The Role of Global Sensitivity Analysis in Interpreting Subsurface Processes under Uncertainty

Global sensitivity analysis (GSA) projects uncertainty of input parameters onto the variance of model responses, leading to improved characterization of complex systems and assisting design of measurement networks. GSA is compatible with model discrimination criteria and allows assessing contributions of model uncertainty to the overall system variability. Examples are presented to showcase the role of GSA in interpreting groundwater flow/transport processes, where quantification of uncertainty associated with model predictions is critical to design management strategies.