Groundwater pollution investigation requires accurate information about groundwater flow velocity and flow direction. Without reliable groundwater flow data, it can be difficult to identify the potential migration path of pollutants, determine the pollution source, or develop an effective groundwater remediation strategy.
In a groundwater pollution investigation project conducted by a Hydrology and Geological Survey Brigade in Jiangsu Province, China, the investigation team encountered several challenges when measuring groundwater flow in a complex geological environment.
AIMOLI provided the AML920 Groundwater Flow Velocity and Direction Instrument as the technical solution for groundwater flow measurement and field investigation.
The following case study explains the problems encountered, the measurement approach, the technical solution and the capabilities of the AML920.
Project Background
Groundwater pollution investigations often require more than simply testing groundwater quality.
When pollutants are detected in groundwater, investigators also need to understand:
- Where does the groundwater come from?
- In which direction does groundwater flow?
- How fast does groundwater move?
- How could pollutants migrate through the aquifer?
- Where is the potential pollution source?
- Which monitoring wells are located upstream and downstream?
Groundwater flow velocity and direction are therefore important parameters for groundwater pollution source tracing and environmental site investigation.
In this Jiangsu project, the investigation team needed to determine groundwater flow conditions across a complex groundwater environment and obtain reliable field measurement data.
However, three major problems affected the investigation process.
Three Problems Encountered During Groundwater Pollution Investigation
Problem 1: Difficulty Measuring Groundwater Flow Velocity Accurately
Groundwater generally moves much more slowly than surface water.
Conventional flow measurement methods can therefore become difficult to apply when the groundwater velocity is very low.
Small measurement errors can result in significant differences in the calculated groundwater flow velocity.
For groundwater pollution investigation, this can affect the interpretation of pollutant migration.
The investigation team therefore required an instrument capable of measuring low groundwater flow velocities with high sensitivity and accuracy.
Problem 2: Difficulty Determining Groundwater Flow Direction
Knowing the groundwater flow velocity alone is not enough.
Investigators also need to determine the direction in which groundwater is moving.
Groundwater flow direction is particularly important when determining:
- Potential pollutant migration pathways
- Upgradient and downgradient monitoring locations
- Possible pollution sources
- Groundwater remediation areas
- Monitoring well locations
In complex geological conditions, groundwater flow direction may vary between different aquifers.
The investigation team therefore required a method capable of measuring groundwater flow direction directly in the field.
Problem 3: Complex Groundwater Conditions and Deep Monitoring Wells
The project involved complex groundwater conditions and required measurements at different depths.
Traditional investigation methods could require considerable time and equipment, particularly when groundwater flow needed to be evaluated at different locations or depths.
The project therefore required a groundwater flow measurement system that could provide:
- Groundwater flow velocity measurement
- Groundwater flow direction measurement
- Deep-well measurement capability
- Stable field operation
- Efficient data acquisition
AML920 Groundwater Flow Velocity and Direction Instrument
To address these challenges, AIMOLI provided the AML920 Groundwater Flow Velocity and Direction Instrument.
AML920 is designed specifically for measuring groundwater flow velocity and groundwater flow direction in monitoring wells and other groundwater investigation environments.
The instrument combines groundwater flow measurement with field monitoring functions, allowing investigators to obtain groundwater flow information directly from the monitoring well.
It is suitable for applications including:
- Groundwater pollution investigation
- Groundwater flow measurement
- Groundwater flow direction determination
- Groundwater pollution source tracing
- Hydrogeological investigation
- Groundwater monitoring
- Environmental site investigation
- Groundwater remediation projects
How AML920 Measures Groundwater Flow
AML920 uses a groundwater flow measurement method designed for low-velocity groundwater environments.
The instrument can measure groundwater flow velocity within a range of:
0.001–1.0 m/s
This wide measurement range allows the instrument to be used for both relatively slow groundwater movement and higher groundwater flow conditions.
For groundwater pollution investigations, the ability to measure low groundwater velocities is particularly important because groundwater movement can be significantly slower than surface-water flow.
Groundwater Flow Direction Measurement
AML920 can also determine groundwater flow direction.
The instrument provides a flow-direction measurement accuracy of:
±2°
Accurate flow direction data can help investigators determine the potential migration direction of groundwater contaminants.
When flow direction data are combined with groundwater quality testing results from multiple monitoring wells, investigators can better understand the possible distribution and migration pathway of groundwater pollution.
