vertical
hydraulic conductivities of massive clastic and evaporite aquitards were observed
by Hitchon et al. (1989) to be about 7 to 91011 m/s. Many other examples can
be cited for extensive and tight rocks being effectively permeable, whereas not one
reliably impermeable formation has yet been identied, to my knowledge, in the
search for suitable repository sites for radioactive or other long-living hazardous
wastes.
3.4.2 Consequences of regional hydraulic continuity
The natural consequences of hydraulic continuity of the rock framework can be
summarized into three groups of processes and phenomena: (a) development of
regionally extensive groundwater ow systems; (b) systematic areal distribution of
matter and heat; (c) hydraulic interdependence of different basinal areas.
87
3.4.2.1 Regionally extensive groundwater ow systems

The basic form of regionally extensive steady-state ow systems facilitated by
hydraulic continuity develops in the unit basin, as discussed in Chapter 2. To
recall, the unit basin is a symmetrical topographic depression with linearly sloping
anks, a homogeneous rock framework, and with three distinctly different groundwater ow regimes: the recharge, midline, and discharge regions. These regions
are characterized by descending, lateral and ascending ow, respectively, as well
as by the associated patterns of pore pressure, hydraulic head and vertical pressure
gradients (Fig. 2.2). The closest natural equivalents of the unit basin are intermontane valleys and closed lake basins (e.g., Issar and Rosenthal, 1968; Mifin,
1968; Ortega and Farvolden, 1989; Tth and Otto 1993). In regions with substantial local topography, such as high-relief platforms and foreland basins, composite
ow patterns develop. These patterns are topographically modied versions of the
unit basin ow systems. In such basins three types of ow systems are recognized:
local, intermediate and regional. Composite patterns are characterized by laterally
alternating rechargedischarge regions, contiguity of hydraulically similar regions
of ow systems of different order, vertical superposition of different types of ow
regimes, and stagnation points (Fig. 3.3; e.g., Asti et al., 1969; Erdlyi, 1976; Tth
and Almsi, 2001).
Low permeability strata may modify basinal pore-pressure patterns to such a
degree that the erroneous impression of hydraulic discontinuity is created. The
apparent discontinuity suggested by the p(d )-proles in Figure 3.11 is due to a lack
of pressure measurements in the aquitard, rather than to a lack of ow through it.
A hiatus in observed pressure values can lead to similarly erroneous conclusions
regarding hydraulic continuity in ow domains of non-gravitational systems also.
Such can be the case, for instance, in systems of expelled water of compacting
sedimentary basins, such as the Gulf of Mexico.
Owing to hydraulic continuity, basinal pore pressures adjust to changing boundary conditions albeit, perhaps, with a time lag. The process may result in
heterochronous ow elds (Fig. 3.26). Such adjustment was estimated to take
approximately 4 Ma through a 480 m thick shale stratum in northern Alberta, (Fig.
3.25b; Tth and Millar, 1983).
3.4.2.2 Systematic distribution of matter and heat: the geologic agency of
groundwater
Moving groundwater interacts with its environment through a variety of physical, chemical and mechanical processes. Groundwater mobilizes, transports and
deposits matter and heat, modies pore pressures, and lubricates fracture plains
and soil grains. The effects of these processes are different, even opposite, in
88
high-energy recharge and low-energy discharge areas. Oxidation, dissolution,

moisture deciency, removal of matter, subhydrostatic pressures and reduced subsurface temperatures are common in the former, whereas the opposite conditions
characterize the latter (Tth, 1984, 1999).
An important aspect of the geologic agency of groundwater is that its manifestations occur in any size and any order of ow systems, as well as at any depth and
any time scale. The diversity of groundwater-generated eld features is increased
by the effects of local environments. For instance, just a simple excess of water in
a discharge area can result in springs, seeps, soil creep, quick sand, ice mounds,
fens and so on, depending on the conditions of climate, soils and topography. In the
deeper subsurface and on the scale of geologic time, hydraulic continuity facilitates
the development of extensive ow systems. In combination with other requisite
conditions, such ow systems may become effective transport mechanisms in the
generation of various types of metallic ore deposits (Galloway and Hobday, 1983;
Baskov, 1987; Garven et al., 1993); petroleum accumulations (Tth, 1988; Wells,
1988; Verweij, 2003); and geothermal heat anomalies (Smith and Chapman, 1983;
Beck et al. 1989; Lazear, 2006).
3.4.2.3 Hydraulic interdependence of different basinal regions and hydrologic
components
An important consequence of hydraulic continuity is the propagation of hydraulic
stresses imposed on the groundwater body to distant geographic regions, to unexpected depths and strata, for great lengths of time, or in unexpected forms. As an
example, Figure 3.32 presents the theoretical response of various water-balance
components to pumping in a regionally unconned basin. The effects most relevant in the present context are the unexpected decline in natural recharge at
time = t4 , and the conversion of former discharge areas into recharge areas (between
t3 and t4 ) upon extended pumping.
In the case of a real-life example, pumping for the city of Tokyo in the Kanto
groundwater basin has affected groundwater levels in a radius of over 100 km
and it has caused land subsidence in excess of 4 m in places (Nirei and Furuno,
1986) In the design of repositories for nuclear wastes, changes in pore pressures
must be considered for thousands of years after possible changes in boundary
conditions, and oil elds may be remigrated by changes in natural ow-eld boundaries (Fig. 3.26; Tuan and Chao, 1968), or by pumping in apparently unconnected
locations (Hubbert, 1953).
3.4.3 Conclusions
Hydrogeologically, a large sedimentary basin can be envisaged as an extensive
structural depression of the Earths crust lled with sedimentary rock and possibly
89
withdrawal rate, (Q)

recharge rate, (R)
discharge rate, (D)
R
INTO
BASIN
OUT OF
BASIN
Ro
t0
t1
t2
t3
t4 t 5
Do
WATER
TABLE
DECLINE
maximum
stable basin
yield
STABLE
water table depth
below which maximum
groundwater recharge
rate can no longer be
sustained
D
t6
TIME
UNSTABLE
water table depth
below which no
stable recharge
rate can be
sustained
Fig. 3.32 Schematic diagram of transient relations between rates of recharge,

discharge and water withdrawal in a regionally unconned drainage basin (Tth,
1995, Fig. 11, from Freeze, 1971, Fig. 11).
containing several drainage basins. Owing partly to large contrasts in permeabilities,

sharply differing groundwater conditions can develop in different regions and at
different depths. Water ow may be generated by gradients of different energy
types, e.g., gravity, pressure, thermal and chemical.
Signicant or abrupt variations of groundwater conditions in large sedimentary
basins have often been attributed to hydraulic discontinuity between different parts
of the rock framework. Increasingly, however, this thinking is giving way to the
perception that the rock framework is hydraulically continuous. In this view a
subsurface rock body is hydraulically continuous on a given time scale if a change
in hydraulic head (or pore pressure) at any point can cause a head change at any of
its other points within a time interval measurable on the specied time scale. This
phenomenological property is, therefore, dependent on the chosen scales of space
and time.
The most fundamental consequence of regional leakage is that large-scale ow
systems develop that are adjusted, or are in the process of adjustment, to uidpotential boundaries controlled by maximum and minimum values. These values
may be due to topographic highs and lows, extensive surface-water bodies, compressional or compactional pressure maxima, or dilatational pressure troughs. The
ow systems themselves function as conveyor belts and entail systematic distributions of heat and matter within the basins. They thus make groundwater an effective
and quasi-ubiquitous geologic agent.
90
Groundwater is active simultaneously on different scales of space and time. The

effects of moving groundwater are varied and environmentally modied. They
include, for instance, regionally contrasting soil-moisture conditions; various soil
and rock mechanical phenomena, such as liquefaction and land slides; wetland
development; effects on the base ow of rivers; regular patterns of groundwater
chemistry; diagenetic changes of minerals; soil salinization; migration and accumulation of various metallic minerals and petroleum; and the generation of certain
physical and chemical signatures that indicate the presence of those accumulations.
Perhaps the most challenging, and rewarding, task of the hydrogeologist is the
selection of the appropriate scales of space and time for a particular problem. For
example, the hydraulic engineer may easily overestimate the sustainable yield of
a good aquifer by not recognizing that the ultimate constraint on its production is
the bulk water-transmitting ability of the entire rock body of the basin, or even the
annual precipitation. Conversely, pumpage required to keep an open-cast mine dry
might be underestimated based solely on the pumped aquifers transmissivity and
storativity, i.e. if leakage through apparently impervious aquitards (which could
be recognized by regional ow studies) is ignored. Or, the same boundary, which
the petroleum-reservoir engineer rightly assumes for the purpose of productionrate calculations to be impermeable to hydrocarbons and to envelop a lenticular
accumulation, may allow the passage of sufcient hydrocarbons on the time scale of
petroleum migration for the lens to be targeted by the explorationist as a prospective
play.
In summary, the correct interpretation and utilization of the great number of
groundwater-related processes and phenomena as well as the correct modelling
and prediction of the effects of stresses imposed upon the groundwater regime
in large sedimentary basins, thus the correct practice of hydrogeology, require
the recognition of that fundamental property of the rock framework: hydraulic
continuity.
4
4.1 Introduction
Chapter 4 is intended to advance the view that moving groundwater is the common
basic cause of a wide variety of natural processes and phenomena and hence it
should be regarded as a general geologic agent.
That groundwater plays an active role in certain geologic processes has been
recognized in numerous earth-science subdisciplines for a long time. However, the
generality of this role was not appreciated until the 1960s and 1970s, when the
underlying common cause itself was sufciently understood to allow, and indeed
to stimulate, dedicated studies of its broader ramications. That cause was the
gravity-driven basinal ow of groundwater. Even during this period, however, the
generalization of groundwaters role in nature was hindered by at least two factors.
First, the diversity of natural phenomena related to groundwater ow effectively
conceals a single common cause. Second, a lack of knowledge, or even awareness,
of basinal groundwater hydraulics among specialists of various other disciplines
prevents them from recognizing the cause-and-effect relation between regional
groundwater ow and the particular phenomena of their interest. By way of illustrating the difculty of envisaging a common origin, sufce only to list such diverse, and
indeed in some cases disparate, natural phenomena generated and/or fundamentally
shaped by groundwater ow as: soil salinization, continental salt deposits, regional
patterns of groundwaters chemical composition, soil liquefaction, gullying, landslides, dry-land ice elds, geysers, positive and negative geothermal anomalies, lake
eutrophication, base-ow characteristics of streams, bog- vs. fen-type wetlands,
type and quality of plant species and associations, taliks in permafrost, roll-front
and tabular uranium deposits, dolomitization of limestones, karst morphology, diagenesis of certain clay minerals, some sulde-ore deposits, and certain types of
hydrocarbon accumulations.
91
92
Examples of studies, including some major papers and books, that treat of
specic geologic processes while recognizing the role played by groundwater
include: Yaalon (1963), Back (1966), Zaruba and Mencl (1969), Williams (1970),
Deere and Patton (1971), Domenico and Palciauscas (1973), de Vries (1974),
Boelter and Verry (1977), Winter (1978), Gerrard (1981), Wallick (1981), Fogg
and Kreitler (1982), LaFleur (1984), Garven (1989), Macumber (1991), Stute et al.
(1992), Garven et al. (1993), Stuyfzand (1993), Cardenas (2007) and Wrman
et al. (2007).
On the other hand, attempts at advancing the notion of groundwater as a general
geologic agent by focusing on its multifarious effects in nature are exemplied
by: Tth (1966a, 1971, 1972, and 1999), Freeze and Cherry (1979), Engelen and
Jones (1986), Deutscher Verband fr Wasserwirtschaft und Kulturbau e.V. (1987),
Back et al. (1988), Ortega and Farvolden (1989), Engelen and Kloosterman (1996),
Domenico and Schwartz (1997) and Ingebritsen and Sanford (1998).
The recognition of moving groundwater as a common cause of such a diversity
of geologic effects was not possible until the system-nature of its regional ow
distribution had been understood. The period of conscious efforts to model, observe,
and evaluate basin-scale ow of groundwater and the factors controlling it began in
the early 1960s. Initially, attention was directed to small basins and gravity-driven
ow (Tth, 1962a, 1963; Freeze and Witherspoon, 1966, 1967, 1968). The essential
results, that are relevant also in the present context, were the recognition that in
topography-controlled ow regimes, groundwater moves in systems of predictable
patterns and that various identiable natural phenomena are regularly associated
with different segments of the ow systems (Mifin, 1968; Williams, 1968, 1970;
Asti et al., 1969; Freeze, 1969).
The scope of investigations was expanded later to extensive and deep basins.
These studies have revealed or conrmed: (i) the hydraulically continuous nature
of the rock framework, which facilitates large-scale cross-formational ow systems; (ii) time lags in ow-pattern adjustments to changing boundary conditions,
ranging from human to geological time scales; (iii) the multiplicity of possible owinducing energy sources. It became obvious also that, although in many respects
different from their small-basin counterparts, a wide variety of geologic phenomena is associated with large-scale ow systems (Bredehoeft and Hanshaw, 1968;
Neuman and Witherspoon, 1971; Erdlyi, 1976; Tth, 1978; Neuzil and Pollock,
1983; Tth and Millar, 1983; Neuzil et al., 1984; Bethke, 1985; Tth and Corbet,
1986; Goff and Williams, 1987; Parnell, 1994).
The recognition that basinal ow of groundwater occurs in systems on a wide
range of spatial and temporal scales has provided a unifying theoretical background
for the study and understanding of many seemingly unrelated natural processes and
phenomena. It has shown the gravity ow of groundwater to be a general geologic
93
agent. The thesis is demonstrated through an overview of the basic causes, principal
processes, and various natural manifestations of regional groundwater ow.
Two fundamental causes make gravity-driven groundwater a geologic agent:
(i) in-situ interaction between water and its ambient environment; (ii) transport
by ow organized into hierarchical systems of different magnitude. The interaction
of water with its surroundings generates various natural processes, products and
conditions. Systematized ow paths, on the other hand, function as sustained mechanisms of distribution of those effects into regular spatial patterns within the basinal
ow domain. In basins where groundwater ow is controlled by the topography,
the spatial distribution patterns of groundwaters effects are functionally related to
identiable and characteristic segments of the ow systems. Such relations make
correlation between cause (groundwater ow) and effect (natural processes, conditions and phenomena) feasible and veriable. This is the chief argument for limiting
the scope of this discussion to gravity ow.
4.2.1 In-situ interaction between groundwater and its environment
Interaction between groundwater and its natural environment can occur in different
forms and is driven by the various components and attributes of the two systems
seeking equilibration. For this overview, three main types of interaction are identied between groundwater and its hydrogeologic environment, namely: chemical,
physical and kinetic. The tendency toward equilibration between different systems
(i.e. the seeking of a state of minimum free energy, whether they are chemical,
mechanical, kinetic or thermal) is a basic law of nature and is accomplished through
various natural processes. As a result of such natural processes (reviewed below),
water moving through the subsurface can: (i) mobilize and deposit matter and
heat; (ii) transport matter and heat; (iii) lubricate discontinuity surfaces in the rock
framework; (iv) generate and modify pore pressures.
Groundwater ow can thus produce various in-situ effects, the nature of which
depends on the chemical, physical and hydro-kinetic conditions of a particular
locality. In areas of high chemical and thermal energy, minerals are added to the
water by dissolution, oxidation, attack by acids and other processes. Relatively high
mechanical energy causes the water possibly carrying dissolved mineral matter
and heat to move away from a site, thus rendering the locality a supply source
of minerals, water and heat. Conversely, in regions of low chemical, thermal and
kinetic energy, the water tends to converge and possibly leave the subsurface domain
by discharging on to the land surface, stream bed, or lake bottom; precipitate mineral
94
matter; and lose heat. Collectively, the diverse manifestations resulting from the
interaction of groundwater with its environment at a given locality may be called
the in-situ environmental effects of groundwater.
4.2.2 Flow: a mechanism of systematic transport and distribution
In-situ environmental processes alone would not normally be sufcient to render
groundwater a signicant geologic agent, because most of them are self-limiting
in time and/or randomly scattered in space. For most geologic phenomena to
develop, such as mineral deposits, geothermal anomalies, wetlands, and so on,
it is necessary that the products of disequilibria accumulate over sufciently long
periods of time. Such accumulations usually occur by concentration within relatively small rock volumes or in areas supplied from more extensive source regions.
Other phenomena, such as vegetation patterns, soil and rock mechanical instability, ice development, etc., are secondary effects consequent upon the primary
processes.
The only mechanism capable of producing and maintaining the required disequilibrium conditions for such a wide range of natural phenomena is the regional
ow of groundwater. Individual ow systems may be thought of as subsurface
conveyor belts, with their source regions being the areas of mobilization and loading, and their terminal regions the areas of delivery and deposition. The middle
segments function chiey as relatively stable environments of mass and energy
transfer.
A schematic overview of groundwater ow distribution and some typical hydrogeologic conditions and natural phenomena associated with it in a gravity-ow
environment is presented in Figure 4.1. The gure shows an idealized basin with
one single ow system on the left-side ank of insignicant local relief, and a hierarchical set of local, intermediate and regional ow systems of the right ank of
composite topography. Each ow system, regardless of its hierarchical rank, has an
area of origin or recharge, an area of throughow or transfer, and one of termination
or discharge (see Chapter 3.1). In the recharge areas, the hydraulic heads, representing the waters mechanical energy, are relatively high and decrease with increasing
depth; water ow is downward and divergent. In discharge areas, the energy and
ow conditions are reversed: hydraulic heads are low and increase downward,
resulting in converging and ascending water ow. In the areas of throughow, the
waters mechanical energy is largely invariant with depth (the isolines of hydraulic
heads are subvertical) and, consequently, ow is chiey lateral. The ow systems
operate as conveyor belts that effectively interact with their ambient environment.
The interaction produces in-situ environmental effects and the ow serves as the
mechanism for mobilization, transport (distribution) and accumulation.
ses
Eh
SO4
Cl
h
e O
, CO
ea
O3
HC
SO4
+T
TD a s
re
inc
T
as
cr
cre
HCO 3
in
S o si d
e r o lan
d
an
ture
ois
Re
l a t i v e m iciency
f
s ur
plu s de
Ice
fields
es
Loca
l
recharge
dis
c h ar g e
de
Eh +
R eg
io n
d i s c al
h ar g e
( a s c e n d in g f l o w )
er
at
Sal
-w s
h
ine sprin g s
s
s o il s
F r e prin g
s
w e tl a n d s
Th
rou
g
reg hflo
ion w
Min
leac eral
hing
il
on
sli
de
Regional
recharg
e
(descen
d
flow) ing
95
Cl
+h
EXPLANATION
Flow line
,
Spring: cold, warm

Phreatophytes
Xerophytes
Eh +
Eh
Redox conditions:
oxidizing
reducing
Mineral (metallic, evaporite,
hydrocarbon) traces above
accumulations
h
h
+h
Hydraulic heads:
subhydrostatic
hydrostatic
superhydrostatic
Hydraulic trap: convergence and
accumulation of transported
matter and heat
Quasi-stagnant zone:
increased TDS
Geothermal temperature and

gradient anomaly:
positive, negative
+T, T
Fig. 4.1 Effects and manifestations of gravity-driven ow in a regionally unconned drainage basin (Tth, 1999, Fig. 1, modied from Tth, 1980, Fig. 10).
Typical environmental effects and conditions due to gravity-ow systems of

groundwater are illustrated in Figure 4.1 and include: (1) subhydrostatic, hydrostatic, and superhydrostatic hydraulic heads at depth in the direction of ow from
recharge, to discharge areas, respectively; (2) relatively dry surface-water and soilmoisture conditions (negative water balance) in recharge areas, and water surplus
(positive water balance), possibly resulting in wetlands, in discharge areas (these
conditions are expressed in comparison with an average water balance in the basin,
which would result solely from precipitation and evapotranspiration on a horizontal tract without surface runoff); (3) systematic changes in the waters anion
facies, from HCO3 through SO4 to Cl, both along ow systems and with depth;
(4) chemically leached soils and near-surface rocks in areas of inow, but increased
salt contents possibly amounting to salt-affected soils or even commercial salt
deposits at ow-system terminuses; (5) saline marshes in situations where wetland
conditions and intensive salt supply coincide; (6) negative and positive anomalies of geothermal heat and geothermal gradients beneath areas of descending and
ascending ows, respectively; (7) chemically oxidizing and reducing conditions
96
in the near-surface environment of recharge and discharge areas, respectively; (8)

identiable response in the type and quality of the vegetation cover to the contrasting nutrient and moisture conditions generated by the inow and outow of
groundwater at ow-system extremities; (9) increased vulnerability of the land
surface to soil and rock mechanical weakness failures (e.g., soil erosion, slumping, quick grounds and landslides) in areas of discharge, possibly developing into
major geomorphologic features as, for instance, gullying and stream meanders;
(10) accumulation of transported mineral matter such as metallic ions (iron, uranium, suldes of various metals), hydrocarbons, and anthropogenic contaminants,
primarily in regions of ow paths converging from opposite directions (hydraulic
traps) or in regions where the uid potential is minimum with respect to a transported
immiscible uid (oil, gas), e.g., at grain-size boundaries or in rocks of adsorptive
minerals.
The above effects and conditions have been attributed to gravity-driven systems
of groundwater ow. However, similar natural effects can be generated by ow due
to other sources of energy, such as: sediment compaction; tectonic compression;
thermal convection; buoyancy; dehydration of minerals as, for instance, gypsum;
and osmosis. The history, geometry and geologic effects of non-gravitational ow
systems are much less tractable and, therefore, not yet amenable to systematic
and generalized discussions. Some outstanding examples of particular cases are
represented by Berry (1973), Oliver (1986), Bethke (1989), Hanor (1987), Harrison
and Summa (1991) and Tth and Almsi (2001).
4.2.3 Ubiquity and simultaneity
The key reason for such diversity in the geologic effects of groundwater is that its
ow systems are active over broad spectra of space and time. Water is present in
the entire porous section of the Earths upper crust possibly penetrating by crossformational communication to depths of 1520 km. Throughout this depth range
water is in continual motion although at vastly differing rates, possibly ranging
from more than 103 m/s near the surface to less than 1012 1014 m/s at depth.
Also, the stability of individual ow systems is a function of depth and/or lateral position within the ow domain. Flow paths near the land surface and/or in
unconned domains adjust to changes in boundary conditions more readily than
at great depths or in conned situations (see Section 3.1.3). Geologic effects of
ow that require long-term hydraulic stability to be produced (e.g., mineral or
petroleum accumulations) are therefore less likely to fully develop at shallow depths
(Fig. 3.26).
Also groundwater interacts with its environment simultaneously at all depths and
at all times. However, the physical, chemical and thermal conditions, the reactive
97
matter, the processes and the ow rates prevailing at different locations of the land
surface and at different depths of the ow regimes are vastly different. As a result,
the rates and products of interaction between water and its environment can be
fundamentally different though generated simultaneously at different places, but
by the same agent: moving groundwater.

Three types of disequilibrium conditions were identied in the previous section
as the primary causes for groundwaters geologic agency: chemical, physical and
kinetic. The disequilibria tend to be reduced in nature through numerous and different processes, of which a brief, annotated enumeration is presented in this section.
Their detailed discussion is not warranted here as they are all processes and material
interactions dealt with by various works in the present context (Freeze and Cherry,
1979; Fetter, 1994; Schwartz and Zhang, 2003), and they are also well known from
basic science.
4.3.1 Chemical processes
Dissolution is one of the most generally effective processes in groundwater chemistry and it could be considered as the rst step in the waters chemical evolution.
It affects both gases and solids. Typical regions of gas dissolution by groundwater
are the soil zone, unsaturated or vadose zone, and zones of oil and gas accumulations. Gases commonly interacting with groundwater include N2 , Ar, O2 , H2 , He,
CO2 , NH3 , CH4 and H2 S. Dissolution of gases may render the water weakly acidic,
i.e. chemically aggressive. The degree of dissolution depends on the solubility of
the minerals, the antecedent concentration of the water, and the pressure and temperature of the locality. Rocks that are most soluble include limestone (CaCO3 ),
dolomite (CaMgCO3 ), gypsum (CaSO4 ), halite (NaCl) and sylvite (KCl); these
rocks serve also as the principal source for Ca, Mg, Na, K, CO3 , SO4 and Cl
in groundwater. Silicates and other so-called insoluble rocks are also soluble to
some degree under certain chemical or/and thermal conditions and yield the minor
or trace constituents in groundwater.
Hydration is the penetration of water into the crystal lattice of minerals or the
attachment of water molecules to the ions of dissolved salts. It is a common process
in the evolution of groundwaters chemical composition and plays an important part,
among others, as the rst step in the weathering of minerals such as, for instance,
anhydrite to gypsum or biotite to vermiculite.
Hydrolysis is dened as the reaction of any substance with water. More strictly,
hydrolysis is the reaction of an ion with water to form an associated species plus
H+ or OH . Hydrolysis of cations produces slightly acidic solutions according to
98
the general equation M+ + H2 O MOH + H+ , whereas anion hydrolysis results

in a basic solution X + H2 O HX + OH . Hydrolysis is an effective process
only if (1) some of the produced ions are removed from the solution, or (2) others
that are required for the hydrolysis are added to the solution. Otherwise, chemical
equilibrium, thus cessation of dissolution, occurs.
Oxidationreduction reactions are chemical reactions in which electrons are
transferred from one atom to another. The process of oxidation is the result of a
loss of free electrons by the substance being oxidized, whereas reduction is the
gain of free electrons by the reduced substance. Oxidation and reduction must
occur together and also compensate each other. Oxidation, as a process of modifying water quality, is most important in the vadose zone, where there is a copious
supply of O2 from the air and from CO2 . Below the water table in the saturated
zone, water is rapidly depleted in O2 . Also, the solubility of O2 in water is low
in contrast to its solubility in air (6.6 and 200 cm3 /l at 20 C, respectively). Consequently, the importance of oxidation also decreases rapidly with depth. Typical
and important oxidation processes include the oxidation of suldes, producing
Fe2 O3 , H2 SO4 and CO2 , with the acids attacking carbonates; magnetite, producing
limonite; and organic matter such as lignite, coal and bitumen, producing CO2 .
Reduction also is important in organic deposits, which constitute reducing chemical environments. In these cases, oxygen may be obtained from oxides, sulfates
and nitrates as well as nitrites and from various gases. As a result, ionic species
may be generated, including H2 , H2 S, CH4 and other hydrocarbons, and S2 , NO
2,
NH, Fe2+ and Mn2+ . Some metallic compounds, such as UO2 (pitchblende), are
chemically stable in reducing environments and may be trapped there to form
deposits.
The most commonly occurring acids contributing to the chemical evolution
of groundwater by direct attack on the rock framework include carbon dioxide
(CO2 ), nitric acid (NO2 ), sulfuric acid (H2 SO4 ) and various organic acids (humic,
fulvic).
Chemical precipitation of mineral matter dissolved in groundwater may occur for
several reasons, including: (1) reaction with ions from the solid framework to form
insoluble precipitates, such as the formation of uorspar (CaF2 ) by the reaction
of uoride in water with calcium of the country rock; (2) changes in pressure and
temperature affecting the solubility of certain chemical constituents in water, as
in the precipitation of calcareous tufa (CaCO3 ) around the orices of springs due
to the release of dissolved CO2 on pressure decrease, or the deposition of silica
(SiO2 ) from hot springs owing to a drop in temperature; (3) oxidation of dissolved
matter exposed to air resulting in components of decreased solubility such as the
precipitation of ferric hydroxide (Fe(OH)3 ) from waters containing ferrous iron
(Fe(OH)2 ) in solution.
99
Base exchange, or ion exchange, is the process in which ions and molecules
adsorbed on the surfaces of solid substances by physical or chemical forces (van
der Waals attraction and chemisorption, respectively) are exchanged for ions in the
water. The most important substances capable of ion exchange are clay minerals,
such as kaolinite, montmorillonite, illite, chlorite, vermiculite and zeolite, ferric
oxide, and organic matter, mainly because they form colloids of large surface areas.
An important example for base exchange is the replacement of Na by Ca and/or
Mg in bentonite resulting in a natural softening of the water by enrichment in Na,
on the one hand, and increased porosity and permeability of the newly-formed Caand/or Mg-based clay mineral, on the other.
Sulfate reduction is due mainly to bacteria and contact with organic matter (coal,
lignite, petroleum) and results in the removal of sulfates from the transporting
groundwater. One example is the reaction of sulfate water in contact with methane:
CaSO4 +CH4 CaS + CO2 +2H2 O;
CaS + 2CO2 +2H2 O H2 S + Ca(HCO3 )2 .
Concentration of the total dissolved solids (TDS) content in groundwater may
be effected also by evaporation of water and solution of mineral matter, in addition
to various chemical reactions indicated earlier. Concentration by evaporation is
operative mainly in the soil-moisture zone and between rainfall events. In this
zone, owing to evaporation of earlier rainwater, salt concentration increases and
the dissolved salts are washed down to the water table by subsequent rains. The
higher the temperatures and the longer the periods between rainfall events, the
higher is the degree of salt concentration in the groundwater. On the discharge ends
of ow systems, concentration by evaporation may lead to soil salinization and/or
the formation of continental salt deposits as the transported salts precipitate from
the groundwater upon emerging at the land surface (Williams, 1970; Tth, 1971;
Wallick, 1981; Jankowski and Jacobson, 1989; Macumber, 1991).
Concentration by solution may also be an important hydrochemical process in the
subsurface. The maximum concentration attainable by this process is limited by the
chemical equilibrium between the rock and water. If, however, there is a sufciently
long time for the water to dissolve mineral matter, a very small amount of soluble
minerals in the rocks will result in relatively high water salinity. For instance, in
leached clays with a NaCl concentration of 12%, a density of 2.2, and porosity
40%, water in equilibrium with the rock will contain 13.226.4 g/l of NaCl.
Ultraltration by shale membranes is thought to be a possible mechanism for
increasing ionic concentrations in groundwater. The hypothesis postulates that
compacted clays and shales may perform as imperfect semipermeable membranes
through which water molecules are forced by differences in hydraulic heads. The
100
ions of chemical species are left behind thus increasing the salt concentration on the
high-pressure side of the argillaceous beds. The process is probably not as prevalent
and general in nature as its original proponent thought (Berry, 1969).
4.3.2 Physical processes
Lubrication of discontinuity boundaries by water in the rock framework, such as
grain surfaces in soils and in unconsolidated sediments or fracture and fault planes
in indurated rocks, reduces friction and enhances the effectiveness of shear stresses,
possibly acting upon the discontinuities. As a consequence, shear movements of soil
and rock material can be induced along the discontinuities, ranging in magnitude
from minor rearrangement of mineral grains, as in compaction, to major land slides
and earth quakes. The process is particularly effective in regions where large variations in precipitation cause large uctuations in the water table (Deere and Patton,
1971; Bonzanigo et al., 2007). The effect is further magnied by high or increased
pore pressures (neutral stresses) that help to reduce frictional resistance to shear
displacement. Relatively high or increased pore pressures are natural attributes to
the discharge segments of groundwater ow systems.
Pore-pressure modication, relative to hydrostatic values, can have various
causes, with widely ranging geological consequences. Reductions or increases in
pore pressures, with respect to either space or time, affect the types, rates, and
directions of chemical reactions, the solubility of gases, gas-saturation levels in
subsurface uids, and the strength thus deformation, and even the integrity of rocks
(Hubbert and Rubey, 1959; Freeze and Cherry, 1979; Gretener, 1981; Tth and
Millar, 1983; Domenico and Schwartz, 1997).
Modication of pore pressures by gravity-driven ow systems is a dynamic
effect. It changes systematically from negative through zero to positive in recharge,
throughow, and discharge areas, respectively (Fig. 4.1; Tth, 1978). Based on
Terzaghis (1925) theory of stress relations in saturated rocks, these changes lead to
increases in effective stresses, i.e. to increased strength, in soils and unconsolidated
rocks in recharge areas, while reducing the effective stress, i.e. the strength, at a
systems discharge end. The result is an increased vulnerability of the land surface to
soil erosion, landslides, and other forms of mass wasting in discharge regions (Miller
and Sias, 1998; Bonzanigo et al., 2007; Eberhardt et al., 2007) and a relative increase
in the stability of hill slopes, river banks and various positive geomorphologic
features in areas of recharge (Iverson and Reid, 1992; Reid and Iverson, 1992).
4.3.3 Kinetic or transport processes
The transport of water itself in ow systems is groundwaters most fundamental process in playing its role as a geologic agent. In addition to its functions
101
as a medium of transport and a reactive agent in the subsurface environment,

water is also a component of that environment as well as of the hydrosphere
of the land surface. By means of ow systems, the water masses are regularly
distributed in a gravitational ow domain and thus create regionally contrasting
moisture conditions between the regions of inow and outow. The process may
be viewed as the subsurface portion of the hydrologic cycle. As such, it is a key
element in the areal distribution of water bodies, their chemical characteristics, the
type and magnitude of water-table uctuations, and the many far-reaching ecological ramications linked to these conditions (Klijn and Witte, 1999; Batelaan
et al., 2003).
The transport of aqueous and non-aqueous matter in and by groundwater ow
systems also is fundamental among the subsurface geologic processes. A wide
variety of matter is transported by groundwater in many different forms, including aqueous solutions of organic and inorganic ions; particulate matter in colloidal
form or larger sized suspended grains; gases as bubbles or in solution; globules,
micelles or ionic solutions of liquid hydrocarbons; and viruses and bacteria. The
importance of transport of these matters by groundwater derives from the cumulative effects of the sustained processes resulting in the leaching and removing of
minerals from soils and rocks, carrying nutrients to surface-water bodies, building
and remigrating deposits of metallic and non-metallic minerals and hydrocarbons,
causing water washing and biodegradation of ore deposits and oil accumulations, and concentrating contaminants at uid-dynamically suitable subsurface
locations.
Heat transport by moving groundwater is one of the most visible and most
well understood geologic processes in the subsurface (Schoeller, 1962; Smith and
Chapman, 1983; Romijn et al., 1985; Rybach, 1985; Beck et al., 1989; Deming,
2002; Anderson, 2005; Lazear, 2006). Water can contain, and thus transport heat
because of its specic heat capacity, w Cw , where w is the waters density and Cw
is its specic heat. If thermal disequilibrium i.e. a temperature difference exists,
between the water and its ambient environment, heat is induced to ow in the
direction of lower temperature. The rate of heat transfer depends on numerous
factors, including the thermodynamic properties of the saturated rock framework
and the water, the temperature difference between the water and its environment,
and the rate of the water ow. The greater the rate of heat exchange the faster the
temperature difference (the temperature anomaly) is reduced between the water
and the environment.
The rate of heat exchange between moving groundwater and the rock framework
is essentially the result of a competition between the dissipation of heat by conduction and the advective removal of heat by the ow of the water. This competition is
w Cw qD
expressed quantitatively by the Pclet number: Pe = n
(m Cm ) km , where n is porosity
102
of the rock; w , m are density of water and saturated medium, respectively; q is

specic volume discharge; D is ow-path length; km = m /m Cm is thermal diffusivity, in which m is thermal conductivity and m Cm is the specic-heat capacity of
the saturated porous medium. In cases where Pe < 1, for instance due to slow ow,
dissipation of heat by conduction dominates and temperature differences between
water and rock equilibrate. If, however, Pe > 1, then advection, i.e. transport of heat
by moving groundwater, prevails over the tendency for equilibration, and temperature anomalies are created and/or maintained. The process is enhanced by highly
permeable discontinuities such as faults, fracture zones, cavities and solution channels, which are often major attributes in the formation of hot springs, hydrothermal
ore deposits or other types of geothermal anomalies.
4.4 Manifestations
The geologic agency of moving groundwater is most plausibly revealed by
the numerous and diverse effects and manifestations resulting from the various ow-driven chemical, physical and kinetic processes. Nonetheless, in spite
of their collectively great number and diversity, groundwater-induced natural
phenomena comprise a relatively small number of basic types, with variations
within each type being due to site-specic characteristics of the hydrogeologic
environment.
4.4.1 The hydrogeologic environment
The hydrogeologic environment is a conceptual system of those morphologic,
geologic and climatologic parameters that determine the principal attributes of
the groundwater regime in a given area (Tth, 1970). The six main attributes,
or parameters, of the groundwater regime are: (1) water content in the rocks;
(2) geometry of the ow systems; (3) specic volume discharge; (4) chemical
composition of the water; (5) temperature; (6) the variations of all these parameters
with respect to time.
The parameters of the groundwater regime are controlled by the three components of the hydrogeologic environment, namely: (1) the topography; (2) geology;
(3) climate. In turn, the components are made up of various parameters. For topography, such parameters are: the size and shape of depressions, slopes, and prominences
of the land surface, and the orientation and frequency of geomorphic features. For
geology: soluble mineral content; type, nature, and geometry of rock bodies of
different permeabilities, e.g., stratication, lenticularity, faulting, fractures, karst,
and degree of anisotropy. For climate: temperature; amount, type, and seasonal
variation of precipitation, and potential evaporation.
4.4 Manifestations
103
The controlling effect of the hydrogeologic environment on the groundwater

regime is easily seen when the roles of the individual components are considered. The climate determines the amounts and distribution of water supplied to
any region. Topography provides the energy available to the water to move, i.e. it
determines the distribution of the ow-inducing energy by shaping the boundaries
of the ow domain. Finally, geology constitutes the receptacle and conduit-system
which control the possible amounts, rates, and local patterns of ow, as well as
the distribution and amount of stored water. Geology determines the chemical constituents also and it may contribute local or regional sources of energy to the ow
eld by, for instance, compaction, compression or heat.
In nature, the various environmental parameters can combine in a virtually unlimited number of ways, each of them modifying a groundwater-induced basic process
or phenomenon in a different way. For instance, soil-mechanical effects of discharging groundwater may be manifest by simply liquefaction (quick sand, quick
clay) in a at, plains region; by soil creep, slumping, and landslides in hills and
mountains; or ice mounds and frost heaving under cold climates. Spring water
discharging at the end of a simple ow system may be cold and fresh, hot or
saline, depending on whether the system is shallow in a cold climate, passes
by a subsurface heat source, or across beds of evaporites. Trees, characteristic
of groundwater discharge areas are, among others, willow, alder and tamarack
in cold climates; birch, poplar and oak in temperate regions; and palms in dry
tropics.
4.4.2 Types of manifestations

In order to facilitate an easier overview of the multitude of effects and manifestations generated by gravity-driven groundwater ow and modied by environmental
conditions, they have been grouped into six basic types with some sub-categories
identied as follows (Tth, 1984).
(a) Hydrological and hydraulic.
(i) Local water balance; (ii) regionally contrasting moisture conditions; (iii) water-level
uctuations.
(b) Chemical and mineralogical.
(i) Areal patterns of water salinity and isotope distribution; (ii) soil salinization and
continental salt deposits; (iii) weathering, dissolution, and cementation; (iv) diagenesis
of minerals.
(c) Botanical.
(i) Species of plants; (ii) quality of plants.
(d) Soil and rock mechanical.
(i) Liquefaction; (ii) soil erosion; (iii) slope stability.
104
(e) Geomorphological.
(i) Erodability and stream valleys; (ii) karst development; (iii) geysers and mud
volcanoes; (iv) frost mounds, pingos, ice elds.
(f) Transport and accumulation.
(i) Temperature distribution patterns; (ii) low-temperature sulde ores; (iii) uranium deposits; (iv) hydrocarbon elds, methane halos, oil seeps; (v) efuents and
contaminants.
The common, and in most cases principal, factor producing all phenomena in
these categories is the effect of groundwater itself. Several levels of further divisions can be formed in each case until site-specic effects and manifestations of
groundwater ow are identied as shaped by the micro-environments of particular
localities. By way of illustration, some examples are presented for each of the main
types of natural phenomena below.
4.4.2.1 Hydrology and hydraulics

Two important hydraulic phenomena associated with gravity-induced basinal ow
of groundwater are the areally systematic orientation of the ows vertical components, and the relief-dependent depth of the phreatic belt (annual uctuation of the
water table). Flow is generally descending under positive morphological features,
whereas it is ascending beneath topographic depressions (Figs. 4.1 and 4.2).
recharge
lateral flow
active discharge
increasing ground
water potential
8000
perched water
1
2
6000
3
500
4
4000
00
460
420
0
4400
10
1000
Fig. 4.2 Schematic of groundwater ow system based on observed relationships

in typical great basin ow systems, Nevada, USA. (Mifin, 1968, Fig. 5, p. 12).
4.4 Manifestations
105
Also, the water table is at a greater depth and its annual uctuation is greater in
recharge areas than in discharge areas, (Fig. 4.3a,b; Tth, 1962a, 1984; Meyboom
et al., 1966; Mifin, 1968; Freeze, 1969; Fogg and Kreitler, 1982). Although the
type of these conditions is topography dependent, their magnitude, intensity and
areal extent are strongly affected by the regional climate.
An important hydrologic consequence of basinal ow distribution is the regionally contrasting near-surface moisture conditions. In general, moisture contents in
(a)
(b)
Fig. 4.3 Relative simultaneous positions of the water table in different groundwater ow regimes, Andhra Pradesh, Southern India: (a) recharge area; (b) discharge
area (photos by J. Tth).
106
the soil and at shallow depths are decient in recharge areas and excessive in discharge areas as compared with the throughow regions, i.e. with regions where the
vertical water exchange at the water table is controlled solely by precipitation and
evaporation.
Depending on the climate and geology, deviations from a neutral water balance
may be manifest by imperceptible amounts of and differences in soil moisture, to
striking contrasts between parched recharge areas and marshy lowlands. Boelter
and Verry (1977) present an illustrative case from Minnesota, USA, of steady and
high annual surface runoff from a groundwater fen (discharge position) versus a
high variation and low rate of runoff from a perched bog (recharge position) of
similar areal extent (Figs. 4.4a,b).
Tth (1984, Figs. 4.5ac, p. 24) describes a relatively dry cashew plantation in
an upland recharge area of permeable Permian sandstone at Neyveli, Tamil Nadu,
India. It contrasts sharply with the paddy elds and owing wells in the selfsustained marshes at the ow systems discharge terminus, approximately 15 km
away (Figs. 4.5ac). Moisture contrasts of this nature may be indicative of the rocks
permeability. In sand dunes, for instance, high permeability may allow signicant
differences to develop in surface moisture conditions between possibly arid dune
tops and open water in inter dune depressions.
GROUND WATER FEN
(a)
WATER TABLE
SURFACE
OF GROUND
UNCONFINED GROUND WATER

FLOW
AQUIFER
FIBRIC
PEAT
CHANNEL FOR FEN
SURFACE DISCHARGE
HEMIC & SAPRIC
PEAT
HEMIC & SAPRIC
PEAT
GRO CONFIN
UND
OPENING FOR
WATEED
R FL UPWELLING
OW
AQUICLUDE
Fig. 4.4 Effect of regional groundwater ow on wetland hydrology: (a) schematic

ow pattern in groundwater fen; (b) stream-ow (surface runoff) duration curves
for a perched-bog (recharge regime) and a groundwater-fen (discharge regime)
type wetlands. Both areas are about 53 ha in size (Boelter and Verry, 1977; (a):
Fig. 7, p. 11; (b): Fig. 15, p. 16).
4.4 Manifestations
(b)
107
4 102
2
Ground water fen
1 102
8
6
Discharge (m3/sec)
1 103
8
6
4
2
Perched bog
1
104
8
6
4
3 105
20
40
60
80
100
Time discharge was equalled or exceeded (per cent)
Fig. 4.4 (cont.)
4.4.2.2 Chemistry and mineralogy

Regional groundwater ow can have many different, signicant, and visible effects
on the chemistry and mineralogy of the rocks and water at and beneath the land
surface. Typically in the direction of ow and with increasing depth: the content of total dissolved solids (TDS) increases; the anions change from bicarbonate
through sulfate to chloride and the cations from calciummagnesium through
calciumsodium, sodiumcalcium to sodium; carbon dioxide and free oxygen
decrease; redox potential changes from positive to negative; and the pH from
acidic to basic (Figs. 4.1, 4.6; Chebotarev, 1955; Back, 1966; Sastre Merlin,
1978; Jankowski and Jacobson, 1989; Stuyfzand, 1993; Domenico and Schwartz,
1997). Due partially to these conditions, dissolution and leaching of minerals dominate in intake areas, whereas deposition and accumulation characterize discharge
108
(a)
Vellar River
200
100
0
80
33/0
Ground surface
Water table (dashed where projected)
Piezometric surface
N
Lines of equal head
Flow line
Location of well bottom
with number of well
.60
80
100
am
se
main
NNE
2400
22 0
20 0
18 0
16 40
1 20
1
80
85/0
82/0
nite
200
SSW
84/0
lig
100
Elevation relative to mean sea level in feet
300
Gadilam River
HYDROLOGIC CROSS-SECTION AT THE NEYVELI LIGNITE FIELD.

