Cyclic Feedback Updating Approach and Uncertainty Analysis for the Source Identification of DNAPL-Contaminated Aquifers

Hypothetical and real case studies were combined to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of a surrogate-based cyclic feedback updating approach for groundwater contamination source identification (GCSI) at dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL)-contaminated sites. Support vector regression (SVR), kriging, and kernel extreme learning machine (KELM) models were integrated to build a surrogate model of the multiphase flow simulation model with a high computational efficiency. A mixed homotopy-differential evolution (DE) algorithm is presented to solve the optimization model, in which the integrated surrogate model was embedded, to obtain the identification results, and a cyclic feedback updating process was developed to gradually improve the results. Finally, GCSI uncertainty analysis was conducted using the Monte Carlo method. The results showed that the integrated surrogate model accurately approximates the simulation model, with a mean relative error of only 2.56%. The combination of the homotopy algorithm and DE algorithm provided an effective improvement over the traditional heuristic algorithm, and the mean relative error of the identified source characteristics was limited to 3.28%. GCSI accuracy was significantly improved after the application of the cyclic feedback updating method by reducing the mean relative error of the final identification results to 2.14%. In addition, the probability distribution characteristics of the identification results were obtained via uncertainty analysis to provide a comprehensive and reliable reference for decision makers. (c) 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.

Automated summary

This study investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of a surrogate-based cyclic feedback updating approach for groundwater contamination source identification (GCSI) at DNAPL-contaminated sites. Results showed significant improvement in identification accuracy using this method.