Groundwater-climate relationships, Ranger uranium mine, Australia: 2. Validation of unsaturated flow modelling

Abstract

This paper presents the results of applying an unsaturated flow model to observed historical groundwater-climate data at the Ranger uranium project, Northern Territory, Australia. Based on observed data, a one-dimensional model was developed to fit historical data for several bores. Statistical evaluation of varying porosity and hydraulic conductivity was undertaken, thereby giving a reasonable model configuration. The model is thus confirmed as suitable for predicting the impacts of future climate change scenarios on water table fluctuations.