Prediction of contaminant transport in fractured carbonate aquifer types: a case study of the Permian Magnesian Limestone Group (NE England, UK).

ABSTRACT: Viruses and bacteria which are characterized by finite lives in the subsurface are rapidly transported via fractures and cavities in fractured and karst aquifers. Here, we demonstrate how the coupling of a robust outcrop characterization and hydrogeophysical borehole testing is essential for prediction of contaminant velocities and hence wellhead protection areas. To show this, we use the dolostones of the Permian Magnesian Limestone aquifer in NE England, where we incorporated such information in a groundwater flow and particle tracking model. Within this aquifer, flow in relatively narrow (mechanical aperture of ~ 10^-1-1 mm) fractures is coupled with that in pipe cavities (~ 0.20-m diameter) following normal faults. Karstic cavities and narrow fractures are hydraulically very

SUBMITTER: Medici G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6689290 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature