ASTM_D_5979_-_96_2014.pdf

Designation:D597996(Reapproved 2014)Standard Guide forConceptualization and Characterization of GroundwaterSystems1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5979;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide covers an integrated,stepwise method for thequalitative conceptualization and quantitative characterizationof groundwater flow systems,including the unsaturated zone,for natural or human-induced behavior or changes.1.2 This guide may be used at any scale of investigation,including site-specific,subregional,and regional applications.1.3 This guide describes an iterative process for developingmultiple working hypotheses for characterizing groundwaterflow systems.This process aims at reducing uncertainty withrespect to conceptual models,observation,interpretation,andanalysis in terms of hypothesis and refinement of the mostlikely conceptual model of the groundwater flow system.Theprocess is also aimed at reducing the range of realistic valuesfor parameters identified during the characterization process.This guide does not address the quantitative uncertaintyassociated with specific methods of hydrogeologic and ground-water system characterization and quantification,for example,the effects of well construction on water-level measurement.1.4 This guide addresses the general procedure,types ofdata needed,and references that enable the investigator tocomplete the process of analysis and interpretation of each datatype with respect to geohydrologic processes and hydrogeo-logic framework.This guide recommends the groups of dataand analysis to be used during each step of the conceptualiza-tion process.1.5 This guide does not address the specific methods forcharacterizing hydrogeologic and groundwater system proper-ties.1.6 This guide does not address model selection,design,orattribution for use in the process of groundwater flow systemcharacterization and quantification.This guide does not ad-dress the process of model schematization,including thesimplification of hydrologic systems and the representation ofhydrogeologic parameters in models.1.7 This guide does not address special considerationsrequired for characterization of karst and fractured rock terrain.In such hydrogeologic settings,refer to Quinlan(1)2and GuideD5717 for additional guidance.1.8 This guide does not address special considerationsregarding the source,fate,and movement of chemicals in thesubsurface.1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.10 This guide offers an organized collection of informa-tion or a series of options and does not recommend a specificcourse of action.This document cannot replace education orexperience and should be used in conjunction with professionaljudgment.Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in allcircumstances.This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy ofa given professional service must be judged,nor should thisdocument be applied without consideration of a projects manyunique aspects.The word“Standard”in the title of thisdocument means only that the document has been approvedthrough the ASTM consensus process.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:3D653 Terminology Relating to Soil,Rock,and ContainedFluidsD5254 Practice for Minimum Set of Data Elements toIdentify a Ground-Water SiteD5408 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe aGroundwater Site;Part OneAdditional IdentificationDescriptors1This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rockand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater andVadose Zone Investigations.Current edition approved April 15,2014.Published May 2014.Originallyapproved in 1996.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D597996(2008).DOI:10.1520/D5979-96R14.2The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end ofthis standard.3For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 D5409 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe aGround-Water Site;Part TwoPhysical DescriptorsD5410 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe aGround-Water Site;Part ThreeUsage DescriptorsD5447 Guide forApplication of a Groundwater Flow Modelto a Site-Specific ProblemD5474 Guide