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A Three‐Dimensional Analytical Model to Aid in Selecting Monitoring Locations in the Vadose Zone
Author(s) -
McKee C. R.,
Bumb A. C.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
groundwater monitoring and remediation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1745-6592
pISSN - 1069-3629
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6592.1988.tb00998.x
Subject(s) - vadose zone , drainage , computer science , environmental science , infiltration (hvac) , saturation (graph theory) , site selection , hazardous waste , petroleum engineering , geology , soil science , engineering , mathematics , soil water , meteorology , geography , waste management , ecology , combinatorics , political science , law , biology
Monitoring of the vadose zone is a potentially complex, time‐consuming, and expensive problem. The location of monitoring points and selection of monitoring instruments can be optimized by using computer models. Numerical models developed for this purpose in the past have often been expensive and difficult to use. This paper describes a fast, three‐dimensional, approximate analytical solution to the moisture content in the unsaturated zone. An analytical solution is available for steady‐state drainage, whereas an approximate analytical solution is available for the transient case. The model will handle an arbitrary distribution of fluid sources, as well as vertical and horizontal impermeable boundaries. The model may be applied to predict the incursion of fluid from accidental leakage or infiltration over large areas from unlined ponds and land treatment sites. The model is quite useful as an aid in designing monitoring or premonitoring programs near hazardous waste sites. Examples are presented to demonstrate the model's utility in estimating the maximum spread of a contaminant, the extent to which the fluid may spread with depth, the regions of high and low capillary pressure, and the non‐linear behavior of the saturation when drainage from several sources in considered. These results are useful for the placement of monitoring locations and the selection of appropriate instruments, and as a tool in working with regulatory agencies to design monitoring programs. A glimpse of the future is necessary for today's planning. Computer models are some of the most useful crystal balls we have available.