Vadose Zone Heterogeneity Effect on Unsaturated Water Flow Modeling at Meso-Scale
Author(s)
Artur Paiva Coutinho1,2,
Laurent Lassabatere1*,
Thierry Winiarski1,
Jaime Joaquim da Silva Pereira Cabral2,
Antonio Celso Dantas Antonino2,
Rafael Angulo-Jaramillo1
Affiliation(s)
1 LEHNA, UMR 5023 CNRS, ENTPE, UCB-Lyon-1, Vaulx-en-Velin, France. 2 Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Centro de Tecnologia e Geociências, Programa de Pós Graduacao em Engenharia Civil/Tecnologia Ambiental e Recursos Hídricos, Recife, Brasil.
1 LEHNA, UMR 5023 CNRS, ENTPE, UCB-Lyon-1, Vaulx-en-Velin, France. 2 Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Centro de Tecnologia e Geociências, Programa de Pós Graduacao em Engenharia Civil/Tecnologia Ambiental e Recursos Hídricos, Recife, Brasil.
ABSTRACT
The understanding of unsaturated flow in heterogeneous formations is a prerequisite to the understanding of pollutant transfer in the vadose zone and the proper management of infiltration basins settled over such heterogeneous formations. This study addresses the effect of lithological heterogeneity of a glaciofluvial deposit on flow in the vadose zone underneath an infiltration basin settled in the Lyon suburbs. The basin had already been the subject of several previous studies, some of which demonstrated the impact of soil heterogeneity. But all of them were only based on the sedimentological study of a trench and no study addressed the potential spatial variability of results due to the spatial variability of soil heterogeneity. In this study, we model flow in the vadose zone for several case studies, including drainage, water infiltration during a rainfall event, and a complete meteorological chronic. These calculations were conducted for several sections, previously characterized in the basin using GPR and sedimentological study and compared with a blank (homogeneous section). The results clearly show that heterogeneity impacts unsaturated flow and that these impacts depend upon the section considered. Some geometrical architectural and textural parameters were proposed to explain the spatial variability and effect of the soil heterogeneity on unsaturated flow, thus establishing the first step towards modeling unsaturated flow in the basin at the meso-scale.
The understanding of unsaturated flow in heterogeneous formations is a prerequisite to the understanding of pollutant transfer in the vadose zone and the proper management of infiltration basins settled over such heterogeneous formations. This study addresses the effect of lithological heterogeneity of a glaciofluvial deposit on flow in the vadose zone underneath an infiltration basin settled in the Lyon suburbs. The basin had already been the subject of several previous studies, some of which demonstrated the impact of soil heterogeneity. But all of them were only based on the sedimentological study of a trench and no study addressed the potential spatial variability of results due to the spatial variability of soil heterogeneity. In this study, we model flow in the vadose zone for several case studies, including drainage, water infiltration during a rainfall event, and a complete meteorological chronic. These calculations were conducted for several sections, previously characterized in the basin using GPR and sedimentological study and compared with a blank (homogeneous section). The results clearly show that heterogeneity impacts unsaturated flow and that these impacts depend upon the section considered. Some geometrical architectural and textural parameters were proposed to explain the spatial variability and effect of the soil heterogeneity on unsaturated flow, thus establishing the first step towards modeling unsaturated flow in the basin at the meso-scale.
KEYWORDS
Architectural and Structural Indicators, Ground Penetration Radar, Numerical Modeling, Preferential Flow, Structural Heterogeneity, Unsaturated Flow
Architectural and Structural Indicators, Ground Penetration Radar, Numerical Modeling, Preferential Flow, Structural Heterogeneity, Unsaturated Flow
Cite this paper
Coutinho, A. , Lassabatere, L. , Winiarski, T. , Cabral, J. , Antonino, A. and Angulo-Jaramillo, R. (2015) Vadose Zone Heterogeneity Effect on Unsaturated Water Flow Modeling at Meso-Scale. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 7, 353-368. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2015.74028.
Coutinho, A. , Lassabatere, L. , Winiarski, T. , Cabral, J. , Antonino, A. and Angulo-Jaramillo, R. (2015) Vadose Zone Heterogeneity Effect on Unsaturated Water Flow Modeling at Meso-Scale. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 7, 353-368. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2015.74028.
