Fuzzy-stochastic characterization of site uncertainty and variability in groundwater flow and contaminant transport through a heterogeneous aquifer

Site variabilities and uncertainties in data and information lead to significant spread in results of groundwater flow and contaminant transport models. A framework for hybrid propagation of random uncertainties represented by probability theory; nonrandom uncertainties represented by fuzzy set theory; and site variabilities represented by geostatistics was developed in this research. A case study was provided to explain the computational algorithm. The methodology presented here can be applied to complex environments where there are site variabilities as well as uncertainties of different kinds. The algorithm is suited when uncertainties in some variables may be best represented as fuzzy numbers whereas in others as probability distributions and both form part of the same governing equation.