Probabilistic inference of fracture-scale flow paths and aperture distribution from hydrogeophysically-monitored tracer tests

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Serval ID
serval:BIB_693BBA4A58AA
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Probabilistic inference of fracture-scale flow paths and aperture distribution from hydrogeophysically-monitored tracer tests
Journal
Journal of Hydrology
Author(s)
Shakas A., Linde N., Le Borgne T., Bour O.
ISSN
0022-1694
ISSN-L
1879-2707
Publication state
Published
Issued date
12/2018
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
567
Pages
305-319
Language
english
Abstract
Fracture-scale heterogeneity plays an important role in driving dispersion, mixing and heat transfer in fractured rocks. Current approaches to characterize fracture scale flow and transport processes largely rely on indirect information based on the interpretation of tracer tests. Geophysical techniques used in parallel with tracer tests can offer time-lapse images indicative of the migration of electrically-conductive tracers away from the injection location. In this study, we present a methodology to invert time-lapse ground penetrating radar reflection monitoring data acquired during a push-pull tracer test to infer fracture-scale transport patterns and aperture distribution. We do this by using a probabilistic inversion based on a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. After demonstration on a synthetic dataset, we apply the new inversion method to field data. Our main findings are that the marginal distribution of local fracture apertures is well resolved and that the field site is characterized by strong flow channeling, which is consistent with interpretations of heat tracer tests in the same injection fracture.
Keywords
Water Science and Technology
Publisher's website
Create date
19/12/2018 16:57
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:24
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