Numerical modeling of contaminant transport in aquifer systems

Abstract

A finite element model is developed to solve the problem of ground water pollution in aquifers. The developed algorithm is verified by comparing solutions with analytical and finite difference results obtained for a simplified two dimensional transport problem. FEM results show a better agreement than FD solutions for higher Peclet number. The model is applied to study the ground water pollution due to the contamination from a proposed fly ash disposal pond. Spread of total dissolved solid concentration plume is investigated after a span of 25 years, since the pond becomes operative. Sensitivity of the dispersivity parameter on the TDS contours is also examined.