References
[1] Mikkelsen, P.S., Hafliger, M., Mikkelsen, P.S., Hafliger, M., Ochs, M., Jacobsen, P., Tjell, J. C. and Boller, M. (1997) Pollution of Soil and Groundwater from Infiltration of Highly Contaminated Stormwater—A Case Study. Water Science and Technology, 36, 325-330.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1223(97)00578-7 [2] Goutaland, D. (2008) Caracterisation hydrogeophysique d’un depot fluvioglaciaire. Evaluation de l’effet de l’heterogeneite hydrodynamique sur les ecoulements en zone non-saturee. Ph.D. Thesis, Graduate School of Chemistry, University of Lyon, 241 p. [3] Goutaland, D., Winiarski, T., Lassabatere, L., Dube, J.S. and Angulo-Jaramillo, R. (2013) Sedimentary and Hydraulic Characterization of a Heterogeneous Glaciofluvial Deposit: Application to the Modeling of Unsaturated Flow. Engineering Geology, 166, 127-139.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.09.006 [4] Winiarski, T., Lassabatere, L., Angulo-Jaramillo, R. and Goutaland, D. (2013) Characterization of the Heterogeneous Flow and Pollutant Transfer in the Unsaturated Zone in the Fluvio-glacial Deposit. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 19, 955-964.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2013.06.105 [5] Leclerc, R.J. and Hickm, E.J. (1997) The Internal Structure of Scrolled Floodplain Deposits Based on Ground-Penetrating Radar, North Thompson River, British Columbia. Geomorphology, 21, 17-38.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(97)00037-8 [6] Mumphy, A.J., Jol, H.M., Kean, W.F. and Isbell, J.L. (2007) Architecture and Sedimentology of an Active Braid Bar in the Wisconsin River Based on 3-D Ground Penetrating Radar. Special Paper of the Geological Society of America, 432, 111-131. [7] Lunt, I.A., Bridge, J.S. and Tye, R.S. (2004) A Quantitative Three-Dimensional Depositional Model of Gravelly Braided Rivers. Sedimentology, 51, 377-414.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.2004.00627.x [8] Lassabatere, L., Angulo-Jaramillo, R., Soria Ugalde, J.M., Cuenca, R., Braud, I. and Haverkamp, R. (2006) Beerkan Estimation of Soil Transfer Parameters through Infiltration Experiments—BEST. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 70, 521-532. [9] Lassabatere, L., Winiarski, T. and Galvez Cloutier, R. (2004) Retention of Three Heavy Metals (Zn, Pb, and Cd) in a Calcareous Soil Controlled by the Modification of Flow with Geotextiles. Environmental Science and Technology, 38, 4215-4221.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es035029s [10] Lamy, E., Lassabatere, L., Bechet, B. and Andrieu, H. (2009) Modeling the Influence of an Artificial Macropore in Sandy Columns on Flow and Solute Transfer. Journal of Hydrology, 376, 392-402. [11] Kohne, J.M., Kohne, S. and Simunek, J. (2009) A Review of Model Applications for Structured Soils: b) Pesticide Transport. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 104, 36-60.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2008.10.003 [12] BURGEAP (1995) Study of the Water Table of the Eastern Part of Lyon Area. (In French) Le Grand Lyon Direction de l’eau, Lyon. [13] Huggenberger, P., Meier, E. and Pugin, A. (1994) Ground-Probing Radar as a Tool for Heterogeneity Estimation in Gravel Deposits: Advances in Data-Processing and Facies Analysis. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 31, 171-184.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0926-9851(94)90056-6 [14] Beres, M., Huggenberger, P., Green, A.G. and Horstmeyer, H. (1999) Using Two- and Three-Dimensional Georadar Methods to Characterize Glaciofluvial Architecture. Sedimentary Geology, 129, 1-24.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0037-0738(99)00053-6 [15] Bridge, J.S. and Lunt, I.A. (2006) Depositional Models of Braided Rivers. In: Sambrook-Smith, G.H., Best, J.L., Bristow, C.S. and Petts, G.E., Eds., Braided Rivers: Process, Deposits, Ecology and Management, Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, 11-49.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9781444304374.ch2 [16] Schrott, L. and Sass, O. (2008) Application of Field Geophysics in Geomorphology: Advances and Limitations Exemplified by Case Studies. Geomorphology, 93, 55-73.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2006.12.024 [17] Miall, A.D. (1999) Principles of Sedimentary Basin Analysis. 