MADRAS. INDIA
81/0
33/0
100
300
3A l
400
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
Horizontal distance (miles)
(b)
Fig. 4.5 Groundwater ow distribution and resulting contrast in surfacehydrologic conditions, Neyveli, Tamil Nadu, India: (a) groundwater ow pattern,
based on data from Jones and Subramanyam (1961); (b) cashew plantation in
(relatively) dry recharge area; (c) rice paddies and owing well in discharge area
(photo: Tth).
4.4 Manifestations
109
(c)
Fig. 4.5 (cont.)
regions. Salts, such as NaSO4 , NaCl, Ca(SO4 )2 and CaCO3 , that are brought
to the land surface by discharging groundwater may be retained in the soils to
cause salinization or accumulate possibly to form commercial deposits such as
sodium sulfate, halite, gypsum, and calcareous tufa (Yaalon, 1963; Williams, 1970;
Macumber, 1991). Weathering, dissolution, cementation and diagenesis of a wide
range of rocks and minerals are natural manifestations of groundwaters chemical
activity.
A well-studied example is a NaSO4 deposit, 1525 m thick, in Alberta, Canada.
This deposit has accumulated from groundwater discharge in a closed topographic
depression since the last glaciation, approximately 10 000 y BP (Figs. 4.7a,b and 4.8;
Wallick, 1981).
4.4.2.3 Vegetation
The vegetation cover of a locality may be directly or indirectly affected, and in
certain cases controlled, by groundwater ow through the effects of ow on the
moisture and salinity of the areas soils (Figs. 4.1, 4.5, 4.9, 4.10). Both the type and
quality of the plants are sensitive to groundwater conditions. Thus each site with
different combinations of moisture and salinity (and climate) has a characteristic
climax association of herbaceous and woody plants. Because most plants can tolerate a certain range of salinity and moisture, it is the association rather than the
individual species that reect the groundwater regime.
Climax associations in the relatively moisture-decient recharge areas thrive on
little soil moisture that would not sustain their discharge-area counterparts. The
species of plants requiring dry, average, and wet conditions for optimal growth
are called xerophytes, mesophytes and phreatophytes, respectively; salt-tolerant
plants are the halophytes. Studies that show the effects of different ow regimes of
110
Ch
1
es
ap
ea
ke
Calciummagnesium facies
Sodiumcalcium facies
Calciumsodium facies
Sodium facies
Ba
y
Pr
00
us
eo
ac s
et ock
r
s
ou
Cr
2
Ro
ck
an s of
d
Pa Late
leo C E
ce ret oc
ne ac en
ag eou e r
s o
e
16
ne
ce
io s
M ck
ro
ck
s
Generalized direction of
groundwater flow
0
10
e
ac
ret s
e-C rock
Se
ale
ve
l
miles
Fig. 4.6 Groundwater ow and distribution of cation facies, Atlantic coastal plain,
USA (modied from Back, 1960).
groundwater on plant associations are exemplied by Leskiw (1971), Tth (1972),

Sastre Merlin (1978), Engelen and Kloosterman (1996), Batelaan et al. (2003).
Although it does not invoke the ow-system concept explicitly, the Guidebook
for Determining the Lithological Composition of Surface Deposits and Depth of
Occurrence of Ground Waters, by Vereiskii and Vostokova (1966), uses a detailed,
ora-style presentation of herbs, shrubs, and trees and occasionally ow arrows, to
indicate relations among conditions of soil type, topography and water-table depth.
The relationships are shown in such a way that, with our current understanding of
regional groundwater ow, they can be interpreted in terms of hydraulic regions
(recharge, discharge) of ow systems.
Metres above sea level
670
684
675
B
671
666.3
666.6
671
579
P-3
111
AH-2
OBS-1
P-1
P-2
AH-3
AH-4
RAH-4
AH-5
AH-6
RAH-6
AH-7
(a)
OBS-2
AH-8
4.4 Manifestations
667
667
663
488
1.6
3.2
4.8
8.0 (km)
6.4
Drift/bedrock contact
667
Hydraulic head (metres above mean sea level)

Inferred groundwater flow direction
Flow into plane of cross-section
Glacial drift
Water table
701
670
640
400
III
600
800
120
610
579
800
III
1000
II
300
900
Elevation
(metres above mean sea level)
(b)
600
II
549
518
I
488
1.6
3.2
4.8
6.4
8.0
(km)
Legend
Water table
Total dissolved solids (mg/l)
Hydrochemical zones
NaHCO3 (CI)
II
NaHCO3 SO4
III
Shallow CaMg HCO3

Deep NaHCO3 SO4
600
Well/piezometer point
Fig. 4.7 Groundwater ow and salt accumulation, Horseshoe Lake, Alberta,

Canada: (a) hydraulic cross-section; (b) distribution of chemical water types
(Wallick, 1981, Figs. 3 and 4, pp. 253 and 254).
112
Fig. 4.8 Aerial view of groundwater-ow generated NaSO4 -accumulation, Horseshoe Lake, Alberta, Canada (photo by J. Tth).
Topsoil
Subsoil
Capillary fringe
Water table
<1m
Salt accumulation
Precipation and downward movement of moisture

Evaporation and upward movement of moisture
>3m
Moisture Regime
Recharge
Discharge
Precipitationevaporation
ratio
P < E most of the year
P < E most of the year
Topography
Flat or sloping low land
Flat bottomland
Water Table
Low
Moisture movement
Outflow of excess moisture
Constantly high
Evaporation and ascending
movement of imported water
Origin of salts
Weathered and air-borne

sea salts leached through
the soil profile
Imported by inflowing water
Mode of accumulation
Absorption of Na during
possible leaching
At surface if water table

1 m, in subsoil if deeper
Example in Israel (soil type) Coastal plain soils (Hamra)
Marsh basins (Playa, Sebha)
Fig. 4.9 Schematic salt balance in the soil zone as function of the groundwaterow regime (after Freeze, 1969, Fig. 3, p. 8, modied from Yaalon, 1963, Fig. 2,
p. 118).
4.4 Manifestations
113
(a)
(b)
Fig. 4.10 Heavy salinization of agricultural soil, southern Alberta, Canada: (a)
aerial view; (b) close up view (photos by J. Tth).
4.4.2.4 Soil and rock mechanics

Soil and rock mechanical manifestations of groundwaters geologic agency include
moisture-weakened soft soils, liqueed quick ground, mud ows and landslides.
In cases where they are due to groundwater, these phenomena occur mainly in
discharge areas. Here, increases in pore pressures due to ascending ow (i.e. superhydrostatic pore pressures and superhydrostatic pore-pressure gradients) reduce
the effective stresses between the soils grains whereas relatively high water levels
enhance lubrication. In combination, the two factors tend to diminish the shear
strength of the soil or rock and increase their vulnerability to erosion and mass
wasting. The actual form of the basically weakened soil- or rock-mechanical conditions depends largely on the hydrogeologic environment in which they occur.
Soft marshy grounds, caused by ascending groundwater and often combined with
114
Fig. 4.11 Extensive area of liqueed and salinized soil, Southern Alberta, Canada
(photo by J. Tth).
phreatophytic vegetation and saline soils, may cover extensive areas in low-lying
plains or bottoms of mountain valleys with relatively homogeneous near-surface
soil/rock material (Fig. 4.11; Tth, 1966a; Clissold, 1967; Srisuk, 1994). Liqueed
conditions of limited areal extent (quick sand, soap holes, mud volcanoes) may
be generated in the above situations, in which localized, relatively highly permeable lenticular heterogeneities focus upward ow through reduced cross-sections
in the rock (Fig. 4.12). This phenomenon is known to occur in ood plains; valley
bottoms; sea-side beaches and lake shores; desert wadis; in mines and wells; and
under dams, dykes and levees (piping), in which cases they have been known to
facilitate destructive oods. Signicantly, their discharge water is usually fresh in
mountainous regions, whereas the water can be highly saline in plains (Farvolden,
1961; Ihrig, 1966; Tth, 1972, 1984).
In environments where slopes are dominant components of the morphology, the
state of the geologic materials weakened by groundwater may be manifest by creeps,
slumping, mudows, landslides, and other forms of mass wasting. Owing to the
generally high intensity, small dimensions and shallowness of the ow systems,
high water salinity is not normally present in these environments, but excessive
moisture is a common attribute (Zaruba and Mencl, 1969; Deere and Patton, 1971;
Cherry et al., 1972; Freeze and Cherry, 1979).
4.4.2.5 Geomorphology
The geomorphologic manifestations of groundwaters activities range from the
obvious and well known to masked and unrecognized. Karst development in
4.4 Manifestations
115
Fig. 4.12 Locally liqueed ground due to near-surface sand lens, Central Alberta,
Canada Canada (photo by J. Tth).
limestone, dolomite, gypsum, and halite has long since been attributed to the action
of groundwater. The effects of ow systems and their dynamics, distribution, and
patterns on the evolution, depth, and geometry of karst caves, sink holes and channels, as well as on karst-water chemistry, have been extensively studied and reported
on (Figs. 4.13a,b; Bedinger, 1967; LaFleur, 1984; Paloc and Back, 1992).
The genetic link between geysers and groundwater ow systems is also well
understood, although less widely recognized. In discussions of the workings of
geysers, attention is usually focused on the plumbing systems and heat source.
Although both of these attributes are indispensable components of a geyserproducing hydrogeologic environment, their principal role is to turn an otherwise
regular discharge of gravity-ow systems of cold water into spectacularly functioning hot-water fountains. In general, geysers and geyser basins epitomize the
many-faceted geologic effects of moving groundwater. In addition to their environmentally generated cyclic discharge of hot water, other manifestations of
groundwater ow in common association with geysers are positive water balance,
saline soils, mineral deposits, phreatophytic vegetation, quick ground, and other
soil and/or rock-mechanical phenomena.
Groundwater-induced soil and/or rock mechanical weaknesses and, consequently, increased vulnerability to erosion often grow into major geomorphologic
features. Such features include: (1) head-ward erosion started from springs or quick
ground, possibly developing into gullies and stream valleys; (2) valley anks sloping at different angles on opposite sides of streams that run parallel to the slopes
strike (consequent streams), with the surface on the higher side being concave and
less steep. The asymmetry is caused by increased erosion and weakening due to the
discharge of groundwater received from the higher ground (Vanden Berg, 1969);
116

(a)
(b)
Fig. 4.13 Karst development due to groundwater ow, northern Alberta, Canada:
(a) sinkhole in recharge area; (b) gypsum cave in discharge area (photos by J.
Tth).
4.4 Manifestations
117
(3) stream-bank erosion, possibly resulting in lateral translation and concave bending of the thalweg toward the weakened area (Clissold, 1967); (4) mud ows and
landslides, induced and/or enhanced by groundwater discharge, which may leave
permanent effects on the shape of hills and mountains and may accumulate into
mounds of debris, dam streams, and otherwise modify the landscape, particularly
if occurring repeatedly.
Perhaps the least generally appreciated geomorphologic manifestations of
groundwater ow are due to its discharge in cold weather or cold climates, namely
the various forms of soil-mechanical and ice phenomena. Ice may accumulate in
the winter and in cold climates in discharge areas even where all available water
is used up by evapotranspiration in the summer time. The continual discharge of
relatively warm groundwater is often marked by soft, yellowish slush at the contact
between the ice and mineral soil (Figs. 4.14a,b). On at terrains, the ice accumulates
as extensive elds, whereas in situations where discharge is concentrated either by
topographic features or geologic inhomogeneities, ice mounds may form.
Frost heaving and frost mounds constitute a soil-mechanical group of cold
weather/climate manifestations of groundwater ow (Holmes et al., 1968; McGinnis and Jensen, 1971; Mackay, 1978). The heaving, mounding and possibly
fracturing of the ground is due to the gradual growth of frozen groundwater masses,
made possible by the continual supply of additional water at the discharge ends of
ow systems. Damage to highway pavements in Illinois and Alberta was reported
(a)
Fig. 4.14 Winter-time effects of groundwater ow on surface hydrologic conditions in boreal forest, NE Alberta, Canada: (a) relatively dry recharge area; (b)
accumulation of frozen groundwater in the discharge area (photo by J. Tth).
118

(b)
Fig. 4.14 (cont.)
by Williams (1968) and Tth (1984), respectively, and ice-mound formation was
attributed to groundwater discharge in permafrost regions by Mller (1947).
In a prairie environment of Alberta, Canada, a seasonal frost blister, or frost
mound, rises from the at bottom of a spring-eroded circular depression each fall
in early November. The process starts after ground frost prevents the continued
discharge of groundwater through the springs orice and its surroundings. The
mound is approximately 1.5 m high and 20 m in diameter. Throughout the winter,
mounting pore pressure and a growing ice lens keep raising the ground surface until
spring thaw breaks the frost seal and melts the ice lens in late March. By the end
of April, the ground sinks back to its original at and level surface, the previously
open tension cracks heal, and water with increased salinity discharges through the
crater-like collapsed apex of the former mound. The annual phenomenon has been
observed for several decades (Figs. 4.15ac; Tth, 1972, 1984).
4.4.2.6 Transport and accumulation
The role of groundwater as an agent of subsurface transport and accumulation is
manifest in nature by a broad range of diverse, some spectacular and some economically important, phenomena, which include: geothermal temperature patterns;
sedimentary sulde ores; roll-front and tabular uranium deposits; hydrocarbon
accumulations, halos, and seeps; and eutrophication of surface-water bodies.
Moving groundwater can create systematic patterns of heat distribution in
drainage basins owing, as seen earlier, to its ability to exchange heat with its ambient environment. As a result, descending cold waters reduce the temperatures and
4.4 Manifestations
119
temperature gradients in recharge areas below the values which would be due solely
to conductive dissipation of geothermal heat. Conversely, ascending warm waters
cause positive anomalies of geothermal heat and gradients in the discharge areas
(Figs. 4.1, 4.16).
(a)
(b)
Fig. 4.15 Seasonal frost mound in groundwater discharge area, Central Alberta,
Canada: (a) at surface of salt-affected frost-free ground near orice (cribbing)
of abandoned spring, October; (b) tension cracks developing in ground surface
lifted by increased pore pressure due to water discharge blocked by ground frost,
December; (c) nal stage of raised mound before collapse, March (photo by J.
Tth).
120

(c)
Fig. 4.15 (cont.)

z
h = z0
h = 0
x
h = 0
x
h = 0
z
z
T = 0
x
x
T = G
z
z
h = z0 + cx
h = 0
x
h = 0
x
x
h = 0
z
T = 0
x
x
T =Ts
T = 0
x
T = 0
x
T = G
z
Fig. 4.16 Effect of groundwater ow on temperature distribution in the unit basin

(modied from Domenico and Palciauskas, 1973, Fig. 1, p. 3805).
Flow-induced geothermal anomalies can be accentuated by increased ow rates

through highly permeable fault zones and bedding planes, often leading to the
development of naturally occurring thermal springs. Geothermal effects of owing
groundwater are well studied and well documented as, for instance, in Smith and
Chapman (1983); Bethke (1985); Romijn et al. (1985); Rybach (1985); Beck et al.
(1989); Van der Kamp and Bachu (1989); Deming et al. (1992); Deming (2002);
and Anderson (2005) (with 194 references).
4.4 Manifestations
121
The effect of gravity-driven groundwater ow on geothermal heat distribution was convincingly demonstrated by Lazear (2006). The study is based on
3D numerical simulations of groundwater ow and heat transport constrained
by eld observations of levels and temperatures of well and spring water, location of springs and the type of ow systems feeding them, and measured
base-ows of streams. The study area was a single watershed of approximately 600 km2 in areal extent and nearly 1500 m relief, located on the south
ank of the Grand Mesa on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains near
Cedaredge, west-central Colorado, USA. The studys objective was to model
the steady-state dynamic equilibrium of the hydrogeological and thermal systems
(Lazear, 2006, p. 1590).
Groundwater ow and heat transport were simulated independently: the distribution of hydraulic head was computed by MODFLOW and used as input to the
heat transport program executed by a custom code written by the researcher. The
results were constrained by components of the basins water balance estimated from
hydrological measurements. Results of the groundwater ow modelling were displayed in two ways: a plan view map of the ow paths, and vertical cross-sections
of the ow and temperature distributions. The plan view map (Lazear, 2006, Fig. 9;
not reproduced here) shows a number of important and characteristic patterns of
groundwater ow, namely: (i) three typical ranges of ow-path lengths: 0.55, 5
10, >10 km, and springs at ow-system terminations. In general, the short (and
shallow) paths are associated with local topographic gradients while long ow paths
penetrate to depths of several kilometres and are inuenced by large-scale topographic features; (ii) shallow ow paths cross laterally over deep ow; (iii) ow
paths converge toward known springs; (iv) ow paths of different lengths converge
to common discharge areas where their waters may mix; (v) ow converges from
a wide region into a small discharge area suggesting that proximate springs may
have different water-source areas.
From the four vertical hydraulic cross-sections published by Lazear (2006,
Fig. 11, proles 1, 2, 3, 4, p. 1590) the groundwater ow pattern of prole 2
is reproduced here in Figures 4.17(b,c). The ow patterns of all four of Lazears
sections, exemplied by prole 2, conrm the features observed in the plan view,
including: divergence of ow in recharge areas under topographic highs and convergence into discharge points beneath topographic lows; ow from diverse source
areas may be focused and channelled into common discharge regions; mapped
springs occur where ow paths converge towards the land surface. Examples of
such situations are shown in Figure 4.18 (Lazear, 2006, Fig. 12) with some details
of simulated ow patterns associated with mapped springs. Nearly all mapped
springs are associated with increased upward ow at the water table in the numerical
solutions (Lazear, 2006, p. 1595).
122
(a)
WEL L
SC01209509AAB
NW
(50,140)
3.5 C
3000
20
Spring
SP-SG031
Profile 2
Spring
SP -SG18
3.0 C
Springs discharge to
Kiser and Youngs Creek
Spring WS-193
8.6 C
WEL L
WS-166
SE
(96,50)
WEL L
SC01309406BAC
21C
12.5 C
2000
(m asl)
60
1000
80
30
50
70
5 km
(b)
NW
(50,140)
WELL
SC01209509AAB
Spring
SP-SG031
90
80
Profile 2
Spring
SP-SG18
3.0 C
Spring WS-193
8.6 C
3000
WELL
WS-166
20
2000
(m asl)
50
1000
SE
(96,50)
WELL
SC01309406BAC
21 C
12.5 C
30
50
80
70
0
80
90
(c)
NW
(50,140)
3000
WELL
SC01209509AAB
Spring
SP-SG031
Spring
SP-SG18
3.0 C
Profile 2
Spring WS-193
8.6 C
WELL
WS-166
WELL
SC01309406BAC
21 C
(<9)
(69)
(36)
(03)
2000 -17 C
SE
(96,50)
12.5 C
>+9 C
(m asl)
1000
0
0
+(03)
+(36) +(69)
Fig. 4.17 Modelled conditions of subsurface water ow and heat transport along
a northwestsoutheast oriented vertical cross-section, Tongue Creek watershed,
Delta County, Colorado, USA: (a) temperature distribution due solely to conductive heat transport; (b) groundwater ow and temperature distribution due to
conductive and convective heat transport; (c) anomalies due to heat convection
by groundwater in the conductively generated temperature eld (modied from
Lazear, 2006, respectively, Fig. 14, prole 2; Fig. 16, prole 2; and Fig. 18,
prole 2).
Heat transport and temperature distribution through the basin were simulated
for two different solutions: one for conduction alone, and one for conduction, convection, and heat from hydraulic-head loss (Figs. 4.17a and b, respectively Lazaer
Figs. 14 and 16 prole 2). The conductive solution (Fig. 4.17a) illustrates the
distribution of temperature expected from the interaction of regional heat ow with
4.4 Manifestations
123
Profile 1
Spring WS-183
Spring
WS-090
Spring DC-SG08
Profile 4
Springs ?
Spring
SP-SG18
Profile 3
Spring WS-193
Fig. 4.18 Details of modelled ow patterns associated with mapped spring locations. Shading indicates hydrostratigraphic units (modied from Lazear, 2006,
Fig. 12; proles 1 and 4 are not reproduced in the present work).
the local topography in the absence of regional groundwater ow. The calculated
temperatures were compared with observed temperatures in water wells, which
resulted in a root mean squared error of 5.0 C.
The solution including convection is shown in Figure 4.17(b). The effect of
groundwater ow is well illustrated by the downward shift of isotherms under
recharge areas and their rise in regions of ascending ow. In this case the comparison with observed values resulted in a root mean squared error of 3.04 C,
which is a nearly 2 C improvement over the hydrostatic, i.e. pure conductive case.
Figure 4.17(c) shows explicitly the amount, extent, and position of the temperature
changes caused by the regional groundwater ow.
Mississippi Valley-type ore deposits are considered by various researchers to be
the result of the mobilization, transport and accumulation of metal ions by regional
groundwater ow (Baskov, 1987; Garven et al., 1993, 1999). According to these
hypotheses, metal ions travel in sulfate brines that are reduced in discharge areas
by sulfate-reducing bacteria, and by reaction with H2 S and/or organic matter, such
as coal, peat and methane.
Theories based generally on the above processes have been advanced to
explain the origin of roll-front and tabular type uranium deposits (Butler, 1970;
Galloway, 1978; Sanford, 1994; Raffensperger and Garven, 1995a, 1995b). The
124
key element in these processes is the transport of metals by groundwater from oxidizing recharge regions, where uraninite is highly soluble, to the reducing discharge
environment, where it precipitates. Changing geometries of the ow systems may
result in remigration of previously formed deposits (Fig. 4.19).
Certain types and many specic cases of petroleum (oil, gas) accumulations
around the world have been attributed by numerous authors to the effect of basinal
groundwater ow (Munn, 1909; Rich 1921; Hubbert, 1953; Hodgson, 1980; Tth,
1980, 1988; Harrison and Summa, 1991; Verwij, 1993, 2003; Sanford, 1995).
According to the Hydraulic theory of petroleum migration (Fig. 4.20; Tth,
1980), hydrocarbons can be mobilized in mature source rocks or carrier beds
by groundwater ow and drawn by its systems toward discharge areas in any of
several different forms such as bubbles, globules, stringers, ionic solution, emulsion and micelles. En route to a region of ow convergence, the concentration of
hydrocarbons increases. Entrapment, thus local accumulation, can be caused by
minimum uid potentials for petroleum, mechanical screening by pore-size reduction at strata boundaries, and by capillary pressure barriers (Hubbert, 1953; Tth,
1988). The effectiveness of the latter two mechanisms can be augmented by growth
of the hydrocarbon particles due to coagulation during transportation. The growth
and aggregation of particles are enhanced, in turn, by the decreasing solubility of
petroleum in the rapidly decreasing temperatures and pressures in the discharge
areas ascending waters. Regional discharge areas offer, therefore, ideal conditions
for accumulation and entrapment and are, indeed, the sites of many large petroleum
deposits (Fig. 4.20; Bars et al., 1961; Hitchon and Hays, 1971; Chiarelli, 1973; Tth,
1980; Wells 1988; Deming et al., 1992).
Hydrocarbon particles that escape entrapment may continue their migration
towards the surface and may form concentration anomalies in groundwater, soil gas,
plant tissue, sea-bottom sediments, saturated pools as halos, seeps or springs. During
their migration, the hydrocarbons cause chemical reduction in the traversed column
of earth material. The affected subsurface environment is called the geochemical
chimney, and it is used extensively in geochemical exploration for petroleum
(Schumacher and Abrams, 1996). Tth (1996) has attibuted the less-than-expected
effectiveness of geochemical exploration to a lack of understanding of regional
groundwater ow among the exploration community.
One possible cause of eutrophication of surface-water bodies is the transport of
plant nutrients by groundwater into lakes. Shaw et al. (1990) show that phosphorus
and nitrogen, derived from fertilizers and lake-side cottage cesspools, are transported in systems of groundwater ow and discharged over large portions of lake
bottoms, causing anomalously rich growths of aquatic plants. Eutrophication, in
such cases, is a manifestation of groundwaters geologic agency.
GUE
Concentrations
LY
HOST
50
Mineralization front
ore in reduced ground
vertical flow
Fig. 4.19 Schematic of the generation and remigration of roll-front type uranium deposits due to dissolution, transport and deposition
by gravity-drive groundwater ow (modied from Galloway, 1978, Fig. 10, p. 1673). The two principal phases of the uranium cycle
interpreted for Catahoula uvial systems.
500
SCALE: VARIABLE In Catahoula may range from :

Dispersed mineralization
0
1
0
10
0
Concentrated mineralization
To 0
mi..
ft.
ft. mi..
Schematic flow lines
Oxidotion
Iron oxidation tongue

(aspect of more general
alteration phenomena)
MODIFICATION PHASE
Rereduced
altered ground
oxidation frontbounded ore
5 Decreased groundwater
flux and reequilibration with
reginal reducing environment
6 Surface oxidation
oxidation and
redistributed ore
OUTCRO P
Reduced fluvial & crevasse facies
CONSTRUCTIONAL PHASE
TO N
tation
Transpor
N
ATIO
OXID
NAL
4 Uranium concentrated
near margin of iron
oxidation tongues
ED
Recharge
Leaching
Surficial
REGIO
2 Uranium moves into

contemporaneous groundwater flow system
3 Uranium transported down
hydrodynamic gradient in
semi-confined aquifer
flow
ord
upw
Uranium Cycle
flow
1 Uranium leached
from surficial ash
UC
ard
ED
upw
Surface
126

Artesian basin
Terrestrial source
Marshes
of hydrocarbons
High salinity
Oil seeps
Positive temperature anomaly
Positive Dp
Fault
Oil sands
Lenses
Local
hydraulic trap
Anticline
Monocline
Differential
entrapmen
t
Reduction increasing
Ox
id
de izati
cre
o
a si n
ng
Unconformity
Descending
Stagnant zone
Hydraulic trap
Regional
Gas
Oil
accumulation
Migrating hydrocarbons
Water flow line
Source rock and aquitard

Reservoir rock, carrier bed & aquifer
Fig. 4.20 Hydraulic and hydrodynamically enhanced geologic traps in regionally

unconned elds of gravity ow of formation waters (Tth, 1988, Fig. 10, p. 491,
modied from Tth, 1980, Fig. 44, p. 163).
4.5 Summary
The intent of Chapter 4 is to focus attention on the role of groundwater as a general
geologic agent. It seeks to provide a summary overview of those types and instances
of natural processes and phenomena that have been recognized as manifestations
of that agency. Two causes are considered to be fundamental to groundwaters role
as a geologic agent: in-situ interaction between the water and its environment, and
hierarchically nested systematized ow paths. The interactions between water and
environment result in various processes, products and conditions. In turn, the hierarchically nested ow systems produce basin-wide self organization of the effects
of interaction on different scales of space and time. Ten chemical, two physical, and
three kinetic processes are recognized through which interaction between groundwater and its environment, as well as organized distribution of effects, may take
place.
(1) Chemical processes: dissolution, hydration, hydrolysis, oxidation-reduction,
attack by acids, chemical precipitation, base exchange, sulfate reduction, concentration, and ultraltration or osmosis. (2) Physical processes: lubrication and
pore-pressure modication. (3) Kinetic processes: the transport of water by itself,
aqueous and non-aqueous matter, and heat.
Owing to the transporting ability and spatial patterns of basinal ow, the effects
of interaction are cumulative and distributed in harmony with the geometries of the
ow systems.
These processes are manifest in a great variety of natural phenomena. Although
the number and diversity of the manifestations are great, they can be considered as
4.5 Summary
127
environmentally modied versions of six basic types: (1) hydrology and hydraulics;
(2) chemistry and mineralogy; (3) vegetation; (4) soil and rock mechanics;
(5) geomorphology; (6) transport and accumulation.
In essence, the general effects of groundwaters geologic agency are: phenomena of depletion and accretion of water, metallic and nonmetallic solids,
hydrocarbons, and heat; soil and rock mechanical instabilities, possibly developing
into geomorphologic features; diagenetic mineral changes; changes in vegetation
cover; eutrophication of surface-water bodies; and systematic areal distribution, or
self-organization.
5
Practical applications: case studies
and histories
Properties, controlling factors, and natural effects of gravity-driven groundwater

ow were discussed in the previous chapters. Based on that understanding including
theory, measured uid-dynamic parameters, and eld manifestations, it is possible
to infer spatial patterns of ow systems that, in turn, can be useful in solving utilitarian problems of a widely variable nature. Examples include, but are far from
limited to: basin-scale assessment of groundwater resources; locating favourable
spots for water-supply wells; searching for areas suitable for specied land uses
(the required characteristics of the area are specied, e.g., nd an area suitable for
a municipal sewage lagoon) or, the other way around, developing a site for use that
is best suited to its natural characteristics (the characteristics of the available site
are known, e.g., this site is suitable for a municipal sewage lagoon); predicting
the consequences entailing modications to current groundwater-related conditions; amelioration of undesirable environmental conditions (e.g., favourable or
unfavourable ecological changes); diagnosing the causes of seemingly anomalous
conditions in: pore pressures, soil mechanical behaviour (liquefaction, landslides),
soil- and groundwater-chemistry, vegetation and geothermal heat ow, just to name
a few. Indeed, the recognition and solution of such problems are limited only by
the depth of understanding, scope of experience, and imagination of the hydrogeologist involved. The practical use and usefulness of groundwater ow-system
studies is perhaps best epitomized by the various schematized versions of the composite ow-system pattern adorning several major texts, monographs and posters
(Fig. 5.1).
The case studies and histories presented in Chapter 5 are divided into ve arbitrary and, necessarily overlapping, general topics: (1) the characterization and
portrayal of regional hydrogeologic conditions; (2) problems related to rechargeand discharge-regimes of gravity-ow systems; (3) site selection for nuclear-fuel
waste repositories; (4) utilization of uid-dynamic parameter anomalies; and (5)
exploration for petroleum and metallic minerals. The examples are not intended to
128
5.1 Regional hydrogeologic conditions
129
Fig. 5.1 Schematized version of the composite ow pattern as logo: Freeze &
Cherry (1979); Instituto de Geofzico (1985); Pollock (1989); Shibasaki and
Research Group (1995).
cover complete cases of problems, situations or solutions. They are meant rather to
illustrate only those specic aspects of the selected questions the solution of which
depends chiey on the knowledge and/or analysis of gravity-driven ow systems.
5.1 Characterization and portrayal of regional hydrogeologic conditions
The type, size, and distribution of gravity-driven groundwater ow-systems and
their environmental consequences are intrinsic components of a regions hydrogeology. Such information can be shown on maps and cross-sections for practical
purposes, and the practice has been widely adopted since the introduction of the
ow-system concept in the early 1960s. Some international examples are presented below illustrating different methods, objectives and scales for depicting
groundwater ow systems on hydrogeological maps and sections.
5.1.1 The hydrogeological reconnaissance maps of alberta, canada
Perhaps the rst hydrogeological maps that portrayed groundwater ow-systems
and their known environmental effects as standard components of the maps contents were produced in the programme of the hydrogeological reconnaissance
mapping of Alberta (Tth, 1977, p. 1). The programme was initiated in 1968,
lasted for 12 years, covered the entire 660 000 km2 area of the province of
130
Alberta, and produced 48 sheets of eight-coloured hydrogeological maps at scales

of M = 1 : 125 000 250 000 and 500 000, depending on available data.
Figure 5.2 shows parts of the hydrogeological map and a hydrogeological
cross-section of the GrimshawChinook Valley area produced as the mapping
programmes prototypes (Tokarsky, 1971; Tth, 1977). Lateral ow directions of
groundwater are shown on the map by hydraulic-head contours, as usual. However,
where known or inferred, the sense of the vertical ow direction also is shown. Small
crosses on the contours indicate downward ow and beads mean upward ow on
the map, and arrows point in the ow direction on the section.
Hydraulic-heads were contoured in the vertical also on some cross-sections produced in later years. Regions of owing wells, a diagnostic sign of groundwater
discharge, are circumscribed by a stipple band, while isolated artesian wells are
shown by upward pointing arrows. Springs, saline soils, unstable soil mechanical
conditions are indicated by a coherent set of standardized map symbols (Badry,
1972).
The philosophy of the maps design was based largely on the conclusion that
knowledge of groundwater ow-systems affords a diversity of uses of the maps. The
(a)
D
Fig. 5.2 Hydrogeological reconnaissance map of the GrimshawChinook Valley

area, Alberta, Canada: (a) detail of the main map (shading indicates potential
total production rates of single wells to depth of 305 m (1000 ft); (b) detail
of section DD (shading indicates potential production of single wells in the
hydrostratigraphic unit) (from Tokarsky, 1971).
10
Kilometres
Miles 5
20
Fig. 5.2 (cont.)
Qd
Ksr
Kpr
Kshl
Kshu
K dv
0
5
SCALE 1:125,000
Qd
WEST OF FIFTH MERIDIAN
Kh
2000
1000
500
(b)
5
10
15 Kilometres
10 Miles
Qd
2000
1000
400
800
1200
1600
FEET
2000
132
hydrogeological conditions were presented, therefore, in terms of basic parameters.

