SAG-90303 Groundwater Flow and Transport Phenomena

Course

Credits 3.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

HWM-20806

Contents:

In local scale contamination problems, a large number of processes play a role in the transport and fate of solutes dissolved in groundwater. One of the main transport mechanisms for these solutes is the groundwater flow. This groundwater flow is influenced by soil heterogeneity as well as (in some cases) the properties of the water, and especially the density. Density gradients in groundwater can have a large impact on the flow velocity. In case of dense water overlying less dense water, instabilities may occur that will strongly enhance the vertical transport of dissolved species. The fate and transport of reactive solutes in groundwater is governed by a number of physical/chemical processes like advection (the groundwater flow), hydrodynamic dispersion, adsorption/desorption, chemical or biological decay, etc. Each of these processes plays a different role, and can be described in different ways.
In this course the basic principles of coupled groundwater flow and transport wil be covered. The focus of the course is on the transport of reactive solutes in groundwater for local scale contamination problems. Effects of variable water density and soil heterogeneity on the groundwater velocity and travel times will be treated. The effect of the physical/chemical parameters on the transport and fate of the solutes will also be treated. During the practical, models will be consturcted (in spreadsheet form) based on the coupled groundwater flow and transport equations.

Aims:

To get familiar with the (mathematical) description of coupled groundwater flow and transport of solutes in the subsoil, and also the effect of varying fluid properties.

Activities:

Studying course material.
Development of models describing groundwater flow and transport phenomena.

Examination:

Written exam.

Literature:

Course material.