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In this study, the ANSYS 2020R1 software simulation is employed to examine the diffusion process of oil leakage and the underground water solute transport law in the Dashagou Yellow River crossing section of the oil pipeline. The simulation results demonstrate that under identical leakage pressure conditions, diesel fuel leakage in powdery, sandy soil is diminished, the emergency window is extended, and the corresponding leakage risk is reduced. In addition, the leakage rate of crude oil is slower than that of diesel oil. After 850 days of downward migration of approximately 190 m, the pollutant reaches quasi-static equilibrium in the big sand ditch. The results of the surface water oil spill analysis demonstrated that the oil film on the river surface migrated for 100 min after the spill, with a thickness that remained between 0.02 and 0.05 mm and a concentration that approached equilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs), which include various petroleum products, are a significant source of groundwater contamination globally. Once introduced into the subsurface, these contaminants tend to accumulate in the vadose zone, causing chronic soil and water pollution. The vadose zone often contains lens-shaped bodies with diverse properties that can significantly influence the migration and distribution of LNAPLs. Understanding the interaction between LNAPLs and these lens-shaped bodies is crucial for developing effective environmental management and remediation strategies. Prior research has primarily focused on LNAPL behavior in homogeneous media, with less emphasis on the impact of heterogeneous conditions introduced by lens-shaped bodies. To investigate the impact of lens-shaped structures on the migration of LNAPLs and to assess the specific effects of different types of lens-shaped structures on the distribution characteristics of LNAPL migration, this study simulates the LNAPL leakage process using an indoor two-dimensional sandbox. Three distinct test groups were conducted: one with no lens-shaped aquifer, one with a low-permeability lens, and one with a high-permeability lens. This study employs a combination of oil front curve mapping and high-density resistivity imaging techniques to systematically evaluate how the presence of lens-shaped structures affects the migration behavior, distribution patterns, and corresponding resistivity anomalies of LNAPLs. The results indicate that the migration rate and distribution characteristics of LNAPLs are influenced by the presence of a lens in the gas band of the envelope. The maximum vertical migration distances of the LNAPL are as follows: high-permeability lens (45 cm), no lens-shaped aquifer (40 cm), and low-permeability lens (35 cm). Horizontally, the maximum migration distances of the LNAPL to the upper part of the lens body decreases in the order of low-permeability lens, high-permeability lens, and no lens-shaped aquifer. The low-permeability lens impedes the vertical migration of the LNAPL, significantly affecting its migration path. It creates a flow around effect, hindering the downward migration of the LNAPL. In contrast, the high-permeability lens has a weaker retention effect and creates preferential flow paths, promoting the downward migration of the LNAPL. Under conditions with no lens-shaped aquifer and a high-permeability lens, the region of positive resistivity change rate is symmetrical around the axis where the injection point is located. Future research should explore the impact of various LNAPL types, lens geometries, and water table fluctuations on migration patterns. Incorporating numerical simulations could provide deeper insights into the mechanisms controlling LNAPL migration in heterogeneous subsurface environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination from light nonaqueous phase fluids (LNAPLs) and their derivatives during mining, production, and transportation has become a concern. Scholars have extensively studied LNAPL contamination, but the role of water content variation on its migration process in the unsaturated zone has not been sufficiently researched. The specific issue addressed in this study is the impact of water content on the migration of light nonaqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) in sandy soils, a critical yet under-researched aspect of subsurface contamination. To tackle this, we employed indoor simulated vertical, one-dimensional, multiphase flow soil column experiments, utilizing the orthogonal experimental method to systematically evaluate the effects of varying water contents on the occurrence state and migration rate of LNAPLs. The experimental results indicate the following: (1) The migration rate of LNAPL exhibits an L-shaped trend during subsurface imbibition and a nonlinear relationship with migration time. The migration rate and migration time of surface infiltration have a linear growth relationship. (2) The residual rate of LNAPL is negatively correlated with water content and positively correlated with oil content in the homogeneous