ASTM D5979-96(2008)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D5979 − 96(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Guide for
Conceptualization and Characterization of Groundwater
Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5979; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope simplification of hydrologic systems and the representation of
hydrogeologic parameters in models.
1.1 Thisguidecoversanintegrated,stepwisemethodforthe
1.7 This guide does not address special considerations
qualitative conceptualization and quantitative characterization
requiredforcharacterizationofkarstandfracturedrockterrain.
of groundwater flow systems, including the unsaturated zone,
Insuchhydrogeologicsettings,refertoQuinlan (1) andGuide
for natural or human-induced behavior or changes.
D5717 for additional guidance.
1.2 This guide may be used at any scale of investigation,
1.8 This guide does not address special considerations
including site-specific, subregional, and regional applications.
regarding the source, fate, and movement of chemicals in the
1.3 This guide describes an iterative process for developing
subsurface.
multiple working hypotheses for characterizing groundwater
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
flow systems. This process aims at reducing uncertainty with
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
respect to conceptual models, observation, interpretation, and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
analysis in terms of hypothesis and refinement of the most
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
likely conceptual model of the groundwater flow system. The
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
process is also aimed at reducing the range of realistic values
1.10 This guide offers an organized collection of informa-
for parameters identified during the characterization process.
tion or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
This guide does not address the quantitative uncertainty
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
associatedwithspecificmethodsofhydrogeologicandground-
experienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithprofessional
water system characterization and quantification, for example,
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
the effects of well construction on water-level measurement.
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
1.4 This guide addresses the general procedure, types of
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
data needed, and references that enable the investigator to
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
completetheprocessofanalysisandinterpretationofeachdata
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
type with respect to geohydrologic processes and hydrogeo-
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
logic framework. This guide recommends the groups of data
document means only that the document has been approved
and analysis to be used during each step of the conceptualiza-
through the ASTM consensus process.
tion process.
2. Referenced Documents
1.5 This guide does not address the specific methods for
2.1 ASTM Standards:
characterizing hydrogeologic and groundwater system proper-
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
ties.
Fluids
1.6 This guide does not address model selection, design, or
D5254 Practice for Minimum Set of Data Elements to
attribution for use in the process of groundwater flow system
Identify a Ground-Water Site
characterization and quantification. This guide does not ad-
D5408 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
dress the process of model schematization, including the
Ground-Water Site; Part One—Additional Identification
Descriptors
1 2
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoilandRock The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and this standard.
Vadose Zone Investigations. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Sept. 15, 2008. Published November 2008. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 1996 as D5979–96(2002). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D5979-96R08. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5979 − 96 (2008)
D5409 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
Ground-Water Site; Part Two—Physical Descriptors
D5410 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
Ground-Water Site;Part Three—Usage Descriptors
D5447 Guide for Application of a Ground-Water Flow
Model to a Site-Specific Problem
D5474 Guide for Selection of Data Elements for Ground-
Water Investigations
D5609 Guide for Defining Boundary Conditions in Ground-
Water Flow Modeling
D5610 Guide for Defining Initial Conditions in Ground-
Water Flow Modeling
D5717 Guide for Design of Ground-Water Monitoring Sys-
tems in Karst and Fractured-Rock Aquifers (Withdrawn
2005)
D5730 Guide for Site Characterization for Environmental
Purposes With Emphasis on Soil, Rock, the Vadose Zone
and Ground Water
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 conceptual model—an interpretation or working de-
scription of the characteristics and dynamics of the physical
system.
3.1.2 groundwater flow model—application of a mathemati-
cal model to represent a regional or site-specific groundwater
flow system.
3.1.3 hydrologic system—the general concepts of the hydro-
logic elements, active hydrologic processes, and the interlink-
ages and hierarchy of elements and processes.
3.1.4 For definitions of other terms used in this guide, see
Terminology D653 and Guide D5447.
4. Summary of Guide
4.1 This guide presents an integrated approach for concep-
tualizingandcharacterizinggroundwatersystems.Theconcep-
tualization and characterization process includes: Problem
Definition and Database Development (Section 6); Preliminary
Conceptualization (Section 7); Surface Characterization (Sec-
tion 8); Subsurface Characterization (Section 9); Hydrogeo-
logic Characterization (Section 10); Groundwater System
Characterization (Section 11); and Groundwater System Quan-
tification (Section 12) (see Fig. 1). Conceptualization and
characterization is an iterative process beginning with a theo-
retical understanding of the groundwater system followed by
datacollectionandrefinementoftheunderstanding.Additional
data collection and analysis, and the refinement of the ground-
NOTE 1—Conceptualization and characterization is an iterative process
water system conceptual model occurs during the entire beginning with a theoretical understanding of the groundwater system
followed by data collection and refinement of the understanding. Addi-
process of conceptualization and characterization, and during
tional data collection and analysis, and the refinement of the groundwater
groundwater model development and use (see Fig. 1).
system conceptual model occurs during the process of conceptualization
andcharacterization,andduringgroundwatermodeldevelopmentanduse.
FIG. 1 Procedure for Conceptualization and Characterization of
Groundwater Flow Systems (32)
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org.
D5979 − 96 (2008)
4.2 This guide presents an approach that can be used at any characterization techniques. Refer to Table X1.1 in Guide
scale.Thenatureoftheproblemtobesolvedwilldeterminethe D5730, Practice D5254, and Refs (2, 3, 4, and 5) for further
type and scale of data collected. guidance regarding field characterization techniques.