Thus the majority of information is shown as components of the groundwater
regime and of the hydrogeological environment rather than in terms of specic
uses (domestic, industrial, and so forth). The information sought by a map user
will normally have to be composed from the data found in the maps (Tth, 1977,
p. 6). One of these data is the explicit portrayal of groundwater ow systems, even
though often limited in detail and accuracy due to insufcient basic data.
5.1.2 The hydrogeological map of Australia (M=1:5 000 000)
Some of the main items presented in the hydrogeological map of Australia are
the explicitly and/or indirectly indicated groundwater ow patterns. Published at a
continental scale of M = 1 : 5 000 000, The map shows aquifer types, lithology,
salinity, potentiometry, and groundwater ow directions, and major abstraction
sites (Lau et al., 1987, p. vi).
Groundwater ow lines, generalized potentiometric contours, proven groundwater discharge areas, specic discharge features such as playas and groups of springs,
and groundwater divides inferred primarily from the topography, are depicted in a
distinctive violet colour on the original map (in grey scale on Fig. 5.3a). Major
groundwater ow directions are shown on a vertical cross-section also, which
traverses the entire eastwest width of the continent (Fig. 5.3b).
Relatively large-scale local cross-sections are used in an accompanying short
booklet (21 pages), to illustrate characteristic features of the major hydrogeologic provinces. The cross-sections show the principal hydrostratigraphic units and
groundwater ow directions or, where known, entire ow systems. The origin of
playas is attributed explicitly to groundwater (Fig. 5.4).
A specic diagram warns of possible consequences of soil salinization as a direct
result of human activities (Fig. 5.5).
5.1.3 Hydrologic Investigations: Atlas HA-339, NW Minnesota; USGS
Atlas HA-339 (Winter et al., 1970) is one of the US Geological Surveys Hydrologic Investigations report series on the water resources of individual watersheds.
The report deals with the Wild Rice River watershed of NW Minnesota. It presents
the intended information on four large sheets by means of annotated maps, graphs,
sections and drawings of the basic data, site conditions, and summary conclusions.
Groundwater is the subject of sheet no. 2.
The centrepiece of sheet no. 2 is a block diagram cut into a north- and a south-half
along an eastwest striking section (Fig. 5.6). The diagram shows the surface of
the watershed divided along a NS line into two different regimes of groundwater
300
Pz
Serpentine Lakes
Pz
Wyola Lake
Pz
Pz
fe
0
15
ev
er
iso
n
Creek
46
33
Creek
Creek
DC
ive
r
PR
DC
River
Mt Kathleen
P0
P 580
Salta Teresa
Ha
Coober Pedy
55
P
S
OI
DV
JE
RA +
+
+
C0
42
Oodnadatta
S I M P S O
P0
Plenty
Lake
Cadibarrawirracanna
S O U T H
erg
Alb
Marla
P
Mintabie
Lake Meramangye
DC
EVERARD RA
+ Mt Illbittee
+ 917
DC
ve
r
+P
Harts Range
HARTS RA
ST
Fig. 5.3 The hydrogeological map of Australia: (a) map portion of central Australia; (b) hydraulic-section portion of central Australia
(modied from Lau et al., 1987).
A T
Mt Woodroffe
1438
T
Fregon
e
nk
+ +
+ T
+ Pz
JK
4
Ri
50
r
ve
Ri
er
ev
ay
rd
nd
Sa
Bu
D
D
ALICE SPRINGS
Mt Cecil
551
St
gh
Hu
Fi
D E S E R T
+ +
K
Kutgera
DC
P0
RANGES
RANGES
P0
ES
JAM
DC
500
GES
+
+ +
Mt Laughlen
1167
on
R I A
V I C T O
Amata
P0
Mt Hay 1249
dge
MACDONNELL RAN
1511
Mt Zeil
30
+ +
ilit
Mt Sir Thomas
772
P
MUSGRAVE
P0
00
Tea Tree
r
ive
+ +
+
RA
+
S
P0
867
P0 Ayers Rock
Yulara
P0
P0
Pz
RAS
Mt Orga
1069
P0
Lake
Amadeus
Lake
Neale
30
STURART BLUFF RA
Centr
1067 al Mount
We
Papupya
YuendenE
dR
Pz
DC
Mt Liebig
Lake
Bennett
TR
A
RR
UE DC
Ha
Pz
T P
P0
M
Mt Cockburn AN
N
1138
ISON
TOMK
+P +
Riv
er
Tod
Pz
ARBUBTIB RA P
Mt Squires
705
05
PD
RA
BLOODS
P0
Bocker River
PE
TE
RM
AN
N
RA
Stevensons Peak
1319
Pz
Mt Ceekbure
846
Mt Singletor
808
r
ve
RA
RE
O Mt_eister
NT 981
I
K
B
L
IL
P
Pz
Ri
Lake
SO
NR
P R
AW
LIN
Lake Hopkins
Pz
Lake Macdonald
Mt Tietkens
546
+
+
r
ve
Giles Meteorological Station
Pz
Mt Webb
532
Ri
Newell
LAKE MACKAY
Pz
RA
W
(a)
650
20
P2
Canning Basin
Fig. 5.3 (cont.)
(b)
RAWLINSON RA
+
+
+
+
P0
Lake
Amadeus
T
P0
P0
Amadeus Basin
Padirka
Basin
P0
DC
Finke River
Finke River
Hugh River
Section
V = 100
H
Hale River
135
(a)
W
(m)
1000
E
The Grampians
500
38
Pz
+ ++ + + +
+27+ + + + + +
+ +2 + + + +
+ + + + ++ + +
+ + +++ + +
A B
B
20 km
Pz
280
272
272
Pz
340
S.L.
280
Pz
+
++++ +
+++
++
+ + ++
++ +
+ ++
+++
V
= 12
H
Quaternary basalt
Direction of groundwater flow

Potentiometric surface
380 Equipotential line (m)
Pz Undivided palaeozoic
+ ++
+++ Devonian granite
(b)
Ayers Rock
4 km
Kings Canyon
40 km
500
51
0
Lake Amadeus
Water-table
NE
48
50
50
0
470
465
.5
462
400
48
475
480
2.5
46
465
470
475
46
480
49
49
Elevation (m above msl)
SW
300
V
= 100
H
Cainozoic aquifer
Proterozoic fractured-rock aquifer

B
480
0
Equipotential lines
Groundwater flow
Amadeus
Basin
A
20 km
(c)
Fig. 5.4 Groundwater ow patterns in selected sub-basins: (a) Ballarat, Victoria;

(b) Amadeus Basin, Northern Territory; (c) extensive salt playa in Lake Amadeus
(a) and (b) Lau et al., 1987, Fig. 18, p. 18 and Fig. 5, p. 7, respectively; (c) photo
by J. Tth.
136
(a)
Increased
recharge
Area of
salinization
Water table
Salt lake
0
Rising water table
30 m
Tertiary sediments or
weathered granite
V = 20
H
0
1 km
Granite bedrock
Direction of groundwater flow
(b)
Fig. 5.5 Articially induced ow-system modications and consequent environmental effects in discharge areas: (a) land clearing for agriculture in southwest
Australia: reduced transpiration, increased recharge, rising water table and salinization (Lau et al., 1987, Fig. 17, p. 17); (b) damming the outlet of nearby lake
to improve recreational potential, Murray River basin, southeast Australia: rising
water table (increased discharge), salinization, water logging and death of eucalypt
forest (photo by J. Tth).
OF
TH
E
Sandhil
Ada
00
Branc
Wild
95
Wild
Rice
0 0
100105
Gary
Fertile
River
Rice
Ulen
50
11
Rive
Twin Vally
Riv
er
Waubun
Mahnomen
1300
120
0
White
Earth
Lake
Suider
Lake
Big Rat
Lake
Tulady
Lake
Water table
Roti lake
South Twin Buss

Lake
Lake
North Twin
1400
WATER ENTERS THE GROUND-WATER SYSTEM LARGELY IN THE ROLLING UPLANDS OF THE MORAINAL AREA.
Hendrum
Water table
ill
Sandh
Fosston
135
50
14
Rice lake
10 MILES
1500
400
800
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
400
800
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
Lipper Rice
lake
East
Fig. 5.6 Distribution of groundwater recharge- and discharge- areas, Wild Rice River watershed, NW Minnesota, USA. Black spots
in discharge area represent owing wells (Winter et al., 1970, sheet 2 of 4).
Direction of ground-water flow
Precambrian crystalline rocks

900
Interval, 50 feet
Glacial drift
Includes underlying thin, discontinuous Cretaceous rocks mainly in the western part
of the watershed
Ri
ve
Beltrami
SECTION
Halstad
Shelly
Ma
rsh
125
Area of flowing wells
Area of discharge from the ground-water

reservoir. Includes local recharge areas
in the vicinity of beach ridges
RT
H
NO
An area of recharge to the ground-water reservoir. Includes much local discharge in

the areas of lake and other depressions
SURFACE AREA
EXPLANATION
ED
GROUND WATER
West
VE
11
0
RI
1400
138
hydraulics. The eastern half is a recharge area. It is hilly, covered by glacial drift,
and rises to elevations between 1200 and over 2000 ft (366 and 610 m) above sea
level. The western half is a slightly less extensive discharge region of at lake-plain
deposits ranging between 800 and 1200 ft (244 and 366 m) in elevation.
A vertical hydraulic section on the front panel of the blocks northern half shows
entire local ow systems, and some recharge portions of large-scale ow systems,
on the watersheds eastern side. The systems are induced by the areas hilly morainal
topography and, respectively, by its regionally high altitude. The lower lying lakeplain region on the west is a general area of groundwater discharge, as indicated
by extensive areas of owing wells.
A genetic relation between the chemical composition and ow pattern of groundwater is demonstrated on a separate, three-pane fence diagram of sheet no. 2
(Fig. 5.7). The Chebotarev (1955) sequence (generally characteristic of changes
in chemical composition of gravity-driven ow systems, although he did not mean
or recognize it that way!) appears to develop in the area. In local (short) ow systems, and in recharge areas of longer ow systems, the main chemical type of the
water is calciummagnesium bicarbonate. It changes through calciummagnesium
sulfate and/or sodium bicarbonate, to sodium chloride in the ow direction of the
longer systems.
1400'
1200'
Base of fences at 400 feet.
Datum is mean sea level
1000'
800'
600'
400'
10 MILES
EXPLANATION
Calcium
magnesium
bicarbonate
Calcium
magnesium
sulfate
Sodium
bicarbonate
Sodium
chloride
Precambrian
Glacial drift
Includes underlying thin discontinuous crystalline
Cretaceous rocks mainly in the western
rocks
part of the water-shed
Direction of ground-water flow
Watershed boundary
CALCIUM MAGNESIUM BICARBONATE THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF GROUND WATER IN THE AREA,
OCCURS MAINLY IN THE RECHARGE AREA
Fig. 5.7 Fence diagram showing relations between chemical composition and ow
systems of groundwater, Wild Rice River watershed, NW Minnesota, USA (Winter
et al., 1970, sheet 2 of 4).
139
5.1.4 Protection and restoration of wetland ecosystems based on groundwater

ow-system analysis, the Netherlands
Engelen and Kloosterman (1996) published Hydrological Systems Analysis: Methods and Applications devoted specically and entirely to utilitarian applications of
the characterization and analysis of gravity-driven groundwater ow systems. Part
1 of the book treats the basic principles, study methods, and possible utilizations of
the ow-system concept in six chapters, while Part 2 presents thirteen case studies
in as many chapters, most of them from the Netherlands.
Chapter 12 outlines a project the purpose of which was to provide a scientic
basis for integrated water management of the (Twente) region; in particular with
regard to nature management (Engelen and Kloosterman, 1996, p. 83). Thus the
study was aimed at determining the effects of human activities, such as municipal
water withdrawal and modication of the surface-water network by drainage, on
the natural ow systems of the past. To this end, The quantitative effects of those
human interventions on the spatial arrangement, form and size of the natural and
man-made ow systems, their uxes and patterns of ow lines, residence times
and isohypses were studied for natural and disturbed conditions in both winter and
summer conditions. (Engelen and Kloosterman, 1996, p. 83).
The study was based on groundwater-related eld-data and modelling of groundwater ow covering an area of 16.5 km 24 km. The results were presented on a
series of maps and cross-sections which included: ow-line maps; travel-time maps;
hydrological system maps (Fig. 5.8a,b); maps of historical and contemporary land
use and wetland patterns; maps of impact on groundwater levels; vertical sections
and schematic reconstructions of ecosystems and groundwater ow-systems for
1850 and 1990 (Fig. 5.9), showing the ecological effects of the modications to
groundwater ow.
Figure 5.8 shows the horizontal trajectories of the three-dimensionally calculated
ow lines: for the original, or undisturbed, situation during the nineteenth century
(Fig. 5.8a); and for the end of 1990, including articial ow systems induced by
contemporary pumping stations, but without the effects of agricultural drainage
(Fig. 5.8b).
Figure 5.9 is a schematic representation of groundwater ow-patterns and the
associated ecologic landscape along a general eastwest vertical section in a historic
(nineteenth century; Fig. 5.9a) and a modern (late twentieth century; Fig. 5.9b)
situation.
The areal pattern of the contemporary distribution of the inltration and exltration zones was used as the basis of a proposal for the protection and reclamation
of wetlands in a network of to-be-designed nature areas: Such a network would
counteract the (existing) fragmentation of wetland ecosystems. Moreover it could
140
(a)
First-order gravitative systems: SA = system of Salland;
TR = flow branches of Rijssen of the SA system;
SDO = system of Daarle and Overwater;
Second-order gravitative flow system; SZ = system of Zuna;
Artificial flow systems: OH = system of pumping station
Holten; ON =system of pumping station Nijverdal; OA =
system of pumpling station Archemerberg; OHH = system of
pumping station Hooge Hexel; OW = system of pumping
station Wierden. (see also Fig. 5.8(b))
SD
SA
SO
SZ
TR
SE
0
2 km
Fig. 5.8 Horizontal trajectories of the three-dimensionally calculated groundwater

ow lines, Twente region, the Netherlands: (a) original or undisturbed situation
during the nineteenth century; (b) in 1990, including articial ow systems induced
by contemporary pumping stations, but without the effects of agricultural drainage
(Engelen and Kloosterman, 1996, Plates 15 and 14, respectively).

(b)
141
First-order gravitative systems: SA = system of Salland;

TR = flow branches of Rijssen of the SA system;
SDO = system of Daarle and Overwater;
Second-order gravitative flow system; SZ = system of Zuna;
Artificial flow systems: OH = system of pumping station
Holten; ON =system of pumping station Nijverdal; OA =
system of pumpling station Archemerberg; OHH = system of
pumping station Hooge Hexel; OW = system of pumping
station Wierden. (see also Fig. 5.8(a))
OA
SA
SDO
OHH
OW
ON
SZ
TR
SE
OH
0
2 km
1
2
Fig. 5.8 (cont.)
4
5
142
(a)
cross-section (west east)
60 m
1850
heather (dry) marshes, bogs etc. (wet)
wet meadows with hedges built-up areas arable land with hedges woodland
1990
(b)
60 m
built-up areas
regulated stream/canal
dry/wet woodlands
agricultutral areas
40 km
groundwater flow system
hydrological base
flow of potentially polluted ground water
groundwater table
flow of relatively clean groundwater
groundwater pumping station
Fig. 5.9 Schematic patterns of groundwater ow and associated ecologic landscapes along a general eastwest vertical section, Twente region, the Netherlands:
(a) during the nineteenth century; (b) late twentieth century situation (Engelen and
Kloosterman, 1996, Fig. 12.8, p. 94).
provide by zoning and protection of the inltration areas an inux of un- or much
less polluted waters to the wetland network of surface water, their riparian zones
and the associated groundwater exltration areas(Engelen and Kloosterman, 1996,
Fig. 11.12, p. 85).
Discussion of the basic principles and additional examples for eco-hydrological
applications of groundwater ow-system studies, with special emphasis on the
relation between groundwater ow and site factors in plant ecology are presented
in Klijn and Witte (1999), Batelaan et al. (2003).
5.1.5 Environmental management of groundwater basins, Japan

The results of thirty years of theoretical studies and practical experience covering
the entire territory of Japan and accumulated by two generations of Japanese hydrogeologists and engineers have been summarized in Environmental Management of
Groundwater Basins by Shibasaki and Research Group (1995; Fig. 5.1). The authors
discuss the objectives, hydrogeological principles, and methods of investigation of
basin management.
5.2 Effects of rechargedischarge area characteristics
143
Prior to the 1960s, development of groundwater resources in Japan was based

on the evaluation and production of individual wells rather than on comprehensive regional evaluations (not unlike elsewhere). Notwithstanding the various laws
controlling the siting and operation of water wells, problems of land subsidence,
water-level declines, contamination, and sea water intrusion have made groundwater gradually an uneconomical source of supply. In the early 1960s a shift from the
management of individual wells to the management of groundwater basins took
place which was not compelled by law but was motivated by the desire to look
at the groundwater movement in wider regions with the groundwater basin as the
basic unit (Shibasaki and Research Group, 1995, p. 36).
A prerequisite for successful groundwater basin management is, according to the
books authors, to have sufcient knowledge on the natural conditions of groundwater basins, particularly on (1) the structure of the groundwater basin which is
the container of groundwater, (2) hydrostratigraphic unit which is the basic unit for
groundwater ow and its structure, and (3) groundwater ow and its characteristics
(Shibasaki and Research Group, 1995, p. 45).
Gravity is considered to be the principal driving force of basinal groundwater
ow in Japan, because the correlation between a groundwater ow system and
topography is conspicuous and generally the groundwater table conguration
reects the topography; and the groundwater ow system can, to some extent,
be inferred from topographical structures (Shibasaki and Research Group, 1995,
p. 5859). Starting, therefore, from the above mentioned empirical observations,
the fundamental working model adopted for environmental basin management in
Japan is the hierarchically nested ow systems, discussed in Chapter 3.
Figure 5.10 shows the conceptual ow pattern applied to the sedimentary basins
of the country, with the three different orders of ow systems, namely, local, intermediate, and regional. Figure 5.11 is an example of the map-presentation of the
same ow-system types, requiring signicantly different spatial scales, i.e. different
levels of resolution, for appropriate portrayal.
5.2 Effects of rechargedischarge area characteristics on
groundwater-related practical problems
The success or failure of numerous groundwater-related practical projects depends
on the recognition, exploitation, and/or control of the specic hydraulic and hydrologic characteristics of the recharge- and discharge-regimes of gravity-driven ow
systems. The most salient of these characteristics are summarized in Table 5.1 (see
also Figs. 2.3 and 4.1).
The probability of success of a groundwater dependent project can be
expected to increase with an increase in the degree of compatibility between
75
50
Elevation (m)
100
50
100
20
75
100
25
75
144
Group A
R
100
Equipotential line (m)

Direction of flow
125
Group B
1000
125
Impermeable basement C
Groundwater flow system
classification
L: Local flow system
I: Intermediate flow system
R: Regional flow system
Groundwater basin classification

Groundwater sub-basin A
Internal boundary condition
Groundwater sub-basin B
External boundary condition
Impermeable basement C
Sedimentary basin classification

Group A
Groundwater
basin AB
?
Super-group AB
Group B
Unconformity
Basement C
Fig. 5.10 Conceptual groundwater ow model applied to management of sedimentary basins in Japan (Shibasaki and Research Group, 1995, Fig. 3.1,
p. 57).
the projects requirements and the relevant hydrogeologic characteristics of the

area. Indeed, such characteristics may be dominant concerning the suitability of
a site for a planned operation or facility. The cases below present the essential
aspects of some projects and/or situations in which the nature of the hydraulic
regime (recharge and/or discharge) has played, or can be expected to play,
a decisive role in determining the suitability of a site or area for utilitarian
purposes.
5.2.1 Location and development of a municipal groundwater supply, Olds,

Alberta, Canada
The task of nding and developing a municipal groundwater supply for the central
Alberta town of Olds in 1964 may have arguably been the rst case in which
the theory of gravity-driven ow was used explicitly as the basis of an approach.
Since its rst public-supply wells were drilled and installed twenty years earlier,
in 1946, the rural town of 3000 people had been facing a chronic crisis of water
shortage. The yields of countless newly drilled wells were marginal and would
soon dwindle after production began, necessitating continued attempts to nd new
sources. Ultimately, in 1963 the town turned for help to the Research Council of
Alberta, the research arm of the provincial government, and I was charged with the
project.
145
Regional flow system under regional scale landform
Intermediate flow system under intermediate scale landform
(a)
(b)
10
5 0
120
5
10
20
30
80
40
20
20
Low land
Platform
40
50
60
(B)
20
Hill
(C)
Mountain
Unit: m
Unit: m
Volcano
0
5 km
Local flow system under local scale landform
40 km
(c)
30
20
40
35
45
50
25
20
30
1 km
Observation sites
Pond
Discontinuity of
groundwater
55
10
15
10
Equipotential line (m)

Direction of flow
20
Fig. 5.11 Classication and presentation of groundwater ow systems generated

by landforms of different spatial scales (Shibasaki and Research Group, 1995, Fig.
3.2, p. 59).
Two basic considerations guided my exploration strategy: one geological and

one of subsurface hydraulics. Two geologic formations were known potentially to
offer a prospect for a source of water of acceptable quantity and quality, namely:
(a) the unconsolidated surcial sediments of glacial drift and alluvial sands and gravels in
buried bedrock valleys;
(b) the subaerial oodplain and lake deposits, with randomly arranged lenses, and discontinuous beds of sandstones, siltstones and claystones of Upper CretaceousPaleocene
age (Tth, 1966b, p. 28).
146
Table 5.1. Summary of the salient hydraulic and hydrologic characteristics of the
recharge-regimes and discharge-regimes of gravity-driven groundwater ow
systems
Hydraulic/hydrologic
characteristics
Change in water-level
with depth
Annual uctuation of
the water table
(width of the phreatic
belt)
Volume of average
annual surface runoff
Temporal variation of
surface-runoff rates
Ratio of actual
(dynamic) to
nominal (static) pore
pressure;

pdyn pstat :
Degree and main type
of groundwater
mineralization
Flow-system Regime
Recharge
Discharge
Examples
Decrease
Increase
Relatively large
Relatively small
Figs. 4.2; 4.5,

5.56
Figs. 4.3a,b,
5.28a,b
Relatively small
Relatively large
Fig. 4.4 a,b
Highly dependent on
precipitation and
relatively large
<1
Less dependent on
precipitation and
relatively small
>1
Fig. 4.4 a,b
Relatively low; Ca,

Mg
Relatively high; Na
Fig. 2.2
Figs. 4.6, 5.7,

5.65, 5.77b
Thus the essential hydrogeologic feature of the rock framework was the absence
of any distinguishable aquifer. Experience had shown that the occasional highly
permeable local rock pod could not be relied upon to have sufciently large volumes
for the required sustainable rates and amounts of water production. In other words,
the geological information yielded neither guidance nor limitations as to preferred
areas for test drilling.
My hydraulic argument was based on the areas topographic conguration and
the presence of some owing wells. The land surface declines at an even regional
rate of approximately 2 m/km from the town of Olds, located on a northsouth
striking topographic ridge at an elevation of 1044 m a.m.s.l. (above mean sea level)
on the west, to an average elevation of 980 m at the Lonepine creek on the east;
some owing farm wells were known to occur on the west side of the creek. A
regional ow system was thus postulated with its recharge area on and east of the
Olds topographic ridge, and the discharge area east of the approximate midline
between the ridges crest and the Lonepine creek (Fig. 5.12; Tth, 1966b, Fig. 16,
p. 40).
Lon
epi
n
147
ec
r
k
ee
Fig. 5.12 Distribution of areas of downward and upward ow, Olds groundwater
exploration area, Alberta, Canada (Tth, 1966b, Fig. 16, p. 40).
The decision to start test drilling in the postulated discharge area, i.e. east of the
theoretical hydraulic midline, despite the unfavorably large distance from town,
was based on the dual argument that: (a) no hydrostratigraphically preferential area
could be identied anywhere due to the rock frameworks lithologic heterogeneity,
and (b) available drawdowns (a factor to which well yields are directly proportional)
can be increased on purpose by moving downslope from the hydraulic midline.
The theoretically established fact was thus invoked, namely, that hydraulic heads
increase with depth in areas of ascending groundwater ow (Section 2.1).
148
Fig. 5.13 Olds Well no. 189, owing in theoretically anticipated regional discharge area, Olds groundwater exploration area, Alberta, Canada (Tth, 1966b,
Fig. 15; photo by J. Tth).
Results of the rst three test wells supported the theoretical expectations and
opened the way to a fully-edged test-drilling (16 more wells) and pump-testing
programme (Fig. 5.13).
Use of the cable-tool (percussion) drilling method facilitated accurate and multiple water-level measurements at different depths of individual wells and thus
the quantitative portrayal of ow patterns. The map in Figure 5.12 shows three
regional ow systems, IA, IB and IC, stretching from the topographic ridge at Olds
to Lonepine Creek, with the northsouth oriented hydraulic mid-line dividing the
areas of regional discharge and recharge approximately half way. Local systems
15, with their respective recharge and discharge areas are superimposed on the
regional systems (Figs. 5.12, 5.14, 5.15).
The practical result of the programme was the development of a eld of three
production wells. The water was pumped to the town uphill by a distance of
approximately 60 m and 9 km.
5.2.2 Underestimated rates for required dewatering, and land subsidence at

lignite mine in discharge area, Neyveli, Tamil Nadu, India
The Neyvely lignite eld covers an area of over 200 km2 in the coastal belt of
eastern Tamil Nadu (formerly known as Madras State), India. It is located in the
discharge area of a 1618 km long regional ow system (Fig. 4.5a). Commercial
interest in the possible exploitation of the estimated 230 million tons of lignite
3275
3300
3325
3350
rface
Bedrock su
Water table
Area of
downward flow................................
upward flow....................................
Boundary between area of downward flow

and upward flow.........................................
Boundary between different flow systems...
Flow line
3170
3200
3163 3177
LEGEND
3175
Well
Observed occurrence
of water
3150
3164
OLDS WELL
NO.192
Area of observed flowing wells...
OLDS WELL
NO.191
3236
3197 3186
3190
OLDS WELL
NO.187
1/2
3/4
Horizontal Scale
Nonpumping water level,

in feet
3200
1/4
3180
OLDS WELL
NO.244
1 Mile
Vertical exaggeration :
Mv
=10.56
Mh
Lonepine Greek
2700
2800
2900
3000
3100
3200
3300
3400
H 3
East
Fig. 5.14 Hydraulic cross-section H3 H3 (EW), Olds groundwater exploration area, Alberta, Canada (Tth, 1966b, Fig. 15).
Line of equal hydraulic head with elevation above

mean sea level. in feet
3285
3250
OLDS WELL
NO.235
3225
Ground surface
3200
H3
3150
West
3175
3175
ELEVATION IN FEET ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL
2600
2700
2800
2900
3000
3100
3200
3300
Flow line
Water table
Area of
downward flow ....................................

upward flow .........................................
Boundary between areas of downward flow

and upward flow .............................................
Boundary between different flow systems ....
3273
3260
LEGEND
rface
ck su
Bedro
3221
3164
Horizontal Scale
Mile
Vertical exaggeration:
Mv
= 10.56
Mh
3175
Nonpumping water level,

in feet
3260
3177
OLDS WELL
NO. 192
3164 3163
OLDS WELL
NO. 189 d
Flow line approx. normal to

Well
the plane of the cross-section ..............
Observed occurrence
of water
3219
OLDS WELL
NO. 189
Area of observed flowing wells ...
Line of equal hydraulic head with elevation above

mean sea level, in feet
3264
3263
3275
Ground surface
3250
H2
2600
2700
2800
2900
3000
3100
3200
3300
Southsoutheast
Fig. 5.15 Hydraulic cross-section H2 H2 (NNWSSE), Olds groundwater exploration area, Alberta, Canada (Tth, 1966b,
Fig. 15).
OLDS WELL
NO. 156
OLDS WELL
NO. 195
322
H 2'
Fault ?
Northnorthwest
3175
151
reserves prompted thorough geological and groundwater investigations in the early

1950s. The studies included regional-ow characterization and extensive pumping
tests to determine the feasibility of pit-dewatering to facilitate mining. In a detailed
technical paper Jones and Subramanyan (1961) present a summary on regional ow:
The most signicant features of ground-water movement in the Neyveli groundwater reservoir [combination of two or three thick sand and gravel beds underlying
the main lignite seam; authors comment] are: regional hydraulic continuity; gentle
hydraulic gradients; divergent ow from the groundwater divide about 6 miles
[9.65 km] north of the pilot quarry; and converging ow south of Neyveli, in
the Vellar River lowland, as a consequence of large, continuous withdrawal from
owing artesian wells (Jones and Subramanyan, 1961, p. 289290).
Regional hydraulic continuity, or cross-formational communication between
different stratigraphic levels, i.e. the three dimensionality of the ow eld, as well
as the possible outward migration of the groundwater divide in response to pumping, were thus explicitly recognized. Nevertheless, the rocks hydraulic properties
(i.e. transmissivity, T , and storativity, S) were calculated using the Theis nonequilibrium formula (Jones and Subramanyan, 1961, p. 292). The method is valid,
however, only for two-dimensional radial ow to wells in ideally conned horizontal aquifers. The present authors personal communication with local mine
hydrogeologists in 1970 conrmed that those calculations underestimated the rates
and amounts of water withdrawal required to keep the mine sufciently dewatered. In addition, incessant abstraction had reduced pore pressures in the naturally
overpressured artesian aquifers so as to cause widespread land subsidence of
considerable magnitude (Fig. 5.16).
5.2.3 Failure of a municipal sewage lagoon built on local recharge area,

Brooks, Alberta, Canada
Ignoring the recharge character of a site, aggravated by misjudgment of the rock
frameworks hydraulic properties, has led to the irreparable leakage and need for
decommissioning and reconstruction of the municipal sewage lagoon of a town of
8000 in southern Alberta, Canada (Tth, 2003). Untreated sewage leaked beneath
the lagoons dykes and surfaced beyond its boundaries. It threatened also to contaminate a nearby irrigation canal used in emergencies as a source of drinking water
for a hamlet downstream.
Figure 5.17 shows a mound that is the recharge area of a local groundwater
ow system. Construction equipment and the lagoons dykes are seen on top of the
rise. The mound has a relative elevation of slightly over 15 m (50 feet) above the
irrigation ditch that skirts the lagoon within 900 m (Fig. 5.18).
Four lithologically different rock units can be identied at the lagoon site to
depths of approx. 25 m (82 ft). Owing to their hydraulically also different properties,
152

(a)
(b)
Fig. 5.16 Dewatering of lignite mine in groundwater discharge area, Neyveli,

Tamil Nadu, S. India: (a) heavy discharge from dewatering wells surrounding
open-cast pit; (b) land subsidence marked by height of top of well-casing grout
above land surface, caused by underestimated rates of required pumping for mine
dewatering (photos by J. Tth).
Fig. 5.17 Recharge-area position of lagoon on local hilltop, with irrigation canal
in foreground (photo by J. Tth).

Topographic contour
with elevation, in feet
a.m.s.l
Land-survey
section number
2525
36
S1
S1
153
Bore hole location
Pond
Hydrostratigraphic
cross-section
An
Anaerobic
Aerobic
Storage
Sewage-lagoon dyke
Ephemeral slough
S4
2550
2500
na
Ca
35
31
36
S 3
AnP
S1
AP1
25
25
25
2550
S1
AP2
50
25
00
25
l
na
Ca
SP1
S2
Hi
gh
25
SP2
S2
ay
26
25
30
S4
S3
500
1000
metres
Fig. 5.18 Site map and preconstruction topography (Tth, 2003, Fig. 8).
they can be considered as four distinct hydrostratigraphic units at the scale of the
case. These are, in descending order (Fig. 5.19):
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
a unit comprising glacial till, fractured coal, and bedrock shale, the shallow aquifer, A1 ;
fractured and discontinuous shale bedrock, the rst aquitard, T1 ;
an extensive coal seam, the coal aquifer, A2 ;
unfractured shale bedrock, the basal aquitard, T2 .
The top three units all bear signs of more or less strong mechanical disturbance
by scraping and pushing of glacial ice. Fracturing, jointing, vertical displacements
and thrusting of noticeably decreasing intensity with depth were observed in test
pits and cut-off wall trenches (Fig. 5.20). Notwithstanding these indications, the
site conditions were assessed by the consultant as suitable for lagoon construction
even without lining the ponds (Fig. 5.21).
154

W
NW
SE
West 2540 ft.

dyke
S2
Metres
775 Feet
2540
S2
Metres
Feet 775
2540
East
dyke
Mv
= 60
Mh
SP1
2532 ft.
2530
2530
SP2
770
770
2520
2520
765 2510
2500
760
A1
T1
T1
2500
760
A2
2490
A2
755
2490
T2
T2
T2
2480
755
2470
750 2460
2510 765
A2
Canal
2480
A1
A1
2470
Fill
SP
Storage pond
A2
Coal Aquifer
Cut
A1
Shallow Aquifer
T2
Basal Aquifer
First Aquitard
500
Original land surface
T1
2460 750
1000 1500 feet

250
500 metres
Fig. 5.19 Cross-section S2 S2 showing: hilltop position of lagoon, local

hydrostratigraphy, and discontinuity of aquitard T1 (Tth, 2003, Fig. 8).
The temporal evolution of water-level changes (actually sewage-level) beneath

the ponds was reconstructed for the topmost unit, aquifer A1 , based on measurements in boreholes and piezometers taken after lling of the lagoon begun. The
data showed that a uid mound developed under the lagoon upon commissioning,
with spur-like lobes of contours pointing westsouthwest thus indicating leakage
beneath the dykes (Fig. 5.22). The ow has resulted in precipitated solids left by
the evaporating efuents in the surrounding area (Fig. 5.23). Figure 5.24 presents
the summary of the main causes of the lagoons failure.
5.2.4 Deep penetration of contaminants in recharge areas and saltwater

up-coning in discharge areas, central Netherlands
In response to the pressing problems of appropriate water management, and the
growing public and political concern about nature conservation and the need to safeguard ecosystems for future generations, the Dutch government formulated (the)
project National Analysis of Regional Groundwater Flow Systems (Engelen and
Kloosterman, 1996, p. 55). This project was launched in 1991 and conducted by
TNO Institute ofApplied Geoscience(IAG).Astandard component of the projects
published results are cross-sections relating groundwater chemical composition to
ow patterns.
155
Fig. 5.20 Fractured shale of aquitard T1 (Tth, 2003, Fig. 8, photo by Tth).
Surficial material: glacial till, K 109107 ms1,

"impermeable in engineering terms".
The underlying shale bedrock: "impermeable".
The only possible seepage would:
"... follow the glacial till/bedrock interface..."
Any seepage that might occur would reach the
canal in 900 years.
In summary
"The hard till and shallow bedrock... excellent
foundation for the construction of the sewage
lagoon dykes...lining will not be required."
Fig. 5.21 Consultants site assessment.
As part of the pilot phase of the project a section across central Netherlands was
produced (Fig. 5.25a). Two relevant observations can be made in the present context:
(i) Slightly polluted recently inltrated waters (Engelen and Kloosterman, 1996,
p. 58) and An anthropogenic polluted groundwater and water inltrated from the
larger rivers penetrate in recharge areas to depths reaching 100 m or more, while
this depth is only 020 m in discharge areas (Fig. 5.25a); (ii) the interface between
156

2+
1
Water-level rise >2ft
Land survey
section number
36
Water-level drop, in feet
S1
S1
Water-level change between

-1ft and +1ft
10
An
Anaerobic
Aerobic
Sewage-lagoon dyke
Storage
S4
before/during logoon
draining, in feet, a.m.a.l.
AnP
4+
12+ 14+
AP1
250
12+
na
Ca
Hi
1+
gh
ay
26
2530
AP2
6+
S2
S1
2535
3+
3+
31
2520 2510 2500
4+
36
2530
S3
S1
na
Ca
35
Pond
Hydrostratigraphic
cross-section
Groundwater level in
the shallow aquife r, A1
25
3+
10+
SP1
SP2
17+
3+
20
25
0
1
25
S2
25
00
25
0
S3
30
S4
500
1000
metres
Fig. 5.22 Changes in water levels in Aquifer A1 due to lling the lagoon and the
resulting water-table mound (Tth, 2003, Fig. 9).
the fresh- and the ubiquitous basal saline-groundwater is depressed to 350 m or

more beneath the two principal groundwater recharge areas (Veluwe and Utrecht
ice-pushed ridge complexes) but it is drawn to within 100 m to the surface by
ascending waters in the major discharge area of Gelder Valley (Fig. 5.25a).
A noteworthy observation from the viewpoint of ow system analysis is the fact
that the systems, recognizable in this section by the contrasting water qualities, are
not much inuenced by the presence of resistive clay layers. The development of
the ow system underneath the river Vecht and Amsterdam-Rhine Canal (ARK) is
157
Fig. 5.23 Salt crust at site of seepage from the lagoon (photo by J. Tth).
Summary: the main causes of failure
Hydrostratigraphy was not considered;
Glacial effects on permeability ignored;
'v ' calculated as: 'v = q n', not v = q /n;
No consideration of recharge-area position;
No change in design specifications after
problems were identified.
Conclusion:
Specialized tasks require specialists:
HYDROGEOLOGY IS NO EXCEPTION!
Fig. 5.24 Summary of lagoon problems and conclusion by the author.
apparently not impeded by the presence of a thick clay layer at a depth of 5075 m
(Engelen and Kloosterman, 1996, p. 59).
A schematic version of the EW hydraulic cross-section of the central Netherlands (Fig. 5.25a) is presented in Figure 5.25(b) illustrating the Dutch terminology
and conceptual framework of ow-system classication (Engelen and Kloosterman,
1996, Fig. 8.3., p. 61).
5.2.5 Transport of phosphorous by groundwater into Narrow Lake from

near-shore recharge areas Alberta, Canada
As one project in a series of studies aimed at evaluating the role of groundwater
in eutrophication of lakes in northern Alberta, Shaw et al. (1990) investigated the
possible sources and transport routes of phosphorous into Narrow Lake. Data
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
20 km
Salt groundwater
Uddel
Ouwendorp
Wenum
Wiesel
Veluwe ice-pushed
ridge complexes
Unpolluted hard deep groundwater infiltrated

on the ice-pushed ridge complexes
Twente
Eem
Hoevelaken
Voorthuizen
Zwartebroek
Gelder
valley
Unpolluted soft to moderately hard deep

groundwater infiltrated on the ice-pushed
ridge complexes
Anthropogenetic polluted groundwater

and water infiltrated from the larger rivers
10
Recent infiltration
water in the ice-pushed
ridge complexes
Amersfoort
Utrecht ice-pushed
ridge complexes
Kedichem
Ark
Vecht
Oude Rijn
De Bilt
De Meern
Utrecht
Twente/Drente
Willeskop
Twello Deventer
Ice-pushed
structures
Interpreted
direction of
groundwater flow
Twente
Eem
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
M.S.L
Fig. 5.25 Westeast cross-section through central Netherlands, showing the major genetic types of groundwater: (a) ow pattern
inferred from water levels and chemical water types; (b) schematized version of ow pattern to highlight the structure of the regional
ow systems and system boundaries (modied after Engellen and Kloosterman, 1996, Plate 9 and Fig. 8.3, p. 61, respectively).
m below M.S.L
M.S.L
(a)
m below M.S.L
Ark
flow
branches
system
Fig. 5.25 (cont.)
(b)
boundary between flow

systems
nested
system
subsystem
Eem
marine clays
flow
branches
Utrecht
ice-pushed ridges
subsystem
system
Drente
fluvio-glacial
clays
Eem
valley
nested
systems
subsystem
flow
branches
springs
nested
system
subsystem
Veluwe
ice-pushed ridges
system
not to scale
Drente
fluvio-glacial
clays
IJssel
system
Elevation (m)
650
600
630
640
670
660
650
680
700
690
686
700
700
695

700
695
690
687
690
695
160
550
500
0
A
Disrance Along Transect (km)
10
A
Till
Sand and gravel
Bedrock
Lake sediments
Fig. 5.26 Modelled groundwater ow-pattern along NNWSSE transect across

Narrow Lake, north-central Alberta, Canada (Shaw et al., 1990, Fig. 5, p. 880).
from a drilling programme, major ion concentrations, environmental isotopes, and

computer simulations indicated that the lake gains water through the nearshore
region from a small, shallow groundwater ow system; at deep offshore regions,
water moves from the lake to the groundwater ow system (Shaw et al., 1990,
p. 870). (The above conclusions were corroborated by direct measurements of
groundwater seepage on the shore and the lakes bottom.) Figure 5.26 shows a
groundwater ow pattern modelled along a transect across the lake. The lake itself
is situated in a regional recharge position but its deeply incised narrow valley
induces intensive shallow local ow systems to its banks. Although contributing
less than a third of the total water load to the lake, groundwater may be the major
single source of P to epilimnic lake water. Groundwater inux occurs near the
shore, so that P transported by groundwater enters the epilimnion, where it could
be directly utilized by lake biota (Shaw et al., 1990, p. 885).
Although the above cited paper makes no mention of it, the authors have suggested, through personal communication, that cesspools, outhouses, and garden
fertilizers associated with recreational cottages around the lake may be the source
of phosphorous, as well as of nitrogen, providing yet another example for increased
vulnerability of recharge areas to groundwater contamination.
5.2.6 Cause and reclamation of liqueed ground, Trochu, Alberta, Canada
After a few years of above normal precipitation in the early 1970s, the outbreak of numerous soap holes and soft and wet soil patches made cultivation of
161
approximately 65 ha of agricultural land difcult in the vicinity of the town of

Trochu, Alberta. That piece of land, including the adjacent country road, located in
SE 1/4, Section 28, Township 34, Range 24 (location identied according to the
Canadian national land-survey system) and its surroundings had been inferred earlier from groundwater eld manifestations as an area of local groundwater discharge
(Tth, 1966a, Fig. 24, p. 46). With the consent of the land owner and material contributions from the municipality responsible for road maintenance, a test-drilling and
extended pump-testing experiment was conducted to determine if the liqueed- and
saline-soil conditions could be ameliorated. The experiment was based on the ow
system conceptualized for the area on the basis of observed groundwater-related
eld phenomena.
The ow system was thought to originate on a local topographic high at an
elevation of approximately 930 m, with the discharge area 2.4 km to the south at
892 m, i.e. 38.5 m lower (Fig. 5.27).
The recharge-type characterization of the highlands general area was based on:
(i) observed large seasonal variations of the water table in a local depression on
the hill (i.e. a phreatic belt exceeding 6 m, when the depth of surface water in the
slough is converted to subsurface water levels assuming 20 % porosity; Fig. 5.28);
(ii) salinity-free soils; (iii) the presence of xerophytes beyond the borders of the
local drainage centre.
The test drilling found an extensive horizontal and highly-permeable sandstone
stratum at a depth of 62 m below the slough and at 23 m below the soap holes. This
aquifer facilitated increased ow from the recharge- to the discharge-area but was
conned by overlying more than 20 m thick clay layer. Water levels rose up to 3 m
Fig. 5.27 View south over local drainage basin from its recharge area to low-lying
and distant (2.4 km) discharge area, Trochu, Alberta (photo by J. Tth).
162

(a)
(b)
Fig. 5.28 Seasonally wet- or water-lled topographic depression on top of recharge

area (located 200 m in opposite direction to Fig. 5.27) showing large seasonal
changes in water levels: (a) deep (0.75 m) water body in slough after snowmelt
in May; (b) dry slough bottom and deep water table (>2 m below surface) in
October (photo by J. Tth).
163
above the land surface in observation wells completed in the aquifer near the soap
holes (they were monitored during pumping in 4 m high open stand-pipes).
The pumped well, itself a owing one, was completed in the conned aquifer
and cased through the clay above it. The objective of pumping was not to dewater per se, but rather to reduce the pore pressure in the aquifer to the point that
the vertical hydraulic gradient is reversed near the land surface from upward- to
downward-oriented drive (i.e. from pointing downward to pointing upward; see
comments regarding hydraulic gradient, Eq. 1.3a,b). This was accomplished by
keeping the operating water-level constant at an approximate depth of 3 m below
land surface. The soap holes started to collapse within two weeks after pumping
started (Fig. 5.29). Thus the experiment succeeded in proving that liquefaction is
the consequence of superhydrostatic hydraulic gradients driving water upward. If
they are reduced to values that are equal to, or lower than, hydrostatic, the associated
quick conditions end too.
Simultaneously with the hydraulic experiments, soil samples were taken periodically to see if an expected reduction of salinity could be demonstrated. For reasons
beyond the experimenters control, the soil-salinity study could not be completed.
With the convincing, and expected, soil mechanical effect of the induced gradient reversal, however, there is reason to believe that an inversion of the hydraulic
gradient would also have resulted in downward leaching of the salts, thus causing
a reduction of soil salinization of the site, i.e. in chemical reclamation of the soil.
5.2.7 Groundwater ow and heat-ow anomalies: assessing low-enthalpy

geothermal potential, northern Switzerland
Subsequent to the completion of the heat-ow density (HFD) mapping programme
of Switzerland (Bodmer, 1982), a study of possible relations between heat-ow
anomalies and regional groundwater ow was conducted in northern Switzerland
by Bodmer and Rybach (1984, 1985). The study was part of a broader multidisciplinary investigation with the intent to assess the low enthalpy geothermal energy
potential of the high HFD areas (Bodmer and Rybach, 1985, p. 233). The general
justication presented by the authors for their study approach was: In order to
interpret thermal conditions at deeper levels of the Earths crust by HFD maps it
is essential to understand the effects of subsurface water circulation systems on
the HFD eld (Bodmer and Rybach, 1985, p. 233). As their working hypothesis, they attributed the high heat-ow anomalies to heat transported by ascending
gravity-driven groundwater. The validity of this hypothesis was to be assessed by
the degree of correlation of positive and negative HFD anomalies with upward,
downward directed groundwater ow, respectively.
Two areas with prominent HFD-anomalies were singled out for detailed investigations. These were the areas of Molasse of St. Gall, of approximately 2200 km2
164