non-saturated state. With the increase in the amount of leaked oil, 40% of the leaked LNAPL is sorbed within the soil. (3) When the water content of the test medium is below 14%, and the oil content is below 11%, LNAPL appears in the unsaturated zone in a solid phase. As the water content increases, the adsorption rate of the oil phase gradually decreases and eventually reaches the oil saturation point. (4) When the water content of the medium exceeds 8%, over time, LNAPL will be subject to oil–water interfacial tension, and the rate of LNAPL movement first decreases and then increases, displaying nonlinear growth. The innovation of this work lies in the comprehensive analysis of LNAPL migration under controlled laboratory conditions, providing results that enhance the understanding of LNAPL behavior in sandy soils. These quantitative insights are crucial for developing targeted remediation strategies for LNAPL-induced pollution in the unsaturated zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evapotranspiration (ET) is a critical component of the hydrological cycle, and it has a decisive impact on the ecosystem balance in arid and semi-arid regions. The Yinchuan Plain, located in the Gobi of Northwest China, has a strong surface ET, which has a significant impact on the regional water resource cycle. However, there is a current lack of high-resolution evapotranspiration datasets and a substantial amount of time is required for long-time series remote sensing evapotranspiration estimation. In order to assess the ET pattern in this region, we obtained the actual ET (ETa) of the Yinchuan Plain between 1987 and 2020 using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. Specifically, we used Landsat TM+/OLI remote sensing imagery and the GEE Surface Energy Balance Model (geeSEBAL) to analyze the spatial distribution pattern of ET over different seasons. We then reproduced the interannual variation in ET from 1987 to 2020, and statistically analyzed the distribution patterns and contributions of ET with regard to different land use types. The results show that (1) the daily ETa of the Yinchuan Plain is the highest in the central lake wetland area in spring, with a maximum value of 4.32 mm day−1; in summer, it is concentrated around the croplands and water bodies, with a maximum value of 6.90 mm day−1; in autumn and winter, it is mainly concentrated around the water bodies and impervious areas, with maximum values of 3.93 and 1.56 mm day−1, respectively. (2) From 1987 to 2020, the ET of the Yinchuan Plain showed an obvious upward and downward trend in some areas with significant land use changes, but the overall ET of the region remained relatively stable without dramatic fluctuations. (3) The ETa values for different land use types in the Yinchuan Plain region are ranked as follows: water body > cultivated land > impervious > grassland > bare land. Our results showed that geeSEBAL is highly applicable in the Yinchuan Plain area. It allows for the accurate and detailed inversion of ET and has great potential for evaluating long-term ET in data-scarce areas due to its low meteorological sensitivity, which facilitates the study of the regional hydrological cycle and water governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Yinchuan Plain, the main source of water supply for agricultural crops is irrigation infiltration. Therefore, the irrigation process, method, and time are crucial for the rational planning and utilization of water resources in the region. In this study, the effects of different irrigation methods on groundwater recharge were investigated through irrigation quadrat tests combined with numerical simulations. The water content at depths of 10–50 cm had a more significant response to irrigation than that at 80 and 100 cm in the intelligent irrigation quadrat. The water content change at depths of 10–50 cm was smaller than that at 80 and 100 cm in the flood irrigation quadrat. The flood irrigation method had a greater impact on the water content in the deep vadose zone. The water content of intelligent irrigation was concentrated at depths of 30–50 cm, with weak groundwater recharge. The water content of the flood irrigation quadrat was concentrated at depths of 50–80 cm, with a significant impact in the vertical direction. The simulation results indicated that flood irrigation had the best effect on groundwater recharge, with an infiltration recharge coefficient of 0.73, compared to intelligent irrigation, which had an infiltration recharge coefficient of 0.41. When the groundwater depth range was 0.65–3.8 m, the infiltration recharge efficiencies of intelligent and flood irrigation were the highest at groundwater depths of 1.3 and 1.8 m. Our findings provide a scientific basis for methods of rational irrigation, which could help save water resources in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heterogeneity of layered soils affects the transport processes of water in the vadose zone. However, the mechanism of soil moisture transport in the vadose zone under heterogeneous media conditions, especially the three-dimensional