ORCID Profile
0000-0002-6332-7815
Current Organisations
KU Leuven
,
University of Liège
,
Université de Liège
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Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 14-03-2022
DOI: 10.5194/HESS-2022-95
Abstract: Abstract. Essentially all hydrogeological processes are strongly influenced by the subsurface spatial heterogeneity and the temporal variation of environmental conditions, hydraulic properties, and solute concentrations. This spatial and temporal variability needs to be considered when studying hydrogeological processes in order to employ adequate mechanistic models or perform upscaling. The scale at which a hydrogeological system should be characterized in terms of its spatial heterogeneity and temporal dynamics depends on the studied process and it is not always necessary to consider the full complexity. In this paper, we identify a series of hydrogeological processes for which an approach coupling the monitoring of spatial and temporal variability, including 4D imaging, is often necessary: (1) groundwater fluxes that control (2) solute transport, mixing and reaction processes, (3) vadose zone dynamics, and (4) surface-subsurface water interaction occurring at the interface between different subsurface compartments. We first identify the main challenges related to the coupling of spatial and temporal fluctuations for these processes. Then, we highlight some recent innovations that have led to significant breakthroughs in this domain. We finally discuss how spatial and temporal fluctuations affect our ability to accurately model them and predict their behavior. We thus advocate a more systematic characterization of the dynamic nature of subsurface processes, and the harmonization of open databases to store hydrogeological data sets in their four-dimensional components, for answering emerging scientific question and addressing key societal issues.
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 28-03-2022
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU22-10450
Abstract: & & The hillslope-stream connectivity, an important contributor to streamflow generation and surface water quality, depends both on the surface networks and the subsurface structure. The connectivity is dynamic and affected by certain processes (meteorological events) and local site conditions and it may have coupled or decoupled accordingly. Compared to factors affecting the surface networks such as vegetation or slope, subsurface connectivity is challenging to assess because of the limited availability of direct observations. In this context, the present study explored the potential of time-lapse ground-penetrating radar to quantify this connectivity together with in situ soil moisture measurements at a small hillslope in Capetinga stream, Brasilia, Brazil. The study period covers the dry and wetting periods from August 2015 to February 2016.& & & & Geophysical surveys were conducted using 200 MHz and 400 MHz antennas with the approximate depths of investigation 4m and 9m respectively, covering an area of approximately 200 m& sup& & /sup& in the considered watershed. Data were acquired along five parallel profiles and one orthogonal profile to the Capetinga stream. At different locations on these profiles, the soil moisture was estimated at different depths using gravimetric and time-domain reflectometry probes to compare both direct and indirect data. This configuration allowed the characterization of the subsurface as well as the change in degree of moisture in different seasons.& & & & A multi-attribute analysis, including coherence, energy and litude of the signals was applied to the dataset at considered time scales to highlight the discontinuities of the subsurface in terms of structures and water content. Additionally, a Hilbert transform analysis provided an extra layer to achieve the study objectives.& & & & The present study demonstrates that time-lapse GPR surveys together with in situ data offer a practical and nondestructive way of understanding complex subsurface flow processes across the landscape that lead to hillslope-stream connectivity in the field. This study is an initial step to understand the cerrado environment that is a unit of essential landscape at the watershed scale.& & & & & strong& Keywords: & /strong& Attribute analysis & non-invasive Hilbert transportation time-domain reflectometry& & & & & & &
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 28-12-2021
DOI: 10.3390/MIN11010028
Abstract: Mine wastes and tailings derived from historical processing may contain significant contents of valuable metals due to processing being less efficient in the past. The Plombières tailings pond in eastern Belgium was selected as a case study to determine mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the different mine waste materials found at the site. Four types of material were classified: soil, metallurgical waste, brown tailings and yellow tailings. The distribution of the mine wastes was investigated with drill holes, pit-holes and geophysical methods. S les of the materials were assessed with grain size analysis, and mineralogical and geochemical techniques. The mine wastes dominantly consist of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3. The cover material, comprising soil and metallurgical waste is highly heterogeneous in terms of mineralogy, geochemistry and grain size. The metallurgical waste has a high concentration of metals (Zn: 0.1 to 24 wt.% and Pb: 0.1 to 10.1 wt.%). In the tailings materials, Pb and Zn vary from 10 ppm to 8.5 wt.% and from 51 ppm to 4 wt.%, respectively. The mining wastes comprises mainly quartz, amorphous phases and phyllosilicates, with minor contents of Fe-oxide and Pb- and Zn-bearing minerals. Based on the mineralogical and geochemical properties, the different potential applications of the four waste material types were determined. Additionally, the theoretical economic potential of Pb and Zn in the mine wastes was estimated.
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 12-01-2023
Abstract: Abstract. Essentially all hydrogeological processes are strongly influenced by the subsurface spatial heterogeneity and the temporal variation of environmental conditions, hydraulic properties, and solute concentrations. This spatial and temporal variability generally leads to effective behaviors and emerging phenomena that cannot be predicted from conventional approaches based on homogeneous assumptions and models. However, it is not always clear when, why, how, and at what scale the 4D (3D + time) nature of the subsurface needs to be considered in hydrogeological monitoring, modeling, and applications. In this paper, we discuss the interest and potential for the monitoring and characterization of spatial and temporal variability, including 4D imaging, in a series of hydrogeological processes: (1) groundwater fluxes, (2) solute transport and reaction, (3) vadose zone dynamics, and (4) surface–subsurface water interactions. We first identify the main challenges related to the coupling of spatial and temporal fluctuations for these processes. We then highlight recent innovations that have led to significant breakthroughs in high-resolution space–time imaging and modeling the characterization, monitoring, and modeling of these spatial and temporal fluctuations. We finally propose a classification of processes and applications at different scales according to their need and potential for high-resolution space–time imaging. We thus advocate a more systematic characterization of the dynamic and 3D nature of the subsurface for a series of critical processes and emerging applications. This calls for the validation of 4D imaging techniques at highly instrumented observatories and the harmonization of open databases to share hydrogeological data sets in their 4D components.
No related grants have been discovered for Frederic Nguyen.