Simulating effects of recharge and pumping stresses on contaminant transport in a multilayered complex groundwater system

[摘要] The study area with multiple layers of varying thickness and varying hydraulic properties, topography, ridge lines indicated the need for a multi-layered model to simulate field conditions. A groundwater model was developed using Groundwater Vistas to understand the direction of flow and to evaluating the effects of pumping and recharge stresses in the system. Calibration of the groundwater model for hydraulic conductivity was done based on observed heads at multiple targets and assuming constant recharge and pumping stresses. Particle tracking methods were employed using MODPATH to study the direction of flow of contaminants under various pumping and recharge scenarios. The simulations indicate that recharge plays a significant role in the movement of groundwater contaminants in the study area and help determine the ideal pumping rates at the remediation wells with varying recharge conditions.

[发布机构] Rice University

[效力级别] engineering