Cardiff University | Prifysgol Caerdydd ORCA
Online Research @ Cardiff 
WelshClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

Using groundwater temperature time-series to reveal subsurface thermal and hydraulic processes

Patton, Ashley M., Cleall, Peter J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4005-5319 and Cuthbert, Mark O. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6721-022X 2025. Using groundwater temperature time-series to reveal subsurface thermal and hydraulic processes. Hydrogeology Journal 10.1007/s10040-025-02930-2

[thumbnail of s10040-025-02930-2.pdf] PDF - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (7MB)

Abstract

Understanding subsurface heat transport processes is important for geothermal energy development and heat-flow modelling applications, and for resolving hydrogeological, biogeochemical and microbiological processes. Studies of subsurface thermal regimes have predominantly focussed on repeat temperature-depth profile analysis. The application of groundwater temperature time-series data to characterise thermal and hydraulic processes is relatively under-exploited. Here, an unusually rich set of half-hourly groundwater level and temperature time-series data from 48 boreholes in the Cardiff Geo-observatory (UK) between 2014 and 2018 is used to explore the interrelationships between subsurface hydraulic and thermal processes. Characteristic time-series curve shape categories were identified in annual-scale temperature changes and shown to be indicative of distinct flow and heat transport mechanisms. Sinusoidal curves are found in conduction-dominant settings, while ‘right-leaning’ time-series indicate faster cooling than warming and are associated with the influence of advection of heat due to recharge. Short-lived temperature events found on the cooling limbs of right-leaning curves correlate with sharp groundwater level rises, indicating recharge. Temperatures rebound quickly following these events but do not return to pre-event levels, having the effect of cooling groundwater faster in winter than it is warmed in summer. More complex behaviours observed in boreholes located close to rivers indicate recharge responses coupled with the influence of changes in stream–aquifer interactions which co-occur with heavy rainfall. The results demonstrate that groundwater temperature time-series interpretation may be a cost-effective way of providing new insights into the characteristics of subsurface hydraulic and thermal processes with implications for geothermal exploration and a range of other hydrogeological applications.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Published Online
Status: In Press
Schools: Schools > Earth and Environmental Sciences
Schools > Engineering
Publisher: Springer
ISSN: 1431-2174
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 11 August 2025
Date of Acceptance: 18 June 2025
Last Modified: 12 Aug 2025 14:15
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/180329

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item Edit Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics