ASTM D5979-96(2002)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D5979–96 (Reapproved 2002)
Standard Guide for
Conceptualization and Characterization of Ground-Water
Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5979; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.7 This guide does not address special considerations
requiredforcharacterizationofkarstandfracturedrockterrain.
1.1 Thisguidecoversanintegrated,stepwisemethodforthe
Insuchhydrogeologicsettings,refertoQuinlan(1) andGuide
qualitative conceptualization and quantitative characterization
D 5717 for additional guidance.
of ground-water flow systems, including the unsaturated zone,
1.8 This guide does not address special considerations
for natural or human-induced behavior or changes.
regarding the source, fate, and movement of chemicals in the
1.2 This guide may be used at any scale of investigation,
subsurface.
including site-specific, subregional, and regional applications.
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.3 This guide describes an iterative process for developing
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
multiple working hypotheses for characterizing ground-water
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
flow systems. This process aims at reducing uncertainty with
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
respect to conceptual models, observation, interpretation, and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
analysis in terms of hypothesis and refinement of the most
1.10 This guide offers an organized collection of informa-
likely conceptual model of the ground-water flow system. The
tion or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
process is also aimed at reducing the range of realistic values
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
for parameters identified during the characterization process.
experienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithprofessional
This guide does not address the quantitative uncertainty
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
associatedwithspecificmethodsofhydrogeologicandground-
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
water system characterization and quantification, for example,
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
the effects of well construction on water-level measurement.
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
1.4 This guide addresses the general procedure, types of
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
data needed, and references that enable the investigator to
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
completetheprocessofanalysisandinterpretationofeachdata
document means only that the document has been approved
type with respect to geohydrologic processes and hydrogeo-
through the ASTM consensus process.
logic framework. This guide recommends the groups of data
and analysis to be used during each step of the conceptualiza-
2. Referenced Documents
tion process.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.5 This guide does not address the specific methods for
2.1.1 This procedure is used in conjunction with the follow-
characterizing hydrogeologic and ground-water system prop-
ing ASTM Standards:
erties.
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.6 This guide does not address model selection, design, or
Fluids
attribution for use in the process of ground-water flow system
D 5254 Practice for the Minimum Set of Data Elements to
characterization and quantification. This guide does not ad-
Identify a Ground Water Site
dress the process of model schematization, including the
D 5408 Guide for the Set of Data Elements to Describe a
simplification of hydrologic systems and the representation of
Ground Water Site; Part 1—Additional Identification De-
hydrogeologic parameters in models.
scriptors
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoilandRock
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Ground Water and The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to a list of references at the
Vadose Zone Investigations. end of the text.
Current edition approved July 10, 1996. Published November 1996. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D5979–96 (2002)
D 5409 Guide for the Set of Data Elements to Describe a
Ground Water Site; Part 2—Physical Descriptors
D 5410 Guide for the Set of Data Elements to Describe a
Ground Water Site; Part 3—Usage Descriptors
D 5447 Guide for Application of a Ground-Water Flow
Model to a Site-Specific Problem
D 5474 Guide for Selection of Data Elements for Ground-
Water Investigations
D 5609 Guide for Defining Boundary Conditions in
Ground-Water Flow Modeling
D 5610 Guide for Defining Initial Conditions in Ground-
Water Flow Modeling
D 5717 Guide to Design of Ground-Water Monitoring
Systems in Karst and Fractured-Rock Aquifers
D 5730 Guide to 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 ground-water flow model—application of a math-
ematical model to represent a regional or site-specific ground-
water flow system.
3.1.3 hydrologic system—thegeneralconceptsofthehydro-
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 D 653 and Guide D 5447.
4. Summary of Guide
4.1 This guide presents an integrated approach for concep-
tualizing and characterizing ground-water systems. The con-
ceptualization and characterization process includes: Problem
Definition and Data Base Development (Section 6); Prelimi-
nary Conceptualization (Section 7); Surface Characterization
(Section 8); Subsurface Characterization (Section 9); Hydro-
geologic Characterization (Section 10); Ground-Water System
Characterization (Section 11); and Ground-Water System
Quantification (Section 12) (see Fig. 1). Conceptualization and
characterization is an iterative process beginning with a theo-
retical understanding of the ground-water system followed by
datacollectionandrefinementoftheunderstanding.Additional
data collection and analysis, and the refinement of the ground-
water system conceptual model occurs during the entire
process of conceptualization and characterization, and during
ground-water model development and use (see Fig. 1).
