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Summary Previous studies on the characterization of hierarchically nested groundwater flow systems have mainly been based on the spatial distribution analyses of groundwater pathways. In this paper, by considering the discrete nature of the temporal behavior induced by different hierarchical flow systems, a new approach is proposed. The core of this approach is to use the critical residence times defined by the late-time peaks of residence time distributions (RTDs) to divide the groundwater flow field into local, intermediate and regional systems as described by Tóth (1963). We first introduce Tóthian basins of a 2D cross section and a 3D domain as synthetic test cases. The feasibility of the approach is demonstrated by comparing the partitioning results given by the dividing streamlines associated with internal stagnation points in the 2D Tóthian basin and by the hydraulic connections between recharge and discharge zones in the 3D Tóthian basin. Then, the Dosit River Watershed in Northwestern China is introduced as a field case study. Using the calibrated 3D groundwater flow model, one distinct late-time peak is identified from the RTD and indicates that the Dosit River Watershed can generally be regarded as a two-order nested flow structure with local and regional flow systems. This approach can be used to identify the volumes occupied by different orders of flow systems in 3D, and therefore opens up a new perspective in the study of the 3D nature of basin-scale groundwater flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We separate the roles of upward discharge and aquitards in flowing artesian zone. • Basinal flow are coupled with well hydraulics to examine hydraulics of flowing wells. • A low K aquitard causes a large flowing artesian zone but low stable discharge rate. • Baseflow reduction is the main source of groundwater derived in flowing wells. Causes and water sources of flowing artesian wells attracted the interest of many hydrogeologists throughout history, however, a quantitative model that satisfactorily considers the roles of topography, groundwater recharge/discharge and aquitards on hydraulics of flowing wells is still lacking. In this study, a three-layer river-valley basin with a recharge boundary is used to obtain the basinal flow field, spatial distribution and transient discharge rates of flowing wells. Even if there is an aquitard separating the unconfined and the confined aquifers, groundwater discharge to the river still plays a critical role in occurrence of flowing wells. An aquitard with lower permeability would enlarge the zone with flowing wells, implying that flowing wells are more likely to occur in basins with continuous aquitards. By comparing flowpaths and inter-aquifer leakages before and after numerically installing a flowing well in a three-layer basin, we find decreased upward leakage in the discharge limb plays a much larger role than increased downward leakage in the recharge limb in the stable discharge rate of a flowing well. This recognition is different from previous studies where the stable discharge rate is supported only by downward leakage from the overlying aquifer. By considering well hydraulics in a basinal background flow field, this study improves understanding of the mechanisms of flowing artesian wells and the interaction of surface water and deep groundwater, indicating that flowing wells are valuable for sampling deep groundwater representative of deep and old groundwater in the discharge area of a basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Multi-scale heterogeneity of geological formations is a rule, which consists of random (local-scale) and systematic (large-scale) variability of hydraulic conductivity. The random variability and depth–decaying trend, a systematic variability, have different effects on subsurface flow, thus on groundwater discharge into tunnels. Little research has examined this problem in the past. Using Monte Carlo simulation and information of statistics of heterogeneity, we evaluate the most likely (ensemble average) discharge rate into a tunnel in geologic media with the multi-scale heterogeneity and uncertainty associated with this estimate. We find that the ensemble average discharge rate is larger than the discharge rate predicted by geometric mean of hydraulic conductivity, and smaller than the discharge rate predicted by arithmetic mean of hydraulic conductivity. Moreover, the ensemble average discharge rate decreases with the decay exponent of the depth–decaying trend, and increases with the standard deviation as well as the correlation scale of the stationary log-conductivity fields. We also find that the discharge rate of a tunnel is highly influenced by the hydraulic conductivity near the tunnel. Furthermore, deviation of the true discharge rate from the ensemble average can be large and increases with the decay exponent, standard deviation and correlation scale of log-conductivity fields. The largest uncertainty of discharge rate prediction in the shallow subsurface is controlled by the variability of conductivity fields and the uncertainty at the deep subsurface is by the depth–decaying trend of hydraulic conductivity. Therefore, accurate prediction of groundwater discharge into tunnels requires detailed characterization of multi-scale heterogeneity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]