Understanding Hydrogeological Environments as a Prerequisite For Predicting Technogenic Changes in Groundwater Systems

Defining the geometry and anatomy of a natural hydrogeologic environment is the most important step in constructing conceptual and numerical models of groundwater flow and solute transport. No matter what type of environment we are dealing with, it is never homogeneous and isotropic under natural conditions. The distribution of heterogeneities reflects the origin and development of rocks during their long geological history. In urbanised and industrialised regions, the heterogeneities environment is complicated further by recently-produced heterogeneities caused by human activities. Heterogeneities typically can be described using intricate hierarchical systems. In a model, however, schematic representation of real conditions is necessary. Therefore it is important to define hydrogeological conditions at scales appropriate to the objective of the study.