Fiber optics passive monitoring of groundwater temperature reveals three-dimensional structures in heterogeneous aquifers
Abstract Alluvial aquifers often exhibit highly conductive embedded formations that can act as preferential pathways for the transport of solutes. In this context, a detailed subsurface characterization becomes crucial for an effective monitoring of groundwater quality and early detection of contami...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58954-3 |
| _version_ | 1797209444780605440 |
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| author | Davide Furlanetto Matteo Camporese Luca Schenato Leonardo Costa Paolo Salandin |
| author_facet | Davide Furlanetto Matteo Camporese Luca Schenato Leonardo Costa Paolo Salandin |
| author_sort | Davide Furlanetto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Alluvial aquifers often exhibit highly conductive embedded formations that can act as preferential pathways for the transport of solutes. In this context, a detailed subsurface characterization becomes crucial for an effective monitoring of groundwater quality and early detection of contaminants. However, small-scale heterogeneities are seldom detected by traditional nondestructive investigations. Heat propagation in porous media can be a relatively inexpensive tracer for groundwater flow, potentially offering valuable information in various applications. In this study, we applied passive Fiber Optics Distributed Temperature Sensing (FO-DTS) to a group of observation wells in a highly heterogeneous phreatic aquifer to uncover structures with different hydraulic conductivity, relying on their response to temperature fluctuations triggered by natural and anthropogenic forcings. A comprehensive data analysis approach, combining statistical methods and physics-based numerical modeling, allowed for a three-dimensional characterization of the subsurface at the experimental site with unprecedentedly high resolution. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T09:54:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-df5a0d4a66c640aa864739f11bbb8f0d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T09:54:48Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-df5a0d4a66c640aa864739f11bbb8f0d2024-04-14T11:12:05ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-04-0114111510.1038/s41598-024-58954-3Fiber optics passive monitoring of groundwater temperature reveals three-dimensional structures in heterogeneous aquifersDavide Furlanetto0Matteo Camporese1Luca Schenato2Leonardo Costa3Paolo Salandin4Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of PadovaDepartment of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of PadovaNational Research Council, Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological ProtectionDepartment of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of PadovaDepartment of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of PadovaAbstract Alluvial aquifers often exhibit highly conductive embedded formations that can act as preferential pathways for the transport of solutes. In this context, a detailed subsurface characterization becomes crucial for an effective monitoring of groundwater quality and early detection of contaminants. However, small-scale heterogeneities are seldom detected by traditional nondestructive investigations. Heat propagation in porous media can be a relatively inexpensive tracer for groundwater flow, potentially offering valuable information in various applications. In this study, we applied passive Fiber Optics Distributed Temperature Sensing (FO-DTS) to a group of observation wells in a highly heterogeneous phreatic aquifer to uncover structures with different hydraulic conductivity, relying on their response to temperature fluctuations triggered by natural and anthropogenic forcings. A comprehensive data analysis approach, combining statistical methods and physics-based numerical modeling, allowed for a three-dimensional characterization of the subsurface at the experimental site with unprecedentedly high resolution.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58954-3 |
| spellingShingle | Davide Furlanetto Matteo Camporese Luca Schenato Leonardo Costa Paolo Salandin Fiber optics passive monitoring of groundwater temperature reveals three-dimensional structures in heterogeneous aquifers Scientific Reports |
| title | Fiber optics passive monitoring of groundwater temperature reveals three-dimensional structures in heterogeneous aquifers |
| title_full | Fiber optics passive monitoring of groundwater temperature reveals three-dimensional structures in heterogeneous aquifers |
| title_fullStr | Fiber optics passive monitoring of groundwater temperature reveals three-dimensional structures in heterogeneous aquifers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fiber optics passive monitoring of groundwater temperature reveals three-dimensional structures in heterogeneous aquifers |
| title_short | Fiber optics passive monitoring of groundwater temperature reveals three-dimensional structures in heterogeneous aquifers |
| title_sort | fiber optics passive monitoring of groundwater temperature reveals three dimensional structures in heterogeneous aquifers |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58954-3 |
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