Solution approximating solute transport in a leaky aquifer receiving wastewater injection
- New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro (USA)
A mathematical model amenable to analytical solution techniques is developed for the investigation of contaminant transport from an injection well into a leaky aquifer system, which comprises a pumped and an unpumped aquifer connected to each other by an aquitard. A steady state groundwater flow field is assumed, where the injected fluids move horizontally in the pumped aquifer and vertically in the aquitard. The unpumped aquifer is assumed to remain in hydrostatic condition due to its large transmissivity. Descriptions of groundwater velocities are based on appropriate leaky aquifer well hydraulics. In general, the modeling approach neglecting longitudinal dispersion in the pumped aquifer and lateral dispersion in the aquitard does not introduce significant error to the modelling results, as shown by the good agreement between numerical solutions including these two transport mechanisms and the solutions of the proposed model. Within the context of the assumed hydrogeological conditions, the proposed model appears to be a valid approximation to the problem of interest. Type curves for concentration evaluated at the well bore and the tope of the aquitard are given, which can be employed to estimate whether the unpumped aquifer would be polluted as the consequence of the injection. Neglecting the leakage effects in a leaky aquifer can cause significant error in studying the transport problem.
- OSTI ID:
- 5048543
- Journal Information:
- Water Resources Research; (USA), Vol. 25:1; ISSN 0043-1397
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLLUTANTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
WASTE WATER
WASTE DISPOSAL
AQUIFERS
GROUND WATER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
SOLUTES
WATER POLLUTION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)