HGS HIGHLIGHT – Estimating cumulative wastewater treatment plant discharge influences on acesulfame and Escherichia coli in a highly impacted watershed with a fully-integrated modelling approach
In this research highlight, researchers used HydroGeoSphere (HGS) to explore the impact of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharge on surface water contamination in a mixed-use watershed in Ontario, Canada. The study focused on tracking acesulfame, a commonly used artificial sweetener, and Escherichia coli (E. coli), a fecal indicator, to understand how these contaminants move between surface and groundwater systems. Understanding the interactions between surface water and groundwater is critical in watersheds where WWTP discharge contributes to regional water quality concerns.
HGS RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT – Rapid transport from the surface to wells in fractured rock: A unique infiltration tracer experiment
In this study, researchers investigated the dynamics of rapid transport from the surface to monitoring wells in fractured rock environments using a unique infiltration tracer experiment. The focus was on understanding how tracers or contaminants move quickly through fractures to wells, which is crucial for assessing water quality and contamination risks.
HGS RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT – Small-scale topography explains patterns and dynamics of dissolved organic carbon exports from the riparian zone of a temperate, forested catchment
Examining the intricate dynamics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) exports from riparian zones (RZs), a recent study conducted by a team of researchers highlights the predominant controls governing DOC export.
HGS RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT – Hydraulic Tomography Estimates Improved by Zonal Information From the Clustering of Geophysical Survey Data
Exploring innovative methods in groundwater characterization, Chenxi Wang and Walter A. Illman present a study on improving Hydraulic Tomography (HT) estimates through the integration of geophysical survey data. Hydraulic tomography offers valuable insights into subsurface heterogeneity by analyzing multiple pumping tests. However, challenges arise when insufficient observations lead to smooth or inaccurate tomograms. In this study, Wang and Illman investigate the integration of geophysical survey data into HT analysis to address this issue.
HGS RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT – Heat Tracing in a Fractured Aquifer with Injection of Hot and Cold Water
In this comprehensive study, researchers explore the application of heat as a tracer in fractured porous aquifers, offering new perspectives on groundwater flow and transport dynamics. The research paper investigates the use of hot (50 °C) and cold (10 °C) water injections in a weathered and fractured granite aquifer, where the natural background temperature is 30 °C. This study relies on a number of advanced HGS capabilities including density-dependent geothermal energy transport, fracture flow and time-varying material properties.
HGS RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT – Groundwaters in Northeastern Pennsylvania near intense hydraulic fracturing activities exhibit few organic chemical impacts
In this comprehensive study, researchers investigated the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing activities on groundwater quality in Northeastern Pennsylvania, using a HydroGeoSphere model of a region with thirty gas-well pads. Modelling results suggest a low probability of systematic groundwater organic contamination in the region.
HGS RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT – The coastal aquifer recovery subject to storm surge: Effects of connected heterogeneity, physical barrier and surge frequency
This research analyzes the combined effects of connected heterogeneity, physical barriers, and surge frequency on coastal aquifer recovery. Using HydroGeoSphere (HGS), Aquanty’s sophisticated modeling platform known for its ability to simulate coupled surface water-groundwater interactions, the team investigated a series of modeling cases in heterogeneous and equivalent homogeneous aquifers.
HGS RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT - Mega-Tidal and Surface Flooding Controls on Coastal Groundwater and Saltwater Intrusion Within Agricultural Dikelands
The study highlighted here makes full use of the density dependent flow modelling capabilities of HydroGeoSphere to investigate the impacts of climate change on groundwater-ocean interactions, and how sea-level rise, tides and storm-surges impact the long-term position of an upper saline plume in a coastal agricultural dikeland in Nova Scotia, Canada.
HGS RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT – Groundwater flow reversal between small water bodies and their adjoining aquifers: A numerical experiment
This recent study uses HydroGeoSphere to investigate groundwater-surface water interactions within “kettle holes” - post glacial landscape features prevalent across Northern Europe and Northern America. These kettle holes are quite similar to lakes, but their smaller size makes them prone to drying out, which results in very dynamic and variable groundwater-surface water interactions, sometimes being subject to groundwater flow reversal between a kettle hole and the adjacent aquifer.
HGS RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT – Effect of topographic slope on the export of nitrate in humid catchments: a 3D model study
Agricultural nutrient runoff refers to the movement of excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from agricultural lands into water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. While nutrients are essential for plant growth, excessive runoff can have significant impacts on both human and ecosystem health.