Uncertainty in geological and hydrogeological data

B. Nilsson (1) , A. L. Højberg (1) , J. C. Refsgaard (1) , L. Troldborg (1)

1 GEUS - Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland

Uncertainty in conceptual model structure and in environmental data is of essential interest when dealing with uncertainty in water resources management. To make quantification of uncertainty possible it is necessary to identify and characterise the uncertainty in geological and hydrogeological data. This paper discusses a range of available techniques to describe the uncertainty related to geological model structure and scale of support. Literature examples on uncertainty in hydrogeological variables such as saturated hydraulic conductivity, specific yield, specific storage, effective porosity and dispersivity are given. Field data usually have a spatial and temporal scale of support that is different from the one on which numerical models for water resources management operate. Uncertainty in hydrogeological data variables is characterised and assessed within the methodological framework of the HarmoniRiB classification.

Domaines: Interfaces continentales, environnement; Océan, Atmosphère; Sciences de la Terre

B. Nilsson, A. L. Højberg, J. C. Refsgaard, L. Troldborg. Uncertainty in geological and hydrogeological data. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions, 2006, 3 (4), pp.2675-2706. ⟨hal-00298763⟩