ABSTRACT
The British Geological Survey and the UK Environment Agency are currently funding a project on the various aspects of tracer testing applicable to the major UK aquifers. Flow in these aquifers, the Chalk and the Permo-Triassic sandstone, occurs predominantly in fractures and fissures, with significant contributions from the matrix in the sandstones. Tracer tests are not often performed in such aquifers.
The overall aim of the project is to encourage the use of tracer tests in UK aquifers. This will increase our knowledge of flow processes within these aquifer materials. In the past, most tracer tests that have been undertaken in the UK were designed to investigate specific problems. With this project we hope to encourage the routine use of tracer tests in a manner similar to that of pumping tests. In this way a body of information can be built up about the properties of our aquifers, which will help with the protection of the groundwater resource and aid modelling studies.
The main output of the project will be a multi-volume manual that will provide guidance in the many, different facets involved in designing and carrying out tracer tests.