transport mechanism, is a frontier problem to be studied. In order to reveal the law of soil water transport in the vadose zone under heterogeneous media, this paper constructs a three-dimensional model of water transport using HYDRAS-3D (V 2.x) software through in situ tests of water transport in 3 × 3 × 4 m sample and verifies and analyzes the model. The vertical distribution and variability of soil water content and the temporal and spatial rules of soil water transversal transport at the soil–layer interface were analyzed. The results indicate that after adjusting the parameters in the HYDRAS-3D model using measured values, the simulation results are reasonable, and the model has high reliability. To represent the water content variability characteristics of the test tube profile, water movement in the vadose zone was classified as follows: (I) steady period (April–September, less affected by rainfall), (II) slow change period (January–March), and (III) rainfall rapid change period (June, when the impact of rainfall on the test cylinder was greater). The two largest values of the soil water potential variation gradient, 19.9 and 17.8 cm/d, were observed in the silty clay layer of the test cylinder, and the influence of evaporation and infiltration in the silty clay layer was most notable at the interface. The lateral transport of soil water at the interface was influenced to a certain degree by the layered heterogeneity, wherein the fine sand layer exhibited the most pronounced impact. This was followed by silt and silty clay layers, with the silt layer showing the lowest degree of influence. The research results can provide scientific reference for the rational planning of water resources in the Yinchuan Plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hydrogeology Journal is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) is of great significance for studying the hydrological cycle, agricultural water management, and unsaturated soil mechanics. However, it is difficult to effectively obtain a large number of SWCCs because of the cumbersome and expensive determination experiments for SWCCs. Pedo-transfer functions (PTFs) established using soil physicochemical properties have become an effective method for solving this problem. However, due to the limitations of the establishment methods and the wide spatial variability of soil properties, it is still difficult to establish PTFs in a specific region. In order to establish the PTFs of SWCCs for the alluvial plain area of the lower reaches of the Yellow River, 233 soil samples were collected from the vadose zone in a typical area. These data were used as the data sources, and eight variables including clay, silt content, fractal dimension, bulk density, total porosity, pH value, organic matter content, and electrical conductivity were used as the influencing factors. By applying and comparing three machine learning algorithms, the PTFs of the SWCCs based on the random forest algorithm were obtained. Based on the Gini index of the random forest, the insensitive factors were eliminated and the optimal variable input mode was constructed. Based on the verification, there was little difference between the predicted water content and the measured water content. The determination coefficient R2 is 0.9308; the root mean square error (RMSE) is 0.0447; and the mean relative error (MRE) is 22.40%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The special geographical environment of the Tibetan Plateau makes ground observation of Ground Water Storage (GWS) changes difficult, and the data obtained from the GRACE gravity satellites can effectively solve this problem. However, it is difficult to investigate the detailed GWS changes because of the coarser spatial resolution of GRACE data. In this paper, we constructed a 0.1° resolution groundwater storage anomalies (GWSA) dataset on the Tibetan Plateau from 2002 to 2020 based on a phased statistical downscaling model and analyzed the spatiotemporal variation and driving factors of the GWSA in order to better study the changes of GWS on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. The results show that: (1) In the Tibetan Plateau and 12 sub-basins, the GWSA before and after downscaling show a very high correlation in time series and relatively good performance in spatial consistency, and the downscaled GWSA indicate a consistent trend with the measured groundwater level. (2) The GWSA on the Tibetan Plateau shows a downward trend (−0.45 mm/yr) from 2002 to 2020, and the variation trend of the GWSA in the Tibetan Plateau shows significant spatial heterogeneity. (3) The GWSA changes in the Tibetan Plateau are mainly dominated by natural factors, but the influence of human activities in individual sub-basins can not be ignored. Among the teleconnection factors, El Nino-Southern Oscillation Index (ENSO) has the greatest influence on the GWSA on the Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A granite mass in Xinyang, China, was studied to better understand the features of the link between permeability and resistivity. The permeability coefficient of subsurface media has a certain correlation with electrical conductivity. The following steps are conducted in this method; first, water pressure tests were conducted on the borehole to determine the permeability of the granite mass at different depths; next, the electrical resistivity values of the borehole rock were determined using geophysical logging techniques; finally, three mathematical models were chosen to construct the relationship between the two, and their applicability in the study area was confirmed. The method has some applicability and can serve as a guide for the design of reservoir impermeability. It was discovered that the calibration permeability obtained by inverting the power function model has the greatest applicability and can be applied to the permeability zoning of two high-density logging lines to obtain the characteristic dividing line of 0.5 Lu and 1.0 Lu more clearly and that this method has certain applicability and can serve as a reference for the design of reservoir impermeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rain-triggered landslides frequently threaten public safety, infrastructure, and the economy during typhoon seasons in Zhejiang Province. Landslides are complex structural systems, and the subsurface features play a significant role in their stability. Their early identification and the evaluation of potential danger in terms of the rupture surface and unstable body are essential for geohazard prevention and protection. However, the information about the subsurface acquired by conventional exploration approaches is generally limited to sparse data. This paper describes a joint application of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) with a 100 MHz antenna and the electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) method with the Wenner configuration to identify the stratum structure and delineate the potentially unstable body of a clay-rich slope, the results of which were further verified using borehole data and field observation. The acquired results from the GPR and ERT surveys, consistent with each other, indicate two stratigraphic layers comprising silty clay and silty mudstone. Moreover, the potential rupture zone very likely exists in the highly weathered mudstone in the depth range of 3–7 m, and the average depth is 5 m. In addition, the thickness of the unstable mass is greater on the east and crest parts of the slope. Conclusively, the optimum combination of ERT and GPR is reliable for conducting rapid and effective delineation of subsurface characteristics of clayey slopes for risk assessment and mitigation during the typhoon season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amplitude, an important electromagnetic wave attribute, is considered as a useful parameter to describe the energy attenuation of electromagnetic wave. In this study, SIR-3000 Radar Equipment was employed to investigate the amplitude of electromagnetic wave in medium sandstone with different water content and depth. Results suggest that, with same water content, the decreasing of electromagnetic wave energy with increasing depth can be described by maximum peak amplitude, while, the decreasing of electromagnetic wave energy with increasing water content at certain depth can be described by average amplitude. In addition, energy of electromagnetic wave is negatively correlated to the dielectric constant because of the positive correlation between water content and dielectric constant. This study can provide significant information to the water measurement in aeration zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Spatial variability has always been a hot topic in soil science. Through an example of calculation, we compare and analyse the results of four methods: classical statistics, geostatistics, fractal and multifractal. Given this research scale, different methods have different conclusions. Considering that classical statistics, geostatistics and the fractal method have different disadvantages in application, we think that the multifractal method has broad prospects in the quantitative evaluation of spatial variability. The spatial variability of soil properties has always been a significant research field in geoscience. The types of soil properties cover a wide range, but most studies have focused on the spatial variability of soil physicochemical properties over the past decades. Studies on soil hydraulic characteristics are limited, and most of them are limited to the farmland scale. However, the spatial variability of regional soil properties (soil texture and hydraulic properties) is valuable for the study of sedimentation processes and soil water transport. Therefore, here, the spatial variation of six soil properties (sand, silt, clay content, bulk density, saturated water content and saturated hydraulic conductivity) in the typical alluvial plain area of the lower Yellow River is quantitatively studied, by using classical statistics, geostatistics and single fractal and multifractal methods. This study mainly quantitatively analysed the spatial