Delineation of connectivity structures in 2‐D heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity fields. Issue 7 (3rd July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tyukhova, Alina R.; Kinzelbach, Wolfgang; Willmann, Matthias
• Is Part Of: Water resources research. Volume 51:Issue 7(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 5846
• Page End: 5854
• Publication Date: 2015-07-03
• Subjects: connectivity structures -- path of the smallest resistance; Hydrology -- Periodicals; 333.91
• DOI: 10.1002/2014WR015283
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1397

Abstract

Abstract: Connectivity is a critical aquifer property controlling anomalous transport behavior at large scales. But connectivity cannot be easily defined in a continuous field based on information of the hydraulic conductivity alone. We conceptualize it as a connecting structure—a connected subset of a continuous hydraulic conductivity field that consists of paths of least hydraulic resistance. We develop a simple and robust numerical method to delineate the connectivity structure using information of the hydraulic conductivity field only. First, the topology of the connectivity structure is determined by finding the path(s) of least resistance between two opposite boundaries. And second, a series of connectivity structures are created by inflating and shrinking the individual channels. Finally, we apply this methodology to different heterogeneous fields. We show that our method captures the main flow channels as well as the pathways of early time solute arrivals. We find our method informative to study connectivity in 2‐D heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity fields. Key Points: Numerical algorithm to delineate connected channels without flow and transport simulation Channels provide main flux and early solute arrival