Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

Publication Date

5-1-2016

Abstract

A subsurface model was developed to characterize the influence of heterogeneity on solute phase plume migration of the Jet Fuel spill of Kirtland Air Force Base. Core –logs from KAFB boreholes were compiled, and lithology was interpolated across the study area using transition probability geostatistics (T-PROGS). High conductivity materials in the travel path resulted in a faster than average breakthrough time while, if low conductivity materials were placed in the travel path, particles were either forced to divert around the low K material, which added time and changed the direction of travel, or were forced by the hydraulic gradient to move through the materials, which also added travel time. Because these models indicate that material placement and facies dimensions significantly affect particle path, well arrival time, and breakthrough arrival time, heterogeneity should not be neglected when building groundwater models to predict movement of the KAFB Bulk Fuels Facility saturated plume.

Degree Name

Earth and Planetary Sciences

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

First Committee Member (Chair)

Smith, Gary

Second Committee Member

Scuderi, Louis

Project Sponsors

The New Mexico Geological Society

Language

English

Keywords

Heterogeneity, Water, Groundwater, Groundwater Modeling, Geostatistics, Modeling, Kirtland Air Force Base, Jet Fuel, MODFLOW, Hydrology, Hydrogeology, New Mexico, Albuquerque

Document Type

Thesis

Appendix_IV_Borelog_etc_Access_Database_Gatzmiller_Thesis.accdb (2424 kB)
All KAFB Borelog and Core Access Database

gatz-miller-file-2.pdf (12114 kB)
All MODFLOW Models

Share

COinS