variability of different soil properties and compared four research methods. Although the coefficient of variation, nugget coefficient, single fractal dimension and multifractal spectral width can reflect spatial variability, diverse conclusions are drawn (on variability) if different methods are used, and the different soil properties show large disparities. These four methods show a different variation order of soil properties, but there are some common conclusions based on analysis and judgment. In general, the silt content in the study area is stable, mainly originating from loess transported by Yellow River erosion, which is also reflected in the Kriging interpolation maps under the geostatistical models. The variation in bulk density and saturated water content is weak, and the spatial variability of sand and clay content is moderate. In addition, the saturated hydraulic conductivity fluctuates violently. This may be related to the differences in local topography, human activity and the content of sand and clay, each of which significantly affects the saturated hydraulic conductivity. Classical statistics has a limitation because it fails to corelate with spatial location. Due to the small sample capacity and calculation error of lag distance, the accuracy of geostatistics and single fractal dimensions needs to be improved. Multifractal spectral analysis does not need to consider the normality of data and can quantitatively represent local characteristics; therefore, its results have high reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of atmospheric precipitation on heavy metal accumulation and deactivation amendment in wheat surrounding a lead smelter were studied. The total precipitation amounts of Cd, Pb, and As in an in situ test were noticeably more than their amounts in an off-site test over the entire growing period of wheat. In the same soil-wheat system, the heavy metal concentrations of wheat leaves in the off-site test were significantly lower than those in the in situ test near the lead smelter. Specifically, Cd, Pb, and As were 53.1%, 89.2%, and 85.7% less, without the amendment of the heavy metal deactivator (HMD). Meanwhile, the deactivation effect improved in the off-site test, resulting in the respective Cd, Pb, and As decreases of 6.0%, 46.3%, and 22.1% more, compared with it in the in situ test. The changes in heavy metal concentrations of wheat grains were consistent with those of wheat leaves. The concentrations of Cd and Pb in the off-site test were 10.7% and 91.0% lower than the in situ values, without the amendment of the HMD, and deactivation effect also had enhanced, with Cd and Pb decreasing by 1.3% and 9.6% more. The heavy metal concentrations of wheat leaves in the indoor pot test were significantly lower than those in the in situ test, with Cd, Pb, and As 74.4%–87.3%, 95.6%–97.0%, and 86.2%–87.4% less, respectively. After repeated leaf-washing treatment, the effect of HMD amendment was further enhanced, with Cd, Pb, and As decreasing by 30.8%, 33.6%, and 34.7%, respectively. All tests conducted indicate atmospheric precipitation is the controlling pollution source. Deactivation amendment can reduce the heavy metal concentrations of wheat leaves and grains, even in the presence of precipitation contamination, although the presence of precipitation reduces the effect of HMD amendment. Repeated leaf-washing can enhance the effect of HMD amendment and decrease the accumulation of heavy metals from atmospheric precipitation in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hydrogeology Journal is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Understanding natural flows in porous media with low Reynolds number (Re) has significant implications for both science and engineering. However, knowledge and experimental gaps remain regarding such natural flows. In this context, we designed a sand column-based laboratory filtration experiment to investigate flow characteristics in porous media with low Re. Four media were considered including two silts (silt-I and silt-II), one silty sand, and one medium sand. Results show that constant hydraulic head is presumed to be an important factor that affects flow regime in porous media. In general, the flow approaches Darcian at a constant hydraulic head of ~170 cm, whereas it becomes non-Darcian at a constant hydraulic head of ~230 cm. The type of media determines the Re range that delimitates between Darcy and non-Darcy flows. Specifically, the transition appears at 0.015 < Re < 0.020 for medium sand and 0.000027 < Re < 0.000029 for silt-II, respectively. In the condition of constant hydraulic heads, the breakdown of Darcy's law may occur at very low Re values (Re→0). Media dependent Re ranges are probably needed to describe the beginning of non-Darcy flows, rather than 1 to 10 or other value for all media. Findings in this study can offer insights into calculation and simulation of flows in low-permeability reservoirs, pumping process of foundation pit excavation, and other non-Darcy flows in low-permeability media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]