The invention of partitioning well pipe to observe solute transport in aquifers: Laboratory sandbox and synthetic studies

According to previous studies, the spatial distribution accuracy of hydrogeological parameters will directly affect the geological assessment and prediction of solute transport in aquifers. In order to describe the heterogeneity of aquifers, Hydraulic conductivity (K) and the specific storage coefficient (S_s) are among the essential hydrogeological parameters as the traditional sampling method consumes construction cost and time. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to design a multi-stage concentric well pipe, which can measure the water level at different depths in a single well pipe. To thoroughly evaluate the delicate characteristics of heterogeneous aquifers, a three-dimensional (3-D) sandbox model will be used to simulate the real underground environment for pumping experiments, and the distribution field of hydrogeological parameters will be estimated by hydraulic tomography (HT). Finally, simulation of the pollution flow direction at the heterogeneous underground field is constructed by VSAFT3. Our study highlights the importance of analyzing the characteristics of groundwater geology parameters by vertical and horizontal. And through the numerical simulation and the real field fitting of the sand box. It is proved that the partitioning well pipe can accurately estimate the 3-D field of hydrogeological parameters and can effectively predict solute transport. This research will significantly contribute to the future analysis of changes in regional flow fields, groundwater replenishment patterns, and control of the diffusion of underground pollution.