(a)
(b)
Fig. 5.29 Soap hole (quick soil) in discharge area: (a) mound and active discharge
of water and mud before experimental pumping from conned aquifer began at
depth of approximately 23 m; (b) same soap hole imploded in response of groundwater level drawn down to and held constant at 3 m below land surface (photos
by J. Tth).
in areal extent, and the East end of the Jura, approximately 2625 km2 , areas 1
and 2 respectively, in Figure 5.30.
In the Molasse of St. Gall test area the recharge and discharge regions were
inferred from parameters indirectly related to regional groundwater ow, namely:
water chemical composition; deuterium D content (to infer topographic altitude of
inltration areas); tritium T content (to infer age); and geothermometers: silica, and
Na/K/Ca of spring- and well-water samples (to infer reservoir temperature, i.e. depth
of water penetration). High HFD values in the Molasse of St. Gall area were found
commonly to correlate with: (i) topographic lows (at or near valley bottoms); (ii)
165
8.00 E
ZURICH
Reuss
Aar
SE
STGA
AS
Lac de Neuchtel
80
L
MO
re
Aa
Reuss
see
80
80
ne
100
47.00 N
de
100
R
U
Bo
80
Rhein
80
47.00 N
120
60
120
PS
AL
50 km
8.00 E
Fig. 5.30 Part of the heat ow density (HFD) map of Switzerland with contour
interval of 10 mW/m2 . Rectangles 1 and 2 delimit, respectively, the Molasse
of St. Gall and the East end of Jura HFD anomalies. The NS double line is the
trace of the cross-section in Figure 5.32. Dashed lines represent the boundaries
of the geologic provinces Alps, Molasse and Jura (modied from Bodmer and
Rybach, 1985, Fig. 1).
elevated reservoir temperature values (>25 C) inferred from geothermometers;

(iii) high inltration altitude as indicated by D values; (iv) low or zero tritium
contents.
The East end of the Jura test area contains a major positive HFD anomaly
with a maximum value of 150 mW/m2 and several thermal springs (Fig. 5.31). An
85 km long 2D heat-transport model between the Alps and the Aare River shows
the calculated thermal effects of regional groundwater ow (Bodmer, 1982; Figs.
5.30 and 5.32), namely, the isotherms are depressed by recharging cold waters in
the Alps and pushed upwards by warmed up discharging waters in the area of the
Aare river.
Because the modelled regional system did not explain the local HFD anomalies,
a local 2D heat-transport model was also constructed to simulate the subsurface
temperatures around the thermal spring of Schinznach (Fig. 5.31). The WE oriented section started 4 km west of the Aare River, in the assumed zone of local
recharge (Fig. 5.33). The modelled HFD values at the upper boundary of the system are shown as the solid line and the eld data as open triangles in the gure.
The t of the model to the eld values was deemed reasonable in the eastern part
of the prole. The data scatter west of the discharges focus (the thermal spring) is
166

70
9080
0
10 0
11 0
12 0
13
thermal springs
position of thrust
profile in Fig. 6
80
0
13
110
0
12
100
90
80
Rhein
60
70
heat-flow
density contour
mW/m2
110
N
60
90
Thur
80
Basel
100
120
Baden
150
tt
Lim
ma
130
90
Ga
nach
chinz
120
110
100
100
Zurich
110
uss
Aa
re
Re
110
120
90
90
120
110
70
90
90
90
10 km
Fig. 5.31 Pronounced high heat ow density anomaly in the east end of the Jura
test area associated with several thermal springs. Stippled line indicates zone of
enhanced permeability due to tectonic deformation (modied from Bodmer and
Rybach, 1985, Fig. 4).
N
Jura
Aare
DISCHARGE
DEPTH (km)
RECHARGE
LPS
A
MOLASSE
50
100
150
10
LOCAL SYSTEMS
30
60
90
120
200
AL
ION
REG STEM
SY
250
0
20
40
60
80 km
ISOTHERMS
Fig. 5.32 Simulated isotherms (solid lines) for a deep water-circulation system
along the NS section trace in Figure 5.30. Dashed lines represent eld measurements of subsurface temperatures (modied from Bodmer and Rybach, 1985,
Fig. 5).
ALTITUDE (m)
HEAT FLOW DENSITY (mW/m2)
167
E
MEASURED IN DRILLHOLES
SIMULATION
300
200
?
100
?
?
600
INFILTRATION
400
2
1
0
1 km
DISTANCE FROM DISCHARGE ZONE (km)
THERMAL SPRING SCHINZNACH

(Tmax 40 C)
Aare river
DIS
200
4
INFILTRATION
CHARGE
NEAR VERTICAL FAULT
2
1
0
1 km
DISTANCE FROM DISCHARGE ZONE (km)
Fig. 5.33 HFD prole of a local EW circulation system near the thermal spring
of Schinznach. The triangles represent measured HFD values; the solid line is
the modelled HFD at the upper surface of the sysem (Bodmer and Rybach 1985,
Fig. 6).
attributed to differences between the modelled and actual topography (i.e. the relief
of the water table) and to local disturbances such as inltration of surface water,
e.g., from the Aare River, within the groundwater discharge zone. Nevertheless,
eld observations, chemical geothermometers and mixing models (see NEFFF,
1980 in Bodmer and Rybach, 1985) substantiate this model and clearly indicate
that in the case of northern Switzerland, small scale water circulation systems can
be superimposed on the regional SN drainage system (Bodmer and Rybach, 1985,
p. 242).
The conclusions of the study are best summarized in the words of the authors:
in regions with pronounced topographic relief and substantial water circulation, HFD
mapping is commonly subjected to systematic errors if the HFD sites (drillholes) are
located along valleys with relatively high HFD whereas the corresponding low HFD
zones and the inltration zones at the uplands remain undetected; these effects are not
eliminated by the application of standard terrain correction methods;
it is possible to obtain more information about the location of the low HFD anomalies
and the size of the corresponding circulation systems by the application of geochemical
methods including isotope analysis;
168
in many cases several convective systems of different scale can interfere, making interpretation difcult. Thermally the most efcient convection systems are ones which operate
on the km to 10 km scale;
in constructing HFD isoline maps, the scale of the circulation systems and the size and
location of the anomalies have to be taken into account;
HFD sites which reect local anomalies beyond the spatial resolution of HFD mapping
need to be recognized and evaluated, in order to avoid errors by overestimating their
effect on the regional HFD eld (Bodmer and Rybach, 1985, p. 244).
5.2.8 Increased susceptibility of slopes to failure in discharge areas: theoretical

analysis
Based on rigorous mathematical analysis and numerical modelling, Iverson and Reid
(1992) and Reid and Iverson (1992) have demonstrated quantitatively how gravitydriven groundwater ow inuences the spatial distribution of effective stresses in
slopes and how, in turn, these stresses affect the magnitude and distribution of
the potential (i.e. susceptibility, tendency) for slope failure in hills and mountains.
They have also shown the relations between the failure potential, on the one hand,
and the elds of the waters seepage forces and the effective stresses generated by
the combination of water ow and gravity acting on the poroelastic framework, on
the other. The studys approach was novel in that it treated the effect of topography,
i.e. of gravity, on groundwater ow simultaneously with the effect of the effective
stresses. Previous studies analysed the inuences of topography and subsurface
stresses on groundwater ow separately (e.g., Tth, 1963; Freeze and Whitherspoon,
1966, 1967; Savage et al., 1985). The mathematical formulation and analysis were
restricted to two-dimensional vertical sections of an innitely extensive landscape
with periodic topography (Fig. 5.34; Iverson and Reid, 1992, Fig. 1).
The susceptibility of a slope, or parts thereof, to failure is expressed by the spatial
distribution of the Coulomb failure potential . It is a dimensionless measure of
y
x
z
Fig. 5.34 Schematic block diagram of an innitely extensive landscape with

periodic topography. Streamlines show paths of gravity-driven groundwater ow
(Iverson and Reid, 1992, Fig. 1).
169

/ , where is the
the possibility of shear failure dened as = max
m

Coulomb failure potential, max is the maximum shear stress, and m is the mean
normal stress, considered positive in tension (Iverson and Reid, 1992, p. 931). is
independent of the material strength and has a theoretical minimum of zero and a
maximum of one. The effect of the ow of groundwater on the stability of a given
slope can thus be assessed by comparing the failure potential elds calculated
for the slope in dry and in saturated conditions. Figure 5.35 shows calculations
for a straight hillslope (dry and saturated) composed of homogeneous material of
specied parameters (Poissons ratio = 0.333; dry density t = 1590 kg/m3 ;
saturated density b = 1990 kg/m3 ; water density w = 1000 m3 ), and inclined
at 26.6 degrees (2:1 slope).
The Coulomb failure potential in the dry hillslope is due to a uniform gravitational
body force acting upon the (unsaturated) rock frame and was determined from
the dry hillslope stress eld (Fig. 5.35a; Iverson and Reid, 1992, Fig. 5). In this
eld (Iverson and Reid, 1992, Fig. 4, not shown here) the maximum near-surface
compressive stresses roughly parallel the land surface while they align with gravity
at depth. These stress conditions are reected in the failure potential eld by the
relatively uniform regions of high values occurring in a thin band subparallel and
adjacent to the surface. Saturation of the hillslope with water induces a gravitydriven ow eld h (where h is the normalized hydraulic head) which results
in a seepage force eld whose nondimensional distribution is depicted in Figure
5.35b; Iverson and Reid, 1992, Fig. 6). These seepage-induced body forces are
maximum near the surface and negligible at depth, and they all have a down-slope
oriented horizontal component. The vertical components of the seepage forces point
downward at the hilltop and its vicinity and upward near the toe (i.e. opposite to
the hydraulic gradient, see comment and explanation, Eq. 1.3a,b).
The combination of seepage forces with the gravitational and buoyancy forces
(not shown here) results in the Coulomb failure potential eld displayed in Figure
5.35(c) (Iverson and Reid, 1992, Fig. 9). A comparison with Figure 5.35(a) shows
that the values of failure potential in the saturated hillslope generally exceed those
in the dry slope. In the saturated case the region of high values ( > 0.5) extends
deeper and is shifted downslope, with maximum values near the toe where seepage
is directed outward and is approaching the theoretical maximum of 1. The net
effect of the seepage forces induced by the gravity-driven groundwater ow on
the Coulomb failure potential is seen in the difference in between the dry and
the saturated cases (Fig. 5.35d; Iverson and Reid, 1992, Fig. 10). Because of the
horizontal ow components in the saturated case the greatest changes in occur
near the lateral boundaries of the ow domain. There, displacement of adjacent
material cannot help distribute the stresses caused by groundwater ow due to
the no-ow boundary emplaced to account for the periodicity of the topography.
Signicantly, the percentage increase in the failure potential is maximum near
the toe. At the same time, that is also the area of the most intensive discharge of
groundwater.
170

(a)
(b)
Magnitude of
non-dimensional
force:
0.7
0.4
0.5 0.6
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.4
(d)
(c)
0.4
0.5
0.6
80
20
60
0.8
0.7
40
0.9
20
40
0.2
0.1
0.
0.
0.5
0.6
20
0
20 4
Fig. 5.35 Distribution of Coulomb failure potential and seepage force eld
h in a homogeneous straight hillslope: (a) failure potential in dry hillslope:
(b) non-dimensional seepage force eld h in saturated hillslope; (c) failure
potential in saturated hillslope; (d) percentage increase in failure potential
between the dry and saturated cases (modied from Iverson and Reid, 1992, Figs.
5, 6, 9, and 10, respectively).
A sensitivity analysis, in which the inclination of the slope was varied between
horizontal-to-vertical ratios (H :V ) of 3:1 (18.4) and 1:1 (45), found the patterns
of groundwater ow, effective stress, and failure potential similar to the 2:1 H :V
ratio (26.6) case, discussed above. In all these cases the values are largest in
the near surface regions, increase with the addition of gravity-driven groundwater
ow, and reach their maxima near the toe of the slope, where ow is upward and
outward.

(b)
Convex
(c)
Concave
(d)
Convexconcave
0.
(a)
Straight
171
0.7
0.
8
8
0.
0.7
0.7
Fig. 5.36 Contours of failure potential 0.7 and greater in dry hillslope with
differing slope morphology (Reid and Iverson, 1992, Fig. 7).
In an attempt to approximate better the effect of natural landforms on slope

stability, Reid and Iverson (1992) examined the patterns of failure-potential and
seepage-force generated by four different slope proles, namely: straight, convex,
concave and convexconcave. The failure potentials 0.7 and greater in dry hillslopes are shown in Figure 5.36. Both the distribution patterns and magnitudes of
change when the slope becomes saturated with owing groundwater (Fig. 5.37).
Again, in all cases, water ow results in lateral extension and deeper penetration of
the areas of high failure potentials, as compared with the dry cases (cf. Fig. 5.36).
The increases are linked to two principal factors: steepness of the slope and outward
direction of the seepage-force vectors (discharge areas).
Heterogeneities in the hydraulic conductivity can signicantly alter the groundwater ow pattern and thus affect the eld of the Coulomb failure potential. Two
simulated congurations of heterogeneity were a horizontal and a vertical layer in
the otherwise homogeneous hillslope matrix analysed by Reid and Iverson (1992)
representing, for instance, a sedimentary stratum and an igneous dike, respectively.
172

Straight (a)
Convex (b)
Unit gradient
h = 1.0
0.7 0
.8
0.5
0.3
Tension
0.7
0.9
Concave (c)
Convexconcave
(d)
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.8
0.7
Fig. 5.37 Normalized seepage force vectors and contours of failure potential
greater than 0.7 in saturated homogeneous hillslopes with differing morphology
(Reid and Iverson, 1992, Fig. 8).
The effects of both layers were evaluated with their permeabilities being higher and
lower than that of the hillslopes mass. Results of the analyses are shown in Figure
5.38 (modied from Reid and Iverson, 1992, Figs. 13 and 14).
According to the numerical experiments, most of the changes in hydraulic head,
related directly to the seepage forces by w gh and caused by contrasts in
hydraulic conductivity K, occur between no contrast and contrasts of 3 or 4 orders of
magnitude. Consequently, a hydraulic conductivity contrast of 4 orders of magnitude [log10 (Klayer /Ksurrounding ) = 4] is sufcient to obtain the maximum change
in seepage forces that can be induced by hydraulic heterogeneities. These large
contrasts can lead to regions of large negative pressure heads, indicating partially
saturated conditions, in hillslopes with slope-parallel or horizontal layers(Reid and
173
Iverson, 1992, p. 943). See also Fig. 3.12 and related explanation of subhydrostatic pressures in Tth (1979, 1981); as well as Tth (1962a), Fig. 8, concerning
the asymptotically decreasing effect on potentiometric anomalies of increases in
contrasts of permeability beyond 3 orders of magnitude between an ellipsoidal rock
lens and its encasing matrix.
In the case of a horizontal layer with a K of one order of magnitude greater than
the slopes matrix material (Fig. 5.38a) the ow-induced seepage forces are large
near the crest but they are downward oriented thus not reducing the slopes stability.
Indeed, due to the forces orientation, slope stability increases there as indicated by
the downslope shift of the 0.7 failure potential contour (i.e. the lower values move
up) with respect to both the dry and the homogeneous saturated cases (Figs. 5.35a
and 5.37a). The most vulnerable part of the slope is just below the layers outcrop,
i.e. in the discharge are a of the slopes matrix. The horizontal low-K layer divides
the hillslope essentially into two hydraulically connected partial slopes: an upper
small sub-basin with a slightly permeable base, and a lower larger one with an
impermeable base and receiving recharge from above through its low-K top (Fig.
5.38b). In this case, seepage forces area oriented outward from the total slope in
two focalized areas: at the toe of the upper, partial slope, and at the toe of the whole
slope. Owing to an intensication and, respectively, reduction of seepage forces at
the higher and lower toes, the failure potential has also increased and reduced at
these locations.
A vertical high-K layer located in the centre of the hillslope tends to intensify the
discharge in the slopes lower half. Consequently, outward oriented seepage forces,
and thus the potential for failure, are increased relative to both the homogeneous
and the horizontal-layer cases (Figs. 5.37a, 5.38a, 5.38c). If, on the other hand, the
hydraulic conductivity of the centrally located vertical layer is lower than that of
the surrounding material (Fig. 5.38d) the hillslope is effectively divided into two
laterally communicating sub-basins, both having their discharge areas at their
respective toes. The seepage forces are outward oriented in both of these areas.
Relative to the homogeneous case, these forces are enhanced in the higher discharge
area but they are weakened at the lower toe owing to the damming, ow-reducing
effects of the vertical barrier layer.
The principal conclusion of the Iverson and Reid (1992, p. 935) and Reid and
Iverson (1992, p. 947) studies is that, in general, gravity-driven groundwater ow
increases the Coulomb failure potential in the near-surface parts of hillslopes. The
increases are particularly signicant near the toe of a slope where seepage forces
are strong and outward (i.e. surface-ward) directed. In these discharge areas the
Coulomb failure potential is higher than in corresponding parts of otherwise
identical dry hillslopes. Recharge areas, on the other hand, have a similar to that
in the corresponding dry regions.
174

(c)
(a)
High-K layer
High-K layer
(b)
0.9
0.7
(d)
Low-K layer
Low-K layer
0.7
0.8
0.
9
0.8
0.7
0.8
9
0.
4
0. .7
0
0.8
0.7
0.8
0.7
0.8
0.7
Fig. 5.38 Normalized seepage-force vectors and contours of failure potential

greater than 0.7 in a saturated hillslope. Horizontal layer: (a) with K value 1 order
of magnitude higher than that of the slopes matrix; (b) with K value 1 order of
magnitude lower than that of the slopes matrix (modied from Reid and Iverson,
1992, Fig. 13). Vertical layer: (c) with K value 4 orders of magnitude higher than
that of the slopes matrix; (d) with K value 4 orders of magnitude lower than that
of the slopes matrix (modied from Reid and Iverson, 1992, Fig. 14).
5.2.9 Analysis and mitigation of land-slide danger, Campo Vallemaggia,

Switzerland
The general validity of the above conclusion is exemplied by the more than 200
year long history and many-faceted investigations of the Vallemaggia landslide
in the southern Swiss Alps, crowned by the demonstrated success of the effect
of a deep-drainage adit constructed to mitigate the propensity for continued mass
movements (Bonzanigo et al., 2007; Eberhardt et al., 2007).
The body of the slide is up to 300 m deep and incorporates approximately 800 million m3 of strongly disturbed and weathered metamorphic rocks that include schists,
175
gneisses, metaperidotites and metacarbonates. It is divided longitudinally in the

middle by a major subvertical fault into two distinct main bodies, the Campo and
Cimalmotto blocks, transversally into several smaller blocks by subvertical fault
zones of a few metres to tens of metres wide, and sub-horizontally along shear/slip
surfaces at changes in lithology or in degree of alteration (Figs. 5.39a, b; Bonzanigo
et al., 2007, Fig. 5, respectively, Eberhardt et al., 2007 Fig. 1).
Four main geomorphological zones can be distinguished on the slides surface:
(1) the head scarp, consisting of large intact blocks and open tension cracks where
the slide separates from the stable intact bedrock; (2) the upper and central slide mass
of highly disturbed large blocks with open transverse fractures between them, some
being lled with weathered material and providing easy access to inltration of
precipitation into the subsurface; (3) the lower terrace of highly fractured weathered
material comprising the area of greatest disturbance and deformation; (4) the slide
toe, a four km long and locally 150 m high erosion front, composed of strongly
fractured and weathered, poorly sorted soil-like material, and characterized by
constant change because of the high rates of undercutting by the Rovana River at
the base of the toe.
Two small villages, Cimalmotto and Campo Vallemaggia, are situated on top
of the slide. Recorded observations of surface displacements go back for over
200 years and geodetically surveyed horizontal translation of approximately thirty
metres was determined for the period between 1892 and 1995. Reoccurring movements of the slide have damaged roads, homes and historical buildings in Campo
Vallemaggia, which was even abandoned temporarily in 1780.
The prime cause of the slope movements was attributed traditionally to the occasionally rapid and strikingly spectacular toe erosion and slope undercutting by the
torrential Rovana River. However, based, among others, on his observations of
several springs on the slide, the renowned Swiss geologist Albert Heim (1897)
concluded that the sliding activity was due to the combination of the Rovana River
attacking the slide toe, and the movements of the slopes upper sections induced
by saturation of the slide mass (Heim, 1932).
The two conicting views as to the principal cause of the sliding, namely, toe
erosion or groundwater, could not be reconciled during the following more than 100
years. Nevertheless, measures were needed to slow or stop the movements in view
of the precarious position of the two villages located on the lower parts of the slide
mass. They kept moving closer to the edge of the 100 m high steep erosion front each
year. As a result, a series of intensive investigations were conducted during 1983
1991, including geological, structural, and geomorphological mapping; seismic
reection and refraction surveys; borehole drilling; inclinometer and pore-pressure
measurements; measurements of precipitation; hydrogeological and hydrochemical
analyses; and surface geochemical monitoring.
176

(a)
Cimalmotto
block
Campo
block
(b)
Campo
Vallemaggia
Cimalmotto
Fig. 5.39 (a) Three-dimensional block diagram showing subdivision of the Campo
Vallemaggia landslide along fault zones and internal shears (Bonzanigo et al.,
2007, Fig. 5); (b) erosion scarp at the toe of the Campo Vallemaggia landslide and
location of the villages of Cimalmotto and Campo Vallemaggia. Vegetated area in
the middle left marks the approximate location of fault dividing the landslide into
the Campo and Cimalmotto blocks (Eberhardt et al., 2007, Fig. 1).
177
Of direct relevance to the objective of the present discussion are the systematically observed conditions of conned aquifers, 65 springs inventoried along fault
lines, and hydraulic heads rising above land surface from deep boreholes in several
areas of the slides lower regions. Also, an existing spring blew in August 1991 on
the NE bounding fault of the slide body, producing discharges of watery mud at
rates above its normal ow. Based on analyses of the discharged water and mineral matter the phenomenon was ascribed to localized movement of the landslide
mass compressing and forcing the mud from depth up to the surface along a fault.
In another event, a period of intense precipitation in October 1993 provoked an
acceleration of the slide mass and triggered two large landslides in the Campo
block. This event as well as a more general correlation between precipitation, porepressure responses, and slide-block velocity, observed in one of the deep boreholes
(CVM6), are shown in Figure 5.40. Note that the hydraulic-head value, 1390 m, is
considered critical, below which only background sliding occurs.
Based on detailed analyses and interpretation of observed pore pressures, patterns of anisotropic hydraulic conductivity, fault-controlled ow paths, precipitation
records, coupled hydro-mechanical behavior of the slide mass, and a 2 D groundwater ow model constrained by measured pore pressures, the authors concluded that
the slides behaviour is highly sensitive to accumulated pore pressures, resulting
from long-term precipitation events. Results show that pore pressure values exceeding an apparent threshold value coincide with sudden acceleration of the slide mass.
Velocities return then to background levels as the pore pressures dissipate and drop
below threshold (Bonzanigo et al., 2007, p. 15).
Velocity (m/year)
40
30
velocity
20
10
1400
hydraulic head
in CVM6 (m)
1394
1386
critical head threshold (1390 m)
1380
100
50
precipitation
08/1993
09/1993
10/1993
11/1993
12/1993
Precipitation
(mm)
150
01/1994
Fig. 5.40 Relationship between precipitation, pore-pressure response at depth

(borehole no. CVM6), and slide-block velocity. Note: pore pressures are plotted
in terms of hydraulic heads and superimposed on the velocity curve (Bonzanigo
et al., 2007, Fig. 22).
178
Notwithstanding the thoroughness of the hydrogeological investigations and the

demonstrable conclusions derived from them, the competing view of the toe erosion
being the mass movements principal cause still had strong support. As a result, two
different sets of proposed measures of stabilization were implemented, namely: (i)
a 7 m diameter diversion tunnel to redirect the Rovana River away from the erosion
front (constructed during 19931996); (ii) A deep-drainage adit driven below the
unstable mass, with bore holes drilled upwards into the base of the slides body
(constructed during 19931995; Fig. 5.41).
During the adits construction several hypotheses regarding the subsurface geology and hydrogeology were conrmed, such as: (i) numerous subvertical faults are
present in which strong vertical ow gives rise to artesian conditions at the base of
the sliding mass; (ii) the ow in these subvertical faults is obstructed horizontally
by the central gouges low permeability but enhanced vertically by the highly damaged zone of the adjacent rock; (iii) hydrogeochemical signatures of water collected
from springs at the surface and within the drainage adit are comparable.
C.I = 100 m
00
20
1 km
dividing fault
1800
erosion fron
drainage tunnel
portal:
1075 msm
mp
00
i Ca
16
d
na
ova
R
1400
ne
un
t
ion
ers
div
portal:
1237 msm
Fig. 5.41 Location of the Rovana River diversion tunnel and Campo Vallemaggia
landslide drainage adit (Eberhardt et al., 2007, Fig. 4).
179
As a consequence of the induced deep drainage, the naturally upward ow of

groundwater through the unstable zone was redirected towards the adit instead of
discharging in the lower portions of the hillslope and the valley bottom beneath
the foot of the landslide as shown in Figure 5.42. The initial, approximately 1 km
length of the adit was relatively dry. Within approximately 100 m ahead from the
point of the southwesterly bend in the tunnel (Fig. 5.41) a water bearing fault was
encountered with a hydraulic head of 1420 m above sea level. From this point on the
discharge kept increasing reaching 9 l/s at the adits completion. With the addition
of 35 drainage bore holes the total discharge at the adits portal grew to 50 l/s.
A
N25W
A9
S25E
(a)
1600 m
1500
CVM6
1400
1300
1200
phreatic surface
flow direction
observed equipotential
equipotential contours (100 m intervals)
(b)
1600 m
1500
CVM6
1400
1300
1200
phreatic surface
flow direction
observed equipotential
equipotential contours
(100 m intervals)
Fig. 5.42 Semi-quantitative 2D hydrodynamic ow model of the lower Campo

block: (a) before and (b) after opening of the drainage adit, showing piezometric
sites and observations with bore hole CVM6 marked, equipotential contours and
groundwater ow vectors (modied from Eberhardt et al., 2007, Fig. 9).
180
Geodetic position (m)

Hydraulic Head (m)
3
788.6
788.4
drainage adit
opened
Hydraulic head superimposed on

slope velocity
788.2
Velocity (mm/day)
4
788.8
788
1400
1350
1300
1989
critical threshold
at 1390 m
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
Fig. 5.43 Correlation between downslope velocities of the Campo block and
pore pressures measured in borehole CVM6 before and after deep drainage. Pore
pressures are expressed in hydraulic head (Eberhardt et al., 2007, Fig. 11).
Not only was the effect on pore pressures of the drainage boreholes surprisingly immediate, but, in the authors words: The response of the landslide was
likewise immediate (Fig. 11). The reversal of the pore pressure gradient within the
landslide transition zone was seen to quickly stabilize the Campo block through
the subsequent increase in effective stress and resisting forces along its basal shear
zone. Again, it was quite interesting to note the quickness of this process despite the
overall low permeability of the crystalline rock and immense volume of material
involved in the instability (Fig. 5.43; Eberhardt et al., 2007, Fig. 11).
5.2.10 Groundwater ow systems and eco-hydrological conditions: study of the

effects of land-use changes
Eco-hydrology is a new interdisciplinary science that deals with the relationship
between the type and quality of plant associations, on the one hand, and the chemical conditions and water availability at their site, on the other. The new sciences
emergence can be traced to the recognition by plant ecologists that gravity-driven
groundwater ow inuences the site conditions through the spatial distribution
of nutrients and other relevant chemical agents. Especially upward seepage may
produce and maintain site conditions that are essential for various relatively rare
plant species and communities (Klijn and Witte, 1999, p. 65). This recognition has
inspired numerous studies based on, and cross-fertilizing, knowledge and ideas of
181
ecologists, hydrologists and hydrogeologists, such as Wassen et al. (1990), Winter

et al. (1998), Klijn and Witte, (1999), Batelaan, (2006), Zinko et al. (2006), Jansson
et al. (2007). At the same time, it has also elicited the prospect of understanding,
and even controlling, the effects of some land-use practices in areas that are linked
to ecologically valuable and/or vulnerable tracts by groundwater ow systems. To
illustrate the type and nature of possible eco-hydrological problems and approaches
a study by Batelaan et al. (2003) was selected because of its strongly interdisciplinary nature, advanced methodology and employed techniques, quantitative
characterization of gravity-driven groundwater ow systems and, importantly, its
application to a major real-life practical problem.
The study area of Batelaan et al. (2003) is located in the drainage basin of the
Grote-Nete river in northeastern Belgium. It covers 239 km2 and its eastern half is
part of the topographically relatively high Campine region (Fig. 5.44). Thirty per
cent of the area is used for agriculture, the rest is covered by forests, grass land,
some heather and open water, and about 18 per cent of it is built up.
IMPACT AREAS
200
205
20
215
220
50 m
210
40
20
30 m
195
m
190
0m
210
210
ete
Molse N
205
205
I
Gro
te N
195
200
Project boundary
Impact area
0
210
215
70
220
200
km
LEGEND
205
190
40 m
60 m
20 m
50 m
30 m
200
ete
4 km
Compensation
Agric. optimization
Rivers
Elevation contour (m)
Soil drainage classes
Poorly and very poorly drained
Fig. 5.44 Grote-Nete study area showing topography and impact areas designated
for agricultural improvement and compensation measures (modied from Batelaan
et al. 2003, Figs. 1 and 3, pp. 93 and 95).
182
In the framework of the Grote-Nete land-use project, agricultural productivity is intended to be improved by articial drainage in certain tracts of land called
optimization areas. However, to counteract the expected reduction in groundwater
recharge after drainage, and thus to prevent ecological damage in areas relying on
groundwater discharge, measures are planned to reduce surface runoff and evapotranspiration in compensation areas by means of closing ditches, installing weirs,
and changing vegetation types.
Attainment of such objectives requires quantitative knowledge of the sensitivity of groundwater conditions (such as discharge rates, areal extent, water-table
depth, water quality) in the discharge areas of ow systems to land-use changes
in the same systems recharge areas. In turn, the ability to evaluate that sensitivity
requires knowledge of the existing conditions and the functional relation to their
controlling factors which include, for instance, relief of the water table, distribution and strength of sources and sinks, rates of inltration and evapotranspiration,
and rock-framework permeability. Once the existing situation and its spatial and
temporal dependence on the controlling factors are determined, both antecedent
conditions and future responses to imposed changes can be estimated.
Batelaan et al. (2003) proposed a methodology to produce the information
required for the planning and implementation of the Grote-Nete land-use project.
The methodology comprises three principal components.
(i) Development of a steady-state numerical groundwater ow model for the study area,
calibrated to eld observations of water levels and hydrologic parameters (precipitation, surface runoff, base ow of streams, spring ow-rates, etc.), and assessed and
complemented by mapped occurrences of phreatophytes.
(ii) Characterization of the present-day groundwater ow systems by their length, location,
extent of recharge and discharge areas, throughow times from points of recharge to
points of discharge, hierarchical type (local, regional), and discharge rates, and by correlating discharge regions of different ecologies with ow systems of different types by
cluster analysis.
(iii) Modelling of groundwater ow systems with modied input parameters in order to
determine the hydrological and ecological conditions: (a) as they may have been before
human activities had signicantly disturbed the ow systems and (b) as they may become
after the contemplated Grote-Nete land-use project is implemented.
(i) Development of a steady-state numerical groundwater ow model. The main

elements of the groundwater ow model were the USGS three-dimensional nite
difference MODFLOW code (Harbough and McDonald, 1996) applied specically
to the Grote-Nete area (Batelaan et al., 1996) and modied by (a) the SEEPAGE
package of Batelaan and De Smedt (2004) to enable determination of the position of recharge and discharge areas, and (b) the DRAIN package of McDonald
183
and Harbough (1988) to estimate discharge rates under the local conditions. In
addition, the spatial variation in recharge due to differences in land use, soil type,
slope, groundwater level, meteorological conditions, and so on, was taken into
account by a quasi-physically based methodology termed WetSpass (Water and
Energy Transfer between Soil, Plants and Atmosphere, under quasi Steady State;
Batelaan and De Smedt, 2007). The WetSpass code estimates surface runoff and
evapotranspiration from slope, soil type, land use, intensity of precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, soil-moisture storage capacity and soil cover. Calibration
of the integrated code was based on comparison of observed and calculated water
levels as well as on the surface and groundwater balance of the basin (Batelaan
et al., 2003, p. 90).
(ii) Characterization of the ow-systems. Characterization of ow systems started
with the delineation of the modelled discharge areas. This step was based on the
contiguity of computed discharge regions and on the similarity of vegetation types
in those regions. Locations where groundwater discharge should occur were recognized by the simulated water table reaching or rising above the land surface, and by
calculated recharge values being negative. Most of the simulated discharge points
appeared in bands of 500 m width along the main water courses. Discharge was
identied over approximately 16 per cent of the project area with an average rate
of 4 mm/day and with narrow strips of 5 mm/day uxes limited to the thalwegs of
the valleys. Calibration of the model to water levels in 38 piezometers in the area
resulted in a correlation coefcient of R2 = 0.99. Hydrologically, the model was
veried by comparison of the calculated runoff to 10 years of discharge data from
a gauging station downstream from the area. The observed specic discharge of
329 mm/year compared within 2 per cent with the simulated discharge.
An extensive programme of vegetation mapping was conducted for two principal
purposes:
(a) to verify and rene the position and extent of the simulated discharge regions;
(b) to detect possibly different eco-hydrological characteristics in different discharge areas and to seek correlation, if any, between such characteristics and
different types of ow systems.
Twenty-three phreatophyte species (plants obtaining their water needs from the
saturated zone) were selected as potential indicators of the presence of discharge
and the quality of groundwater. The expected indicator value of a phreatophyte,
or a phreatophyte community, is based on its preference to specic conditions
of chemical quality, nutrient content (trophic level), and abundance and temporal
variability of its water supply, on the one hand, and the differences in these site
attributes between the recharge areas and discharge areas of the given ow system
(Chapter 4, Fig. 4.1). Out of the numerous aspects of water quality, alkalinity
184
and trophic status of a site were chosen as signicantly different in recharge and
discharge conditions, and to which phreatophytes would be sufciently sensitive
in their indicator role. Average groundwater alkalinity was found to correspond
to a pH of approximately 6 in the study area, with slightly lower values towards
the recharge-, and higher values towards the discharge-areas. The trophic levels
generally increase in the direction of ow from atmotrophic (nutrient poor, similar
to atmospheric precipitation) to lithotrophic (enriched by ow through the rock
framework). Through random visits in the areas valleys, 193 phreatophytic sites
were identied ranging in extent from 5 to 100 000 m2 , averaging 4500 m2 . From the
mapped locations of phreatophytes, 79 per cent were found to lie within discharge
areas as calculated by the model and most of them had medium or high discharge
rates. The mismatches were attributed to scale limitations and uncertainty in the
phreatophyte mapping.
Eighteen different discharge regions were delineated based on the criterion of
areal contiguity of discharge locations as predicted by MODFLOWs SEEPAGEDRAIN package and rened by the results of phreatophyte mapping. The recharge
areas associated with the individual discharge regions were determined by forward particle tracking using Pollocks (1994) MODPATH code. The eighteen
ow systems are shown in Figure 5.45 (Batelaan et al., 2003, Fig. 10) along
with their contributing recharge areas and groundwater travel times from recharge
to discharge locations within individual groundwater ow systems. Major additional characteristics of the ow systems, keyed to the map through the number
of their discharge areas, are summarized in Table 5.2 (Batelaan et al., 2003,
Table 2).
One of the goals of the study was to evaluate possible relations between the
ecological status of discharge areas, on the one hand, and the type of ow systems
feeding them, on the other. Such an inquiry requires the ability to make comparisons
among ecologies of individual discharge-areas as well as among ow systems
or, in other words, to classify them using characteristic parameters. To this end,
a cluster analysis (Seyhan et al., 1985) was conducted based on comparison of
plant species, alkalinity, and trophic level of the discharge areas, and average ow
time from recharge- to discharge-areas, ratio of the extents of recharge areas to
discharge areas, and discharge ux of the ow systems. According to the analysis,
all the eighteen discharge areas could be classied into one of four distinct clusters,
identied by the Roman numerals IIV.
The discharge areas of Cluster I (regions 1, 3, 11, 13 and 14; Fig. 5.45, Table
5.2) and Cluster II (regions 2, 4, 17 and 18; Fig. 5.45, Table 5.2) are all located in
headwaters of the study areas highest locations. Their ow times are similar and
indicate local but deep groundwater systems by the fact that their recharge areas
extend to the regional groundwater divide. The alkalinities are similar and lower
185
GROUNDWATER FLOW TIME

190
195
200
210
205
215
220
14
12
205
13
10
11
C A M P I N E
18
210
210
205
16
15
200
200
17
190
195
200
Project boundary
Discharge area
and <10 years
0
210
215
220
km
LEGEND
205
4 km
10 50 years
Groundwater system delineation

50 100 years
>100 years
No data or pumping capture zone
Fig. 5.45 Simulated groundwater ow systems for the present: numbers 118
indicate different discharge areas; their contributing recharge areas are delineated
by thin black lines; and groundwater travel time from each recharge location to
the indicated discharge location within a groundwater ow system is shown by
grey-scale contours (Batelaan et al., 2003: Fig. 10).
than in the other clusters, and indicate atmotrophic, i.e. low pH, water. Cluster I has
a higher recharge- to discharge-area ratio, which reects the different geomorphic
positions of the two groups discharge regions. In summary, Cluster I is characterized as local but deep ow systems situated upstream and carrying atmospheric
water. Cluster II ow systems are local, shallow, situated downstream and carry
atmospheric water also.
All average parameter values for Clusters III (regions 5, 6, 10 and 12; Fig. 5.45,
Table 5.2) and IV (7, 8, 9, 15 and 16; Fig. 5.45, Table 5.2) are higher than for
Clusters I and II (except for ow time and ux for Cluster IV) indicating their
character as more regional and more lithotrophic (higher nutrient values). Cluster
III comprises the most regional ow systems with long ow times, high rechargeto discharge-area ratios and high seepage uxes. Cluster IV systems are similar
to those of Cluster III except for their more downstream location and shallower
penetration depth, which explains their shorter throughow times.
186
Table 5.2. Characteristics of each delineated

groundwater ow system for the present situation: size of
recharge and discharge areas, average groundwater
discharge, and average groundwater ow time (Batelaan
et al., 2003, Table 2)
Region
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Recharge
area (km2 )
Discharge
area (km2 )
Average
discharge
(mm/day)
Average ow
time (years)
5.1
2.4
5.8
2.8
9.7
25.5
8.0
16.1
9.2
33.9
3.8
8.6
26.4
16.0
8.4
4.2
11.7
27.6
1.5
1.8
1.3
1.4
2.0
5.2
1.9
3.6
2.1
7.1
1.0
1.6
5.8
4.4
2.3
1.1
5.2
12.5
3
2
4
2
5
5
4
4
4
5
4
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
68
24
69
216
190
208
20
114
148
220
94
227
239
184
132
146
120
154
(iii) Modelling of groundwater ow systems with modied input parameters.