Key AML920 Measurement Parameters
The main technical parameters of AML920 include:
| Parameter | AML920 Specification |
|---|---|
| Groundwater Flow Velocity Range | 0.001–1.0 m/s |
| Flow Direction Accuracy | ±2° |
| Maximum Measurement Depth | Up to 300 m |
| Application | Groundwater flow velocity and direction measurement |
| Main Use | Groundwater pollution investigation and hydrogeological investigation |
These parameters allow AML920 to be used in a wide range of groundwater investigation environments.
Measurement Depth Up to 300 Meters
One of the important capabilities of AML920 is its deep-well measurement capability.
The instrument can support groundwater flow measurement at depths of up to 300 meters.
This makes it suitable for groundwater investigations involving:
- Deep monitoring wells
- Complex aquifer systems
- Industrial pollution investigations
- Hydrogeological surveys
- Groundwater source tracing
- Environmental remediation projects
The actual operating depth depends on the monitoring well structure, cable configuration, groundwater conditions and specific equipment configuration.
For deep-well applications, AIMOLI can provide configuration recommendations according to the project requirements.
Groundwater Pollution Source Tracing
Groundwater flow velocity and direction are important when investigating the potential source and migration path of groundwater contamination.
For example, if several monitoring wells show different concentrations of a contaminant, investigators can combine:
Contaminant concentration data
Groundwater flow direction
Groundwater flow velocity
to evaluate the potential migration pathway of the pollutant.
AML920 therefore provides information that can complement conventional groundwater quality analysis.
It does not replace laboratory contaminant analysis, but provides important hydrogeological flow information for interpreting groundwater pollution.
AML920 for Groundwater Remediation Projects
Groundwater flow information can also support groundwater remediation planning.
Before implementing a remediation project, engineers may need to understand:
- Groundwater flow direction
- Groundwater flow velocity
- Aquifer characteristics
- Potential pollutant migration routes
- Upgradient and downgradient conditions
AML920 can provide groundwater flow measurements that help engineers understand these conditions.
After remediation begins, repeated groundwater flow measurements can also be used as part of a broader groundwater monitoring program.
Non-Invasive Groundwater Flow Measurement
Another important advantage of AML920 is its measurement approach, which is designed to minimize unnecessary disturbance to the groundwater environment.
This is important because excessive disturbance can affect groundwater conditions and potentially influence measurement results.
For environmental investigations where maintaining relatively stable groundwater conditions is important, a measurement system designed for low-flow groundwater environments can provide practical advantages.
AML920 Technical Advantages
1. Wide Groundwater Flow Velocity Range
AML920 supports a groundwater flow velocity range of:
0.001–1.0 m/s
This allows the instrument to measure both low-velocity and relatively high-velocity groundwater conditions.
2. High Flow Direction Accuracy
The flow direction measurement accuracy can reach:
±2°
This provides useful directional information for groundwater pollution investigation and hydrogeological analysis.
3. Deep Measurement Capability
AML920 supports measurement depths of up to:
300 m
This makes it suitable for deep groundwater monitoring wells and complex hydrogeological projects.
4. Designed for Groundwater Investigation
AML920 is designed specifically for groundwater flow measurement rather than conventional surface-water flow measurement.
5. Suitable for Pollution Source Tracing
Groundwater flow velocity and direction data can be combined with groundwater quality data to help evaluate potential contaminant migration pathways.
AML920 Technical Development
AML920 is an independently developed AIMOLI groundwater flow measurement instrument.
According to AIMOLI’s product information, the technology has obtained 5 patents related to the product and its technical development.
AIMOLI has also accumulated experience in groundwater flow measurement and environmental investigation applications.
The instrument has been used in groundwater-related projects and environmental investigation applications in China.
Typical AML920 Application Workflow
A typical groundwater pollution investigation using AML920 can follow the workflow below:
Step 1 — Monitoring Well Investigation
Confirm the monitoring well depth, diameter, groundwater level and geological conditions.
Step 2 — Equipment Configuration
Select the appropriate AML920 configuration according to the measurement depth and project requirements.
Step 3 — Instrument Deployment
Lower the instrument to the required measurement depth in the monitoring well.
Step 4 — Groundwater Flow Measurement
Measure groundwater flow velocity and flow direction at the selected depth.