3rd Updated and Enlarged Edition, Springer, Berlin. [18] Goutaland, D., Winiarski, T., Dube, J.S., Bievre, G., Buoncristiani, J.F., Chouteau, M. and Giroux, B. (2008) Hydrostratigraphic Characterization of Glaciofluvial Deposits Underlying an Infiltration Basin Using Ground Penetrating Radar. Vadose Zone Journal, 7, 194-207.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/vzj2007.0003 [19] Goutaland, D., Winiarski, T., Bièvre, G. and Buoncristiani, J-F. (2005) Interêt de l’approche sedimentologique en matière d’infiltration d’eaux pluviales. Caracterisation par radar geologique. Techniques Sciences Methodes, 10, 71-79. [20] Mitchum, R.M.J., Vail, P.R. and Sangree, J.B. (1977) Stratigraphic Interpretation of Seismic Reflection Patterns in Depositional Sequences. In: Payton, C.E., Ed., Seismic Stratigraphy: Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration, the American Association of Petroleum Geologist, Tulsa, Vol. 26, 117-133. [21] Simunek, J. and van Genuchten, M.T. (2008) Modeling Nonequilibrium Flow and Transport Processes Using Hydrus Version 4.0. HYDRUS 1D. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside. [22] van Genuchten, M.T. (1980) A Closed-Form Equation for Predicting the Hydraulic Conductivity of Unsaturated Soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 44, 892-898.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1980.03615995004400050002x [23] Lassabatere, L., Angulo-Jaramillo, R., Goutaland, D., Letellier, L., Gaudet, J-P., Winiarski, T. and Delolme, C. (2010) Effect of the Settlement of Sediments on Water Infiltration in Two Urban Infiltration Basins. Geoderma, 156, 316-325.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2010.02.031 [24] Heinz, J., Kleineidam, S., Teutsch, G. and Aigner, T. (2003) Heterogeneity Patterns of Quaternary Glaciofluvial Gravel Bodies (SW-Germany): Application to Hydrogeology. Sedimentary Geology, 158, 1-23.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0037-0738(02)00239-7 [25] Birkholzer, J. and Tsang, C.F. (1997) Solute Channeling in Unsaturated Heterogeneous Porous Media. Water Resources Research, 33, 2221-2238.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/97WR01209 [26] Miyazaki, T. (2006) Water Flow in Soils. CRC Press, Boca Raton. [27] Kutilek, M. and Nielsen, D.R. (1994) Soil Hydrology. Catena Verlag, Cremlingen.
[1] Mikkelsen, P.S., Hafliger, M., Mikkelsen, P.S., Hafliger, M., Ochs, M., Jacobsen, P., Tjell, J. C. and Boller, M. (1997) Pollution of Soil and Groundwater from Infiltration of Highly Contaminated Stormwater—A Case Study. Water Science and Technology, 36, 325-330.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1223(97)00578-7 [2] Goutaland, D. (2008) Caracterisation hydrogeophysique d’un depot fluvioglaciaire. Evaluation de l’effet de l’heterogeneite hydrodynamique sur les ecoulements en zone non-saturee. Ph.D. Thesis, Graduate School of Chemistry, University of Lyon, 241 p. [3] Goutaland, D., Winiarski, T., Lassabatere, L., Dube, J.S. and Angulo-Jaramillo, R. (2013) Sedimentary and Hydraulic Characterization of a Heterogeneous Glaciofluvial Deposit: Application to the Modeling of Unsaturated Flow. Engineering Geology, 166, 127-139.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.09.006 [4] Winiarski, T., Lassabatere, L., Angulo-Jaramillo, R. and Goutaland, D. (2013) Characterization of the Heterogeneous Flow and Pollutant Transfer in the Unsaturated Zone in the Fluvio-glacial Deposit. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 19, 955-964.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2013.06.105 [5] Leclerc, R.J. and Hickm, E.J. (1997) The Internal Structure of Scrolled Floodplain Deposits Based on Ground-Penetrating Radar, North Thompson River, British Columbia. Geomorphology, 21, 17-38.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(97)00037-8 [6] Mumphy, A.J., Jol, H.M., Kean, W.F. and Isbell, J.L. (2007) Architecture and Sedimentology of an Active Braid Bar in the Wisconsin River Based on 3-D Ground Penetrating Radar. Special Paper of the Geological Society of America, 432, 111-131. [7] Lunt, I.A., Bridge, J.S. and Tye, R.S. (2004) A Quantitative Three-Dimensional Depositional Model of Gravelly Braided Rivers. Sedimentology, 51, 377-414.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.2004.00627.x [8] Lassabatere, L., Angulo-Jaramillo, R., Soria Ugalde, J.M., Cuenca, R., Braud, I. and Haverkamp, R. (2006) Beerkan Estimation of Soil Transfer Parameters through Infiltration Experiments—BEST. