Heterogeneity of sorption and transport-related properties in a sand–gravel aquifer at Columbus, Mississippi

Abstract Properties related to sorption and transport of organic compounds have been determined on 126 sections of 17 cores taken in an aquifer at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, MS. Each core section was homogenized prior to analysis. Organic carbon content (OC), specific surface area (SA), distribution coefficient ( K d ) for naphthalene, and particle size distribution were measured on each section. Hydraulic conductivity ( K h ) for each section was calculated from the particle size distributions. K h values obtained were comparable with those from earlier borehole flowmeter and pulse tracer tests. Frequency distributions for all properties were lognormal. The arithmetic means and standard deviations for all samples are: OC=0.028% (+0.031, −0.015), SA=4.02 m 2 /g (+3.95, −1.99), K d =0.198 l/kg (+0.195, −0.098), K h =0.00033 m/s (+0.00051, −0.00020). These standard deviations are asymmetrical about the mean because statistics were calculated using log-transformed data, and antilogarithms then taken to obtain the results in the units of property measurement. Variabilities, expressed as coefficients of variation, were similar for all properties. Correlations between the properties were investigated. A good correlation between naphthalene K d and OC ( r =0.78) was found, and other correlations were weak, thus indicating that organic carbon content may control sorption of nonpolar organic solutes in this low carbon aquifer. Autocorrelation (variogram) analysis indicated that, for all properties, correlation lengths were less than the distance between sample points, which were separated by about 20 m horizontally and 1 m vertically. Separate statistical analysis of two widely separated groups of wells showed the groups similar in all properties, except organic carbon. Large-scale inhomogeneity was not detected, although earlier tracer tests produced irregular plumes indicating inhomogeneity in observed solute transport. Implications of the results to site characterization, in situations where aquifers are heterogeneous on short length scales, are discussed.