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Effect of exponential decay in hydraulic conductivity with depth on regional groundwater flow
Author(s) -
Jiang XiaoWei,
Wan Li,
Wang XuSheng,
Ge Shemin,
Liu Jie
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2009gl041251
Subject(s) - hydraulic conductivity , groundwater , groundwater flow , exponential function , exponential decay , geology , flow (mathematics) , soil science , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental science , aquifer , geotechnical engineering , mechanics , nuclear physics , physics , mathematics , soil water , mathematical analysis
Regional groundwater flow is critical for understanding a variety of geologic processes. Unfortunately, few studies have considered the impact of gradual decrease in hydraulic conductivity ( K ) with depth on groundwater flow. In this study, regional groundwater flow through a basin is analyzed under conditions of exponentially decaying K with depth. We found that the development of local versus regional flow systems is sensitive to the decay exponent of K . With higher rates of decrease in K with depth, the penetration depth of local flow systems increases, the regional flow weakens, the amount of recharge decreases, and less water reaches the regional discharge zone. Therefore, the depth decay of K should not be neglected when analyzing hydrologic problems related to regional groundwater flow.