5.6 This guide may be used to generate the necessary
5. Significance and Use
information as part of the process for model selection, design,
5.1 Conceptualization and characterization of a groundwa- and as input to model schematization, including the simplifi-
cation of hydrologic systems and the representation of hydro-
ter system is fundamental to any qualitative or quantitative
analysis. This conceptualization begins with simple abstrac- geologic parameters in models. Refer to Ref (6) for further
guidance.
tions in the investigator’s mind, emphasizing the major com-
ponents of the studied system, that can be rendered in quali-
6. Problem Definition and Database Development
tative terms or simple illustrations. The extent of further
developmentoftherepresentationofthesystemdependsonthe 6.1 Define the Objectives of the Project—Once the objec-
tives are defined, identify the appropriate facets and scale of
character of the groundwater problem and the project objec-
tive. The abstract concept may suffice, or it may be further the groundwater system for characterization.
defined and quantified through use of analytical models of
6.2 Define the Site—The boundaries of a site are defined
increasing complexity, and, in some cases, numerical models
using one or more of the following considerations: natural site
may be employed. If numerical models are used, the level of
characteristics (topography, soils, geology, hydrology, biota),
detail and sophistication of features represented in the model is
current and past land use and ownership, or known or sus-
likely to increase as the project develops. Evolution of con-
pected extent of current or anticipated project-related stresses,
ceptualization of a groundwater flow system should be termi-
which may include cones of depression or contaminant migra-
nated when the results of the related analyses are sufficient for
tion. If site boundaries are initially defined by ownership,
the problem being addressed.
natural site characteristics of a broader scale should be evalu-
5.2 This guide may be used in the following: ated to determine whether the scope of at least parts of the
investigation should include areas that are off-site. For ex-
5.2.1 Evaluating natural variations in groundwater flow
systems. ample, investigations of groundwater contamination should
include areas of potential sources upgradient and potential
5.2.2 Evaluating anthropogenic stresses on groundwater
flow systems, such as pumping for water supply, irrigation, migration paths down-gradient from a site.
induced infiltration, or well injection.
6.3 Gather Data from Existing Sources—This step involves
5.2.3 Evaluating presence and velocity of groundwater con-
locating, collecting, and organizing the data needed (see Table
taminants.
1) to solve the problem into a manageable database. See
5.2.4 Designing and selecting mathematical models to
Practice D5254 and Guides D5408, D5409, D5410, D5474,
simulate groundwater systems; and completing model schema-
and D5730 for data elements to identify a groundwater site.
tization and attribution based on the problem defined, charac-
6.3.1 Collect data, such as maps, tables, and reports, from
terized groundwater flow system, and model(s) selected.
available published and unpublished sources, and field and
5.2.5 Designing groundwater remediation systems.
laboratory studies. Note the methods used to collect and
analyze the data. Note levels of quality assurance and quality
5.3 Thisguideisaflexibledescriptionofspecifictechniques
and investigation requirements; methods defined by other control as required by the project.
6.3.2 Collect data from interviews of local and regionally
ASTMStandardsornon-ASTMtechniquesmaybeappropriate
in some circumstances and, after due consideration, some of knowledgeable people. This may include, but is not limited to,
worker histories, former practices, and engineering activities
the techniques herein may be omitted, altered, or enhanced.
5.3.1 A comprehensive list of items to be considered con- that either changed the site or provide historical data (location
of old wells, contaminant history, and so forth).
ceptualization and characterization are included in the main
headings (Sections 6 through 13) and first subheadings (for
6.4 Organize and Prepare Databases Based on Project
example, 7.1 and 8.1).
Objectives—This step involves organizing the data into appro-
5.3.2 Inkarstandfracturedrockhydrogeologicsettings,this
priate databases that could include, but are not limited to:
guide should be used in conjunction with Guide D5717.
geomorphology, geology, geophysics, climate, vegetation,
soils, hydrology, hydrochemistry/geochemistry, and anthropo-
5.4 The methods and amount of effort required for concep-
genic aspects (see Table 2).
tualization, characterization, and quantification of groundwater
systems for modeling or other applications will vary with site
7. Preliminary Conceptualization
conditions, objectives of investigation, and investigator expe-
7.1 Conduct field conceptualization using databases devel-
rience. This guide does not replace proper academic training
opedunderSection6.Inareaswherefielddataaresparse,basic
and experience in hydrogeologic principles, or in groundwater
system analysis and quantification. This guide does not set
mandatoryguidelinesanddoesnotconstitutealistofnecessary 5
Quality assurance/quality control should be maintained throughout the project.
steps or procedures for all investigations. Data may be organized into three types: 1) raw, original data collected in the field
or laboratory, or both; 2) extracted data produced from the original, raw database to
5.5 This guide may be used for project planning and data
solve the study purposes, goals, and objectives; and 3) interpretations and analyses
collection, but does not provide specific aspects for field of both raw or extracted data as applied to solving the problem.
D5979 − 96 (2008)
TABLE 1 Data Topics and Types TABLE 2 Databases
Topography and Remote Sensing: Geomorphology:
(a) Topography (a) Topographic map or digital elevation model, or both
(b) Aerial photography (b) Drainage trace map
(c) Satellite imagery Geology:
(d) Multispectral data (a) Geologic map and stratigraphic column
(e) Thermal imagery (b) Surficial geology map and stratigraphic column
(f) Radar, side-looking airborne radar, microwave imagery (c) Geologic cross sections
Geomorphology: (d) Lithologic or driller’s logs, or both
(a) Surficial geology or geomorphology maps Geophysics:
(b) Engineering geology maps (a) Gravity maps and data
(c) Surface water inventory maps (b) Magnetic maps and data
(d) Hydrography dig
...