Abstract
Facies reconstructions are used in hydrogeology to improve the interpretation of aquifer permeability distribution. In the absence of sufficient data to define the heterogeneity due to geological processes, uncertainties in the distribution of aquifer hydrofacies and characteristics may appear. Geometric and geostatistical methods are used to understand and model aquifer hydrofacies distribution, providing models to improve comprehension and development of aquifers. However, these models require some input statistical parameters that can be difficult to infer from the study site. A three-dimensional reconstruction of a kilometer scale fine-grain dominated Cenozoic alluvial fan derived from more than 200 continuously cored, closely spaced, and regularly distributed wells is presented. The facies distributions were reconstructed using a genetic stratigraphic subdivision and a deterministic geostatistical algorithm. The reconstruction is only slightly affected by variations in the geostatistical input parameters because of the high-density data set. Analysis of the reconstruction allowed identification in the proximal to medial alluvial fan zones of several laterally extensive sand bodies with relatively higher permeability; these sand bodies were quantified in terms of volume, mean thickness, maximum area, and maximum equivalent diameter. These quantifications provide trends and geological scenarios for input statistical parameters to model aquifer systems in similar alluvial fan depositional settings.
Résumé
Les reconstructions de faciès sont utilisées en hydrogéologie pour améliorer l’interprétation de la distribution des perméabilités d’un aquifère. En l’absence de données suffisantes pour définir l’hétérogénéité originaire des processus géologiques, les incertitudes dans la distribution des hydrofaciès et des caractéristiques de l’aquifère peuvent apparaître. Les méthodes géométriques et géostatistiques sont utilisées pour comprendre et modéliser la distribution des hydrofaciès d’un aquifère, mieux comprendre les modèles et mieux gérer les aquifères. Toutefois, ces modèles nécessitent des paramètres statistiques d’entrée qui peuvent être difficiles à calculer à partir du site d’étude. Une reconstruction 3D d’un cône alluvial kilométrique du Cénoizoique dominé par des grains fins, dérivées de plus de 200 sondages continus et distribués de manière resserrée et homogène, est présentée. Les distributions des faciès ont été reconstruites en utilisant des subdivisions stratigraphiques génétiques et un algorithme géostatistique déterministe. La reconstruction est sensiblement affectée par les variations des paramètres géostatistiques rentrés du fait de la forte densité du jeu de données. L’analyse de la reconstruction permet l’identification dans les zones proches et moyennes du cône alluvial de plusieurs formations de sables étendues latéralement et présentant une forte perméabilité; ces formations sableuses sont quantifiées en terme de volume, épaisseur moyenne, surface maximum, et diamètre équivalent maximum. Ces quantifications apportent des tendances et des scénarios géologiques pour les paramètres statistiques d’entrée pour modéliser les systèmes aquifères dans des environnements de dépôts alluviaux similaires.
Resumen
En hidrogeología, las reconstrucciones de facies se utilizan para mejorar la interpretación de la distribución de hidrofacies en acuíferos. Cuando la información disponible no permite captar la heterogeneidad generada por los procesos geológicos, puede producirse incertidumbre en el conocimiento de la distribución de las hidrofacies. Los métodos geométricos y geoestadísticos se utilizan para comprender y modelar esta distribución, permitiendo optimizar la explotación de los acuíferos. Habitualmente estos métodos utilizan parámetros estadísticos difíciles de inferir a partir de los datos disponibles. En este trabajo se presenta la reconstrucción tridimensional de un abanico aluvial cenozoico, de escala kilométrica y dominado por sedimentos arcillosos. La reconstrucción de facies se estableció a partir de una base de datos de más de 200 sondeos a testigo continuo, regularmente distribuidos; y mediante la subdivisión en unidades estratigráficas de carácter genético y un algoritmo geoestadístico determinista. Debido a la alta densidad de datos, las variaciones en los parámetros de entrada del algoritmo geoestadístico apenas afectan la reconstrucción de facies. El análisis de esta reconstrucción permite identificar en las partes proximal y media del abanico aluvial, varios cuerpos de arena extensos que se caracterizan por una permeabilidad relativamente elevada. Se ha cuantificado el volumen, el espesor medio, el área máxima y el diámetro máximo equivalente de estos cuerpos. Estas cuantificaciones proporcionan tendencias y escenarios geológicos útiles para establecer parámetros estadísticos que posteriormente se podrán utilizar en el modelado de acuíferos de dispositivos de abanico aluviales similares al estudiado.
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Acknowledgements
This research was carried out in the Geomodels Institute. This institute is sponsored by Generalitat de Catalunya (DURSI) and Instituto Geologico y Minero de España (IGME) and includes the three-dimensional Geological Modelling CER (University of Barcelona). The authors are indebted to ENDESA MINA PUENTES for providing the database, including original core descriptions and permeability measurements. The Department of Geology of ENDESA MINA PUENTES is also acknowledged for friendly support and field guidance. Financial support from the MCyT-MEC (Proyectos CARES BTE 2001-3650 and MARES CGL 2004-05816-C02-02/BTE) and from the Generalitat de Catalunya (Grup de Recerca de Geodinàmica i Anàlisi de Conques, 2001SGR-000074) is acknowledged. Research by O. Falivene is funded by a MEC pre-doctoral grant from the Spanish Government. Discussions with the colleagues at the gOcad user and research discussion lists and general comments by T.C. Blair are kindly appreciated. F.D. Dominic and O. Fernández carefully revised a preliminary version of the manuscript, which was also improved thanks to the comments by the associate and the managing editors and by two anonymous reviewers.
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Falivene, O., Cabrera, L. & Sáez, A. Large to intermediate-scale aquifer heterogeneity in fine-grain dominated alluvial fans (Cenozoic As Pontes Basin, northwestern Spain): insight based on three-dimensional geostatistical reconstruction. Hydrogeol J 15, 861–876 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-007-0187-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-007-0187-8