Model data and procedure for a numerical investigation of the effects of model parameterization on the delineation of source protection zones under uncertainty
Description
This dataset contains the model procedure used in the case study of "A numerical investigation of the effects of model parameterization on the delineation of source protection zones under uncertainty". Source protection zone delineation has evolved over the past decades from fixed radius or analytical and numerical methods which do not consider uncertainty, to more complex stochastic numerical approaches where uncertainties are often considered within a Monte Carlo framework. Representation of aquifer heterogeneity in such approaches is based on geostatistical representation of hydraulic properties. In this paper we explored options for delineating a source protection zone, while considering the inherent uncertainty involved in characterizing hydraulic conductivity. We considered a representative pumping well in an unconfined alluvial aquifer under steady-state flow conditions, with the hydraulic conductivity distribution inferred from borehole lithology data in the West Melton area near Christchurch, New Zealand. Borehole data was obtained from the ECan Wells database, freely available online. Lithologies are categorized according to their inferred hydraulic flow and transport properties, using two to four hydrofacies groupings. Probabilistic source protection zones are determined for alternative lithology categorization scheme and hydrofacies conductivity parameterization methods. The dataset contains the required files to reproduce the results using hydrofacies hydraulic conductivity calibration method 1 (from Table 1 in the paper) and for either lithology schemes 3a and 3b (shown in Figures 2 and 4). The dataset includes model files for modflow and modpath, and post-processing methods to generate probabilistic source protection zones. Further information can be found in the README.txt file in the dataset.