NOTE 1—Conceptualization and characterization is an iterative process
4.2 This guide presents an approach that can be used at any
beginning with a theoretical understanding of the ground-water system
scale.Thenatureoftheproblemtobesolvedwilldeterminethe
followed by data collection and refinement of the understanding. Addi-
type and scale of data collected.
tional data collection and analysis, and the refinement of the ground-water
system conceptual model occurs during the process of conceptualization
5. Significance and Use
and characterization, and during ground-water model development and
5.1 Conceptualization and characterization of a ground-
use.
water system is fundamental to any qualitative or quantitative FIG. 1 Procedure for Conceptualization and Characterization of
Ground-Water Flow Systems (32)
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
D5979–96 (2002)
analysis. This conceptualization begins with simple abstrac- cation of hydrologic systems and the representation of hydro-
tions in the investigator’s mind, emphasizing the major com- geologic parameters in models. Refer to Ref (6) for further
ponents of the studied system, that can be rendered in quali- guidance.
tative terms or simple illustrations. The extent of further
developmentoftherepresentationofthesystemdependsonthe
6. Problem Definition and Data Base Development
character of the ground-water problem and the project objec-
6.1 Define the Objectives of the Project—Once the objec-
tive. The abstract concept may suffice, or it may be further
tives are defined, identify the appropriate facets and scale of
defined and quantified through use of analytical models of
the ground-water system for characterization.
increasing complexity, and, in some cases, numerical models
6.2 Define the Site—The boundaries of a site are defined
may be employed. If numerical models are used, the level of
using one or more of the following considerations: natural site
detail and sophistication of features represented in the model is
characteristics (topography, soils, geology, hydrology, biota),
likely to increase as the project develops. Evolution of con-
current and past land use and ownership, or known or sus-
ceptualization of a ground-water flow system should be termi-
pected extent of current or anticipated project-related stresses,
nated when the results of the related analyses are sufficient for
which may include cones of depression or contaminant migra-
the problem being addressed.
tion. If site boundaries are initially defined by ownership,
5.2 This guide may be used in the following:
natural site characteristics of a broader scale should be evalu-
5.2.1 Evaluating natural variations in ground-water flow
ated to determine whether the scope of at least parts of the
systems.
investigation should include areas that are off-site. For ex-
5.2.2 Evaluating anthropogenic stresses on ground-water ample, investigations of ground-water contamination should
flow systems, such as pumping for water supply, irrigation, include areas of potential sources upgradient and potential
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 ground-water
locating, collecting, and organizing the data needed (see Table
contaminants.
1) to solve the problem into a manageable data base. See
5.2.4 Designing and selecting mathematical models to
Practice D 5254 and Guides D 5408, D 5409, D 5410, D 5474,
simulate ground-water systems; and completing model sche-
and D 5730 for data elements to identify a ground-water site.
matization and attribution based on the problem defined,
6.3.1 Collect data, such as maps, tables, and reports, from
characterized ground-water flow system, and model(s) se-
available published and unpublished sources, and field and
lected.
laboratory studies. Note the methods used to collect and
5.2.5 Designing ground-water remediation systems.
analyze the data. Note levels of quality assurance and quality
5.3 Thisguideisaflexibledescriptionofspecifictechniques
control as required by the project.
and investigation requirements; methods defined by other
6.3.2 Collect data from interviews of local and regionally
ASTMStandardsornon-ASTMtechniquesmaybeappropriate
knowledgeable people. This may include, but is not limited to,
in some circumstances and, after due consideration, some of
worker histories, former practices, and engineering activities
the techniques herein may be omitted, altered, or enhanced.
that either changed the site or provide historical data (location
5.3.1 A comprehensive list of items to be considered con-
of old wells, contaminant history, and so forth).
ceptualization and characterization are included in the main
6.4 Organize and Prepare Data Bases Based on Project
headings (Sections 6 through 13) and first subheadings (for
Objectives—This step involves organizing the data into appro-
example, 7.1 and 8.1).
priate data bases that could include, but are not limited to:
5.3.2 Inkarstandfracturedrockhydrogeologicsettings,this
geomorphology, geology, geophysics, climate, vegetation,
guide should be used in conjunction with Guide D 5717.
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 ground-
watersystemsformodelingorotherapplicationswillvarywith
7. Preliminary Conceptualization
site conditions, objectives of investigation, and investigator
7.1 Conduct field conceptualization using data bases devel-
experience. This guide does not replace proper academic
opedunderSection6.Inareaswherefielddataaresparse,basic
training and experience in hydrogeologic principles, or in
photointerpretation and terrain analysis techniques may be
ground-water system analysis and quantification. This guide
applied to remote sensing data, aerial photography, and topo-
does not set mandatory guidelines and does not constitute a list
graphic maps to acquire information, and may be used to
of necessary steps or procedures for all investigations.
quantify and distribute hydrogeologic and ground-water sys-
5.5 This guide may be used for project planning and data
tem parameters.
collection, but does not provide specific aspects for field
characterization techniques. Refer to Table X1.1 in Guide
D 5730, Practice D 5254, and Refs (2, 3, 4, and 5) for further
guidance regarding field characterization techniques. Quality assurance/quality control should be maintained throughout the project.
Data may be organized into three types: 1) raw, original data collected in the field
5.6 This guide may be used to generate the necessary
or laboratory, or both; 2) extracted data produced from the original, raw data base
information as part of the process for model selection, design,
to solve the study purposes, goals, and objectives; and 3) interpretations and
and as input to model schematization, including the simplifi- analyses of both raw or extracted data as applied to solving the problem.
D5979–96 (2002)
TABLE 1 Data Topics and Types TABLE 2 Data Bases
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
...