In order to get a feel for the sensitivity of the discharge-dependent ecological
conditions to changes imposed on the ow-systems, as well as to determine the
expectable environmental impact consequent upon implementation of the GroteNete land-use planning project, the groundwater model was re-simulated with
modied input parameters to evaluate two different scenarios, namely: (a) predevelopment, i.e. representing conditions that existed prior to any signicant
human inuence, and (b) future situation, i.e. showing the effects of possible
future changes in land use due to the Grote-Nete project. The calculated effects
are expressed as percentage changes relative to the characteristics of the presently
existing, i.e. initially evaluated, eighteen groundwater ow-systems shown in Table
5.2. (The effects of these modications are summarized in Batelaan et al., 2003,
Tables 3 and 4.)
In the pre-development scenario all groundwater abstractions were ignored and
recharge was calculated without agricultural and urban land use. As a consequence
187
of these imposed changes, both the discharge- and recharge-areas expanded by,
respectively, 7.9 and 10.2 per cent, indicating a considerable increase in the combined surcial areas of the natural ow of groundwater. The increase is attributed
to the absence of groundwater abstraction prior to development of groundwater
resources. Among the eighteen ow systems shown in Figure 5.45, however, the
changes vary widely, between 128.6 and 18.4 per cent for recharge areas, and
from 181.8 to 11.4 per cent for discharge areas. The change in ux, as compared
with the present situation, varies between 13.9 and 19.5 per cent, while the total
discharge increases in fourteen of the eighteen regions ranging from 3.2 to 146.7
per cent. It is interesting to note that while region 16 has the largest increase in total
discharge (146.7 per cent, attributed to the absence of abstraction by wells) its ux
of discharge is reduced by a change of 10.8 per cent. The same phenomenon also
occurs in regions 1, 5 and 12. These changes are explained by a percentage wise
larger increase in the area of discharge than in the ux: the increased total discharge
is thus spread over a larger discharge area than the present one.
Thus it appears that almost 80 per cent of all regions used to receive larger
amounts of discharge in the pre-development state than today. In approximately 25
per cent of the cases the difference was due to an increase in the area of discharge
while the ux decreases. The reduction in ux can adversely affect groundwaterdependent vegetation because lower uxes may result in larger seasonal uctuations
of groundwater levels as well as in temporary desiccation of the site.
Simulation of the groundwater ow systems for the future situation was conducted with decreased recharge in the intended areas of agricultural optimization
and increased recharge in the planned compensation areas. As a result, discharge
has increased in one-third, decreased in one-third, and remained unchanged in onethird of all discharge regions combined. Some of the reductions in discharge were
attributed to the articial drainage in recharge areas causing reduced inltration.
Similar to the pre-development scenario, the intensity of local discharge does not
necessarily increase just because the total discharge increases.
The changes in discharge ux and in the size of recharge- and discharge-areas
are generally smaller than in the pre-development scenario. The difference has
been attributed to the compensating effects of negative and positive changes in the
planned land uses on the groundwater systems. Changes in groundwater levels vary
from a maximum increase of 0.55 m to a maximum decrease of 0.07 m. In general,
the effects of the totality of compensating measures seem to balance quantitatively
those of the optimization measures. However, large local changes in hydrologic
conditions may occur due to spatial differentiation of the measures. Consequently,
the ecological effects of the proposed land-use changes can be expected to vary
strongly on the local scale. Notwithstanding large changes in discharge uxes and
discharge-area extents, the decline of groundwater levels is relatively small. Hence
188
the implied change in recharge as a consequence of land-use changes is regarded

as mild.
In summary, the Batelaan et al. (2003) study presents a methodology for the quantitative characterization of gravity-driven groundwater ow systems by numerical
modelling veried by eld data and combined with mapping of phreatophytic plant
communities growing in discharge areas. Evaluation by cluster analysis of the functional dependence of groundwater discharge, thus eco-hydrologic conditions, on
ow-system types has allowed modelling of the effects of changes in land use on
these conditions. Land-use changes were represented by changes in the models
input parameters. The methodology was applied to the Grote-Nete land-use plan
project in northeastern Belgium. The plans objective was to improve productivity
in certain sectors of the project area by articial drainage while preserving ecologically valuable wetlands. Preservation would be ensured by maintaining the
natural groundwater supply to the protected areas by increasing recharge through
compensatory land-use changes. It is concluded that modelling of groundwater
ow-systems is a requisite for the evaluation of the intricate distribution of and
changes in location, size and uxes of the discharge areas.
5.3 Site-selection for repositories of high-level nuclear-fuel waste: examples
for groundwater ow-system studies
The isolation of high-level nuclear-fuel waste, or high-level radioactive waste,
has become perhaps the globally most studied and debated practical problem in
the applied earth-sciences during the last ve decades. One of its focal questions
has concerned the role of gravity-driven regional groundwater ow. The nal and
rm conclusion is that the understanding, knowledge, and exploitation of the distribution of regional groundwater ow are indispensable in the search for and
selection of suitable repository sites. In Proceedings of Workshop W3B, Geological Problems in Radioactive Waste Isolation: a World Wide Review, 10 out of
19 of the submitted national reports placed explicit emphasis on the importance
and methods of characterization of gravity-driven groundwater ow (Witherspoon,
1989). Two main reasons appear to be the basis for the interest. First, gravitydriven groundwater ow has come to be recognized as the single most important,
if not the only, ubiquitous mechanism of subsurface transport of matter and heat
beneath the Earths terrestrial areas. Second, gravity is the common water-driving
force in the 5001000 m depth range, which is considered by the majority of
project planners as the most suitable, and thus most probable, realm for future
repositories.
It is instructive to note, however, that while hydrogeology in general, and owsystem studies in particular, constitute a major part of current investigations in
5.3 Repositories of high-level nuclear-fuel waste
189
the search for and characterization of potential repository sites, the importance
of groundwaters role in the problem was recognized slowly and accepted only
reluctantly in the 1960s and 1970s. It is tempting also to speculate whether the
progress in thinking and attitude was not due to the ow-system concept itself,
which had its principal period of evolution and maturation exactly in those two
decades. Initially, engineered barriers were considered as the chief, if not the only,
means of radioactive waste isolation. The thinking was changed gradually by the
increasing number of new-thinkers who joined the technical teams and advisory
boards of the various waste-disposal projects. Annotated relevant aspects of highlevel nuclear-fuel waste-isolation programmes are presented briey below from
Canada, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA.
Rock Outcrop
Low-Permeability Fault
Stream
Moderately
Fractured Rock
Swamp
Lake
Flow is downward
from upland outcrop
areas by vertical
infiltration through
moderately and
sparsely fractured rock.
Swamp
Flow, driven by hydraulic

gradients resulting from
high ground, rises against
low-permeability fault.
EIS S 15
Permeable Low-Dipping
Fracture Zones
Flow is lateral in high-permeability
fracture zone acting as regional
drain for adjacent rock.
Sparsely Fractured Rock

Shallow flow rises towards a
local low point (stream) which
forms a flow boundary along
its length. Deeper flow drains
to major fracture zones.
Fig. 5.46 Schematic portrayal of groundwater ow-system types in the Canadian

Shield landscape: A disposal vault would be located so that the characteristics of
the local and regional groundwater ow systems and the groundwater chemistry
could be used to best advantage in the design of the disposal vault (AECL, 1994b,
p. 14).
190
5.3.1 Canada: the Recharge Area Concept (AECL: Atomic Energy of

Canada, Ltd)
200.0
400.0
600.0
1000.0
800.0
Z-DISTANCE (m)
Velocity range plotted = 0 100 m/a
Maximun velocity magnitude = 4.5272 m/a
0.0
200.0
In a joint statement, the governments of Canada and the province of Ontario directed
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL, a Crown Corporation, i.e. a state
owned company) in 1978 to develop a concept of deep geological disposal of
nuclear fuel wastes. Search and selection of an actual disposal site would not begin
until after a full public hearing at the federal level and approval of the concept by
both governments took place.
AECL submitted an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in 1994, on
the methodology, proposed implementation, and expected environmental consequences of a nuclear waste repository to be built in the Canadian Shield. The EIS
comprised nine primary reference documents, one condensed volume reviewing
the primary references (AECL, 1994a), and a brief summary document (AECL,
1994b). The documentation contained the distilled but detailed results produced
0.0
200.0
400.0
600.0
800.0
1000.0
1200.0
1400.0
1600.0
X-DISTANCE (m)
432112
10000 00
VELOCITY (m/a)
(Log scaling)
432112
10000 00
VELOCITY (m/a)
(Log scaling)
Fig. 5.47 TRACK3D pathlines 14, based on a velocity vector eld calculated
by AECLs MOTIF computer code (Nakka and Chan, 1994, Fig. 16, p. 100).
191
and presented in hundreds of Technical Reports and other types of scientic publications during the preceding 16 years of investigations at a cost of over Can$ 400
million (US$ 250 million in the 1990s). One of the principal areas of research
in the entire programme was hydrogeology, in general, and groundwater ow systems, in particular. Based on extensive eld investigations in several research areas,
the study showed that groundwater is driven by gravity and moves in hierarchically nested ow systems in the crystalline rocks of the Canadian Shield with their
patterns modied by faults and fractures (Fig. 5.46).
The empirical observations were used by AECL as the theoretical basis for the
development of a particle-tracking code (TRACK3D) to compute ow paths of
conservative (i.e. non-reactive) contaminants. To calculate real-life path lines of
transported contaminants TRACK3D used ow-velocity elds computed for sitespecic situations by other codes of groundwater ow (Fig. 5.47).
In spite of its own eld observations and model results, as well as the insistence
of its own Technical Advisory Committee (of which the present author was the
hydrogeologist member), however, AECL was reluctant to acknowledge the inherent advantages of a recharge-area repository-location, possibly in order to keep its
options open for the future in site selection. In view of this reluctance, the Technical Advisory Committee wrote in its 12th Annual Report (TAC, 1992, p.10):
hwt
d=0
400 m
1x
10
Km
2x
8x1
10
4x1
depth in km
R
1
4
0
10
15
4
20
distance in km
1x10 6
line of equal hydraulic head

(equipotential)
flow line
isochrone of groundwater
travel time with value in years
boundary of hydraulic conductivity
hwt = hydraulic head relative to
datum plane d = 0; maximum

at divide : 400 m
location of hypothetical repository
K m = 1010 m/s
Fig. 5.48 Calculated distributions of hydraulic heads, groundwater ow lines, and

isochrones of groundwater travel-time between water divide and valley bottom in
a basin of homogeneous matrix hydraulic conductivity (Tth and Sheng, 1996,
Fig. 3, p. 11).
192

(a)
d=0
0,3
0,5
hwt = 400m
Kw
depth in km
1
Km
2
Kb
10
distance in km
15
20

(equipotential)
flow line (beads show time steps
at divide: 400 m
5
location
of hypothetical repository
of t = 2 10 a)
R
Kw = 109m/s, Km = 1010m/s, Kb = 1011m/s
fault
Fig. 5.49 Flow trajectories to and from a repository as a function of attitude of

hypothetical fault in a basin of stratied rock framework: (a) repository in recharge
area; (b) repository in discharge area (Tth and Sheng, 1996, Figs. 6, p. 16 and 8,
p. 18, respectively).
193
hwt = 400m
0
(b) d =0,3
Kw
depth in km
0,5
1
Km
Kb
3
4
10
distance in km
15
20

(equipotential)
at divide : 400m
flow line(beads show time steps
location of hypothetical repository
of t =2 205 a)
R
9
fault
Kw = 10 m/s, Kw = 1010m/s, Kb = 1011m/s,
Fig. 5.49 (cont.)
194
TAC continues to hold its previous opinion (TAC, 1989; TAC, 1990) that, from a
groundwater hydraulics point of view, such regional recharge areas have positive
characteristics as potential vault locations and therefore that a recharge area setting
in regional groundwater ow systems should be formally recognized as a highly
ranking favourable hydrogeological attribute and a year later: we do record again
our advice that in the development of the concept and its documentation, location
in a regional recharge area be given serious consideration as a siting characteristic (TAC, 1993, p. 7). The rm position of TAC was based on the present authors
Recharge Area Concept corroborated by numerical experiments (Tth and Sheng,
1996). The experiments contrasted ow-path lengths and travel times of water particles issuing from repositories located in recharge and discharge areas at depths of
500 and 1000 m in hypothetical drainage basins representing generalized Canadian
Shield conditions.
Figure 5.48 shows a computed ow net and isochrones of travel times for water
particles inltrating in the recharge area of a basin of given geometric and hydraulic
parameters. The travel time of a water particle migrating along a ow line that
crosses a repository is the difference between the particles age when it leaves the
repository and when it resurfaces at the ow lines discharge terminus (Fig. 5.48).
A signicant observation is the relatively short time that the basins oldest waters
need to reach the surface in the vicinity of a repository in the discharge area.
The observation dispels the myth that high age of groundwater indicates stagnant
or quasi-stagnant ow conditions. The difference in ow-path lengths from the
repositories to the land surface can be well appreciated visually (Figs. 5.49 a,b).
It is important to note also that in no case is contaminated water conveyed to
the surface directly by the faults from the recharge-area repository regardless of
their assumed attitude (Fig. 5.49a). On the other hand, ow up to the surface from
the discharge-area vault is accelerated by additional recharge induced through the
faults dipping down-slope (Fig. 5.49b). Figure 5.50 shows that travel times from the
vaults to the surface are, on average, approximately one order of magnitude greater
for repositories located in the recharge area than for those in the discharge area.
Whether it was the Technical Advisory Committees insistence and/or arguments
that had an effect is not known. Nevertheless, it appears from the Environmental Impact Statement that AECLs position has changed somewhat concerning the
potential importance of recharge areas in nding suitable locations for repositories.
To quote:
In determining the technical suitability of a potential candidate area, the implementing organization would consider certain characteristics favourable, including:
regional upland location, low topographic relief, few major lineaments, widely
spaced major lineaments and few open fractures in the rock between lineaments
(these characteristics would tend to maximize the time required for a contaminant
195
108
error bar
Return time to surface, ts, (years)
(a) Repository in recharge area
107
fault depth at repository:
500 m
1000 m
8.71 103
106
5 103
(b) Repository in
discharge area
3.5 103
fault depth at repository: 1.83 103
500 m
ranges of return time for
1000 m
non-outcropping faults
105
2.9 104
2.7104
4
2.1 104 2.3 10
104
10
15
20
Distance of fault outcrop from boundary at:

(a) water divide, (b) valley bottom (km)
Fig. 5.50 Calculated return times of water to the land surface from points 500 and
1000 m below surface and 1 km from basin boundary in stratied basin with a
fault: (a) repository in recharge area; (b) repository in discharge area (Tth and
Sheng, 1996, Fig. 9, p. 20).
released from a disposal vault to move through the geosphere to the surface.)
(AECL, 1994a, p. 154).
5.3.2 Sweden: (Swedish Nuclear Fuel Supply Co/Division

KrnBrnsleSkerhet: SKBF/KBS)
The Swedish Parliament passed the Stipulation Act in April 1977, concerning permission to charge nuclear reactors with fuel provided that the reactors owner has
demonstrated how and where an absolutely safe nal storage of spent, unprocessed
nuclear fuel can be effected [SKBF/KBS3 1983; I-General, p. 1:1; (Swedish
Nuclear Fuel Supply Co/Division Nuclear Fuel Safety)]. In response, the Swedish
nuclear power utilities organized the KBS (KrnBrnsleSkerhet: Nuclear Fuel
Safety) project of the Swedish Nuclear Fuel Supply Co., for the purpose of investigating and reporting how the requirements set forth in the Act could be met. The
196
potentially important role of groundwater ow was recognized early on in Sweden.

A rst investigation in the principal aspects of groundwater ow when varying
topography, hydraulic conductivity and geometry was presented by Stokes and
Thunvik (1978, Summary). The investigation was based on modelling groundwater ow in dozens of 2D synthetic hydraulic sections according to the concepts
attributed to Gustafsson (1970), namely: the groundwater level coincides with
topography The bottom part of the boundary is assumed impervious and is, in
certain examples, of innite depth. Finally, the area covered by the calculations is
bounded by impervious vertical sides. In addition, a number of hydraulic sections
and travel times were calculated with different geometrical and hydraulic parameters along actual transects in the vicinity of the town of Finnsjn. An example of
the Finnsjn sections is reproduced in Figure 5.51, which clearly shows the effect
of the topography and depth on the geometry and type of the induced ow systems
(Stokes and Thunvik, 1978, Fig. 45, p. 55).
The clear-sighted conclusion, derived from the analysis and advocating a regional
recharge position for repository location is best presented in the authors own words
(Stokes and Thunvik, 1978, p. 9) and is pictorially summarized in a later KBS
publication (Fig. 5.52; SKBF/KBS3, 1983; Fig. 5.52, III, Fig. 14-1, p. 14:3):
Long ow times are obtained primarily beneath the inow area (descending ow
lines). One should then not select an area immediately beneath the highest point
in the terrain since the outow from this point is supercial and will reach the
ground in a short time. Primarily one should study local terrain minima in large
inow areas. If the terrain minimum itself is an outow area is of no signicance.
The local nature of the minimum causes up-currents only near the surface, while
down-currents are obtained at greater depths. If the selected repository site is in this
down-current, local outow from the site is avoided. Here the determining factor is
how deep the local ow extends, and this is determined by the depth-dependency
of the hydraulic conductivity. (See Figs. 3.3 and 3.11, respectively, for a method
to estimate the depth of local ow systems, and for an illustration of the above
described situation of ow in a local depression located in a regional recharge
area.).
The merits of the recharge area concept were underscored by the results of an
advanced study of groundwater ow modelling conducted for the Swedish Nuclear
Power Inspectorate (SKI) by Voss and Provost (2001) of the US Geological Survey.
Although the results presented in their report are specic to the groundwater ow
systems in the study area, the authors warn that they should only be considered
as a demonstration of concepts and techniques for recharge-area siting of nuclear
waste repositories in Sweden (Voss and Provost, 2001, p.5).
The modelled area lies in southeastern Sweden. It stretches approximately 260 km
north to south, 210 km east to west, covers approximately 49 000 km2 , and rises from
10000
10000
10000
20000
20000
20000
30000
30000
30000
40000
40000
40000
Fig. 5.51 NWSE hydraulic prole: K = 106 m/s; depth to impervious base of 1000, 3000 and 5000 m; water table at land
surface; Finnsjn, Sweden (Stokes and Thunvik, 1978, Fig. 45, p. 55).
5000
3000
1000
10
20
30
40
198
STREAM LINES
GROUND
SURFACE
LINEAMENT
REPOSITORY
Fig. 5.52 Illustration of the principle of locating repositories in regional recharge

area, recommended to the Swedish nuclear-waste isolation programme in 1983,
and groundwater ow-pattern in the vicinity of a conductive fault (SKBF/KBS,
1983b, III-Barriers, Fig. 14-1, p. 14:3).
an elevation of 0 m at the Baltic sea to approximately 350 m at a distance of 123 km

inland from the coast. The model extends vertically from the land surface to 10 km
below sea level. The area was selected so as to include three potential candidate
repository sites: Hultsfred, Simpewarp and Oskarshamn, located in discharge areas,
as well as a hypothetical Comparison site in a regional recharge location in the
central highlands of the study area (Fig. 5.53). The US Geological Surveys SUTRA
code was applied in three spatial dimensions to model variable-density ow and
solute transport.
For each model, variant discharge areas were mapped and path length, travel
time, and ow-path volume calculated (path length is the distance a water particle
travels from a repository to the point where it reaches the water table; travel time
is the duration a water particle needs to migrate from the repository to the water
table; ow-path volume is the volume of rock encompassed by a radioactive plume
emanating from a repository (Voss and Provost, 2001, p. 3). The concept of the
ow-path volume has been introduced by Voss and Provost (2001). It is an additional
safety factor since larger rock volumes provide greater potential for retardation (by
adsorption and dilution) of radio nuclides.
A section of computed return-ow times illustrates how the undulating topography in southeastern Sweden may generate both regional and nested local ow
systems (Fig. 5.54; Voss and Provost, 2001, p. 13). Repository locations within the
dark grey band have the longest return-ow times. The primary regional system
199
N
Gota
canal
VTTERN
LAKE
lve
n
Stng
Si
Simpevarp
site
Hultsfred
Comparison
site
Emn
Oskarshamn
Hultsfred
east site
Em
Oskarshsmn
south site
land
BALTIC
SEA
20 km
Fig. 5.53 Area of groundwater of ow-model showing topography, potential

nuclear fuel-waste repository sites, and the Comparison site, southeastern
Sweden (Voss and Provost, 2001, Fig. 4).
in this section has recharge below the topographic peak and discharges both to the
left boundary (near Vttern Lake) and to the Baltic Sea (top right boundary) The
Comparison site is located below the primary recharge area. Consequently, water
starting its underground journey there takes the longest time to return to the surface.
The Hultsfred site spans both low (on the west) and very long return-ow times (on
the east). The coastal sites Simpevarp and Oskarshamn, on the other hand, are in a
major discharge area and, consequently, have relatively short return-ow times.
200

Comparison
W
0
Hultsfred
1
Simpevarp
Oskarshamn
Baltic
1
Oland
Sea
10
10
1000
10
5
5
2000
10
10
5
5
10
10
10
3000
50 km
10
>50000
45000
40000
35000
30000
25000
20000
15000
10000
<5000
return-flow
time (years)
Fig. 5.54 Cross-section through repository sites in the area of groundwater

ow model (Fig. 5.53) showing return-ow times for water migrating from
repositories located at any specied position in the ow domain to the water
table; an illustrative simulation. Inset shows section location (heavy black line)
and repository sites Comparison, Hultsfred, Simpervarp, and Oskrshamn in
Figure 5.53, southeastern Sweden (modied after Voss and Provost, 2001,
Fig. 3).
In summarizing the studys ndings, Voss and Provost (2001, p. 53.) state:
In order to improve chances that a repository site will maximize the safety-related factors,
path length, travel time and path volume, the following siting objectives need to be met:
The repository should be located below a ground-water recharge area.
The repository should be located far from potential discharge areas for the site.
The repository should be located in a contiguous region of high return-ow time, large enough to
include the repository.
The repository should be located in region where ground-water ow is downward for considerable
(a few kilometers) depth below the repository.
201
5.3.3 Switzerland: Nagra (Nationale Genossenschaft fr die Lagerung

radioaktiver Abflle)
Upon enactment of the Atomgesetz (Atom Law) in October 1978, the Swiss
Nationale Genossenschaft fr die Lagerung Radioaktive Abflle(National Corporation for Nuclear Fuel-Waste Storage) was commissioned by the countrys nuclear
power-plant operators to undertake Projekt Gewhr 1985 (Project Guarantee
1985) with the objective to show by the end of 1985 that lasting and secure handling and storage of spent nuclear fuel can be guaranteed. A report titled Projekt
Gewhr 1985 was completed by 23 January 1985, and its evaluation by the relevant Swiss authority, Hauptabteilung fr die Sicherheit der Kernanlagen (Swiss
Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate), was summarized in HSK (1987).
The study focused on a site of a hypothetically planned repository in the Rhine
valley in northern Switzerland, and hydrogeology was a major aspect of the investigations. In addition to the intensive drilling, testing, and sampling activities at and
in the vicinity of the site, two 3D mathematical models of groundwater-ow were
constructed: one regional model covering an area of approximately 23 000 km2 ,
including a large portion of the northern Alps, parts of the Swiss Jura mountains and
reaching to the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) on the north; and one local model,
centred on the hypothetical repository site and its closer surroundings and covering
900 km2 (Kimmeier et al., 1985). One of the most signicant conclusions derived
from the numerous ow-pattern variants calculated for the different sets of geologic
congurations and hydraulic parameters was that the hypothetical repository site
was in an area of concentrated regional groundwater discharge (Fig. 5.55; Kimmeier et al., 1985, Annexe 8-2). This conclusion was corroborated by the results
of eld investigations and led to the summary opinion of the ofcial expert review
(HSK, 1987, p. 5-46): Die bisherigen Modellierungen sowie die Ergebnisse der
Nagra Sondierbohrungen zeigen, dass das postulierte Endlagergebiet generell im
bereich einer Exltrationszone der kristallinen Tiefenwsser liegt. Diese Situation
ist grundstzlich ungnstig. (The modelling to date, as well as the data from
Nagras test holes show that the hypothetical repository site is located in a general
discharge area of groundwater from the deep crystalline basement. This situation
is fundamentally unfavourable. Translation by the author.)
5.3.4 U.S.A: Palo Duro Basin, Texas
One of the geologic formations that the US Department of Energy considered in
the early 1980s as possible host rock for a future national repository of nuclear-fuel
waste was the Evaporite Aquitard of Permian age in the Palo Duro Basin of the
Texas Panhandle, USA. Two major groundwater-related component studies of the
29
0
Rh
in
35
en
400
Ka
ist
400
450
approx. 70 km
500
10 km
550
r
jeu
ma
Ac
cid
en
t
Fig. 5.55 Calculated groundwater ow pattern along section from the Aare River in the Alps, to the area of concentrated discharge
in the Rhine valley on the north. Potentiometric values in m (Kimmeier et al., 1985, Annexe 8-2).
30
0
0m
36
iss
le
S
N
Aa
r3
57
203
investigations were: (i) a eld-data based reconstruction of the areas subsurface

ow distribution (Bair and ODonnell, 1985; Bair, 1987) (ii) a theoretical evaluation
of the temporal evolution of groundwater ow patterns during post-Miocene times
by numerical modelling (Senger et al., 1987; see also Ch. 3.3.2, Fig. 3.27).
Bair and ODonnell (1985) identied three regional-scale hydrostratigraphic
units (HSU), namely, HSU A, HSU B and HSU C, in descending order (Fig. 5.56).
With the land surface being its top, HSU A is a 245335 m (8001100 ft) thick
unit consisting of alluvial, uvial and lacustrine deposits of the Tertiary Ogallala
Formation and the Triassic Dockum Group. Even though conned, semiconned,
and unconned ow conditions exist in the Ogallala/Dockum, on a regional scale
HSU A comprises a shallow, usually freshwater system(Bair and ODonnell, 1985,
p. 2).
HSU B is 12501430 m (41004700 ft) thick and made up of several formations
of shales, siltstones, evaporites with some carbonates and sandstones. It is characterized by extremely low permeability and, on a regional scale, acts as a major
conning unit between HSU A and the underlying aquifer system in the deep-basin
strata. On a local scale some strata in HSU B are sufciently porous and permeable
to store and transmit uids, which include oil and gas in the area.
HSU C is 8501340 m (28004400 ft) thick and consists predominantly of the
Lower Permian Wolfcamp Series and the Pennsylvanian System, but also includes
strata from Mississipian through Cambrian age.
A major purpose of the hydrodynamic investigation is to determine the vertical
direction of ow in the shale and evaporite aquitard and the host rock that underlie
the major freshwater aquifer system and overlie a deep-basin brine aquifer system
(Bair and ODonnell, 1985, p. 2).
The subsurface ow distribution was portrayed by potentiometric surface maps,
hydraulic cross-sections, pressure-depth diagrams, and maps of hydraulic-head difference. The data for the construction of the maps, sections, and pressure proles
were culled from thousands of water levels from inventoried wells, thousands of
drill-stem tests (DST), and twenty long-term pumping tests.
Figure 5.56 shows a southwest-northeast hydraulic section across the study area.
Quoting freely from Bair and ODonnell (1985, p. 7-8, Figs. 2 and 11; Bair, 1987,
Figs. 8B, 9B), the section was constructed using water-level data from the Ogallala
and Dockum aquifers and from equivalent freshwater hydraulic heads calculated
from DSTs and long-term pumping tests performed in HSU B and HSU C. The
gure shows that most of the water in HSU A ows horizontally and discharges
to springs and wells. Nevertheless, a potential gradient exists for some water to
ow downward from HSU A across HSU B, and into HSU C. It also shows a local
ow system in the northeastern part of the prole where water is ascending in the
upper part of HSU B. This observation explains the near-surface salt-dissolution
NG
2798
3418
3219 3316
2728
275
300
3269
UA
EL
3500
CASTRO
CO.
SWISHER CO.
1732
1757
2750
00
20
BRISCOE
CO.
2990
50
22
2238
2124
2367
HSUC
2521
25
3363
3001
DONLEY CO.
1587
50
1353
1654 1306
175
0
15
2550
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
SEA
LEVEL
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
POTENTIOMETRIC VALUE
FROM DST
2563
HSU HYDROSTRATIGRAPHIC
UNIT
GENERAL DIRECTION
OF FLOW
FLOW DIRECTED TOWARD

FRONT OF DIAGRAM
FAULT
EQUIPOTENTIAL
LINE
TEXAS
MILES
25
HORIZONTAL SCALE
CONTOUR INTERVAL: 250 FEET
VERTICAL EXAGGERATION: 50X
ARMSTRONG CO.
Fig. 5.56 Southwest-northeast section of Hydrostratigraphic Units HSU A, HSU B and HSU C, and potentiometric prole, based
on water-level measurements in HSU A and equivalent freshwater hydraulic heads from DSTs in HSU B and HSU C, Palo Duro
Basin, Texas, USA (modied from Bair and ODonnell, 1987, Figs. 2, 11; Bair, 1987, Figs. 8B, 9B).
CRYSTALLINE
BASEMENT
POTENTIOMETRIC VALUE FROM

WATER-LEVEL MEASUREMENT
3052
NEW MEXICO
8000
2563
2528
LAMB CO.
2548
UB
00
3428
3420
3052
3250
3000
ROLLING
PLAINS
EASTERN CAPROCK
ESCARPMENT
NORTHEAST
8000
HS
2701
3500
LA
M
# -7
1
HA
LS
EL
L
LA
M
#1 -2
GE
TT
YS
7000
BAILEY CO.
3750
BA
I
#1 -8
BI
RD
W
3750
EL
6000
ROOSEVELT CO.
325
3374
3765
HS
4000
R
O
O
#1 -12
HO
W
L
4000
SW
#1 I-25
ZE
EC
K
7000
CHAVES CO.
3260
3697
CA
4250
CH
A
#2 -28
LIG
HT
3792
0
35
3795
CH
A
#1 -24
JE
NN
I
ER
NG
RI
R
O
O
#1 -52
SW
EA
4250
NI
SW
#1 I-22
Mc
DA
HIGH PLAINS
S
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
SEA
LEVEL
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
LEGEND
ELEVATION (FEET-RELATIVE TO MEAN SEA LEVEL)
BR
I
#1 -3
OW
EN
WESTERN CAPROCK
ESCARPMENT
DO
N
#5 -41
R
ITC
HI
E
DO
N
#1 -76
SA
W
YE
R
SOUTHWEST
DON-16 #1 LEWIS
205
zones in areas adjacent to the Eastern Caprock Escarpment (Gustavson et al., 1980;
Boyd and Murphy, 1984) and the brine-emission areas in the Rolling Plains region
(Engineering Enterprises, Inc., 1974). The discharging brines are derived from
shallow meteoric origin rather than from a deep basinal origin (Kreitler and Bassett,
1983). Figure 5.56 shows also that water in HSU C is a mixture derived from two
sources: (i) recharge from the outcrop area of the deep-basin strata in east-central
New Mexico; (ii) leakage across HSU B.
In the modelling part of the investigation, Senger et al. (1987) used a twodimensional groundwater ow model along the same southwestnortheast oriented
and approximately 535 km long cross-section through the basin to characterize
regional ground-water ow paths as well as to investigate underpressuring below the
evaporite aquitard, to evaluate mechanisms of recharge and discharge to and from
the deep-basin aquifer, and to examine transient effects of erosion and hydrocarbon
production. This study was designed to investigate various factors affecting the
overall ground-water ow pattern in the basin and was not necessarily aimed at
producing a fully calibrated predictive model (Senger et al., 1987, p. 3). In the
rst part of the two-phase study the objectives were to evaluate the effects of
hydrostratigraphy and topography on the regional hydrodynamics of the basin, with
special emphasis on explaining the observed regional-scale underpressuring of the
deep brine aquifers. In the second phase, long term transient ow conditions caused
by different tectonic and geomorphologic processes were investigated (Senger et
al., 1987, p. 34).
Figure 3.27 (Senger et al., 1987, Fig. 12, p. 19) illustrates one of the several dozen
model variants and shows: local and intermediate ow systems (terms applied at
the given, regional scale!) induced by the Pecos River Valley in New Mexico on
the west; a regional system recharging through the surface of the high plains at
the TexasNew Mexico boundary and moving above the evaporite aquitard to the
discharge area at the eastern Caprock escarpment; a second, basin-wide system from
the west end of the section, stretching beneath the evaporite aquitard through the
granite wash beds of the deep basin brine aquifer and leaving the section through the
eastern boundary; and signicant underpressuring in the latter aquifer with respect
to the hydraulic heads in the shallower zones of the Texas high plains.
Underpressuring in the deep basin brine aquifer would be a favourable attribute of
a repository located in the evaporite aquitard above. Possibly escaping radionuclides
would be forced downwards, away from the surface, and into the long and sluggish
easterly moving regional ow system, one expects they would have time to lose
their radioactivity before returning to the biosphere.
The underpressuring of the deep basin brine aquifer was attributed to two principal factors: small inow into its regional ow system from the west, and high
permeability of its granite wash members, thus facilitating a high rate of discharge
206
on the east to the low lying plains in Oklahoma. The vertical leakage through the
evaporite aquitard into the deep basin aquifer is relatively small at 0.0125 m3 /day,
due primarily to the low vertical hydraulic conductivity of the aquitards component strata which vary between 109 and 1012 m/s. The low rate of recharge
from above and the relatively high rate of lateral discharge to the east, owing to the
high hydraulic conductivity of granite wash (106 107 m/s), combined with the
low-altitude discharge areas create the interesting tensiometric effect, discussed
in Section 3.2, Figure 3.11.
5.4 Interpretation and utilization of observed deviations from theoretical
patterns of gravity-driven groundwater ow
Subsurface ow-patterns inferred from observed well-water levels, pore pressures,
water chemical compositions, and eld manifestations of groundwater are frequently different from calculated ow elds based on assumed properties of the ow
domain such as boundary conditions and hydraulic parameters. The most common
possible reasons for discrepancies are actual differences between the real-life and
the assumed conditions in: (i) the source of the water-driving force; (ii) the boundary conditions of the force eld; (iii) the values and distribution patterns of the rock
frameworks permeability; (iv) the state of ow, namely, steady or transient.
Deviations in themselves are no reason to discredit the model. In fact, the differences between calculated and expected conditions can be used to advantage in ne
tuning the model to improve its use for its intended application. They may even lead
to discoveries of unsuspected properties of the ow eld or the rock framework,
or both. Such properties may be valuable in various ways. Indeed, the principles,
processes, and purpose of deliberately searching for uid-potential anomalies, are
comparable to those of geophysical exploration based on anomalies of the Earths
gravitational, magnetic or electrotelluric elds. The examples below, most of which
are taken from the authors personal experience, are intended to point the way in
this direction.
5.4.1 Highly permeable rock pods
Rock bodies of given permeabilities emplaced in a rock matrix of contrasting permeability modify the ow eld as compared to one embedded in similar rock. The
degree of modication depends on the rock bodys size, shape and permeability
relative to the surrounding matrix. Similar to the effects of a soft iron core or an
antimagnetic body placed in a homogeneous magnetic eld, highly and poorly permeable rock bodies cause the ow lines to converge through, or to bend around,
them, respectively. A modication of the ow lines requires a modication of the
5.4 Observed deviations of gravity-driven groundwater
207
equipotential lines. The difference between the original and the modied uidpotential values is a potentiometric anomaly. It can be calculated if the rocks
hydraulic properties are known (Section 3.2.2, Fig. 3.15). The theory of hydraulic
explorationby rock-pod generated uid-potential anomalies is based on the owing
waters transportation ability and on the capacity of a relatively highly permeable
rock body to retain and store uid.
Based on the above considerations, Tth and Rakhit (1988) used hydraulic
exploration to locate and outline rock-bodies of petroleum-reservoir quality in
the Lower Cretaceous Bow Island Formation at Keho Lake in southern Alberta,
Canada.
First, a local area of potentiometric perturbations, or anomalies, was selected
from a larger map reduced from drill-stem-test (DST) measurements of formationpressure (Fig. 5.57). At the same time, interval-permeability values were calculated
from analyses of drill cores, and cross-sections and a map of their spatial distribution was prepared [interval-permeability = permeability k (millidarcy)formation
thickness d (metre)]. This distribution was to be simulated iteratively by inverse
modelling.
Next, a succession of iterative potentiometric maps was calculated (e.g., Fig.
5.58). Constant-head boundaries were based for these maps on the head values
observed several kilometres outside the local study area. The boundary values
were kept constant, while the values and spatial distribution of the interval permeabilities were varied by discrete steps in attempting to improve the match with the
mapped potentiometric surface (Fig. 5.57; inverse modelling). Figure 5.59 shows
the areal distribution of the computed interval permeabilities resulting in the best
potentiometric match. The section of structure and interval permeability through
lenses L4 , L1 and L2 (Figs. 5.59 and 5.60) conrms the validity of the computed
results.
One possible incentive to explore for highly permeable rock bodies is that
they can capture and retain oil and/or gas and thus become commercially valuable petroleum reservoirs. Owing to the grain-size difference between a sandstone
lens and its surrounding shale matrix, a capillary barrier develops at the lenss
boundary. A volume element of petroleum straddling such a boundary in a hydrostatic environment has the tendency to be pushed by capillary forces from the
ne- into the coarse-grained rock and to resist movement in the opposite direction
(Hubbert, 1953, p. 19751979). These tendencies are enhanced and reduced by
formation-water ow if the ow is in the direction of ne- to coarse- or, respectively, coarse- to ne-grained rock (Fig. 5.61). The resulting process of gradual
increase of petroleum saturation with time inside the lens has been demonstrated
by a numerical experiment and is illustrated in Figure 5.62 (Rostron and Tth, 1989,
Fig. 6, p. 45).
208
Potentiometric Surface
Bow Island Formation
Keho Lake Study Area

(elevation above mean sea
level in metres)
Inferred from measurements
Assumed
516
miles
Kilometres
440
448
420
(Contour interval: 30 metres)
328
402
330
Tp
12
536
A2
346
339
340
A1
380
321
232
270
162
357
A4
57
149
600
352
219
0
594
248
191
177
A6
253
180
A3
A5
150
247
234
315
27
237
R.22
288
590
Tp
11
599
33
276
21
300
24
0
0 10 80 45 20 90
4 3
54 5 4
0
36
0
173
Tp
10
R.21 W4M
Fig. 5.57 Potentiometric surface map inferred from DST-measurements of pore

pressures, Bow Island Formation, Keho Lake study area, S. Alberta, Canada (Tth
and Rakhit, 1988, Fig. 13, p. 372).
5.4.2 Hydraulic barriers to ow

Hydraulic barriers, or negative hydraulic boundaries, such as slightly permeable
fault plains, un-fractured igneous dykes, lithologic pinch-outs, argillaceous walls
of buried river valleys, and so on, can be a boon to the hydrogeologist, as in
containing contaminant migration, or a bane, when reducing source areas to water
supply wells. It is desirable, therefore, to be aware of such subsurface features prior
to the design of a groundwater project that is possibly affected. Analyses of the
undisturbed natural potentiometric patterns can be helpful in detecting them. The
exploration programme for the Town of Olds, Alberta, Canada, is a case in point
(Section 5.2.1, Figs. 5.12, 5.14, 5.15; Tth, 1966b).
The potentiometric surface shown in Figure 5.63 was constructed from water
levels obtained from the areas farm wells and the projects test holes prior to
209
30 Boundary of discretized interval-permeability
57
0
distribution (md. m)
Lines of equal hydraulic head, calculated
AD
HE
NT
TA
NS
CO
35
RY
DA
UN
BO
Tp
12
10
Tp
11
36
0
33
0
0
39
0.1
0
45
0
42
NO
OW
FL
0
54
35
0
51
0
48
30
0
57
Y
AR
ND
U
BO
simulated
flow domain
0
30
0
27
0
24
0
18
kilometres
0
21
R.22
geographic
map grid
30
R.21
miles
5
(Contour interval: 30 m)
Fig. 5.58 Final simulation of iterative inverse modelling of potentiometric surface

based on measured values of permeability and constant head boundaries inferred
from eld data (Tth and Rakhit, 1988, Fig. 18, p. 375).
designing the eld of three production wells that subsequently would supply the
Town of Olds. Some puzzling features of the potentiometric conguration were:
the abrupt southern termination of the oval shaped owing-well region lying north
east of the study areas centre; the sharp drop of hydraulic heads just south of it
(Figs. 5.12, 5.15, 5.63); and the southwards protruding equipotential lobes leading
from the north into the oval artesian region (Fig. 5.63).
Just south of the potentiometric step the undisturbed water-level is uncommonly at but it has a well developed spur pointing straight west. Because of the
extremely heterogeneous character of the Upper Cretaceous oodplain deposits
of the Edmonton Formation, no discrete lithologic units could be identied. Consequently, the hypothesis could not be veried by geological means according
to which the above phenomena collectively are caused by an eastwest striking
210

R.22
R.21W4
(Contour interval: 10 (md.m), n=1.2.3)

L High interval-permeability i.e.lens
0
kilometres
0
miles
L2
L6
Tp
L3 12
100
A
10
L4
L5
100
Tp
11
10
L7 (?)
10
Control point with quantitative estimate

of interval-permeability
Control point with qualitative estimate
of interval-permeability
Outline of interval-permeability
regions in millidarcy-metres (md.m),
established from simulation
definite
uncertain
10
0
10
00
10 10
0 10
10
L1
Fig. 5.59 Distribution of interval permeabilities obtained by step-wise modication of observed eld values until optimum agreement between observed (Fig.
5.57) and simulated (Fig. 5.58) potentiometric surfaces was reached (modied
after Tth and Rakhit, 1988, Fig. 19, p. 375).
subvertical linear discontinuity in the rock framework, possibly a fault. Instead,

two pumping tests of several days duration were conducted, both north and south
of the suspected lithologic discontinuity. Figure 5.64(a) and (b) show the evolution
in time of the induced potentiometric depressions. The conguration of the drawdown pattern proves the presence of an approximately eastwest oriented hydraulic
barrier between the two pumped wells. The northwest extending draw-down trough
induced by test 2 in the northerly well (Fig. 5.15, Olds Well No. 189; Fig. 5.64a)
explains the southward protruding equipotential lobe of the pre-pumping situation.
And the long and deep eastwest striking hydraulic depression due to test 3 in Olds
Well No. 192 south of the barrier (Figs. 5.14, 5.64b) conrms the presence of an
elongated high-permeability rock pod: a sand and gravel ll of a paleo-river bed
indicated earlier by the natural potentiometric pattern (Fig. 5.14).
5.4.3 Abrupt change in chemistry across ow-system boundary
Abrupt lateral and/or vertical changes in the chemical composition of groundwater
are common. In many instances such changes are clearly linked to lithologic changes
211
(SW)
A
635
(NE)
A
1036 1431 66
65
145
79
610
166
Base of
Fish Scales
Marker
L2
L1
L4
Bentonite
Marker
Bow Island
Formation
Datum
L: Section of high interval-permeability,

i.e. lens
oil well
gas well
dry well
10 m
10 m
Fig. 5.60 SWNE section of structure and interval-permeability through lenses

L4 , L1 , and L2 (see Fig. 5.59; Tth and Rakhit, 1988, Fig. 16, p. 374).
or discrete proximate aquifers. However, in rock frameworks without distinct lithologic or structural contrasts, an explanation may be found in the distribution pattern
of groundwater ow systems.
Figures 3.2 and 4.1 illustrate the conceptual basis of this argument in vertical
sections: several ow systems that have a common area of origin can split and
terminate in widely separate locations. Or, the other way around, ow systems
originating in distant regions of different geologic makeup can merge into a common discharge area. In both cases, along certain segments of ow systems water
can migrate next to water with a differing hydrogeochemical history and thus a
differing chemical composition. Similarly, abrupt changes in water-chemical types
can also occur laterally, across vertical boundaries between adjacent ow-systems
that traverse different portions or different lengths of the rock framework.
In an exploration project for the municipal water supply of the Town of Three
Hills, central Alberta, Canada, a change from 1500 to 2500 mg/l and more in
total dissolved solids content TDS was noticed over a distance of less than 500 m
along Section H2 H2 (Fig. 5.65). In the unstratied and poorly sorted continental,
argillaceous, bentonitic, crossbedded, lenticular, slightly indurated siltstones, and
PC
EO
PC
PC
Ew
PC
EO
Ew
Eo
Impelling force acting on a unit

mass of water
Capillary pressure on oil in a

water wet environment
Impelling force acting on a unit
mass of oil
General direction of flow
Droplet or accumulation of oil
Fine-grained sediments (shale)
Coarse-grained sediment
(sandstone)
Fig. 5.61 Interplay of capillary and impelling forces acting upon volume elements of hydrocarbons at sandshale interfaces and
possibly resulting in entrapment at the downstream end of sandstone lenses (Tth, 1988, Fig. 3, p. 487).
Ew
PC
PC
Hydrocarbonwater emulsion
213
2 000 000 YEARS

