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“Testing” a Limestone Aquifer Using Water‐Table Response to Storm Water Discharged into Sinkholes
Author(s) -
Michalski Andrew,
Torlucci Joseph
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
groundwater
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1745-6584
pISSN - 0017-467X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6584.1988.tb00426.x
Subject(s) - aquifer , sinkhole , water table , hydrogeology , geology , groundwater , hydrology (agriculture) , artesian aquifer , karst , water well , environmental science , geotechnical engineering , paleontology
The character and performance of karstified aquifers are often difficult to assess, casting some doubt as to the monitorability of waste management facilities located in karstic settings. In the case of a Puerto Rican aquifer presented herein, analysis of water‐table response to storm water discharged to sinkholes allowed characterization of the flow type in the aquifer, estimation of aquifer parameters, and aided in assessing the monitorability of the site. Water‐level data from observation wells have indicated that storm water discharged into on‐site sinkholes produced fairly regular mounding patterns in the aquifer. Such patterns suggested an isotropic character and predominantly diffuse ground‐water transmission within the aquifer. An injection well analogy was used for storm‐water discharge at the sinkholes to analyze the water‐level data and estimate values of aquifer parameters. The case presented herein demonstrates that analysis of transient water levels in response to natural stresses can provide a useful tool of hydrogeologic exploration at sites where sinkholes act as strong and variable point sources. At such sites, traditional well pumping/injection tests may be subject to excessive interference from the sources and lead to erroneous interpretations.