Hydrological effects on gravity and correlations between gravitational variations and level of the Alzette River at the station of Walferdange, Luxembourg

The gravitational effects of water storage variations driven by local precipitation events are modeled for the Walferdange Underground Laboratory for Geodynamics (WULG) in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. A modified mass continuity model is implemented, which uses rainfall data from Walferdange as input. In the absence of soil moisture and groundwater level information, the model is empirically parameterized. Model outputs are compared to the gravity time series registered with the Observatory Superconducting Gravimeter CT040 located in the WULG. We find that the model explains 77% of the gravity residuals. In addition, a statistical analysis is carried out to determine the relationship between precipitation, gravity variations and water level changes in the nearby Alzette River. A time delay of 88 +/- 34 min between the maximum variation rates of the water level and gravity signal has been calculated. The signals have an admittance of 45 +/- 5 cm mu Gal(-1). (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.