Two-Dimensional Simulations of Groundwater Flow in Variations of a ConceptualModel of the Whiteshell Research Area (Simulations en Deux Dimensions de l'Ecoulement des Eaux Souterraines dans des Variantes d'un Modele Conceptuel de l'Aire de Recherches de W

摘要

Two-dimensional regional groundwater flow was simulated in a conceptual model ofthe crystalline rocks of the Whiteshell Research Area (WRA) in southeastern Manitoba. The conceptual model consists of fracture zones that strike in different directions and dip at various angles in the background rock mass. The number, thickness and hydraulic properties of the fracture zones in the conceptual model were varied as were the fluid properties and the boundary conditions of the groundwater flow system. The effects of these variations on the groundwater flow pattern and on the convective travel time along pathways from the location of a hypothetical disposal vault at 500 m depth to discharge locations at the ground surface were evaluated.