Introduction to Menyanthes Software for Hydrogeologic Time Series Analysis with Physical Insight

The program Menyanthes combines a variety of functions for managing, editing, visualizing, analyzing, and modeling hydrogeologic time series. The primary aim of the software is the integration of data-driven and physics-based methods for modeling time series of groundwater heads. Within Menyanthes, time series can be modeled using both the ARMA and PIRFICT methods. The PIRFICT method is a new method of time series analysis that has practical advantages as well as facilitating the physical interpretation and implementation of knowledge on the physical behavior. The analytical solutions for specific hydrogeologic problems may be used as the response function, along with their physics-based parameters. The PIRFICT model may be fitted with a large number of time series in batch. Spatial patterns that emerge from the results provide useful information which adds a new dimension to the time series analysis. The Menyathes software provides spatial visualization and analysis tools for their interpretation. The PIRFICT method also facilitates the integration of time series and spatially-distributed models. The PIRFICT method may prove to be of use for other types of time series as well, both within and outside the realm of environmental sciences.