Over recent years, important contributions on the topic of solving various aquifer problems have been presented in numerous papers and reports. The scattered and wide-ranging nature of this information has made finding solutions and best practices difficult. Comprehensive and self-contained, Applied Flow and Solute Transport Modeling in Aquifers co

In many parts of the world, groundwater resources are under increasing threat from growing demands, wasteful use, and contamination. To face the challenge, good planning and management practices are needed. A key to the management of groundwater is the ability to model the movement of fluids and contaminants in the subsurface. The purpose of this book is to construct conceptual and mathematical models that can provide the information required for making decisions associated with the management of groundwater resources, and the remediation of contaminated aquifers. The basic approach of this book is to accurately describe the underlying physics of groundwater flow and solute transport in heterogeneous porous media, starting at the microscopic level, and to rigorously derive their mathematical representation at the macroscopic levels. The well-posed, macroscopic mathematical models are formulated for saturated, single phase flow, as well as for unsaturated and multiphase flow, and for the transport of single and multiple chemical species. Numerical models are presented and computer codes are reviewed, as tools for solving the models. The problem of seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers is examined and modeled. The issues of uncertainty in model input data and output are addressed. The book concludes with a chapter on the management of groundwater resources. Although one of the main objectives of this book is to construct mathematical models, the amount of mathematics required is kept minimal.

Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Advances in Analytical and Numerical Groundwater Flow and Quality Modelling, Lisbon, Portugal, June 2-6, 1987

Applied Contaminant Transport Modeling Theory and Practice Chunmiao Zheng and Gordon D. Bennett The design of remedial systems for groundwater contamination requires a thorough understanding of how various interacting processes — advection, dispersion, and chemical reactions — influence the movement and fate of contaminants. Solute transport simulation provides an ideal vehicle to synthesize these controlling processes, evaluate their interactions, and test the effectiveness of remedial measures. Applied Contaminant Transport Modeling is the first complete resource designed to provide clear coverage of the basic principles of solute transport simulation — including the theory behind the most common numerical techniques for solving transport equations, and step-by-step guidance on the development and use of field-scale models. Written by two experts with extensive practical experience in the field, Applied Contaminant Transport Modeling clearly explains: Factors controlling the transport and fate of solutes in the subsurface —g including advective and dispersive transport and chemical reaction — and the equations governing these processes Development of mathematical models of solute transport regimes and representative analytical solutions to the transport equation Particle tracking as a practical tool for solving many types of field problems Development of Eulerian-Lagrangian methods for solving advection-dispersion-reaction equations Step-by-step development and application of solute transport models — emphasizing problem formulation, model setup, parameter selection, calibration, and sensitivity analysis Sources of uncertainty in transport simulation, and methods of evaluating and managing uncertainty Applied Contaminant Transport Modeling presents detailed case histories illustrating how hydrologists, geologists, chemists, and environmental engineers apply transport models in real-life situations, including landfills, hazardous waste sites, and contaminated aquifers. An optional diskette designed to accompany the text provides software to help the reader explore the concepts and techniques presented in the text and gain hands-on experience in transport simulation. Driven by growing concern over groundwater quality and the rapid dissemination of computer technology, solute transport simulation has become an essential means of evaluating and solving groundwater contamination and remediation problems. Applied Contaminant Transport Modeling provides you with the tools to master this significant field of study.

A large part of the global population lives in arid lands which have low rainfall and often lack the water required for sustainable population and economic growth. This book presents a comprehensive description of the hydrogeology and hydrologic processes at work in arid lands. It describes the techniques that can be used to assess and manage the water resources of these areas with an emphasis on groundwater resources, including recent advances in hydrologic evaluation and the differences between how aquifer systems behave in arid lands versus more humid areas. Water management techniques are described and summarized to show how a more comprehensive approach to water management is required in these areas, including the need to be aware of cultural sensitivities and conditions unique to many arid regions. The integration of existing resources with the addition of new water sources, such as desalination of brackish water and seawater, along with reusing treated wastewater, will be required to meet future water supply needs. Also, changing climatic conditions will force water management systems to be more robust so that future water supply demands can be met as droughts become more intense and rainfall events become more intense. A range of water management techniques are described and discussed in order to illustrate the methods for integrating these measures within the context of arid lands conditions.

Scientific understanding of fluid flow in rock fractures--a process underlying contemporary earth science problems from the search for petroleum to the controversy over nuclear waste storage--has grown significantly in the past 20 years. This volume presents a comprehensive report on the state of the field, with an interdisciplinary viewpoint, case studies of fracture sites, illustrations, conclusions, and research recommendations. The book addresses these questions: How can fractures that are significant hydraulic conductors be identified, located, and characterized? How do flow and transport occur in fracture systems? How can changes in fracture systems be predicted and controlled? Among other topics, the committee provides a geomechanical understanding of fracture formation, reviews methods for detecting subsurface fractures, and looks at the use of hydraulic and tracer tests to investigate fluid flow. The volume examines the state of conceptual and mathematical modeling, and it provides a useful framework for understanding the complexity of fracture changes that occur during fluid pumping and other engineering practices. With a practical and multidisciplinary outlook, this volume will be welcomed by geologists, petroleum geologists, geoengineers, geophysicists, hydrologists, researchers, educators and students in these fields, and public officials involved in geological projects.

Fractured rock is the host or foundation for innumerable engineered structures related to energy, water, waste, and transportation. Characterizing, modeling, and monitoring fractured rock sites is critical to the functioning of those infrastructure, as well as to optimizing resource recovery and contaminant management. Characterization, Modeling, Monitoring, and Remediation of Fractured Rock examines the state of practice and state of art in the characterization of fractured rock and the chemical and biological processes related to subsurface contaminant fate and transport. This report examines new developments, knowledge, and approaches to engineering at fractured rock sites since the publication of the 1996 National Research Council report Rock Fractures and Fluid Flow: Contemporary Understanding and Fluid Flow. Fundamental understanding of the physical nature of fractured rock has changed little since 1996, but many new characterization tools have been developed, and there is now greater appreciation for the importance of chemical and biological processes that can occur in the fractured rock environment. The findings of Characterization, Modeling, Monitoring, and Remediation of Fractured Rock can be applied to all types of engineered infrastructure, but especially to engineered repositories for buried or stored waste and to fractured rock sites that have been contaminated as a result of past disposal or other practices. The recommendations of this report are intended to help the practitioner, researcher, and decision maker take a more interdisciplinary approach to engineering in the fractured rock environment. This report describes how existing tools-some only recently developed-can be used to increase the accuracy and reliability of engineering design and management given the interacting forces of nature. With an interdisciplinary approach, it is possible to conceptualize and model the fractured rock environment with acceptable levels of uncertainty and reliability, and to design systems that maximize remediation and long-term performance. Better scientific understanding could inform regulations, policies, and implementation guidelines related to infrastructure development and operations. The recommendations for research and applications to enhance practice of this book make it a valuable resource for students and practitioners in this field.