Aquifer testing

Detailed sampling can include, but is not limited to, the installation of monitoring well networks. After the wells have been installed, aquifer tests are typically performed. Once the aquifer tests are performed and the aquifer characteristics are determined, time series sampling for a given contaminant, or a surrogate, is undertaken. The combined results of these efforts provide the basis for development of a treatment strategy. Modeling can be used as part of this effort to help determine the best technical and most cost-effective techniques to be used at a site. 

Aquifer test analyses can be conducted by one or several methods depending upon whether the solution is applied to a specific aquifer type and with certain assumptions being made on the hydrogeologic nature of the aquifer and nature of the test. The initial analytical methods employed assume that the aquifer is... 

Types of Aquifer Test Analyses for Unconsolidated Environments... 

Bentall, R. (compiler), 1963b, Shortcuts and Special Problems in Aquifer Tests. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1545-C, pp. C1-C117. 

Jenkins, J. D. and Prentice, J. K., 1982, Theory for Aquifer Test Analysis in Fractured Rock under Linear (Non-Radial) Flow Conditions Ground Water, Vol. 20, pp. 12-21. 

On-site aquifer testing has also been performed in several phases. Typically, pumping tests are performed on newly installed injection and recovery wells to collect data used to determine optimum pumping or maximum injection rates. Monitoring wells are also tested to determine the location or feasibility of injection and recovery wells. 

One of the approaches in evaluating the permeability of an aquifer system is to perform an aquifer test by pumping a well and observing the water-level decline with time in nearby observation wells. In systems of low permeability, sufficient water for a pumping test is generally prima facie evidence that it is unacceptable as a disposal site. Consequently, a new set of "parlor tricks" is needed to define the permeability of those types of media. 

Jorgensen, D.G. (1968) An aquifer test used to investigate a quality of water anomaly. Ground Water 6, 18-20. 

To characterize flow in the subsurface environment, groundwater wells often are installed. Wells can be used to measure hydraulic head gradients, and thus to determine the direction of groundwater flow to conduct aquifer tests to... 

No. 18 Delete any methods not compatible with local conditions. No. 19 Pertinent field tests include drop tests, pumping tests and piezometer installations. Methods of performing such tests may be found in Theory of Aquifer Tests, U.S. Geological survey Water-Supply Paper 1536-E, 1962, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation s Earth Manual (Appendix pages 541 to 562) and other technical publications. If desired, specific test methods may be specified in this paragraph. 

From the C analyses we learned that the hydraulic conductivities calculated from the radiocarbon ages are of the correct order of magnitude as determined in local analyses done by aquifer tests. 

Aquifer Testing Design and Analysis of Pumping and Slug Tests... 

Allen, M. Shapiro. Interpretation of oscillatory water levels in observation wells during aquifer tests in fracture rock. Water Resources Research, 1989, 25(10) 2129-2137. 

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