Qin, Zixuan, Guo, Jian, Cleall, Peter J.  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4005-5319, Xu, Qiang, Cherry, John A. and Parker, Beth L.
2026.
Gain–phase characteristics of groundwater responses to barometric pressure: interpreting subsurface confinement in layered systems.
Journal of Hydrology
671
, 135296.
10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.135296
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Abstract
Aquifer confinement plays a key role in controlling vertical hydraulic connectivity and pressure transmission, yet its identification in heterogeneous systems remains challenging using conventional methods. This study applies frequency-domain barometric response functions (BRF) to analyze groundwater response to atmospheric pressure. A six-port Continuous Multichannel Tubing (CMT) system was installed in a layered aquifer. Long-term groundwater, barometric pressure, and precipitation data were analyzed using cross-correlation, FFT, and BRF methods. Time- and frequency-domain analyses reveal pronounced lithology-controlled differences. Ports screened in sandstone units exhibited stronger barometric signals and shorter response lags, while mudstone-adjacent ports showed attenuated responses. Detailed BRF analysis was performed on two representative ports: Port 1 (upper sandstone above mudstone) and Port 6 (lower sandstone below mudstone). The upper sandstone showed a negative gain-phase co-variation, characteristic of unconfined systems, while the lower sandstone exhibited a positive gain-phase relationship, suggesting functional confinement. These findings highlight the utility of BRF analysis for interpreting pressure transmission and confinement in vertically heterogeneous aquifers.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Schools > Engineering |
| Additional Information: | RRS policy applied |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| ISSN: | 0022-1694 |
| Date of First Compliant Deposit: | 23 March 2026 |
| Date of Acceptance: | 9 March 2026 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Mar 2026 10:00 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/185788 |
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