(a)
Oil Hydraulic Head (metres)
604
(b)
606
620 624 628 632 636 640
Water hydraulic Head (metres)
602
(c)
616
604 606
612 616 620 624 628
Oil saturation
4
1
4
1
0
0.1-10%
10 - 20%
20 - 30%
30 - 40%
40-50%
> 50%
Fig. 5.62 Modelled distributions of hydraulic heads for oil and water and of oil
saturation in high-permeability sandstone lens enclosed in a shale matrix 2 106
years after import of oil by water ow began at right end of the ow domain
(Rostron and Tth, 1989, Fig. 6, p. 45).
sandstones, coal, volcanic tuff and clay ironstone rocks of the Upper Cretaceous
and Paleocene Paskapoo and Edmonton Formations neither lithology nor hydrostratigraphy could explain the abrupt change in the waters chemical type (Tth,
1968, Fig. 5, p. 14).
The highest TDS values in the area were found in a tract of groundwater discharge,
marked by owing wells and a northsouth running potentiometric trough (Fig.
5.66). To the southeast of the TDS maxima, an area of at potentiometric surface
extended 34 km towards the Three Hills Ridge.
An explanation for the sharp change in groundwater chemistry was sought in
ow system analysis. To this end, conductive-paper electric analogue models were
constructed along some westeast cross-sections based on observed well-water
214

114o 00
R1
R 28
25
3200
3250
50
33
33
75
Tp33
3325
32
Tp33
OLDS
32
00
3275
Loao
3150
3175
3300
3350
3325
Hydraulic barrier
31
75
Tp32
O
51 45
25
31
31
32
50
31
3225
2
32
00
75
FIFTH
25
32
50
R1
3250
3275
3300
32
25
327
337
32
50
ee
33
Gr
340
50
33
3350
3400
315
MERIDIAN
3375
3425
Tp32
51 45
Old
.18
No
p in e
3400
ell
sW
114o 00
2 miles
R 28
LEGEND
Water level contour, in feet, of:
upper zone, or of the only known......
3200
lower zone.........................................
Control point...........................................................
Area of flowing wells...............................................
Boundary of protected block...................................
Fig. 5.63 Non-pumping groundwater levels prior to large scale development for
municipal water supply, Olds groundwater exploration area, Alberta, Canada (after
Tth, 1966b, Fig. 9).
levels and the topography (Fig. 5.66). Section H2 H2 , running along the WE
centre line of the map in Figures 5.65 and 5.66 provided the key to the puzzle (Fig.
5.67).
The maximum TDS values occur approximately 3.2 km (2 miles) east of the
maps western boundary. This region coincides closely with the center of the contiguous discharge areas of two regional ow systems that converge from west and
east and merge here (between miles 7 and 8 on Fig. 5.67). On the other hand, the
1500 mg/L TDS contour runs within 200300 m east of the modelled boundary
between the discharge area of the regional ow system sourced in the Three Hills

(a)
PUM P TEST 2
114
R.1
PUMP TEST 3
(b)
R.29
R.28
114
R.1
R.29
0.0
MERIDIAN
MERIDIAN
100 MIN
AFTER PUMPING STARTED
-0.02
0.0
0.0 0.4
0.01
0.01
0.0
-0.1
-0.01
0.0
0.0
100 MIN
FIFTH
0.0
0.01
R.28
0.0
FIFTH
0.0
215
31.69
0.0
Tp.32
0.1
0.0
Tp.32
Tp.32
0.02
0.37
1.22
OLDS WELL NO.180

9.29 1.32
0.0
Tp.32
-0.02
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
15.66
9.45
0.01 0.04 0.1
04
1.76
0.0 0.005
?
0.0
0.0
OLDS WELL NO.192
114
-0.05
0.07
0.04
37.3
01 0.4
0.01
Tp.32
0.04
4.33
0.05
0.01
0.0
-0.02
3.36
OLDS WELL NO.192
0.03
FIFTH
MERIDIAN
7855 MIN
Tp.32
0.28
Tp.32
0.4
0.1
0.04
0.0
0.06
0.0
-0.08
0.15
1.
10
14.06
13.51
23
46
-0.19
-0.44
-0.48
0
0.
0.17
3.90
1.33
5760 MIN
FIFTH
-0.18
-0.02
0.49
0.96
2.54
12.32
18.48
0.04
0.58
Tp.32
0.09
1.0
0.4
0.36
0.10.4
0.04
0.15
OLDS WELL NO.189
0.0
4.66
Tp.32
-0.17
Tp.32
0.04
0.0
MERIDIAN
-0.07
0.0
4.92
Tp.32
-0.21
13.96
1000 MIN
FIFTH
FIFTH
-0.13
0.3
2.33
-0.05
-0.07
0.0
10
0.27
1000 MIN
0.0
0.2
MERIDIAN
MERIDIAN
0.07
0.77
7.09
3.12
OLDS WELL NO.189
10 2295
16.5
0.4
0.34
0.1
0.13
Tp.32
-0.64
0.4
1.8
-0.02
OLDS WELL NO.192
R.1
114
3/4
1/2 1/4
R.29
R.28
R.1
WEST OF FOURTH AND FIFTH MERIDIANS
Mile
114
3/4
1/2 1/4
R.29
0
R.28
Mile
WEST OF FOURTH AND FIFTH MERIDIANS
Fig. 5.64 Changes in groundwater levels in response to pumping in: (a) Olds
Well No. 189, (b) Olds Well. no. 192, Olds groundwater exploration area, Alberta,
Canada (after Tth, 1966b, Figs. 18, p. 43, and 19, p. 44).
216

185
117
251
118
186
95
11320 R 24
G2
367
358
187 188
115
116
20
250
28
25
00
249
2950
2875
2875
128
29
25
EE
128
363
115
306
TH
50
48
5
287
Equity
28
151
151
300
2925
243
246
3000
350
134
359
1500
00
111
243
176
177
11
173
4500
3500
2500
2500
28
25
145
240
155
2925
25
30
THREE HILLS
00
239
28
104
153
120
241
207
RIDGE
222
25
112
28
50
28
75
345
290
75
28
169
28
107
109
166
168
00
29 29
29 50 75
25
68
247
30
re8
142
H2 H2
356
Dh
172
238
3000
2975
2950
1 miles
2825
6 miles
H2
346
15
H 69
5145
25
Tp 32
2875
28
4000
3000
244
105
350
147
148
Areal distribution of total solids, in ppm.

Fig. 5.65 Groundwater mineralization, TDS, in ppm = mg/l; grid spacing:
1 mile = 1.6 km (Tth, 1968, detail of Fig. 17, p. 43).
Ridge, 5 km (3 miles) farther east, and the discharge areas of shallow (100300 m)
and short (8001500 m) local systems. The solution to the question was that the
discharge area of the long, thus relatively highly saline, regional system is adjacent to the discharge area of the less saline waters of the short local systems (Fig.
5.67). A note of historical interest: numerical groundwater modelling was still in
its infancy during the early 1960s, and the above conductive-paper analogue model
was reviewed both by Domenico (1972, Fig. 6.8, p. 268) and Freeze and Cherry
(1979, Fig 5.11, p. 180).
5.4.4 Identifying mechanisms of subhydrostatic pore-pressure generation
Subhydrostatic pore pressures, or underpressuring, can be induced by various geologic mechanisms. Some of the most common and most effective of these are
the draining effect of low-altitude aquifer outcrops, elastic rebound of the rock
framework due to erosional or/and glacial unloading, and delayed adjustment to
increasing pore pressure due to sediment loading during subsidence. In all cases,
217
o
113 20 R 24
15
367
125
2800
56
250
28
Eqrrty
2875
25
28
50
15
00
2800
28
238
158
111
243
Th
1 miles
Hi
lls
29
177
142
173
168
109
50 75
29
345
00
222
28
145
2
28
5
197
240
53
3000
50
112
2950
2900
28
75
2800
28
2850
25
170
RIDGE
169
29
25
29
107
18
75
168
28
172
H2 Hd
356
00
30
re
3000
2975
2825
367
50
28 75
362
123
25
H2
346
161
27
28
5 45
0 miles
35
173
359
248
Tp 32
164
134
357
25
300
1516
2925
245
247
29
EE
286
228
115
306
246
363
TH
248
2875
2925
249
29 50
2875
28
252
30
25
106
120
355
126
241
THREE HILLS
239
28
00
207
104
105
35
148
29
Area of flowing wells
Map showing non-pumping water levels
Fig. 5.66 Non-pumping groundwater levels, contour values in feet; grid spacing:
1 mile = 1.6 km (detail of Fig. 10, p. 23, Tth, 1968).
the presence of low-permeability hydrostratigraphic units tend to magnify the

effect. The actual cause of underpressuring may be determined in certain cases
by comparing the real pattern of subsurface uid-dynamic parameters (inferred
from observations) with reference patterns (generated for rigorously quantiable
conceptual conditions).
A theoretical, or reference, case for the effect of low-altitude outcrops, formulated
originally to explain subhydrostatic pressures in the Red Earth region of northern
Alberta, Canada (Tth, 1978) is reproduced in Figure 3.12. The salient features
of this pressure pattern in the context of underpressuring are: the sharp drop in
the pressures (not just in the pressure gradient) beneath the aquitard in the regional
recharge area (sites 2 and 3); hydrostatic values of the vertical gradients in the region
of horizontal ow (site 1); and slightly superhydrostatic pressures and pressure
gradients, indicating an upward ow component in the regional discharge area
(site 4).
60
50
70
80
Mv
=2
Mh
10
11 miles
RD
24
23 0
22 0
0
304
0
20
30
190
300
0
180
2980
160
2960
140
120
2940
2920
100
80
2900
60
2880
50
28
60
H2
Fig. 5.67 Part of electric analogue Section H2 H2 , contour values in feet; distance scale along top of section in miles, 1 mile =
1.6 km (Tth, 1968, detail of Fig. 13).
Vertical exaggeration
D Discharge area (upward flow)
R Recharge area (downward flow)
Boundary between groundwater basins
Boundary between flow systems
Line of fluid driving force
Line of equal electric potential above reference value, mV
Basin 1
70
40
90
Line of equal hydraulic head, feet amsl
110
2900
60
130
LEGEND
Three Hills Creek
40
284
20 200
H2
00
00
90
50
35
30
25
20
284
0000
25
20 0000
150
2900
170
2880
20
0
28
21

200
219
400
400
45-1-W-4
600
41-6-W-4
Depth (m)
Depth (m)
600
800
800
1000
1000
1200
1200
1400
2000
4000
6000
1400
2000
8000 10 000 12 000 14 000 16 000
4000
Pressure (kPa)
6000
8000 10 000 12 000 14 000 16 000

Pressure (kPa)
200
47-4-W-4
600
800
Depth (m)
Depth (m)
400
51-8-W-4
400
800
1200
1000
1200
2000
1600
4000
6000
Pressure (kPa)
8000
10 000
4000
8000
12 000
16 000
20 000
Pressure (kPa)
Fig. 5.68 Underpressuring due to low outcrop elevation of the Manville aquifer
enhanced by the overlying Lea ParkColorado shale aquitards, Chauvin area,
east-central Alberta, Canada (Holysh and Tth, 1996, Fig. 10, p. 265). Key:
dashed lines = observed data; solid lines = hydrostatic gradient; point symbols: measured pressures in aquifers (reprinted by permission of the AAPG whose
permission is required for further use).
The similarity between the pressure-depth proles in the Chauvin area of eastcentral Alberta, Canada (Fig. 5.68; Holysh and Tth, 1996) and those in Figure
3.12b, was interpreted as an indication of the regional pressure-drawdown effect of
the Mannville aquifer subcropping at lower elevations tens of kilometres farther east
in the province of Saskatchewan. The conclusion was supported by hydraulic crosssections showing descending water movement (Fig. 5.69), and by potentiometric
maps (not shown here) indicating easterly ow in the Mannville Group.
Figure 5.70 shows measured hydraulic heads (shown as converted to pressures)
declining monotonously with depth toward the boundary value of 1 atm in a tunnel,
640
643
615
BELLY RIVER
METERS ABOVE SEA LEVEL
500
2400
02-15-41-1
681
2000
668
660
605
623
WW50
WW51
WW52
01-20-41-1
01-19-41-1
WW6
WW5
WW4
06-16-41-1
00
716
732
707
633
714
74
628
636
659
EAST
RIBSTONE CREEK
1600
FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL
639
600
676
658
656
646
WW45 WW46
667 665
661
660
WW47
700
14-09-41-2
WW36 WW37
WW35
WW32
14-11-41-3
WEST
6-17-41-2
WW34
220
400
1200
LEA PARK
300
800
200
COLORADO
400
100
VIKING
457
447
446
JOLI FOU
451
MANNVILLE
453
0
456
460
482
487
GEOLOGIC BOUNDARY
621
400
FRESH WATER HEAD VALUE

(m ASL)
DEVONIAN
FRESH WATER HEAD CONTOUR
FLOW DIRECTION
FLOWING WEL
L
2
1
4
2
5 km
3 mile
Fig. 5.69 EW hydrogeologic section showing local ow system and downward

ow through the Lea ParkColorado shale aquitard into the Mannville aquifer,
Chauvin area, east-central Alberta, Canada (Holysh and Tth, 1996, Fig. 11b, p.
267; reprinted by permission of the AAPG whose permission is required for further
use).
Bergwasser
m
(amsl)
in den SB gemessene hyrostatische Drucke
2200
42 bar
2000
26 bar
25 bar
18 bar
10 bar
Tm927
6 bar
1 2 3
Tm2074
4
500m
Fig. 5.70 Monotonous decline in pore pressure with depth through Swiss Wellenberg mountain toward atmospheric value in tunnel 450 m below mountain top
(diagram by J. Tth).
through an approximately 450 m thick section of a mountain in Switzerland. In

addition to illustrating the effects on ow patterns of low altitude discharge boundaries, the case evidences bulk hydraulic continuity in granitic rocks by the abundant
leakage from the tunnels walls (Fig. 5.71).
On the basis of conceptual arguments Tth and Corbet (1986) proposed that certain petroleum deposits in the Taber area, southern Alberta, Canada, were emplaced
221
Fig. 5.71 Water seepage into tunnel through more than 400 m of granitic rock in
Swiss mountain (photo by J. Tth).
by gravity-driven groundwater ow systems during the period of 355 Ma in

mid-to-late Miocene times. However, the argument went, the gravity-ow patterns must have been obliterated by the currently existing strong underpressuring.
The underpressuring itself was attributed to elastic rebound and dilation of the lowpermeability Colorado shale aquitard upon erosional removal of more than 700 m
of overburden during the last 1020 million years (Figs. 5.72 and 5.73).
The theory was tested subsequently by Corbet and Bethke (1992) by quantitatively modelling the effects on pore pressures of the arguably most important
modifying factors, namely: elastic pore dilation due to unloading by overburden
removal; thermal contraction of cooling poreuid volumes due to reduced depth
of the investigated rock units beneath the eroding land surface; and the extant part of
the original hydrostatic pressure remaining after periods of erosion, due to the time
lag in pressure dissipation behind the rate of land-surface lowering, called memory
by Corbet and Bethke (1992). Using realistic formation parameters and geologic
Control point
Control point, not used
Groundwater flow line
(7)
2500
00
Region of relative hydraulic head minima
Hydrogeologic Group Number

Hydraulic head-contour
2700
29
Elevation (feet)
00
31
5
10
Scale
2500
15
10
2900
(5)
15mi
(3)
(4)
20km
++
(7)
(6)
500
MSL
500
1000
1500
Fig. 5.72 Present hydraulic-head distribution and inferred formation-water ow pattern based on observed pore pressures, Section
AA', Taber area, southern Alberta, Canada (after Tth and Corbet, 1986, Fig. 24, p. 357).
2700
-2000
2900
MSL
3100
2500
2500
2500
2700
2700
2900
2000
3100
2500
4000
2900
2700
Elevation (meters)
-2000
MSL
2000
4000
Taber
Oil Fields
(7) Hydrogeologic Group Number

Assumed Boundaries of Eroded Rock Units
Bow Island
Topographic High
Medicine Hat
Oil Field
Ancestral
Medicine Hat
Valley
0
5
5
10
Scale
15
10
20km
15mi
(4)
(3)
(5)
(7)
(6)
500
MSL
500
1000
1500
Fig. 5.73 Reconstructed mid-to-late Miocene topography hypothetically generating the formation-water ow pattern which, in
turn, may have resulted in the known petroleum accumulations, Section AA', Taber area, southern Alberta, Canada (after Tth and
Corbet, 1986, Fig. 28, p. 361).
Elevation (feet)
Ancestral
Lethbridge
Valley
Elevation (meters)
224

0
0.2
M R
DEPTH (km)
0.4
UNLOADING
COOLING
0.6
MEMORY
NET
B I
0.8
C
L C
1
1.2
DISEQUILIBRIUM PRESSURE (MPa)
Fig. 5.74 Components of disequilibrium pressure for the present day calculated
for a vertical prole near the the west end of Section AA , Taber area, southern
Alberta, Canada (Corbet and Bethke, 1992, Fig. 13, p. 7212).
time estimates for the area, they calculated the individual effects of the above factors
and the resulting net sum (Fig. 5.74). They concluded that the underpressuring
can be explained by erosion-induced dilation of the rock framework. However,
paleo-topographic effects did not seem to be reected in the calculated current ow
pattern.
Vinard (1998) conducted a theoretical and eld-based study of underpressured
conditions for the Swiss National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive
Waste (Nagra) at a potential site for a radioactive waste repository at Wellenberg,
Switzerland. Based on geological eld data, dedicated hydrogeological tests, and
extensive numerical sensitivity analyses, he concluded that: it can be afrmed
that deformation of the rock skeleton is the most important mechanism leading to
subnormal pressure and that The mechanical rebound of the marl-shale aquitard,
which led to the currently measured subnormal hydraulic heads, is predominantly
generated by glacial retreat and more specically by glacial melting at the end
of the last glaciation some 12 000 years ago (Vinard, 1998, p. 198). The timing
and duration of the underpressuring was estimated from the rates of pore-pressure
changes. The cause, however, is indicated by the geometry of the underpressured
zone and the shape of the vertical pressure proles (Fig. 5.75). Figure 5.75 shows
one of the numerous simulations suggesting dilation of the rock as being the plausible cause of underpressuring by (a) the great lateral extent of the affected rock
volume and (b) the monotonously decreasing hydraulic heads towards the centre
5.5 Exploration for petroleum and metallic minerals
225
of the dilated rock mass from hydrostatic values both at its top and at its bottom
(cf. Fig. 5.72).
In a study in west central Alberta, Canada, Parks and Tth (1995) found a zone of
maximum underpressures between 500 and 1000 m below the present land surface
in Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary rocks (Fig. 5.76). Vertical pressure gradients in
overlying and underlying strata are interpreted to indicate vertical uid-driving
forces convergent into this zone. Lateral gradients indicate uid ow towards the
area in which maximum erosional stripping has occurred since mid Tertiary (Price,
1994). Rock-pore dilation in hydraulically tight strata due to erosional unloading
is the best explanation for these observations.

A theoretically justied but in practice still underused application of groundwater
ow studies, in general, and gravity-ow studies, in particular, is for exploration
for petroleum and some metallic minerals. The conceptual basis of the approach
is straightforward: petroleum and many metallic minerals are aggregated into
commercially signicant deposits by moving groundwater at locations that can
be anticipated based on uid dynamic, physical, chemical, and/or environmental
considerations. They may also be ablated and carried away from such deposits
leaving interpretable traces behind. Knowledge of past or current groundwater ow
patterns may thus shed light on expected sites of accumulation either by pointing
forward to possible destinations of migrating mineral constituents, or backward to
possible sources of origin, or both.
Explorationists have long since been aware of the fact that many minerals migrate
by aqueous transport. They have, however, failed to consider the key factor that
determines the ow paths, namely, the spatial distribution of uid potential. The
basic thinking in petroleum exploration illustrates the point. The two principal geologic parameters used by the traditional petroleum geologist are the attitude, or
dip, of permeable avenues of the rock framework (strata, faults), and sedimentary
compaction, as the commonly assumed source of abnormally high formation pressures. Because sedimentary compaction is thought to be maximum in the centre
of depositional basins, subsurface uids are commonly believed to migrate up-dip,
i.e. centrifugally out from the depocentres. Down-dip ow, i.e. centripetal ow
directions, due to gravity ow driven seaward from elevated terrestrial areas and
its possible consequences have not normally been taken into account.
It is only natural that a new concept and its practical implementation should have
started with minerals that are readily amenable to aqueous transport in the subsurface. Consequently, the currently available examples also are limited to potential
100 0 100 200
400
600
800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 m (amsl)
SB1
2000
1000
1000
1000
2000
1000
1000
1000
1000
SB3
3000
2000
3000
observed
2000
observed
SB1
Fig. 5.75 Simulated hydraulic head distribution for today, i.e. t = 10 000 years after the end of the last glaciation, showing match
between computed and measured values in test wells SB1 and SB3 (Vinard, 1998, Fig. 9.4-2d, p. 135).
h:
SB3
1000

NORCEN PEMBINA
8-13-45-6-WSM
Pore - pressure (kPa)

4000
8000
200
16 000
20 000
Edmonton Fm
400
600
Depth (m)
12 000
Paskapoo Fm
800
Belly River Fm
1000
Bearpaw Fm
227
Lea Park Fm
1200
1400
interpreted
vertical porepressure gradient
measured
modern
pore pressure
hydrostatic
pore-pressure gradient
Fig. 5.76 Pressure-depth prole interpreted to indicate elastic dilation of the rock
framework due to erosional unloading, west central Alberta, Canada (after Parks
and Tth, 1995, Fig. 4, p. 285).
application of hydrogeological principles to, and case studies of, exploration for
petroleum, uranium and sulde ores.
5.5.1 The hydraulic theory of petroleum migration and its application to

exploration
The basic thesis of the hydraulic theory of petroleum migration (reviewed and
illustrated in Section 4.4.2.6, Fig. 4.20) is that in geologically mature basins,
gravity-induced cross-formational ow is the principal agent in the transport and
228
accumulation of hydrocarbons. The mechanism becomes operative after compaction of sediments and the concomitant primary migration cease, and subaerial
topographic relief develops. Hydrocarbons from source or carrier beds are then
moved along well-dened migration paths toward discharge foci of converging
ow systems, and may accumulate en route in hydraulic or hydrodynamic traps.
Accordingly, deposits are expected and observed to be associated preferentially
with ascending limbs and stagnant zones of ow systems and hence to be characterized by relative potentiometric minima, downward increase in hydraulic heads
possibly reaching artesian conditions, reduced or zero lateral hydraulic gradients
and relatively high groundwater salinity (Tth, 1980, p. 121).
Figure 5.77 illustrates the salient points of the thesis. The large oil eld in the
Aquitaine regions Parentis Basin of France is located in a closed local minimum
of the continental portion of the potentiometric surface in the Eocene age strata,
indicating intensive ow into this area from all directions (Fig. 5.77a); the Cl content increases from less than 40 meq/l to over 700 meq/l in an areal conguration
consistent with the potentiometric surface (Fig. 5.77b); and the groundwater ow
pattern is cross-formational with local systems superimposed on the main regional
system discharging into the Parentis Basin (Fig. 5.77c). Several other maps, not
presented here, complete the picture by showing that the potentiometric surface in
the Eocene reects the areas regional topography (e.g., with the Pyrenees mountains to the south east), and that groundwater ow is ascending and artesian all
along the coast, including the oil eld (Tth, 1980).
The concept of hydraulic trap, i.e. the common area of discharge between two
or more concentrically converging gravity-driven groundwater ow-systems, was
conceived originally for continental conditions (Fig. 4.20; Tth, 1980, Fig. 44, p.
163). Tth extended the concept later to include the region of convergence of continental gravity ow and marine compaction ow of formation waters (Fig. 5.78;
Tth, 1988, Fig. 11, p. 492).
In an extensive numerical analysis of the evolution of basinal ow conditions in
the Gulf of Mexico, Harrison and Summa (1991) produced a sequence of quantitative illustration of opposing ow directions of, and intensive interplay between,
continental meteoric and oceanic compaction waters (Fig. 5.79; Harrison and
Summa, 1991, Fig. 12, p. 134).
To quote Harrison and Summa (1991, p. 109): We have dened three stages in
the paleohydrologic evolution of the Gulf basin. In the rst stage from Jurassic to
early Tertiary times, the basin was characterized by circulating waters of meteoric
origin, driven into the basin by topographic elevation episodically enhanced by
eustatic falls in sea level. Abnormal pressures were restricted to the very deepest
parts of the basin In the second stage, during much of the Tertiary, geopressures
developed beneath the major sedimentary depocenters related to the positions of
the ancestral Mississippi and Rio Grande river systems. The circulation of meteoric

(b)
40
(a)
BORDEAUX
14
650
50
360
825
600
Info R.
2827
875
1230
1112
1040
480 770
1090 1100
BORDEAUX
C
ar
en
ne
R
OCEAN ATLANTIQUE
25
Derdegas R.
25
PARENTIS
BASIN
OIL
FIELD
21.5
22.6
6
337
265
17.5
78
400
68
83.5
11.6
4.7
410
775 510
577
515
13
224
365
27.2
725
535 285
1625
675
100
25
50
A t l a n
t i c
10
22.5
Drenne R.
70
25
10
O c e a n
42
10
229
475
790
Mldouse R.
ou
rR
150
Ad
300
200 250
50km
Zone compact
Point de contrle deau de formation

285
WATER LEVELS (m) IN AQUIFERS OF EOCENE AGE
et teneur en CI
(after Coustsu, 1957)
(c)
Sw
Atlantic
20 km
( mq / l. )
NE
Ocean
A
Parentis basin
Bordeaux
I Isle R.
m
0
Pl-Quat.
cen
en
O
ne
ce
Eo
1000
cone
Upper
Cretaceous
lig
oc
50C
o
Pale
e
cen
Eo
ne
oco
Pale
Mio
Jurassic
Lower
Cretaceous
1500
Middle
Lower
Jurassic
0
30 km
Lateral position of oil accumulations
REGIONAL GROUNDWATER FLOW PATTERN ALONG AA,

NORTHERN AQUITAINE FRANCE (stratigraphy after B.R.G.M.,1970)
Fig. 5.77 Petroleum hydrogeologic conditions in the Parentis Basin, Aquitaine

region, France: (a) potentiometric surface and oil elds in the Eocene-age aquifers;
(b) formation water salinity in the Eocene-age aquifers; (c) groundwater ow
pattern along cross-section AA (after Tth, 1980, Figs. a: 14, p. 137, c: 12c, p.
136, b: source unknown).
water became restricted by the opposing compactional hydraulic heads. The third
stage in the development of Gulf basin hydrology began in late Miocene times and
continues to the present day.
Wells (1988) attributed the discovery(!) and emplacement of a major oil and
gas accumulation offshore Qatar, Arabian Gulf, to hydrodynamic trapping between
basinward ow of continental waters and landward movement of marine waters.
The mixed waters were thought to be discharging together to the sea bottom through
thinned out portions of shaley aquitards (Fig. 5.80; Wells, 1988, Figs. 1, 3, 8, 9,
230

land
sea level
region of compaction
flow
region of converging
flows: hydraulic trap
region of gravity flow
aquifer
gravity flow
aquitard
compaction flow
region of hydraulic trap
isopotentials
Fig. 5.78 Hydraulic trap created by convergence of continental gravity ow and

marine compaction ow of formation waters (Tth, 1988, Fig. 11, p. 492).
Meteoric
2.6
Compactional
sea level
Meteoric
600
km/m.y.
Compactional
2.6
km/m.y.
65
km/m.y.
2 km
20 km
Max. velocities (km/m.y.)

vx = 580
vy = 2.2
vzm = 2.5
t = 0 years
Computed regime of meteoric and compactional waters, present-day times, Gulf of Mexico
(after Harrison and Summa, 1991)
Fig. 5.79 Flow vectors and uid velocities due to compaction and topographic
drive calculated for present-day along a NS section through the northern Gulf of
Mexico (Harrison and Summa, 1991, Fig. 12, p. 134).
5.6 Flow-system analysis in surface geochemical prospecting
231
pp. 358 and 360). The case is summarized in Figure 5.80, showing: the location
of the general area and relevant site details (Fig. 5.80a); Wells conceptual model
of the local subsurface ow conditions (Fig. 5.80b); the potentiometric conguration in the reservoir beds and the petroleum accumulations in the closed regional
potentiometric minimum (Fig. 5.80c); and the formation-water salinities increasing concentrically towards, and reaching a maximum in, the area of potentiometric
minima and petroleum accumulations (Fig. 5.80d).
The Karamai oil elds in the Dzungarian Artesian Basin of NW China illustrate
the possible close relations between gravitational groundwater ow systems, on
the one hand, and the migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons together with
various discharge-associated natural phenomena such as artesian wells and saline
soils, and the geochemical chimney (to be discussed below), on the other.
According to Tuan Yung-hou and Chao Hsuch-tun (1968), prior to the uplift of the
Tien Shan mountains in pre-Quaternary times, the focus of groundwater discharge
and petroleum accumulation occurred in the Tu-shan-tzu area in the south (Fig.
5.81a). The subsequent rise of the Tien Shan converted the Tu-shan-tzu area into a
regional recharge region and induced strong northerly ow of groundwater. Most
of the previously accumulated hydrocarbons were thus moved northward into the
newly generated extensive discharge area in the deepest part of the Dzungarian
Basin. The basin is characterized now by owing artesian wells, saline soils, salt
marshes and seeps, as well as springs of petroleum associated with the remigrated
oil elds (Figs. 5.81b,c).
5.6 Potential role of ow-system analysis in surface geochemical prospecting

Geochemical prospecting for petroleum is the search for chemically identiable
surface or near-surface occurrences of hydrocarbons as clues to the location of
oil or gas accumulations. It extends through a range from observation of clearly
visible oil and gas seepages at one extreme to the identication of minute traces of
hydrocarbons determinable only by highly sophisticated analytical methods at the
other (Figs. 5.81c, 5.82; Hedberg, 1996, p. iii).
On the way to the surface from their source rock or reservoir, ascending hydrocarbon particles chemically reduce the traversed rock volume, the geochemical
chimney. The process may give rise to a wide variety of chemical, mineralogical,
physical, pedological, botanical, microbiological anomalies, called collectively
signatures (Fig. 5.83).
The two mechanisms thought by most to be responsible for the migration of the oil
and gas particles in the Geochemical Chimney are buoyancy and diffusion. Advection by moving groundwater has not been seriously considered. Consequently,

(a)
50
55
LEGEND
Producing oil field
Oil discovery to
be appraised
North area Cretaceous
oil and gulf zone
Approximate extent
Khuff Gas of North
Area
Iraq
35
Iran
Ar
ab
ia
Saudi
Arabia
ul
AR
CH
25
.E
A
U.
Qatar
North Area
Cretaceous
Hydrocarbon
Zone
OA
TA
R
232
WESTERN
SALT
BASIN
EASTERN
SALT
BASIN
Najwat
Najo
O.G.P.C (Offshore)
Haiul Maydan
Mahzam
Bull
Idd Ei
Hanine
Shargi
AMOCO
SCHIO
O.G.P.C
(Onshore)
QATAR
Bunduq
A-Structure
SAUDI
ARABIA
50 km
U.A.E.
(b)
A
Water Table
B
h
-MSL
AQ
UI
FE
(a) Cross-section
Pressure
Water Table
h
Water-Potential Pressure
MSL
Hydrocarbon
Gradients
Depth
(z)
H
PR YD
ES RO
SU DY
RE NA
RE MIC
G
IM
E
Normal
Hydrostatic
Gradient
B
(b) Pressure Depth Plot
Fig. 5.80 Hydraulic trapping in the Cretaceous Nahr Umr sand, Offshore Qatar:
(a) site map; (b) model of local hydrodynamics; (c) potentiometric map of the
Shuaiba aquifer (one of the reservoir rocks); (d) formation-water salinities in the
Nahr Umr and Shuaiba aquifers (Wells, 1988, Figs. 1, 3, 8, 9, respectively, p. 358
and 360).

LEGEND
Oil Field
26
(c)
Oil Discovery,
Under Appraisal
Water Potential
0
20 Pressure Contour
Ps
240
280
0
28
26
0
20
0
24
NORTH
AREA
320
300
22
200
220
0
30
SOHIO
AMOCO
0
32
Dukhan
Haiul
Maydan
Mahzam
Bull
Idd Ei
Hanine
Shargi
A-Structure
Ei Bunduq
60
40
Oil Field
Oil Discovery
Under appraisal
ISO-Salinity
Contour
(1,000 s PPM
NaCI)
80
160
60
LEGEND
100
(d)
50 km
100
80
NORTH
AREA
60
60
80
?
?
Halul
?
Maydan
Mahzam
Bul
Idd EI
Hanine
Sharigi
10
16
40
20
AMOCO
60
Dukhan
SOHIO
A-Structure
Fig. 5.80 (cont.)
EI Bunduq
50 km
233
234

(a)
100
6000
0
400
km
250
10
00
KARAMAI
A
15
00
KARAMAI
00
25
00
15
0
100
OIL FIELDS
10
00
u
120
10
00
130
1400
1500
40
00
2500
1600
600
Elevation ft.
Ho
(b)
pt
TU SHAN TZU
OIL
FIELD A
A
ru Hu -
Ho
WU-SU
-s
s
TIEN - SHAN
Tien Shan
A
6000
Maili Shan
A
0 R
6000
170
Na
1500
Ma
0
11
900
IL
1500
2500
1500
K
T
Karamai oilfield Oil

barrel
Tu-Shan-Tzu oilfield
Q
R
K
T
P
Quaternary
Tertiary
Cretaceous
Triassic
Paleozoic
high
flow intensity
medium
low
IDEALIZED HYDROGEOLOGICAL CROSS-SECTION. DZUNGARIAN

ARTESIAN BASIN
(c)
Fig. 5.81 Salient petroleum-hydrogeological features of the Karamai oil elds:

(a) potentiometric surface with remigrated oil eld in the new area of discharge
and owing wells; (b) hydraulic cross-section showing ascending water ow in
the oil elds: (c) oil seep atop the oil elds [(a) and (b): from Tth, 1980, after
Tuan Yung-hou and Chao Hsuch-tun, 1968; (c) unknown source].
235
Fig. 5.82 J. Tth (left) with a student at oil spring in Mae Soom Oil eld, Fang
Basin, north west Thailand.
the possible effects of groundwater ow on the location of geochemical signatures relative to the source of their petroleum components is commonly not taken
into account, although their genetic and spatial relation is frequently observed and
widely recognized (Fig. 5.84).
In an effort to dislodge the geochemical prospecting community from its state
of conceptual inertia, the present author wrote (Tth, 1996, p. 282):
Near-surface exploration for petroleum was born more than 60 years ago.
notwithstanding the diversity and advanced state of detection and analytical
techniques, [it] still seems to yield inconsistent results not noticeably better than in
its early days
In my view, the main reason for this unsatisfactory and unnecessary state of
affairs is that advective transport of hydrocarbons between reservoired sources and
the near-surface anomalies is ignored in interpretation. Near-surface explorationists
tend to accept the phrase vertical migration literally [] the effect of groundwater
ow, which can shift, modify, or obliterate anomalies, is not considered or even
recognized by most explorationists despite the sporadically but clearly stated warning found in the literature Hydrogeology is well equipped, both theoretically and
technically, to evaluate site-specic situations (Toth, 1996, p. 282283). I consider
this message still to be valid. Perhaps the hydrogeological community should take
an active role in convincing the surface geochemical explorationists.
236

THE GEOCHEMICAL CHIMNEY
Type of
Surface
surveys
Macrofracture/
Macroseepage
Macrofracture/
Macroseepage
Soil/Rock
Alteration
None
Very
Strong
Weak to moderate
Vegetation
Normal
Very
Stressed
Mixed (normal and sressed)
Halo
Positive Anomaly
Soil/Cas
Strong
Stressed
None
Normal
Halo
Halo
Negative Anomaly
Micromagnetics
(residual profile)
Suface
Redox
Condition
Idealized
Survey
Responses
Halo
Radiometrics
Positive, High frequency Anomaly
Oxidizing/or weakly-reducing
area
surface
Water Table
Very
Strong
Reduction
zone
Moderate Reduction
zone
Strong Oxidizing/or weakly-reducing area

Reduction
surface
zone
Reduced
Water Table
Ca/Si Pore-Space crossing
Reduced
Reduced
Water of
compaction
(Hydracarbon)
Hydracarbon
Clamm
Strongly
Reduced
Geochernical Exploration Services, Inc.

13719 Omega Road. Dallas, Texas 75234. (214 239-2644)
Fig. 5.83 Commercial illustration of the geochemical chimney from the 1980s.
An example of the potential economic value of ow-system analyses in geochemical prospecting, albeit on the money-saving side of the ledger, is the HolyshTth
(1996) study concluding that traditional geochemical prospecting is likely to be
ineffective in recharge areas of gravity-driven groundwater ow.

NW
HALTEN TERRACE
TRONDELAG PLATFORM
237
SE
CORE LOCATED ON RIDGE OF

OUTCROPING PALEOCENE
Quaternary
LATERAL MIGRATION ALONG

NW DIPPING TERTIARY
5 km
Pliocene
cene
Oligo
ene
Mioc
e
Eocen
ne
e
c
Paleo
eous
Cretac
PRE-RIFT
U.Jur
MIGRATION DIRECTION
170 km
Fig. 5.84 Geologic cross-section across the Halten Terrace and Trondelag platform, Central North Sea: Vertical leakage from Jurassic reservoirs and source
rocks is displaced laterally [by] up-dipping sandier beds in Paleocene deposits and
is found at the surface displaced as far as 50 km from the elds (Thrasher et al.,
1996, Fig. 14, p. 235; reprinted by permission of the AAPG whose permission is
required for further use).
5.6.1 Exploration for uranium deposits by groundwater ow-system analysis

Hagmaier (1971) may have been the rst to suggest that analysis of groundwater
ow-systems might aid uranium exploration: Hostetler and Garrels(1962) investigation into the geochemistry of uranium in water demonstrated that it is chemically
possible for groundwater to transport, deposit, and concentrate uranium. It should
be noted, however, that most of the literature concerning the role of uranium in
groundwater in uranium deposition does not fully utilize recent developments in
groundwater geology (Hagmaier, 1971, p. 19).
Hagmaier (1971) proceeded to propose a working hypothesis as a possible
strategic basis of exploration for uranium by combining those recent developments, concerning the geometrical aspects of groundwater ow patterns (Tth,
1962a, 1963) and the associated distribution of chemical water types (e.g.,
Meyboom, 1966), with the (then) known locations, geological history, mineralogy, and geochemistry of uranium deposits of the Powder River Basin, Wyoming,
USA. According to his working hypothesis, bicarbonate-rich groundwater of the
recharge areas is capable of leaching uranium as uranyl carbonate complexes as
well as transporting them into depths where chemical reduction and changes to a
sulfate facies of the chemical water-type precipitate uranium. The uranium carried
238
in the carbonate complexes would thus likely be associated with the bicarbonate
chemical facies found in recharge areas (Fig. 5.85; Hagmaier, 1971, Fig. 4, p. 22).
In a study based on more than a decade of relevant prior experience, and on the
geological history and advanced modelling of groundwater ow in the San Juan
basin of the Four Corners area (Fig. 5.86; Utah,Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico;
Sanford, 1994, Fig. 1, p. 341), Sanford concluded: The most important results for
uranium ore formation are that regional ground water discharged throughout the
basin, discharge was concentrated along the shore line or playa margin, ow was
dominantly gravity driven, and compaction dewatering was negligible. A strong
association is found between the tabular sandstone uranium deposits and major
inferred zones of mixed local and regional ground-water discharge (Sanford, 1994,
p. 341).
Regarding the likely location of uranium deposits within the groundwater ow
pattern, Hagmaier (1971) and Sanford (1994) have come to opposite conclusions.
Nevertheless, a fundamental common denominator, shared by several other students of the question (see Section 4.4.2.6), is present in both opinions, namely, that
the location of roll-front and tabular type uranium deposits are genetically bound to
identiable segments of gravity-driven groundwater ow systems. Invoking also
the power of numerical modelling techniques, Sanford (1994, p. 357) concludes
with a persuasive summary: In light of this progress, modern methods of paleohydrologic analysis should be considered as a standard tool in the analysis of a wide
variety of ore deposit types as well as in the exploration for new deposits. (See the
conclusion of Baskov (1987) in Section 5.5.4.)
5.6.2 Gravity-driven ow systems and strata-bound ore deposits

Knowledge of quantitatively dened physical and chemical conditions required
for the formation of ore deposits helps to improve the efciency of exploration by
limiting the expectable areas of their occurrence. Garven and Freeze (1984) were
among the rst researchers to apply rigorously formulated sensitivity analyses of
gravity-driven groundwater ow to the problem of the genesis of strata bound sulde ore deposits, triggering an explosion of interest in the topic. They illustrated
their modelling approach and the essential character of the results by gures exemplied in Figure 5.87, with the warning: it should not be taken as the nal result.
(Garven and Freeze, 1984 Pt. 1. Fig. 8, p. 1108). Figure 5.87(a) shows the distribution of gravity-induced hydraulic heads calculated with water density, viscosity,
salinity and temperature taken into account, and the associated ow velocities,
along a cross-section of a hypothetical basin. The change in location and intensity
of a mass-concentration pulse is shown at three different points in time in Figure
239
Discharge
N
in
nta
rn
Big
Ho
CI
u
Mo
SO 4
O3
HC
Recharge
ium
an
Ur
Fig. 5.85 Conceptual model of uranium deposition in gravity-driven groundwater

ow system in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, USA (Hagmeier, 1971, Fig. 4,
p. 22).
ADA
NEV
DE
IVI
RNIA
IFO
CAL
AR
AL
NT
LU
PRECAMBRIAN
Up
De
fia
nc
LA
TE
lift
RA
EX
M
RECHARGE
AR
BO
LAT
DF
MU
E
AT
TE
LI
LO
I
PT
NO
LI
IM
AL
AN
LO
CO .
N.M
NA
ARIZO
O
MEXIC
NEW
PL
AL
IC
MODEL AREA
AI
A
VI
TE
lo
ol
og
la
h
ig
PLAYA LAKE
FACIES
BI
s
nd
AL
H
EC
OW
G
AR
SU
RO RF
UN AC
D EA
W ND
AT
ER
FL
NT
CO
H
UTA NA
IZO
E
IN
U. Jurassic
L & M Jurassic
LATERAL
FLOW
TRIASSIC
PERMIAN
PENNSYLVANIAN
COMPACTION
PRECAMBRIAN
DISCHARGE
PLAYA LAKE
Brushy Basin Member
MODEL
LAYERS
SHALL
OW
GRAVIT
Y
DRIVE
N
FLOW
Westwater Canyon Member
DENSITY-DRIVEN FLOW
Morrison
Formation
Recapture Member
San Rafael Group
DEEP GR
AVITY DRIVEN
FLOW AN
D COMPACTION
Fig. 5.86 Conceptual model of groundwater ow in the Late Jurassic to Early

Cretaceous San Juan basin, New Mexico, USA (Sanford, 1994, Fig. 1, p. 342).
240
(a)
kilometres
HYDRAULIC HEADS
3
2
1
0
kilometres
VELOCITY VECTORS
Scale:
10 m/yr
2
1
0
(b)
kilometres
MASS CONCENTRATIONS
Time = 40 000 years
Release origin
3
2
1
0
MASS CONCENTRATIONS
Time = 60 000 years
kilometres
4
3
2
1
0
MASS CONCENTRATIONS
Time = 70 000 years
kilometres
4
3
2
1
0
0
50
100
150
kilometres
200
250
300
Fig. 5.87 Illustrative sample computation of gravity-driven groundwater ow and

mass transport from a point source of metal-bearing non-reactive pulse in a generic
drainage basin: (a) distributions of hydraulic head and ow velocity; (b) changes in
location and intensity of the migrating pulse with respect to time, with the contours
indicating 3, 6, 9 and 12 per cent of solute concentration at the source (excerpt
from Garven and Freeze, 1984, Pt. 1, Fig. 8, p 11131114).
5.87(b). The pulse originates from a point of release in the recharge area and the
contours indicate the 3, 6, 9 and 12 per cent of solute concentration at the source.
The principal conclusions of the work include:
The results of the sensitivity analysis indicate that gravity-driven groundwater
ow systems are capable of sustaining favourable uid-ow rates, temperatures,
and metal concentrations for ore formation at groundwater discharge areas near the
edge of the basin Long-distance transport of metal and sulde in the same uid
can probably be ruled out largely on hydrogeochemical grounds but also because
241
Algal bound, H2S Charged Sediments

Sabkha
Algal Mats
Evaporation
Cu Sulfide Deposits
Cu
Cu
Cu
Cu
Terrestrial Water
Oxygenated
Sea Water
Sabkha diagenetic model for copper mineralization to explain the origin

of the Zambian Copperbelt and other intracratonic (diagenetic) Cu deposits.
Fig. 5.88 Model of copper-sulde deposition resulting from the mixing of copper
carrying oxygenated (fresh) water, saline sea water, algae-produced H2 S (modied
from Morganti, 1981).
PALEOHYDROGEOLOGIC GENESIS OF THE DZHEZKAZGAN
LEADCOPPER ORE DEPOSIT DURING LATE PERMIAN
Dzhezkazgan
Deposit
Kengir
Anticline
Sarysu
Basin
0
500
Depth (metres)
1000
1500
2000
O2
carbonates
m
Cl
gypsu
e
steon
dn
sanSdasnto
salt
Cl
+
+ +
+
Cl
s
clay
silt
+Cl
silt
SO 4
CH
Cl
S)
(4 H 2
clastics
and carbonates
Cl
2500
3000
O2
clastics and
and carbonates
cs
sti
cla
3500
O2
Cl
Cl; SO4+Cl; N
Cl CH4 + (H2S)
LEGEND
+
+ +
Copper acumulation and spring discharge
Fig. 5.89 Copper and leadcopper deposit generated in the common paleodischarge zone of oxygenated meteoric waters and ascending chloride- and
CH4 H2 S-charged chloride brines, Dzhezkazgan, former Soviet Union (modied
from Baskov, 1987, Fig. 48, p. 184).
242
of the diluting effects of dispersion. The transport of metal in sulfate-bearing brines

is a more defensible geochemical model, in which case the presence of reducing
agents helps control the location of ore deposition (Garven and Freeze, 1984, Pt.
2, p. 11251126).
Figure 5.88 shows one of many real-life examples supporting the above theoretical conclusions (Morganti, 1981). Here, oxygenated meteoric water transports
copper in solution. By way of a hydraulic trap due to the opposing heavier sea
water, it is forced to discharge upwards into the sabkhas algal mat and is reduced
by the H2 S-charged sediments, causing precipitation of the copper sulde.
Under the title Fundamentals of paleohydrogeology of ore deposits, Baskov
(1987) devotes an entire book to the detailed description of numerous ore deposits
in the territory of the former Soviet Union. Because he nds a large proportion of the
ore deposits associated with paleo-discharge centers of groundwater, Baskov puts
special emphasis on their recognition and mapping: Locating the discharge regions
(centres) of ancient ground waters is an important part of paleohydrogeological
studies. Among direct indications of ancient ground-water discharge centres, various near-surface vein formations (ore formations inclusive) may be cited, as well
as zones of metasomatic rocks, travertine deposition and other traces of groundwater activity related to its discharge onto the ground surface (Baskov, 1987,
p. 104). The example of the Dzhezkazgan copper and leadcopper deposit shows
chloride waters rich in methane (CH4 ) and hydrogen sulde (H2 S) ascending along
a highly permeable subvertical fault zone into the area where fresh meteoric water
BASINAL FLUID FLOW AND

MINERAL DEPOSITS
WATER FLOW
Meteoric
Nonmeteoric
O
O
O
Mo
bil
Erosion
iza
tio
CHEMICAL REGIME
O Oxidizing
R
Manifestation
Reducing
Transport
R
MINERAL MATTER
Disseminated
Accumulated
Deposition
Removed
Fig. 5.90 Schematized relations between the genesis and location of stratiform
ore deposits and gravity-driven groundwater ow systems.
243
and sulfatechloride brine converge, with metals precipitating in the reductive zone
of the mixing liquids (Fig. 5.89). Baskov draws the conclusion that the application
of paleohydrogeology to prospecting for ore deposits consists of prospecting for
discharge regions of artesian basins of paleo-groundwater ow systems.
Figure 5.90 presents a modern hydrogeologists conceptualization of the genetic
relations between the location of stratiform ore deposits on the one hand, and
gravity-driven groundwater ow systems, on the other.
6
Epilogue: gravitational systems of groundwater ow
and the science of hydrogeology
Hydrogeology can be dened today as the science and practical utilization of those
processes and phenomena that result from the interaction between groundwater
and the rock framework. However, with its broad scope and multifarious applicability modern hydrogeology is fundamentally different from what it was before the
1960s. In those days, it was a single-issue subject of providing water supplies from
subsurface sources.
The multitude and diversity of the various, and in some cases seemingly unrelated, processes, phenomena and issues presented in the preceding pages may
obscure the fundamental and abrupt change in the scope of hydrogeology caused by
the concept of gravity-driven groundwater ow systems. The intent of this chapter
is, therefore, to put the previous ve chapters into a concise historical context.
To this end, the chronological evolution of some groundwater related conjectures,
theories, knowledge and technical approaches will be reviewed briey from the
perspectives of the natural sciences and engineering sciences.
Hydrogeology matured suddenly into a fully edged member of the earth sciences during the remarkably short period of approximately 30 years between the
late 1950s and early 1980s. Prior to 1960, the discipline was the realm chiey of
the geologist, a natural scientist with little or no interest and background in the
quantitative statements of the laws and factors controlling the ow of groundwater, let alone the differential equations describing them. On the other hand, in the
work to develop groundwater supplies, the hydraulics engineer was unable to deal
with the grey area between permeable and impermeable geologic formations
and wrote the well-yield equations for aquifers with open water tables, or for strata
sandwiched between ideally impermeable aquicludes. Arguably, the processes of
rapid conceptual evolution and broadening scope were triggered by the virtually
simultaneous recognition of the rock frameworks regional hydraulic continuity in
the two principal sub-disciplines interested in groundwater, namely, hydrogeology,
and aquifer-and-well-hydraulics.
244
Gravitational systems of groundwater ow and the science of hydrogeology
245
N AT U R A L
1600
1800 1900 1960

1956
1856
1936
ENGINEERING
Empirical Developm
ent
EN
CE
xpla
natio
ns
1970
2.Converging Evolution
1. Side-by-side Evolution
Techniques of
Water catchment
and lift from
Springs, Wells,
Ghanats
Observ
ations
Inte
rpre
SC
tive
E
I
N
CIE
CE
tion
a
stim
Quantitative
2000
Quantitative
Utilitarian Applications
Transient
Deforming Rock Framework
4. Future Hydrogeology
Speculative
Explanations
Basinal Flow
Steady State
3. Modern
Hydrogeology
Origin of Springs
10,000 0
Groundwater: Geologic Agent
GW
Chemistry
1980
Ar
M tes
ec ia
ha n
ni
sm
Hydrologic
Cycle
The two-pronged approach to groundwater-related questions started in times

immemorial. Evolution continued well-nigh independently side by side along parallel paths until the 1950s when, driven by the scientists curiosity, on the one
hand, and the engineers practicality, on the other, the branches began to converge.
However, both branches can also be divided into two subsequent segments of time
for this period. First, the earlier stages, when explanations of water-related natural
processes and phenomena were based on speculation and techniques of capturing groundwater were developed empirically. These stages were followed by the
times when theories and hypotheses started to be expressed quantitatively and with
mathematical rigour (Fig. 6.1).
Along the natural sciences branch, the segment of speculative explanations
stretched into the seventeenth century. The rst recorded questions, and answers,
during this period pertained to the origin of springs, and the hydrologic cycle
(Meinzer, 1942). Great thinkers, starting with Homer in the eighth century BC,
and including Thales (ca. 640546 BC), Plato (427347 BC), Aristotle (384322
BC), and even Johann Kepler (15711630) and Ren Descartes (15961650) speculated that springs issued from water squeezed out of the sea, or from condensation
collected in caves. Meteoric water was explicitly considered to be insufcient to
feed the rivers. In another camp, though, Marcus Vitruvius Pollo (8620 BC)
thought that springs derived from inltrated rain. This view was supported later
l
nmenta
etc.
Enviro
Petroleum
etc.
Agricultural
etc.
Contaminant
etc.
nical
Geotech
Leakage:
Flow to wells
Hydraulics of
in
Multiple Aquifers
Aquifers
Tra
Steady,
ns
ien
Confined,
t, C
on
Unconfined
fin
ed
Fig. 6.1 Overview of the historical evolution of the science of hydrogeology.
246
by Leonardo da Vinci (14521519) and, in Discours admirable de la nature

des eaux et fontaines tant naturelles quarticielles (Wonderful discourse on the
nature of waters and fountains both natural and articial; 1580, Paris) by Bernard
Palissy (15101589).
Quantitative hydrological observations began in the seventeenth century with
Pierre Perrault (160880). He measured rainfall for three years in the Seine river
basin and showed that it was six times the quantity discharged by the river.
Edmond Mariott (162084) veried the results of Perrault, and Edmund Halley (16561742) demonstrated that evaporation could account for runoff into the
Mediterranean. Jean-Claude La Mtherie (17431817) started to measure rock permeabilities and also divided inltration into surface runoff and deep reservoirs
(1791), thus conceptualizing a rudimentary water balance.
Although the rst owing well in Artois was drilled in 1126, the rst recorded
explanations of the artesian phenomenon appear only in the seventeenth century
from Giovanni Domenico Cassini (16251712) and Antonio Vallisnieri (1661
1730), both of whom correctly identied high water pressure in conned aquifers
as the cause. Further attempts to rene the concept (Chamberlain, 1885) may have
contributed to strengthening the notion of absolute impermeability. Nevertheless,
the attention paid to regionally extensive water-bearing and conning strata has
probably, in itself, led to the notion of a groundwater basin (e.g. Slichter, 1902),
with the most fundamental and inuential work in this direction being The Theory
of Ground-Water Motion by M. King Hubbert (1940).
Studies in the chemistry of groundwater, for other than solely utilitarian purposes,
began in the late nineteenthearly twentieth century focusing on classication
(Palmer, 1911; Schoeller, 1935, 1955, 1962) and on factors of compositional
evolution (Chebotarev, 1955; Back, 1960).
The rst segment of the Engineering Science Branch, i.e. the period from
to 1856, was characterized chiey by practical development of implements and
techniques of catching and lifting the water from springs, wells, ghanats, and other
subsurface sources. The start of the second segment, that of the Quantitative Estimations, must be set for 1856, the year of publication of Darcys Law (Darcy,
1856). The equation stating this law triggered an explosion of interest in measuring induced changes in groundwater levels to predict well yields and it led to
the numerous well-known formulas of Dupuit (1863), Thiem (1906), Theis (1935),
Jacob (1940), Wenzel (1942), and so on, all related to ow to wells in the water-table
and/or ideally-conned aquifers.
Whether by fortuitous coincidence or subconscious cross-fertilization during the
mid 1950s and through the 1960s, the notion of absolute impermeability came
under serious scrutiny by both engineers in their evaluations of aquifer and well
yields, and by geologists in their studies of groundwater ow in drainage basins.
247
Hantush and Jacob (1954), Hantush (1956), Witherspoon and Neuman (1967), Margat (1969), and others introduced and developed the concept of leaky aquifers and
expanded it into the concept of multiple-aquifer systems of basinal scale (Neuman
and Witherspoon, 1971, 1972). In the natural sciences branch, Tths (1962a, 1963)
homogeneous unit basin and composite basins of sinusoidal water table were heterogenized by Freeze and Witherspoon who numerically modelled the effects on
basinal ow patterns of aquifers and aquitards of various attitudes and extent (Freeze
and Witherspoon, 1967). The theoretical results were supported by published eld
studies (some early examples: Geraghty, 1960; Pluhowsky and Kantrowitz, 1964;
Kolesov, 1965; and others) and/or purposefully eld-tested (Tth, 1966b; Mifin,
1968). The nal conclusion of both the engineering and natural science sides was:
The rock framework is hydraulically continuous (Tth, 1995).
As a direct consequence of that conclusion, it was soon recognized that hydraulic
continuity results in the development of ow systems on widely different scales of
space and time (Zijl, 1999), and that the systems at each scale may generate natural
processes and phenomena of characteristic type and form. The unifying notion that
owing groundwater is a geologic agent was born (Tth, 1999).
The convergence of the natural and engineering science branches may be considered to have been completed by approximately 1980, ushering in the age
of the mature Modern Hydrogeology. This new member of the earth sciences
is both a basic discipline and a specialty. Familiarity with its basic tenets has
become indispensable for thorough and effective work in most all other geological and geotechnical activities. At the same time, its specialized aspects require a
unique educational and professional background and full-time commitment of the
hydrogeologist.
Modern hydrogeology can be characterized by two principal paradigms:
(i) gravity-driven groundwater ow occurs on broad spectra of spatial and temporal scales;
(ii) owing groundwater is a ubiquitous geologic agent responsible for a broad spectrum of
natural processes and phenomena at and to great depths below the surface of the Earth.
Whither hydrogeology? Having become a mature science, built upon the mathematical rigour of the engineer and the licentious imagination of the earth scientist,
as well as on all the associated skills, methods and techniques that those disciplines employ, major developments or breakthroughs in hydrogeological concepts,
theories or techniques are unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future. Instead,
increasing specialization can be expected with growing numbers of qualied
or hyphenated sub-disciplines appearing, such as: environmental-, contaminant-,
agricultural-, eco-, petroleum-, and so on, hydrogeologies (Fig. 6.1).
Glossary
Absolute anomaly (of pressure, uid potential or hydraulic head): the difference between
the perturbed and the unperturbed elds at a given point in the ow domain caused by a
rock body, where the permeability is different from its homogeneous surrounding.
Absolute pressure: pressure referenced to vacuum, i.e. to absolute zero pressure.
Adjustment time: the length of time a change in energy (pore pressure, hydraulic head) at
one point in the ow domain reaches a specied percentage of the total original change
initiated at another point. (see characteristic time).
Anisotropic: property of rock having anisotropy.
Anisotropy: the property of having different magnitudes of hydraulic conductivity
(permeability) in different directions.
Anomaly (of uid potential, pressure, or hydraulic head): The difference between the
actual perturbed elds and the unperturbed original elds of uid potential, pressure, or
hydraulic head at a given point in the ow domain (caused not necessarily by permeability
differences in the rock framework).
Aquifer: a relatively highly permeable rock unit, or group of rock units, capable of
supplying water at required rates.
Aquifer and well hydraulics or aquifer engineering: the study and practice of water
withdrawal from, or injection into, geologic formations by means of boreholes, galleries,
or other engineering facilities for utilitarian purposes.
Aquifer engineering see aquifer and well hydraulics.
Aquitard: a relatively poorly permeable rock unit, or group of rock units, incapable of
supplying water at required rates.
Artesian: condition in which the potentiometric surface is above the top of the aquifer to
which it belongs. Used also, incorrectly, to mean owing conditions, i.e. in which the
potentiometric surface is above the land surface.
Atmosphere: the gaseous mass, including water vapour, enveloping the Earth.
Atmotrophic: condition of a site poor in plant nutrients (low trophic levels owing to short
subsurface ow paths of inltrated atmospheric water; commonly associated with
groundwater recharge areas).
Base ow: the annual minimum discharge of a stream.
Basin(al) hydraulics: the spatial distribution patterns and intensity of groundwater ow
at the scale of drainage basins and/or their study for utilitarian and scientic purposes.
Bog: an area of organic soil, mostly peat, commonly occurring in groundwater recharge
areas and characterized by acidic (pH<7) and oxidizing chemical, and atmotrophic (poor)
plant nutrient conditions.
248
Glossary
249
Boundary condition see boundary value.

Boundary value or boundary condition: magnitude and/or direction of uid-dynamic
parameters specied along the boundaries of a ow domain.
Boundary value problem: mathematical task to determine the properties of a
groundwater ow-eld in a ow domain (distributions of uid potential, ux, pressure,
temperature, hydraulic gradients, and so on) from boundary conditions.
Breakthrough time or onset time: point in time at which a change in pore pressure
(hydraulic head) induced at a point of origin in the ow domain arrives, i.e. becomes
observable, at a point of observation (applied also to arrival of heat or matter transported
in groundwater, e.g. chemical constituents, contaminants).
Brine: saline formation water with total dissolved salt content exceeding that of
sea-water, i.e. approximately 35 000 mg/l.
Characteristic time: duration of transient condition of the water table (or ow system,
controlled by it) while changing from an initial position to the nal stabilized state
induced by a constant specied change in recharge (100 per cent of adjustment time).
Composite drainage basin: drainage basin with a water table of sufcient local relief to
induce multiple ow systems.
Composite ow pattern: ow pattern comprising several ow systems (common
consequence of water tables of high relief, as in composite drainage basins).
Conductive heat transport: propagation of heat by diffusion.
Conned aquifer: aquifer bounded by rock units of contrastingly lower permeability; if
saturated, pore pressure at the top of a conned aquifer is equal or greater than hydrostatic.
Conservative ow eld: ow eld without internal sources and sinks: the rate of mass
recharge equals the rate of mass discharge through its boundaries.
Continuity equation see equation of continuity.
Convective heat transport: propagation of heat by ow of a uid, e.g. water.
Coulomb failure potential: a dimensionless measure of the probability of shear failure in
a slope. It is dened as the ratio of the maximum shear stress and the mean normal stress
and is considered positive in tension, it is independent of the material strength and has a
range from zero to one.
Darcys law: the basic relation between the magnitude and orientation of the uid-driving
force and the rate and direction of the resulting ow through permeable media.
Darcy velocity see Specic volume discharge.
Datum plane: horizontal surface, z = 0, arbitrarily chosen as reference for measurement
of elevation; sea level is commonly used in hydrogeology.
Diffusion (of energy) or Pressure diffusion or Pore-pressure diffusion: process or
time-rate of dissipation of the waters mechanical energy. It is controlled by the
uid-potential gradient and the diffusivity coefcient, and is manifest by temporal
changes in pore pressure or hydraulic head in the ow domain (denition is applicable
also to other forms of energy, e.g. thermal).
Diffusion equation: differential equation relating the spatial and temporal distributions of
hydraulic heads and ow inside a ow domain to the rock frameworks hydraulic
conductivity and specic storage and to the initial values of dynamic parameters (e.g.,
hydraulic head) on the domains boundaries.
Diffusivity see hydraulic diffusivity.
Diffusivity coefcient (hydraulic): measure of hydraulic diffusivity expressed as the
ratio of hydraulic conductivity and specic storage.
Dimension: parameter used singly or in combination with others to characterize physical
properties and conditions of matter, such as: length [L], area [L2 ], volume [L3 ], mass [M ],
250
Glossary
time [T ], velocity [L/T ], acceleration [L/T 2 ], density [M /L3 ], pressure gradient and
specic weight [M /T 2 L2 ] (see also unit of measurement).
Discharge see groundwater discharge.
Discharge area see groundwater discharge area.
Discharge feature: observable emergence of groundwater to the land surface or the
consequence of it resulting from the physical, chemical, or dynamic interaction of the
water with its environment.
Disequilibrium: condition of a single value or a eld of parameters (e.g., pressure,
velocity, temperature, chemical constituents) in which the values are not adjusted to their
domains boundary conditions.
Drainage basin: an area of the land surface that gathers water of precipitation and
contributes it to a particular stream channel or system of channels.
Drainage divide see water divide.
Drill stem test (DST): technique of pore-pressure measurement and formation-uid
sampling in boreholes by means of a set of valves and ports replacing the drill bit on the
end of the hollow rod of a drilling machine.
Dynamic head increment: the difference in hydraulic heads between the actual (i.e. real
or dynamic) and nominal (assumed static-state) values representing the conditions of the
waters mechanical energy in the owing and, respectively, static states in one single
subsurface point.
Dynamic pressure gradient: difference in pore pressure over a unit vertical length in a
body of moving groundwater.
Dynamic pressure increment: the difference between the actual (real or dynamic,
preal = pdyn ) and the nominal (assumed static-state, pnom = pst ) pressure, representing the
pore-pressure values in the owing and, respectively, static state in one single subsurface
point.
Eco-hydrological: of, or, pertaining to eco-hydrology.
Eco-hydrology: hydrology applied to ecological problems; specically, the study of the
relationship between the type and quality of plant associations and the chemical
conditions and water availability at their site.
Ecology: the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment
including communities, patterns of life, population changes.
Ecosystem: a unit in ecology comprising the environment with its living elements, plus
the nonliving factors that exist in and affect it.
Effective stress: pressure between solid component elements (grains, crystals, fracture
surfaces, fragments) of soils and rocks.
Effectively impermeable (effectively impervious) base see penetration depth.
Elevation head: height of a point of observation relative to the datum plane.
Epilimnic or epilimnetic or epilimnial: condition (physical, chemical, thermal,
biological) in the epilimnion.
Epilimnion: the uppermost layer of water in a lake characterized by relatively high
oxygen content and uniform and high temperature as compared with deeper zones in the
lake.
Equation of continuity or continuity equation: mathematical statement of the principle
of mass conservation, i.e. the rate of mass ow into a control volume equals the rate of
mass ow out of it.
Equipotential line or equipotential: line along which the value of uid potential
(hydraulic head) is constant.
Equipotential see equipotential line.
Glossary
251
Eutrophication: anomalously rich growth of aquatic vegetation due to above normal

inux of nutrients.
Exltration zone see groundwater discharge area.
Fen: area of organic soil, mostly peat, commonly occurring in groundwater discharge
areas and characterized by alkaline (pH >7) reducing chemical, and LITHOTROPHIC
(rich) plant-nutrient conditions.
Flow domain: area or volume within the boundaries of which a ow problem is
considered.
Flow eld see ow pattern
Flow-generated or/and ow-sensitive natural processes and phenomena: natural
conditions the creation or modication of which would not occur without the effect of
gravity-driven groundwater ow (do not include similar conditions not resulting from
groundwater ow). Some examples: potentiometric anomalies; patterns of chemical
composition of groundwater; soil salinization; soil mechanical weaknesses, liquefaction
(soap holes, quick sand, instability of slopes); anomalies in type and quality of
vegetation; uranium and sulde ore deposits; petroleum accumulations; geothermal
anomalies; distribution and type of wetlands; and so on.
Flowing (as in: condition) see artesian.
Flowing well: well in which the water level rises naturally above the land surface.
Flow line: imaginary line representing a ow path.
Flow net: two-dimensional graphical portrayal of the ow eld by the two intersecting
sets of equipotential lines and ow lines. The two sets are orthogonal in isotropic media
and generally non-orthogonal in anisotropic media.
Flow path: loci of points in space through which a volume element of uid moves.
Flow-path volume: volume of rock encompassed by a plume of water transported by
owing groundwater from a source such as a repository of radioactive fuel-waste
emanating from a repository, see plume.
Flow pattern or ow eld: spatial distribution of uid ow in a ow domain, commonly
represented by ow lines, ow vectors and, possibly, equipotential
lines.
Flow regime: part or the whole of a basinal ow-eld of groundwater in which the ow
of water is uniformly one-directional with respect to the water table, i.e. descending
(recharge) or parallel (transfer) or ascending (discharge).
Flow-sensitive natural processes and phenomena see ow-generated or/and owsensitive natural processes and phenomena.
Flow strength see specic volume discharge.
Flow system: see groundwater ow system.
Flow vector: arrow symbol orientated in the direction of the movement of water, with its
length being proportional to the ux, or one of its components.
Fluid-dynamic parameter: a quantitative expression of mechanical energy and/or a
property of the ow eld, such as: uid potential, hydraulic head, pore pressure, hydraulic
gradient, ux, and so on.
Fluid potential (for incompressible uids), = gh = gz + p/: the work performed on,
or by, a unit mass of uid, i.e. the amount of mechanical energy contained by a unit mass
of uid, where: , uid potential; h, hydraulic head; g, acceleration due to gravity; z,
elevation above datum; p, gauge pressure (absolute pressure minus atmospheric pressure);
, density of water.
Fluid-potential anomaly see anomaly.
Flux see specic volume discharge.
Formation pressure see pore pressure.
252
Glossary
Gauge pressure: Pressure referenced to atmospheric pressure, i.e. to one atm., or to

approximately 100 kPa.
Geochemical chimney: a chemically reduced column of earth material marked by any or
any combination of a variety of chemical, physical, mineralogical, microbial, and vegetal
anomalies, called signatures, attributed to hydrocarbon particles migrating from a natural
accumulation of petroleum towards areas of lower uid potential as, for instance, the land
surface or sea bottom.
Geochemical exploration: exploration for petroleum based on observations of conditions
attributed to the geochemical chimney.
Geopressure: pore pressure due to the weight of the overlying saturated column of rock.
Geosphere: the solid portion of the Earth, lithosphere; see rock framework.
Ghanat: tunnel with lined walls dug in the central portions of arid valleys in Persia (Iran)
collecting groundwater from adjacent mountains.
Gravity-driven groundwater ow: subsurface movement of water through the rocks
openings induced by differences in elevation of the water table.
Groundwater discharge: process by which water is removed from the saturated zone, or
the rate or amount of water thus removed.
Groundwater discharge area or discharge area, exlration zone, outow region: a
delimited expanse of land surface beneath which groundwater near below the water table
moves upwards, i.e. towards, the water table.
Groundwater divide: elevated area of the potentiometric surface from which
groundwater moves in diverging directions.
Groundwater ow: movement of water through the rocks openings below the land
surface.
Groundwater ow pattern: set of ow lines depicting the spatial distribution of ow
paths in a subsurface ow domain.
Groundwater ow-system or ow system: a family of ow lines connecting the whole
or part of a recharge area with the whole or part of a discharge area.
Groundwater ow system intermediate or intermediate (groundwater) ow
system: a family of ow lines connecting a recharge area with a discharge area that is not
contiguous with it within a specied drainage basin.
Groundwater ow system local or local (groundwater) ow system: a family of ow
lines connecting a recharge area with a contiguous discharge area within a specied
drainage basin.
Groundwater ow system regional or regional (groundwater) ow system: a family
of ow lines connecting the principal recharge area (water divide) with the principal
discharge area (main valley) of a specied drainage basin.
Groundwater recharge: process by which water is added to the saturated zone, or the
amount of water thus added.
Groundwater recharge area or inow region or inltration zone or recharge area: a
delimited expanse of land surface beneath which groundwater near below the water table
moves downwards, i.e. away, from the water table.
Groundwater regime: the six main attributes taken together and characterizing
groundwater conditions in a region: (1) water content of the rocks; (2) geometry of the
ow systems; (3) specic volume discharge; (4) chemical composition of the water; (5)
temperature; and (6) the variations of all these parameters with respect to time.
Groundwater: water contained in the rocks voids below the land surface.
Halophyte: plant preferring saline soil conditions.
Glossary
253
Heather: a plant (Calluna vulgaris) of the family Ericaceae and/or an extensive area of
rather level, open, and uncultivated land with poor soil, inferior drainage, and a surface
rich in peat or peaty humus.
Heterochronous: adjective applied to a ow eld comprising ow systems of different
ages.
Heterogeneity: the quality of being heterogeneous.
Heterogeneous: rock framework or ow domain in which the hydraulic conductivity is
variable in space.
High-level nuclear-fuel waste or high-level radioactive waste: the highly radioactive
material resulting from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, including liquid waste
produced directly in reprocessing and any solid material derived from such liquid waste
that contains ssion products in sufcient concentrations [ 63.2 Denitions, Nuclear
Waste Policy Act, 1982; United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(USNRC)].
Homogeneity: the quality of being homogeneous.
Homogeneous: rock framework or ow domain in which the hydraulic conductivity is
constant in space.
Hydraulic barrier: part of the rock framework with a contrastingly lower permeability
(of various possible origins: structural, sedimentological, diagenetic, etc.) than that of the
adjacent rock units.
Hydraulic conductivity: property of the rockwater system measured by the volume of
water ow through, and normal to, a unit surface of permeable material during a unit
length of time under a unit difference in hydraulic head over a unit distance. It is
dependent on the waters viscosity and density, thus on temperature.
Hydraulic conduit: part of the rock framework with a contrastingly higher permeability
(of various possible origins: structural, sedimentological, diagenetic, etc.) than that of the
adjacent rock units.
Hydraulic continuity: scale-dependent empirical property of the rock framework
expressed as the ratio of an induced change in hydraulic head (pore pressure) at a point of
observation to an inducing change in hydraulic head (pore pressure) at a point of origin.
Its theoretical value ranges from zero to one and it depends on the distance between the
points of origin and observation, the path and speed of pressure propagation (i.e. spatial
distribution of hydraulic conductivity and diffusivity), and the timing and duration of
observation. Thus it is a function of the scales of space and time at which a given problem
is treated.
Hydraulic diffusivity: property of a saturated compressible rock framework controlling
the rate of energy dissipation (pressure, hydraulic head) in response to a change in
boundary conditions and expressed as the ratio of hydraulic conductivity and specic
storage.
Hydraulic exploration (for reservoir quality rock pods): search for potentiometric
anomalies caused by the ow of groundwater through rock bodies of relatively high
permeability.
Hydraulic gradient: change in hydraulic head over a unit length of ow path, a vector,
taken positive in the direction of increasing hydraulic head.
Hydraulic head or potentiometric elevation: the height of a vertical water column
relative to an arbitrary datum plane commonly chosen at sea level. It is directly
proportional to, thus a measure of, the uid potential in a given point of the rock
framework.
Hydraulic trap: closed concentric, or linear, regional minimum of the uid potential eld
in the XY plane inducing horizontally converging ow of formation water. (Petroleum
254
Glossary
hydrocarbons, if present, migrate towards the centre of the closed potentiometric minima
or troughs and, where water ow turns vertical, normally upward, they are retained by a
combination of slightly permeable strata, reduced temperature and pressure, and increased
water salinity.)
Hydraulically continuous: condition of the ow domain between two point of which the
hydraulic connection is greater than zero.
Hydrodynamic (oil, gas) trap: local combination of the elds of permeability and uid
potential (i.e. ow) effecting or enhancing the separation of petroleum hydrocarbons from
water, and their local retention and accumulation (common in anticlines, monoclines,
pinch-outs, lenses).
Hydrogeologic environment: collective term for the three components of a geographic
region, namely, topography, geology, and climate, that together control the areas
groundwater conditions i.e. the Groundwater Regime.
Hydrogeological reconnaissance map (of Alberta, Canada): Small-scale map
(M =1:125 000 to 1:500 000) showing components of the hydrogeological environment
and parameters of the groundwater regime. (Their intended use is to enable the
evaluation of hydrogeologic conditions on regional scales to be used for specic purposes
according to need, as well as to serve as a guide for effective and efcient continuation of
hydrogeological mapping at larger scales http://www.ags.gov.ab.ca/publications/).
Hydrological (or water-) system (Engelen and Kloosterman, 1996, p. 6): a
geographically distinct, coherent, functional unit of sub-systems of surface water, soil
water and groundwater, subaquatic soils, shores and technical infrastructures for water,
including the biotic communities and all associated natural and articial physical,
chemical and biological characteristics and processes. (Authors note: The boundaries of
such systems closely coincide with those of the associated groundwater ow systems.)
Hydrology: the study of the processes and amounts of water exchange between the
atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.
Hydrosphere: all waters of the Earth in liquid, vapourous and solid state taken together
as an entity.
Hydrostatic: qualier of various properties or parameters of water at rest, e.g., kinetic
state, pressure, hydraulic head, and so on.
Hydrostatic head: height of a vertical column of water at rest referenced to a datum plane.
Hydrostatic pressure: pressure of a vertical column of water at rest in the point of
measurement.
Hydrostatic pressure gradient or normal rate of pressure increase: change in pressure
over a unit length of vertical column of water of specied density at rest.
Hydrostratigraphic unit: a distinguishable body of rock of relatively uniform hydraulic
conductivity possibly comprising components of different strata, lithology and
structure.
Inltration zone see groundwater recharge area.
Inow region see groundwater recharge area.
Intermediate (groundwater) ow system see groundwater ow-system
intermediate.
Interval permeability: permeability multiplied by formation thickness (corresponds to
transmissivity when hydraulic conductivity is substituted for permeability; the term is
used in petroleum geology and reservoir engineering).
Inverse modelling: obtaining distribution of formation parameters (e.g., porosity,
permeability, transmissivity, interval permeability, etc.) from observed distribution of
hydraulic heads, commonly by iteration.
Isochrone: line connecting points of equal time as, e.g. equal travel time.
Glossary
255
Isohypse: line connecting points of equal elevation.

Isoline: line connecting points of equal value.
Isotropic: property of rock having isotropy.
Isotropy: the property of having equal hydraulic conductivity (permeability) in different
directions.
Lag time: difference in time between an initial change in energy (pore pressure, hydraulic
head) in one point of the ow domain and its rst arrival (the onset time or
breakthrough time) at an other point.
Laplace equation: differential equation relating the spatial distribution of hydraulic
heads inside a ow domain to the (temporally invariant) values of hydraulic heads on the
domains boundaries.
Leakage: hydraulic communication, i.e. ow and/or pressure propagation, between
aquifers across aquitards.
Limit anomaly: the maximum possible change in the uid potential due to gravity ow at
one end of a rock pod.
Line sink: sink of linear shape.
Liquefaction: the process of transformation from a solid to a liquid state in cohesionless
soils due to increased pore pressure and reduced effective stress. (Liquefaction is common
in discharge areas and may be manifest by soft quaky ground, quicksand, soap holes,
mud volcanoes, and so on.)
Liqueed: soil mechanical condition caused by liquefaction.
Lithosphere: the solid, rocky crust of the Earth, as distinguished from the atmosphere
and the hydrosphere.
Lithotrophic: site condition enriched in plant nutrients (trophic levels enriched by long
ow paths of water through the lithosphere; characteristic of groundwater discharge areas).
Local (groundwater) ow system see groundwater ow system local.
Manifestations of groundwater ow: observable, possibly measurable, natural processes
and phenomena due to the physical, chemical, and/or dynamic interaction between
moving water in the subsurface and its ambient environment.
Mass ux: mass of uid passing perpendicularly through a unit cross-sectional area
during a unit length of time; specic volume discharge density.
Mesophyte: plant preferring average moisture conditions.
Monochronous: adjective applied to a ow eld comprising ow systems of similar ages.
Mud volcano (considered in the present context only): popular term (Canadian prairies)
for soap hole.
Neutral stress see pore pressure.
Nominal pore pressure: pore pressure due to the weight of a column of static water of
homogeneous density above a point of measurement.
Non-steady state ow see transient ow.
Normal rate of pressure increase see hydrostatic pressure gradient.
Onset time see breakthrough time.
Outow region see groundwater discharge area.
Overpressure see superhydrostatic pressure.
p(d)-prole or p(d)-curve see pressure-depth prole.
p(z)-prole or p(z)-curve see pressure-elevation prole.
Path length: the distance a water particle travels from a repository to the point of its exit
from a saturated ow domain at the water table.
Penetration depth or effectively impermeable base (see Section 3.1.3; Zijl, 1999):
depth below the water table which is reached by an arbitrarily dened proportion
(dependent on the purpose) of a ow systems ux.
256
Glossary
Permeability (unit of): volume of ow of water of 1 centipoise viscosity through and

normal to the 1 cm2 side of a porous cube during 1 second of time under a 1 atm/cm
pressure gradient. It is a property of the rock and not dependent on the waters viscosity
and density, thus on temperature. The unit of measurement is called the darcy.
Phreatic belt: the vertical zone of annual uctuation of the water table.
Phreatophyte: plant with roots habitually reaching the water table and preferring moist
conditions.
Piezometric elevation see piezometric head.
Piezometric head: misnomer for hydraulic head.
Piping: subsurface erosion by groundwater ow resulting in the formation of narrow
conduits, pipes.
Plume: an elongated three-dimensional open and mobile column or band of dispersed
particles such as smoke, contaminants or radioactive nuclides.
Pore pressure or formation pressure or neutral stress: pressure acting on the uid in
the pores or other voids of the rock.
Pore-pressure diffusion see diffusion.
Pore-pressure prole: graph of pore pressures measured in a vertical borehole, or in
different boreholes beneath a limited surface area, plotted against depth or elevation.
Potentiometric anomaly see anomaly.
Potentiometric contour: line of constant uid-potential or hydraulic-head value.
Potentiometric elevation see hydraulic head.
Potentiometric surface: imaginary surface connecting the points to which water rises
(potentially or really) from a conned aquifer.
Pressure diffusion see diffusion.
Pressure gradient: change in pore pressure over a unit length.
Pressure head: height of a uid column above the point of measurement.
Pressure-depth prole or p(d)-prole (curve): pore-pressure prole referenced to land
surface.
Pressure-elevation prole or p(z)-prole (curve): pore-pressure prole referenced to
topographic elevation.
Quasi-stagnant zone see stagnant zone.
Quicksand: liqueed sand (see liquefaction).
Recharge see groundwater recharge.
Recharge Area Concept, RCA: theory proposing that judiciously chosen regional
recharge areas of groundwater have specically favourable attributes as sites for
high-level radioactive waste repositories.
Recharge area see groundwater recharge area.
Reference pattern: pattern of ow or dynamic parameters calculated for ow domains of
given boundaries and homogeneous rock framework.
Regional (groundwater) ow system see groundwater ow system regional.
Relative adjustment of hydraulic head: ratio of the induced head-change actually
accomplished at a point of observation to the inducing total change at the point of origin.
Relative anomaly: ratio of the absolute anomaly to the limit anomaly at one end point
of a rock pod.
Representative elementary volume (REV): rock body of minimum size the hydraulic
properties of which characterize the ow domain considered to be homogeneous.
Return-ow time: duration of travel of a water particle from a nuclear-waste repository
to the water table.
Rock framework: the body of all rocks taken together constituting a ow
domain.
Glossary
257
Rock pod: a three-dimensionally continuous rock body embedded in a rock matrix of

different permeability.
Simple drainage basin: drainage basin with linearly sloping water table.
Simultaneity: the contemporaneous occurrence of different actions or processes at
different locations.
Singular point see stagnant zone.
Sink: location and/or condition in space where uid vanishes or is withdrawn, from a ow
domain, commonly indicated by the termination of ow lines.
Site: place characterized by the combination of conditions determining the type and
quality of the local plant association.
Slough: shallow pond, with aquatic and/or phreatophytic vegetation, possibly dry
temporarily and/or seasonally.
Soap hole: liqueed part of the land surface characterized by local weakness of limited
areal extent underlain by a viscous admixture of sand, silt, clay, and water, brought about
by upward moving groundwater. It can have mounded, hollowed, or at surface, which
may change in time (Canadian Prairie vernacular; see liquefaction).
Source: location and/or condition in space where uid is created in, or added to, a ow
domain, commonly indicated by the beginning of ow lines.
Specic storage: property of the rockwater system measured by the volume of water
that a unit volume of ideally conned rock yields or absorbs under a unit change of
hydraulic head in time due to the systems compressibility.
Specic volume discharge: volume of uid passing perpendicularly through a unit
cross-sectional area during a unit length of time ux ow strength Darcy velocity.
Specic weight: the force acting upon a horizontal unit surface by a mass of unit volume
and density due to gravity. Numerically the specic weight equals the vertical pressure
gradient in an unconned static uid of density .
Stagnant zone or quasi-stagnant zone: part of the ow eld of low or zero hydraulic
gradients in regions of and due to the convergence from, or divergence towards, opposite
directions of two or three different ow systems. The singular point of a stagnant zone is
its theoretical centre of zero hydraulic gradient.
Static pressure gradient: change in pore pressure over a unit of vertical length in a
column of static water.
Static water: water at rest.
Steady-state ow: ow whose direction and intensity is constant in time.
Storage coefcient or storativity: specic storage of an ideally conned water-bearing
stratum multiplied by its thickness.
Storativity see storage coefcient.
Subhydrostatic pressure or underpressure: pressure in water lower than that of a
vertical column of static water of similar density in the point of measurement.
Subhydrostatic pressure gradient or subnormal rate of pressure increase: pressure
gradient in a vertical column of water at a given depth that is less than the hydrostatic
pressure gradient of water of the same density obtained by determining the tangent to a
vertical pressure-prole at the same depth.
Superhydrostatic pressure or overpressure: pressure in water greater than that of a
vertical column of static water of similar density in the point of measurement.
Superhydrostatic pressure gradient or supernormal rate of pressure increase:
pressure gradient in a vertical column of water at a given depth that is greater than the
hydrostatic pressure gradient of water of the same density obtained by determining the
tangent to a vertical pressure-prole at the same depth.
Susceptibility: the tendency or propensity of being subject to an inuence or condition.
258
Glossary
Thalweg: valley line: the line connecting the lowest points of a valley, or stream bed.
Transient ow or non-steady state ow: ow the direction and/or intensity of which
varies in time.
Transient pore pressure: pore pressure that varies in time.
Transmissivity: measure of the ability of an ideally conned water-bearing stratum to
allow water ow normal to its cross section; it is expressed as the stratums hydraulic
conductivity multiplied by its thickness.
Travel time: the duration of migration of a water particle along a ow path between two
specied point.
Trophic level or status: degree of adequacy of nourishment in one segment of the food
chain characterized by organisms that all obtain food and energy in similar fashions.
Trophic: of or pertaining to nutrition.
Ubiquity: the property of being present everywhere at the same time, omnipresence.
Unconned: condition in which the upper boundary of a saturated body of groundwater is
at atmospheric pressure.
Underpressure see subhydrostatic pressure.
Unit basin: drainage basin with two mirror-symmetrical anks of homogeneous and
isotropic rock framework, bounded on top by linear water tables sloping towards a central
thalweg, vertical impermeable planes on the sides, and a horizontal impermeable stratum
at the base.
Unit of measurement: a subdivision of specied size regarded as a whole part of any
dimension. (It is used to characterize and compare magnitudes and states of material
objects and natural conditions, for instance, length: mm; area: m2 ; volume: m3 ; mass: kg;
time: s; velocity: m s1 ; acceleration: m s2 ; density: kgm3 ; pressure gradient, specic
weight: kgm2 s2 ; see also Dimension).
Unsaturated zone or vadose zone or zone of aeration: the space between the land
surface and the water table.
Vadose zone see unsaturated zone.
Vertical pressure gradient: change in pore pressure over a unit of vertical length at a
specied point or range of depth.
Vertical pressure prole: cross plot of pressure versus depth.
Water divide or drainage divide: elevated area of the land surface from which water
runs off in diverging directions.
Water table: theoretical surface in a groundwater body on which the pore-water pressure,
p, equals atmospheric pressure, p0 . (It separates the capillary fringe from the zone of
saturation and is approximated in nature by the elevation of water surfaces in open wells
that penetrate only a short distance into the saturated zone.)
Xerophyte: plant preferring arid conditions.
Zone of aeration see unsaturated zone
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Appendices
The derivations of Equations (2.2) and (3.2) have been reproduced below for the sake of
possible historical interest with slight stylistic modications from the authors original
manuscripts dated 1961 and 1962, respectively. The verbal comments may reect the
freshly learnt English of the immigrant who landed in Canada in 1960.
274
Appendix A
Derivation of the equation for uid-potential distribution in a
small drainage basin of homogeneous, isotropic medium,
linearly sloping water table, and steady-state groundwater ow.
(The Unit Basin)
J. Tth
Groundwater Division, Research Council of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Paper published as:

J. Tth (1962). A theory of groundwater motion in small drainage basins in central
Alberta, Canada. Journal of Geophysical Research, 67(11), 43754387.
The problem is a boundary-value problem which can be solved by the Laplace Equation
and appropriate boundary conditions.
The uid potential for incompressible uids (Hubbert, 1940):
p
=gz+
p0
dp
= gz
(1)
+z
f = f (X )
a
z0
Laplace equation:
2
2
+
=0
x2
z 2
+x
(2)
275
276
Appendix A
Boundary conditions:
=0
z = 0,
0 xs
(3a)
=0
x = 0,
0 z z0
(3b)
=0
x = s,
0 z z0
(3c)
= f (x)
= f (x) = g z = z0 + c x,
0 xs
(3d)
where c = tan .
General solution by means of separation of the variables:
= ekz (A cos kx + B sin kx) + ekz (M cos kx + N sin kx)
A, B, M, N are arbitrary constants.
= kekz (A cos kx + B sin kx) + kekz (M cos kx + N sin kx)

z
= kekz (A sin kx + B cos kx) + kekz (M sin kx + N cos kx)

x
= 0 at x = 0 no cosine terms possible in

=0
x
x
thus B = N = 0
= 0 at z = 0 because B = N = 0
z
A cos kx + M cos kx = 0
A=M
= 0 at x = s
x
ekz A sin ks ekz A sin ks = 0

A sin ks ekz + ekz = 0
A sin ks = 0
for a nontrivial solution A = 0
sin ks = 0
m
k=
m = 0, 1, 2, . . .
s
(4)
Appendix A
277
Hence for each value of m there is a solution.

mz
m x
mx
+ e s Am cos
s
s

mz
m z
e s + e s
mx
m = 2Am cos
2
s
m = e
mz
s
Am cos
m = Cm cos
=
mx
m z
cosh
s
s
Cm cos
m=0
mx
mz
cosh
s
s
= f (x) at z = z0 ; = f (x) at z = z0 + cx
f (x) =
Cm cos
m=0
mz0
2
=
Cm cosh
s
s
m x
mz0
cosh
s
s
s
f (x) cos
mx
dx
s
s
Cm =
f (x) cos
m z0
s cosh
0
s
s
1
1
C0 = Cm =
f (x) dx
2 m=0
s
mx
dx
s
1
=
s
s
f (x) dx + 2
m=

cos
m=1
mz s
m x
cosh
m x
s
s
dx
f (x) cos
mz0
s
s cosh
0
s
To nd rst we integrate the two integrals:

= f (x) = g z = g (z0 + cx)
1.
1
s
s
g
f (x) dx =
s
s
(z0 + cx) dx
0
g
=
s
cx2
[z0 x]s0 +
2
s
0

g
cs2
=
z0 s +
s
2
278
Appendix A
s
2.
mx
dx = g
f (x) cos
s
s
(z0 + cx) cos
m x
dx
s
=g
s
y0
s
mx
m x
dx + c x cos
dx
cos
s
s
0
!"
#
!"
#
II
I = z0
s
s
mx s
ms
m 0
s
=0
sin
sin
sin
= z0
m
s 0
m
!" s # m
!" s #
0
s
s
s
csx
mx
mx
cs
m x
II = c x cos
dx =
sin
dx
sin
s
m !" s #
m
s
0
0
0
cs
m
m x
s
cos
m
s
s
m x
dx
s
s
m x
v=
sin
m
s
u=x
dv = cos
du = dx

=
cs2
mx
cos
2
2
s
m
s
=
0

m s
cs2
m 0
cos
cos
s
s
m2 2
cs2
= 2 2 [cos m 1]
m
m=1
cos m 1
m=2
cos m = 1
m=3
cos m = 1

f (x) . . . = 0
for m = 2n
n = 1, 2, 3, . . .
for m = 2n
n = 1, 2, 3, . . .
s
f (x) cos
0
mx
d=
2gcs2
s
m2 2
f (x) . . . =
for m = 0, 2, 4, 6, . . .
for m = 1, 3, 5, 7, . . .
2cs2
m2 2
Appendix A
279
Substituting the evaluated integrals in , we obtain:
m z
mx
gcs2 cos s cosh s
4
;
m z0
m2 2
s cosh
m=1
s
m x
m z

m=
g
cs2
4gcs cos s cosh s
=
z0 s +
2
,
mz0
s
2
s cosh
m=1
s
g
=
s
cs2
z0 s +
2
m=

which is the solution.

The solution must satisfy the boundary conditions:
m
mx
m z
4gcs s sin s cosh s

= 2
mz0
x
m2 cosh
s
m z
mx
m=
4gc sin s cosh s

=
mz0
x
m cosh
m=1
s
mz
mx m
4gcs cos s s sin h s
= 2
mz0
z
m2 cosh
s
mz
mx
4gc cos s sin h s

=
mz0 ; m = 1, 3, 5, 7, . . .
z
m cosh
s
0
"
At x = 0
#
!
m 0
mz
m=
4gc sin s cosh s
=0
=
mz0
x
m cosh
m=1
s
0
At x = s
" # !
ms
mz
m=
sin
cosh
4gc
s
s =0
=
mz0
x
m cosh
m=1
s
m = 1, 3, 5, 7. . .
(5)
280
Appendix A
"
#
!
m 0
mx
m=
4gc cosh s sin h s

At z = 0
=0
=
m z0
z
m cosh
m=1
s
m x
m z0

m=
g
cs2
4gcs cosh s cosh s
At z = z0
=
z0 s +
2
m z0
s
2
m2 cosh
m=1
s

m=
g
4gcs 1
cs2
m x
=
2
m = 1, 3, 5, 7, . . .
cosh
z0 s +
2
2
s
s
m
m=1
The terms under the summation sign:

m=

m=1
1
mx
cos
=
s
m2

1 x
3 x
5 x
1
1
1
cos
+ 2 cos
+ 2 cos
+ ...
s
s
s
12
3
5
Looking for the original function of this series we nd

s
4s 1
1
x
3 x
x= 2
+ 2 cos
+ ...
cos
2
s
s
12
3

s 2
x
3 x
1
1
x
cos
cos
=
+
+
.
.
.
2 4s
s
s
12
32
We substitute into :

cs2
s 2 4gcs
z0 s +
+ x
2
2 4s 2
gcs
gcs
+ gcx
= g z0 +
2
2
= g z0 + gcx = g (z0 + cx)
g
=
s
(3d)
This equals f (x), i.e. Eq. 5, thus the four boundary conditions are satised:
g
=
s
cs2
z0 s +
2
m z
m x
m=
4gcs cos s cosh s
2
mz0 ;
m2 cosh
m=1
s
m = 1, 3, 5, . . .
(5)
Appendix B
Derivation of the equation for steady-state uid-potential eld
in a small drainage basin of homogenous and isotropic rock
framework and sinusoidal water-table relief (a complex basin).
J. Tth
Groundwater Division, Research Council of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Published:
(a) Proceedings of Hydrology Symposium No. 3- Groundwater, National Research
Council of Canada, Associate Committee on Geodesy and Geophysics, Subcommittee on Hydrology. 1962, p. 7596.
(b) Journal of Geophysical Research, 68(16) 47954812, 1963 August 15.
Elevation (zt ) of any point of the water table with respect to the horizontal
impermeable boundary comprises three segments:
land surface
l
2p
b
P
P
a
theoretical
impermeable
boundary
water table
zt
z0
theoretical
impermeable
boundary
z1
a
valley
bottom
water
divide
z2
+z
x
S
+z
horizontal impermeable boundary
Figure 1. Schematic of idealized domain of ground-water ow in complex basin.
281
282
Appendix B
(i) z0 = const.
(ii) z1 = x tan
sin b( cosx +p )
(iii) z2 = a
; z2 may be approximated by neglecting p , if is sufciently small.
cos
z2 then becomes:

sin b cosx
z2 = a
cos
where a = amplitude [L]

2
radius
b=
= wave number
L
= wavelength [L]
Thus for any point of the water table:

sin b cosx
zt = z0 + x tan + a
cos
For convenience, let:

L
tan = c
;
L

a
L
=a
;
c"
L2

L
cos = c"
L

b
radius L
=b
c"
L2
Then (1) becomes:
(1)

bx
a
zt = z0 + c x + sin
c"
c"

and
zt = z0 + c x + a sin b x
(1a)
The uid potential is [Eq.16; Hubbert, 1940]:

= gz +
0
dp
The integral is zero on the water table, thus reduces there to:

= gzt = g z0 + c x + a sin b x
(2)
This is a boundary-value problem which can be solved by the Laplace equation

(Eq. 1.2). For three of the boundaries the derivatives of , and for the surface (fourth
Appendix B
283
boundary) itself can be stated. Thus the four boundary conditions are:
=0
x
=0
x
=0
z

= g z0 + c x + a sin b x
at
x=0
for
0 z z0
(3a)
at
x=s
for
0 z z0
(3b)
at
z=0
for
0 xs
(3c)
at
z = z0
for
0 xs
(3d)
The geometry of the valley (the ow domain) is approximated by a rectangle but the potential distribution is deemed to mimic the water-table relief. This
approximation is permissible as long as is small.
The general solution to the Laplace equation is:
= ekz (A cos kx + B sin kx) + ekz (M cos kx + N sin kx)
(4)
where A, B, M , N are arbitrary constants. These constants can be found from the
boundary conditions.
Differentiating (Eq. 4) with respect to x and z yields, respectively:
= kekz (A sin kx + B cos kx) + kekz (M sin kx + N cos kx)

x
(5a)
and
= kekz (A cos kx + B sin kx) + kekz (M cos kx + N sin kx)

z
(5b)
It is seen from (Eq. 3a) that no cosine terms are possible in (5a), thus:
B = N = 0.
(6a)
From (Eq. 3c) and (Eq. 5b)

kekz A cos kx + kekz M cos kx =
and
kA cos kx + kM cos kx = 0,
thus:
A=M
k is found from (3.b):
kekz (A sin ks) + kekz (M sin ks) = 0,
(6b)
284
Appendix B

A sin ks kekz + kekz = 0

A sin ks = 0.
For a non trivial solution sin ks = 0 and
m
; m = 0, 1, 2 . . .
k=
s
(6c)
Using (6.a), (6.b), and (6.c), m particular solutions of (4) are found:
m = e
m
s z
Am cos
m = 2Am cos
m
m
m
x + e s z Am cos
x
s
s
e
m
x
s
With 2Am = Cm ,
m
s z
+ e
2
m
s z
m = Cm cos
m
m
x cosh
z
s
s
The uid potential is the sum of all particular solutions:

=
Cm cos
m=0
m
m
x cosh
z;
s
s
m = 0, 1, 2, 3, . . .
(7)
Assuming that the surface of the ow domain is a horizontal and straight line, i.e.
z = z0 , but that the potential varies on that surface according to (3.d.) the coefcient
Cm can be found:
For z = z0
= f (x) = g(z0 + c x + a sinb x)
Thus from (7)

= f (x) =
Cm cos
m=0
m
mx
cosh
z0
s
s
From Fourier analysis we can write:

m
2
z0 =
Cm cosh
s
s
s
f (x) cos
mx
dx
s
2
mz0
Cm = cosh
s
s
s
f (x) cos
0
C0 =
1
1
Cm =
2 m=0 s
s
f (x) dx
0
mx
dx
s
(8)
Appendix B
and from (7) = C0 +
285
Cm cos
m=1
m
mx
z
cosh
s
s
The potential becomes then:

1
=
s
s
f (x) dx + 2
mz s
mx
cos
mx
s
s
dx
f (x) cos
mz0
s
s cosh
0
s
cos

m=1
(9)
where f (x) = g(z0 + c x + a sin b x).

Next, the integrals are evaluated:
1
s
s
1
f (x) dx =
s
s
0

s
g
c x 2 a

z0 x +
cos b x
g z0 + c x + a sin b x dx =
s
2
b
0

g
c s2 a
a

z0 s +
cos b s 0 + 0
=
s
2
b
b

c s2 a
g
z0 s +
+ 1 cos b s
=
s
2
b

a
cs

= g z0 +
+ 1 cos b s
2
sb
s
0
mx
dx =
f (x) cos
s
s

mx
dx
g z0 + c x + a sin b x cos
s
s
s
m x
mx
dx +c
dx
x cos
= g z0 cos
s
s
0
!"
#
0
!"
#
II
I=0
+a

0
sin b x cos
!"
III
mx
dx
(9a)
286
Appendix B
s
I = z0
z0 s
mx
dx =
cos
s
m

cos y dy =
z s
m
0
sin y
m
0
m
s
mx
dy =
dx dx =
dy
s
s
m
z0 s
{sin m sin 0} = 0
=
m
y=
II = c
s
0
(9b.I)

s
mx s
c s
mx
c sx
mx
sin
dx
sin
dx =
x cos
m
s 0 m
s
s
c s
mx s
s
mx
cos
dx
u = x d v = cos
m
m
s 0
s
mx
s
mx s
c s2
sin
du = dx v =
= 2 2 cos
s 0
m
s
m
3
4

2

2
ms
m0
cs
cs
cos
= 2 2 [cos m 1]
= 2 2 cos
s
s
m
m
thus:
for
m = 2n
where n = 1, 2, 3, . . .
II = 0
for
m = 2n 1
where n = 1, 2, 3, . . .
II =
III = a
s
sin b x cos
2c s2
m2 2
mx
dx
s
because

sin mx cos nx dx =
we can write:
cos(m n)x cos(m + n)x
2(m n)
2(m + n)
s

cos b s x cos b + s x

III = a
m
m
2 b
2 b +
s
s
(9b.II)
Appendix B
287
m
m
cos b
s cos b +
s
s
s

= a
m
m

+
2
b
2
b
s
s
+1
+1
"
#
! "
#
!
0
0
"
#
!
"
#
!

cos b m 0 cos b + m 0
s
s

m
m

+
2
b
2
b
s
s

m
s

cos b +
cos
b
s
m
1
1

+
+

= a
m
m
m
m

2 b
2 b +
2 b
2 b +
s
s
s
s

m
m

b + s cos b s m b s cos b s + m

= a
m2 2
2 b2 2
s

m
m
b +
+ b
s
s

+
m2 2
2 b2 2
s

m
m

1 cos b s m + b
1 cos b s + m
b + s
s

= a
m2 2
2 b2 2
s

" # !
a
m
1 cos b s cos m + sin b s sin m

=
b +
s
m2 2
2 b2 2
s
288
Appendix B

" # !
m
1 cos b s cos m sin b s sin m
+ b
a
2 b2
+b

m
m
b +
b cosb s cos m
cos b s cos m
2
2
s
s
m
s2

m
m
b cos b s cos m +
cos b s cos m
s
s
III = a
b b cos b s cos m
b2
(9.b.III)
m2 2
s2
From (9), (9.a), (9.b.I), (9.b.II), and (9.b.III) the nal form of the uid potential is
obtained:

a
c s
+ 1 cos b s
= g z0 +
2
sb
mx
mz
cos
cosh

b b cos b s cos m
2c s2
s
s
or
+2
m2 2
m2 2
mz0
m=1
b2 2
s cosh
s
s
where m = 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, . . .

= g z0 +
c s
2
a
sb
1 cos b s
mz
4 2 cos
cosh

2a b s 1 cos b s cos m
s
s
2
m2
mz0
s2 b2
m=1
2
s
cosh
m
s
2
where m = 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, . . . (10 and 3.2)
c s2
mx
Eq. (10) must satisfy the boundary conditions (3.a), (3.b), (3.c), and (3.d). From
(10) we nd:
m
mx
mz
sin
cosh
s
s
= s
mz0
x
s cosh
s
which is same for both x = 0 and x = s,

as required by (3.a) and (3.b).
Appendix B
289
Further on:
mx
mz
cos
sinh
s
s =0
=
z
mz0
s cosh
s
for z = 0 as required by
(3.c).
To check on the fourth boundary conditions (3d), we put z = z0 in (10), and try
to nd the original functions which, when expanded, form the innite series. Thus
we write the series in separate terms:
(a)
(b)
mx
mx
cos
cos
b

a b
2a
s
s
=
2
2 2
2 2
s
s
m
m
m=1
m=1 b2
b2 2
s
s2
mx

a b cos b s cos m cos
s

2
2
2
m
s b2 2
s
(c)
c s2 cos

m=1
2a b cos b s
mx
m2 2 s
m=1
cos m cos
b2
(11.I)
mx
s
m2 2
s2
mx
4c s 1
cos
2
2
s
m
m=1
Upon arranging the denominator in (11.I), and (11.II), we obtain:

2 s2 b2
m2 2
2 s2
m2 2
2
2
= 2
m
b 2 = 2 2 b 2
s
s
s
s
2
2
Now we write for (11.II)
2a b cos b s
m=1
cos m cos
b2
mx
m2 2
s2
(11.II)
(11.III)
290
Appendix B
mx
2a b s cos b s cos m cos s

=
2
s2 b2
m=1
m2
2
(11.II.a)
This can be written as:
1
2z
cos n
cos z
=
+
(1)n 2
sin z
z
z n2
m=1
where n = m,
(1)n = cosm,
= x
s ,
b s
z= .
(From: An Introduction to the Theory of Functions of a Complex Variable. By:

Copson, E.T. Clarendon Press. pp. 448. Oxford.)
On rearranging we nd:
x b s
cos
1

cos n
cos z
s 1
=
=
(1)n 2
s
s
s
2z sin z
z
z n2
b
b
b
n=1
2
sin

2

cos b x
1
=

(11.II.b)

2b s sin b s
bs
(11.II.b.) is the series in (11.II.a.), so when put back into (11.II.a.) we obtain:

1
2a b s cos b s 2 cos b x
2b s sin b s
b s
2

1
cos b x

= a cos b s

(11.II.c)
sin b s
bs
In looking for the original function of the innite series in (11.I.) rst we convert
the product of the two cos series of (11.II.) into one cos function:

x

x
x
x
cos m cos m
= cos m +
+ sin m sin m
= cos m
+
s
s
s
s
When we subtract s from x of this expression we nd that the nominator of (11.II)
becomes that of (11.I):

x s

(x s)
mx
cos m
+
= cos m
+ = cos
s
s
s
s
Appendix B
which proves that
F(x) of (11.I)
m=1
291
F (x s) of (11.II).
(11.I.a)
m=1
This result is applied to (11.II.b.) to obtain the original function of (11.I):

3
cos m
m=1
(x s)
s
s2 b2
2
4
+
m2
2
=
2b s
2
=
2b s
1
cos b (x s)

sin b s
bs

cos b x b s
1

sin b s
bs

1
2 cos b x cos b s + sin b x sin b s

=
2b s
sin b s
bs

1
2 cos b x cos b s
+ sin b x
=

sin b s
bs
2b s
(11.I.b)
On substituting this back into (11.I.) (taking the proper denominator) we nally
obtain the original function:
2a b s 2

2b s
2

cos b x cos b s
1

+ sin b x
sin b s
bs

1
cos b x cos b s

=a
+ sin b x
(11.I.c.)
sin b s
bs
Going on to (11.III) we nd that the term under the summation sign can be written
as an innite series:

1
mx
1x
3 x
5 x
1
1
1
cos
cos
=
+ 2 cos
+ 2 cos
+ ...
s
s
s
s
m2
12
3
5
m=1

s
4s 1
1
1 x
3x
x= 2
+ 2 cos
+ ...
cos
2
s
s
12
3

1
1
x
3 x
s 2
=
+ 2 cos
+ ...
cos
x
2 4s
s
s
12
3
But
Thus
(11.III.a)
(11.III.b)
292
Appendix B
Which, when put back into (11.III) gives:

c s

cx
2
(11.III.c)
Eq.(10) is solved for the fourth boundary condition when z0 is put for z and
(11.I.c.), (11.II. c.), and (11.III.c.) are substituted:

a
c s
+ 1 cos b s
z=z0 = g z0 +
2
sb

1
cos b x cos b s

+a
+ sin b x
sin b s
bs

1
c s
cos b x

a cos b s
+
xc
sin b s
b s
2

c s
a cos b s
a
cos b x cos b s
= g z0 +
+
a
+
+ a sin b x
2
sb
sb
sin b s

a
c s
a cos b s cos b x a cos b s

+
+cx
2
bs
sin b s
b s

z=z0 = g z0 + c x + a sin b x
(12)
which is the same as (3d). By satisfying the last boundary condition, the
correctness of (10) is proven.
Calculation of parameters (constants) for the numerical evaluation of
equation 10 (selected examples of those used in Tth, 1962b and 1963).
Equations and symbols employed in the calculation of the constants:
a = amplitude[ft];
= regional slope of the water table
= wavelength[ft];

2
radians
b=
= wave number
;
ft

ft
;
tan = c
ft

ft
cos = c
;
ft
3 4
2
a
ft
=
a
c
ft

b
ft radians
=b
c
ft 2
and b are kept constants:

= 5000 ft
b=
radians
2
= 0, 00125664
ft
Appendix B
1 = 0 34 22, 18 ;

c1 = tan 1 = 0.01
293
2 = 1 08 44, 75 ;

ft
;
ft
c1 = cos 1 = 0.999950

a1 = 50 ft;
c2 = tan 2 = 0.02

ft
;
ft
3 = 2 51 44, 66

ft
;
ft
c2 = cos 2 = 0.999800

a2 = 100 ft
c3 = tan 3 = 0.05

ft
;
ft
ft
ft
c3 = cos 3 = 0.998752
ft
ft
a3 = 200 ft
Problem 1.)

a11
=
a1
= 50.00250012;
c1
b1 =
b
= 0.0012567028;
c1
c1 = 0.01
Problem 2.)

a12
=
a1
= 50.01000200;
c2
b2 =
b
= 0.0012568914;
c2
c2 = 0.02
Problem 3.)

a13
=
a1
= 50.06247797;
c3
b3 =
b
= 0.0012582102;
c3
c3 = 0.05
Problem 4.)

a21
=
a2
= 100.00500024;
c1
b1 =
b
= 0.0012567028;
c1
c1 = 0.01
Problem 5.)

a22
=
a2
= 100.02000400;
c2
b2 =
b
= 0.0012568914;
c2
c2 = 0.02
Problem 6.)

a23
=
a2
= 100.12495594;
c3
b3 =
b
= 0.0012582102;
c3
c3 = 0.05
Problem 7.)

a31
=
a3
= 200.0100048;
c1
b1 =
b
= 0.0012567028;
c1
c1 = 0.01
Problem 8.)

a32
=
a3
= 200.040008;
c2
b2 =
b
= 0.0012568914;
c2
c2 = 0.02
Problem 9.)

a33
=
a3
= 200.24991188;
c3
b3 =
b
= 0.0012582102;
c3
c3 = 0.05
Index
(petroleum) migration, 1
adjustment of hydraulic head (pore pressure)
actual, relative, total, 75
anisotropy, effects on ow patterns, 69
anomaly (potentiometric, due to rock lens)
absolute, limit, relative, 60, 62
aquifer hydraulics, 83
Aristotle, 245
artesian
basins, 231
well(s), 130, 151, 231
atmotrophic, 184
Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd. (AECL), 190
base exchange 99
base ow, 90, 121, 182
basin hydraulics, 83, 84
bog, 91
brine discharge, 205
cable-tool (percussion) drilling method, 148
Cassini, Giovanni Domenico, 246
characteristic time (of water-table/ow-system
stabilization), 41, 46
Chebotarev (chemical) sequence, 138
chemical composition (abrupt changes in), 206, 210
chemical precipitation, 98
chemistry and mineralogy (groundwater
manifestations), 107
chronological evolution (of theories), 244
coefcient of diffusivity (see diffusion coefcient),
72, 75
compensation areas, 182
composite basins, 4, 247
boundary conditions, 34
effect of basin depth, 37
effect of local relief, 37
effect of regional land-form types, 47
effect of regional slope, 37
effect of water table conguration, 33
concentration (of dissolved solids), 99
conned aquifer conditions, 177
294
contaminants (in recharge areas), 154

continental salt deposits, 91, 103
cordillera-cum-foreland basins, 49
Coulomb failure potential, 168
cross-formational hydraulic communication (ow),
84, 151
Darcy velocity, 8, 9
Darcys Law, 8
Descartes, Ren, 245
deviations from theoretical patterns, 206
diagenesis, 91, 103
diffusion coefcient (see also hydraulic diffusivity),
72
diffusion equation, 7, 25, 72
dimension, 9, 17
discharge area, region (hydraulic regime),
2, 4, 28, 143
disequilibrium, 72, 94, 97
dissolution, 97
dolomitization, 91
drawdown
available, 147
eco-hydrology, 180
methodology (in), 182
ecological conditions, 186
ecosystem(s), 139, 154
effective stress(es), 100, 113, 168
effectively impermeable base (of a basin, or
penetration depth of a ow system),
26, 43
effects of rechargedischarge area characteristics, 143
municipal groundwater supply, 144
elastic rebound (of the rock framework), 216
electric analogue models, 213
elevation head, 13
engineering science branch (of hydrogeology), 246
environmental effects, 94, 95
environmental management, 142
epilimnion, 160
eutrophication, 124, 157
exploration (for petroleum and metallic minerals), 225
Index
failure potential (eld of), 168
heterogeneous slopes, 171
susceptibility (for), 168
fen, 88, 106
ow
length, 9
line, 4, 139
pattern, basic, in the Unit Basin, 26
patterns in composite and heterogeneous
basins, 33
regime, 28
ow eld
heterochronous, monochronous, 78
ow pattern(s), 3, 129, 132
ow system, 35, 88, 129
ow system(s)
characteristics, characterization, 183
contemporaneous, modern, paleo, relict, 77
conveyor belt(s), 89
depth of penetration, 33
hierarchically nested, 4, 35
intermediate, local, regional, 35, 205
ow-path volume, 198
owing (conditions, wells), 49
uid potential, 3
anomalies, 206
uid-dynamic parameters, 7, 10
ux, 9
frost heaving, frost mound, frost blister, 117
geochemical chimney, 124, 231
geochemical prospecting, 231
geochemical signatures, 235
geomorphology (groundwater manifestations),
114
geothermal anomalies, 91, 120
geyser(s), 91, 115
ghanat, 246
groundwater
basin management, 143
conditions, 182
discharge, 4, 35, 161, 167, 231, 240
divide, 132, 151
ow model, 182, 196, 205
ow system, 1, 35
ow pattern, 3, 4, 132
geologic agency of, 87
recharge, 35, 58
regime, 102
groundwater ow
characterization, evaluation, study, 7, 163
conveyor belt, 89, 94
geologic agent, 91, 247
gravity driven, 1, 168, 180, 236
manifestations, 88, 161
groundwater ow system(s), 1, 129
characterization of, 188
local, 2, 151, 160
modelling, 186
paleo, 243
regional, 154, 194
295
transport mechanism, 88
groundwater ow- and pressure pattern, Alps,
Switzerland, 224
Halley, Edmund, 246
halophytes, 109
head
elevation, 13
hydraulic, 7, 9, 13
piezometric, 13
pressure, 13
head-ward erosion (creek valley), 115
heat ow (geothermal), 128
anomaly, 163
density, 163
heat transport (by groundwater), 101
model, 165
heterogeneity, effects on ow patterns of
faults, barrier, 66
faults, conduit, 68
lens geometry, 61
lens orientation, 63
lenses, basin-scale, 58
lenses, lens-scale, 58
multiple lenses, 65
permeability contrast, 61
sloping beds (outcropping), 57
stratication, 51
three-layer cases, 53
two-layer cases, 51
hierarchically nested (groundwater) ow systems, 4,
143, 191
Homer, 245
hydration, 97
hydraulic
barriers, 208
conductivity, K, 7, 72
continuity, 81, 220, 247
diffusivity, 82
discontinuity, 87
entrapment, 2, 124
gradient, 9, 163
head (static; dynamic), 19
interdependence, 88
section, 203
theory of oil and gas (petroleum) migration, 1, 124,
227
traps, 228
hydrocarbon accumulations, 91
hydrodynamic traps, trapping, 228, 229
hydrogeologic conditions (regional), 129
hydrogeologic environment, 102
hydrogeological maps, 129
hydrogeology, 7
dened, 244
modern, 247
hydrological system, 139
hydrology and hydraulics (groundwater
hydrolysis, 97
hydrostratigraphic units, 132, 153, 203, 217
296
Index
ice
eld, 91
mound, 88
phenomena, 117
In-situ interaction (between groundwater and its
environment; effects of), 93
interface (between fresh and saline water
groundwater), 155
intermontane broad valleys, 48
interval permeability, 207
intracratonic broad upland basins, 48
inverse modelling, 207
isochrone (of travel time), 194
Kepler, Johann, 245
La Mtherie, Jean-Claude, 246
lag time (also: time lag), 41
land slide(s), 174
land subsidence, 148
land use, 182
Laplace equation, 7, 22
leakage (factor), 83, 85
leaky aquifers, 247
lens(es), 58
lens(es) orientation, 63
liquefaction, 90, 103, 163
local groundwater ow-system, 2
lubrication, 100
management (of groundwater basins), 139, 143
manifestations (of groundwater ow), 8, 102
Marcus Vitruvius Pollo, 245
Mariott, Edmond, 246
mathematical models, 7
mechanical energy, 11
mesophytes, 109
midline area (hydraulic regime), 37
Mississippi Valley-type ore deposits (groundwater
models of
contaminants, the Netherlands , 154
geothermal heat ow , 163
groundwater ow effect on Coulomb failure
potential in slopes, 169
groundwater ow effect on ecosystems, Belgium,
180
groundwater ow in nuclear-waste study, Texas,
USA, 205
groundwater ow in nuclear-waste transport,
return-ow times, 3-D, Sweden, USGS , 196
groundwater ow in tabular uranium deposits, Four
Corners, USA, 238
groundwater ow, past and present, the Netherlands,
139
groundwater ow-pattern (3-D); regional, local; in
nuclear-waste study, Switzerland, 201
heat transport, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA,
121
Mississippi Valley-type ore deposits, 238
path-lines of radioactive contaminants, 196
phosphorous transport into lake, Alberta, Canada,

160
rock dilation, effect on, 221
Modern Hydrogeology, 247
mud ow, 117
mud volcano, 114
multi- (multiple) aquifer systems, 83, 247
Nationale Genossenschaft fr die Lagerung
Radioaktiver Abflle (Nagra), Switzerland, 201
natural processes
ow-generated, ow sensitive, 77
natural sciences branch (of hydrogeology), 245
nuclear-fuel waste, or radioactive waste, 188
optimization areas, 182
ore deposits (paleohydrogeology of), 242
oxidationreduction, 98
paleohydrologic analysis (of gravity-driven
groundwater ow systems, 238
Palissy, Bernard, 246
parameter
dynamic, 14
uid-dynamic, 7, 10
path length, 198
penetration depth, 44
penetration depthdepth (of ow system, or effectively
impermeable base), 35
permafrost, 91
Perrault, Pierre, 246
petroleum (oil, gas)
accumulations (groundwater manifestations), 124
reservoirs, 207
phosphorous (transport by groundwater), 157
phreatic belt, 104, 161
phreatophyte(s), 109
species, 183
piezometric head, 13
Plato, 245
potentiometric
anomaly, 66, 207
depression, 210
elevation, 13
minima, 228, 231
step, 209
potentiometric surface (maps), 203
pressure
abnormal, 72, 228
absolute, 15
atmospheric, 12
dynamic, 19
formation, formation uid, 14
gauge, 15
modication, 100
nominal hydrostatic, 21
pattern in the unit basin, 29
prole, 30
subhydrostatic, subnormal, 32
superhydrostatic, 48
transient, 71
pressure head, 13
Index
pressure increment
dynamic, 14, 32
pressure gradient, 14, 180
dynamic, 18
hydrostatic, 14
lithostatic, 17
pattern in the unit basin, 31
subhydrostatic, subnormal, 48, 57
superhydrostatic, supernormal, 48, 57
vertical, 14
pressure gradient vertical, 30
pressure increment
dynamic, 18
quasi-stagnant (ow conditions), 28, 44
quick sand, 88, 114
radioactive waste, or nuclear-fuel waste, 188
recharge area concept (the), 190, 196
recharge area, region (hydraulic regime), 28
reference patterns of ow and dynamic parameters,
51, 217
return-ow time, 198
rock pod (high permeability), 206, 210
saline soil(s), 161, 231
salt dissolution, 203
salt-water upconing (in discharge areas), 154
scales of ow systems (spatial and temporal), 42
sedimentary basin (large), 87
seep(s), 88
seepage force(s), (eld of), 168
sensitivity (to groundwater conditions), 182
sewage lagoon (failure), 151
simultaneity, 96
singular point (of ow pattern), 44
sink(s), 4, 72, 182
site condition(s), 180
slope stability, 171
soap hole(s), 114, 160
soil and rock mechanics (groundwater
soil creep, 88
source(s), 72, 182
specic storage, S0 , 7, 72
specic volume discharge, 9
specic weight, 15
springs, 88
stagnant (ow conditions), 28
standard states (of energy), 11
storativity, 151
strata-bound ore deposits, 238
stress
neutral, 14
study, 7
subhydrostatic (hydraulic gradient, pressure), 216
297
subnormal (hydraulic head, pressure), 224

subsidence (of land), 148
sulfate reduction, 126
sulde ore deposits, 91
superhydrostatic (hydraulic gradient, pressure), 57,
217
Swedish Nuclear Fuel Supply Co/Division
KrnBrnsleSkerhet (SKBF/KBS), 195
talik, 91
tensiometric effect, 206
Thales, 245
thalweg, 3
thermal effects (of groundwater ow), 165
thermal spring(s), 165
time (temporal) scales, 41, 72, 73
time lag (also: lag time), 72, 73, 84
transient pore-pressures, 71
transmissivity, 81
transport and accumulation (groundwater
transport processes (subsurface), 100
travel time (map), 139
travel time (section), 184, 194, 198
trophic (level, status), 258
ubiquity, 96
ultraltration (by shale membranes), 99
unconned
aquifer, water body , 15
underpressuring, 205, 216
unit basin (the)
boundary conditions, 26, 34
unsaturated zone, 15
uranium deposits, exploration for, 237
utilitarian problems (examples, related to groundwater
ow), 128
V-notch canyon basins, 48
vadose zone, 15
Vallisnieri, Antonio, 246
vegetation ((groundwater manifestations), 109
vertical migration (of petroleum), 235
volume discharge, 9
water divide, 2
water table, 1, 15, 26
effect of conguration, 33
watershed, 132
wetland ecosystems, 188
wetlands, 91
work, 11
xerophytes, 109, 161
zone of aeration, 15

Oundwater Flow Theory Evaluation Utilization

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GRAVITATIONAL SYSTEMS OF GROUNDWATER FLOW

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS

Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, So Paulo

Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy

Exploration for petroleum and metallic minerals

to the Department of Physical and Applied Geology, Etvs Lornd University,

1.1 The subject matter: denition, history, study methods

Oil pool with or

Fig. 1.1 Groundwater ow and hydrocarbon accumulation conceptualized by

1.1 The subject matter: denition, history, study methods

conviction by the author concerning its existence or importance in nature. Both of

Fig. 1.3 Approximate ow pattern in uniformly permeable material between the

1.1 The subject matter: denition, history, study methods

Elevation above standard

Elevation above standard datum in feet

Fig. 1.4 Groundwater ow in a simple drainage basin: (a) the concept-inspiring

3.1 Effects of basin geometry

Flow patterns in composite and heterogeneous basins

Elevation above datum, ft

Local flow systems

Line of equal hydraulic

Intermediate flow system

Boundary between flow

Regional flow system

(Adapted from Tth, 1963,

Dynamic pressure increment

Depth below land surface, ft

Elevation of land surface above datum, ft

Line of equal dynamic

(Adapted from Tth, 1978, Fig. 12)

Fig. 3.2 Relation between uid-dynamic parameters in a basin of complex

3.1 Effects of basin geometry

in water levels or pore pressures can be expected when crossing ow-system

Equipotential line: interval other than 10 feet

Equipotential line: interval 10 feet

Potential distributuion on the surface of the

Potential distribution on the surface of

Topographic elevation and head of

Topographic elevation and head of water

Equipotential line: interval 10 feet

Topographic elevation and head water

Fig. 3.3 (cont.)

Equipotential line, interval 50 feet

Potential distribution on the surface

Potential distribution on the surface

Equipotential line, interval 25 feet

Fig. 3.3 (cont.)

Topographic elevation and head of water above standard datum in feel

3.1 Effects of basin geometry

Flow patterns in composite and heterogeneous basins

3.1 Effects of basin geometry

Flow patterns in composite and heterogeneous basins

3.1 Effects of basin geometry

Shallow effectively impervious base for short waves at depth z = d(l

Deep effectively impervious base for long waves at depth z = d(l

Flow patterns in composite and heterogeneous basins

H(x ) (, ) = P(x ) () /(2/) (Kh Kv )g is the nal, steady-state position of

3.1 Effects of basin geometry

H(x ) (, ) = P(x ) () /(2/) (Kh Kv )g is the nal, steady-state position of