Aquifer Storage Coefficient Inversion via Gravity Satellite Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for calculating the storage coefficient, such as field pumping tests and GRACE satellite research, are time-consuming and labor-intensive, and struggle to accurately determine storage coefficients on a large scale, especially for complex hydrogeological conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing GRACE/GRACE-FO gravity satellite data, combined with groundwater level data, involving data processing, interpolation, and stochastic simulation to quickly calculate high-resolution aquifer storage coefficients, accounting for both confined and unconfined aquifers, using steps like data acquisition, filtering, forward modeling, and Monte Carlo simulations to achieve accurate inversion results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional field pumping test method is used to calculate storage coefficient, then the calculation accuracy for single aquifer is improved, but the time consumption and labor intensity increase significantly, and it cannot be applied to large-scale regional calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical field pumping tests with satellite remote sensing technology (GRACE/GRACE-FO gravity satellite data) combined with mathematical inversion methods. This substitution enables large-scale regional storage coefficient calculation without requiring physical field tests at each location, thereby dramatically improving productivity while maintaining acceptable accuracy through the integration of groundwater level data and satellite gravimetry data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a unified inversion method that can calculate storage coefficients for both confined and unconfined aquifers using the same mathematical framework and data processing approach. This universal method processes satellite gravity data and groundwater level data through consistent steps (data processing, interpolation, stochastic simulation), enabling large-scale regional application across different aquifer types without requiring separate specialized procedures for each aquifer type
2Area of stationary object
If GRACE satellite data is used to inverse groundwater storage changes, then the spatial coverage is improved to large scale, but the resolution is reduced and data leakage errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by integrating groundwater level data from local monitoring wells with satellite gravity data. The method performs spatial interpolation of groundwater level data to match satellite grid resolution, and uses stochastic simulation to generate local storage coefficient values that reflect regional heterogeneity. This combination recovers local detail information that would otherwise be lost in satellite-scale averaging, effectively improving resolution while maintaining large spatial coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces groundwater level data as an intermediary variable that bridges the gap between satellite gravity data and storage coefficient calculation. The groundwater level data serves as a local-scale measurement that, when combined with satellite-derived groundwater storage changes, enables the inversion of storage coefficients with higher resolution. The intermediary data helps correct satellite data leakage errors by providing independent local constraints on the inversion process
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the rapid calculation of regional storage coefficients on a large scale, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods by providing high-resolution data and improving accuracy, thus facilitating more efficient groundwater resource management.
Implementation Method 1
GRACE satellite gravimetry has provided direct observation methods for continuous monitoring of a global time-variable gravity field, wherein the information of the time-variable gravity field monitored by the satellites can be used to inverse terrestrial water storage changes
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a method and system for inversion of high-resolution aquifer storage coefficient based on gravity satellite data are disclosed. The method comprises: acquiring gravity satellite data, soil moisture storage data, surface water storage data and other non-groundwater component data, based on a preset region. The method also comprises: obtaining monthly time series of terrestrial water storage anomalies, by inversing the gravity satellite data; obtaining monthly time series of soil moisture storage anomalies, surface water storage anomalies, and other non-groundwater component anomalies; obtaining monthly time series of groundwater storage anomalies; and obtaining monthly time series of groundwater level anomalies in different aquifers. The method yet comprises: obtaining random sample values of storage coefficient by a stochastic simulation; obtaining correlation coefficient and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient between random value of groundwater storage trend after a forward modeling and groundwater storage trend in the gravity satellite time-variable signal; and obtaining an inversion result.