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 70, 521-532. [9] Lassabatere, L., Winiarski, T. and Galvez Cloutier, R. (2004) Retention of Three Heavy Metals (Zn, Pb, and Cd) in a Calcareous Soil Controlled by the Modification of Flow with Geotextiles. Environmental Science and Technology, 38, 4215-4221.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es035029s [10] Lamy, E., Lassabatere, L., Bechet, B. and Andrieu, H. (2009) Modeling the Influence of an Artificial Macropore in Sandy Columns on Flow and Solute Transfer. Journal of Hydrology, 376, 392-402. [11] Kohne, J.M., Kohne, S. and Simunek, J. (2009) A Review of Model Applications for Structured Soils: b) Pesticide Transport. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 104, 36-60.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2008.10.003 [12] BURGEAP (1995) Study of the Water Table of the Eastern Part of Lyon Area. (In French) Le Grand Lyon Direction de l’eau, Lyon. [13] Huggenberger, P., Meier, E. and Pugin, A. (1994) Ground-Probing Radar as a Tool for Heterogeneity Estimation in Gravel Deposits: Advances in Data-Processing and Facies Analysis. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 31, 171-184.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0926-9851(94)90056-6 [14] Beres, M., Huggenberger, P., Green, A.G. and Horstmeyer, H. (1999) Using Two- and Three-Dimensional Georadar Methods to Characterize Glaciofluvial Architecture. Sedimentary Geology, 129, 1-24.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0037-0738(99)00053-6 [15] Bridge, J.S. and Lunt, I.A. (2006) Depositional Models of Braided Rivers. In: Sambrook-Smith, G.H., Best, J.L., Bristow, C.S. and Petts, G.E., Eds., Braided Rivers: Process, Deposits, Ecology and Management, Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, 11-49.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9781444304374.ch2 [16] Schrott, L. and Sass, O. (2008) Application of Field Geophysics in Geomorphology: Advances and Limitations Exemplified by Case Studies. Geomorphology, 93, 55-73.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2006.12.024 [17] Miall, A.D. (1999) Principles of Sedimentary Basin Analysis. 3rd Updated and Enlarged Edition, Springer, Berlin. [18] Goutaland, D., Winiarski, T., Dube, J.S., Bievre, G., Buoncristiani, J.F., Chouteau, M. and Giroux, B. (2008) Hydrostratigraphic Characterization of Glaciofluvial Deposits Underlying an Infiltration Basin Using Ground Penetrating Radar. Vadose Zone Journal, 7, 194-207.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/vzj2007.0003 [19] Goutaland, D., Winiarski, T., Bièvre, G. and Buoncristiani, J-F. (2005) Interêt de l’approche sedimentologique en matière d’infiltration d’eaux pluviales. Caracterisation par radar geologique. Techniques Sciences Methodes, 10, 71-79. [20] Mitchum, R.M.J., Vail, P.R. and Sangree, J.B. (1977) Stratigraphic Interpretation of Seismic Reflection Patterns in Depositional Sequences. In: Payton, C.E., Ed., Seismic Stratigraphy: Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration, the American Association of Petroleum Geologist, Tulsa, Vol. 26, 117-133. [21] Simunek, J. and van Genuchten, M.T. (2008) Modeling Nonequilibrium Flow and Transport Processes Using Hydrus Version 4.0. HYDRUS 1D. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside. [22] van Genuchten, M.T. (1980) A Closed-Form Equation for Predicting the Hydraulic Conductivity of Unsaturated Soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 44, 892-898.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1980.03615995004400050002x [23] Lassabatere, L., Angulo-Jaramillo, R., Goutaland, D., Letellier, L., Gaudet, J-P., Winiarski, T. and Delolme, C. (2010) Effect of the Settlement of Sediments on Water Infiltration in Two Urban Infiltration Basins. Geoderma, 156, 316-325.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2010.02.031 [24] Heinz, J., Kleineidam, S., Teutsch, G. and Aigner, T. (2003) Heterogeneity Patterns of Quaternary Glaciofluvial Gravel Bodies (SW-Germany): Application to Hydrogeology. Sedimentary Geology, 158, 1-23.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0037-0738(02)00239-7 [25] Birkholzer, J. and Tsang, C.F. (1997) Solute Channeling in Unsaturated Heterogeneous Porous Media. Water Resources Research, 33, 2221-2238.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/97WR01209 [26] Miyazaki, T. (2006) Water Flow in Soils. CRC Press, Boca Raton. [27] Kutilek, M. and Nielsen, D.R. (1994) Soil Hydrology. Catena Verlag, Cremlingen.