Step 5 — Multi-Point Measurement
Where required, repeat measurements at different depths or monitoring wells.
Step 6 — Data Analysis
Combine groundwater flow data with groundwater quality and geological information.
Step 7 — Pollution Migration Assessment
Use the combined data to evaluate the potential groundwater flow pathway and pollutant migration direction.
Groundwater Flow Measurement Data and Pollution Investigation
The greatest value of AML920 is not simply obtaining a single groundwater velocity value.
The measurement data can become part of a larger groundwater investigation model.
For example:
Monitoring Well A
Groundwater flow velocity + flow direction
↓
Monitoring Well B
Groundwater flow velocity + flow direction
↓
Monitoring Well C
Groundwater flow velocity + flow direction
↓
Groundwater Quality Data
↓
Potential Pollution Migration Pathway
This type of combined analysis can help environmental engineers better understand groundwater movement across the investigation area.
Applications of AML920
AML920 can be used in a variety of groundwater and environmental applications.
Groundwater Pollution Investigation
Determine groundwater flow conditions during environmental pollution investigations.
Pollution Source Tracing
Provide groundwater flow direction and velocity data to support potential pollution source identification.
Hydrogeological Investigation
Measure groundwater movement as part of hydrogeological surveys.
Groundwater Monitoring
Monitor groundwater flow conditions in monitoring wells.
Groundwater Remediation
Support groundwater flow analysis before and during remediation projects.
Environmental Site Investigation
Provide field groundwater flow information for environmental site assessment.
Why Groundwater Flow Velocity and Direction Matter
Groundwater pollution does not remain stationary.
Once contaminants enter an aquifer, groundwater movement can influence the direction and speed of contaminant migration.
Therefore, a groundwater pollution investigation should ideally consider both:
Groundwater quality
and
Groundwater movement
Laboratory testing can determine what contaminants are present and at what concentrations.
Groundwater flow measurement can provide additional information about where the groundwater is moving and how quickly it is moving.
AML920 is designed to provide this second type of information.
AML920 vs. Conventional Groundwater Investigation Methods
| Requirement | AML920 |
|---|---|
| Groundwater flow velocity | Yes |
| Groundwater flow direction | Yes |
| Low-flow measurement | Yes |
| Flow velocity range | 0.001–1.0 m/s |
| Direction accuracy | ±2° |
| Deep-well measurement | Up to 300 m |
| Pollution source tracing support | Yes |
| Hydrogeological investigation | Yes |
| Groundwater monitoring | Yes |
AML920 is therefore positioned as a specialized instrument for groundwater flow measurement rather than a general-purpose water quality meter.
AIMOLI Groundwater Investigation Equipment
AIMOLI Environmental Instruments develops and manufactures equipment for groundwater monitoring, groundwater sampling and environmental investigation.
Its product range includes:
- Groundwater flow velocity and direction instruments
- Groundwater multiparameter analyzers
- Groundwater sampling systems
- Low-flow bladder pumps
- Groundwater monitoring equipment
- Downhole inspection cameras
This product portfolio allows environmental investigation teams to combine groundwater sampling, groundwater quality measurement and groundwater flow measurement within one equipment supplier.
Conclusion
The Jiangsu groundwater pollution investigation demonstrated the importance of obtaining reliable groundwater flow information when investigating contaminant migration.
The AML920 Groundwater Flow Velocity and Direction Instrument provides:
- 0.001–1.0 m/s groundwater flow velocity measurement
- ±2° flow direction accuracy
- Measurement depth up to 300 m
- Specialized groundwater flow measurement capability
- Applications in groundwater pollution investigation
- Support for groundwater pollution source tracing
- Applications in hydrogeological investigation and groundwater remediation
By combining groundwater flow velocity and direction data with groundwater quality testing and geological investigation, environmental professionals can obtain a more complete understanding of groundwater movement and potential pollutant migration pathways.
Request AML920 Groundwater Flow Measurement Information
If you are looking for a groundwater flow velocity meter, groundwater flow direction instrument, or groundwater flow velocity and direction measurement system, AML920 is designed for professional groundwater investigation applications.
When contacting AIMOLI, please provide:
- Monitoring well depth
- Well diameter
- Groundwater level
- Required measurement depth
- Groundwater investigation purpose
- Number of monitoring wells
- Required measurement parameters
AIMOLI can recommend the appropriate AML920 configuration according to your groundwater investigation requirements.
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