Optimal solute transport in heterogeneous aquifer: coupled inverse modelling

Characterisation of transmissivity heterogeneity is critical for groundwater flow and solute transport. The heterogeneity of transmissivity is studied through variogram-based techniques. Conventionally, the parameters in variogram are obtained by fitting measurements to a theoretical variogram. However, conditioning to the sampled geological variables neglects the effects of observed concentration data. This paper presents a coupled inverse modelling system conditioning to both types of measurement. The results of a hypothetical two-dimensional steady flow indicated that the description of transmissivity and solute concentration field was improved when both measured transmissivity data and solute concentration data were combined in the coupled inverse modelling system.