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Title: The use of numerical flow and transport models in environmental analyses

Author
item VAN GENUCHTEN, MARTINUS - Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro
item NAVEIRA-COTTA, CAROLINA - Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro
item Skaggs, Todd
item RAOOF, AMIR - Utrecht University
item PONTEDEIRO, ELIZABETH - Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/10/2014
Publication Date: 8/1/2014
Citation: van Genuchten, M.Th., Naveira-Cotta, C., Skaggs, T.H., Raoof, A., Pontedeiro, E.M. 2014. The use of numerical flow and transport models in environmental analyses. In:Teixeira, W.G., et al., editors. Application of soil physics in environmental analyses: Measuring, modelling and data integration, progress in soil science. Switzerland:Springer International. p. 349-376.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This chapter provides an overview of alternative approaches for modeling water flow and contaminant transport problems in soils and groundwater. Special focus is on flow and transport processes in the variably saturated vadose zone between the soil surface and the groundwater table. The governing flow and transport equations are discussed for both equilibrium and nonequilibrium flow conditions, followed by three examples. The first example shows how one-dimensional root-zone modeling can be used to estimate short- and long-term recharge rates, including contaminant transport through the vadose zone. A second example illustrates a two-dimensional application involving drip irrigation, while the third example deals with two-dimensional nonequilibrium transport of a pesticide in a tile-drained field soil. Also discussed are alternative pore-scale modeling approaches that may provide a better understanding of the basic physical and geochemical processes affecting fluid flow and contaminant transport in saturated and variably saturated media.