PNNL

Abstract

A well-characterized field site along a major river corridor was used to investigate the dynamic pathways and impacts of subsurface hydrogeologic structures on kilometer-scale hydrologic exchange flows between river water and groundwater. A aqueous uranium (Uaq) plume exists at the site that discharges to the Columbia River. We performed temporally intensive monitoring of specific conductance (SpC) and Uaq concentrations within the plume at increasing distances from the river shoreline and at locations both within and outside a presumed subsurface pathway of lateral hydrologic exchange. Specific conductance and Uaq were utilized as in-situ tracers of hydrologic exchange and associated groundwater-surface water mixing. Monitoring data was collected for an approximate two year period during which seasonal river elevations varied by more than 2 m causing distinct events of river water intrusion and retreat from the near-shore aquifer, and large temporal variations in well-water analyte concentrations. Statistical clustering analysis was applied to identify well groupings exhibiting common time series behaviors. PFLOTRAN was implemented within a modeling domain of 3.3 x 1.9 km with dynamic flow boundary conditions and accurate subsurface topography for the basal aquitard underlying the aquifer. In-silico calculations of river water tracer behavior were performed to assess predominant flow directions and velocities influenced by river stage variations and variable aquitard topography, and their collective influences on SpC and Uaq concentrations. We demonstrate complicated multidirectional flow behaviors at the kilometer scale resulting from hydrologic exchange and subsurface structure that influence plume dynamics and determine the overall system behavior.