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Advection‐Dispersion Interpretation of Tracer Observations in an Aquifer
Author(s) -
Hoehn Eduard,
Roberts Paul V.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
groundwater
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1745-6584
pISSN - 0017-467X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6584.1982.tb02766.x
Subject(s) - tracer , advection , aquifer , dispersion (optics) , mechanics , geology , soil science , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , geotechnical engineering , physics , groundwater , thermodynamics , optics , nuclear physics
Data from field tracer experiments are interpreted to evaluate the adequacy of an advection‐dispersion model for simulating field conditions. A stimulus‐response approach based on chemical reactor theory was applied. Two different pulse stimuli at an injection well resulted in responses in two observation wells located at distances of 8 and 17 m, respectively, from the injection well. The wells are perforated over the entire aquifer thickness of 1–2 m. The behavior of the two conservative tracers agreed closely with each other. Breakthrough response curves revealed extended trailing edges (tailing), especially at the nearer well. A two‐domain model is employed to extend the simple advection‐dispersion equation to account for the observed tailing. Response curves of concentrations were fitted with finite‐difference simulations using the two‐domain model. The simulations using the two‐domain model agreed well with the field observations. The responses at the more distant well were characterized by values of dispersivity equal to or slightly smaller than those at the nearer well.