Abstract
Combining groundwater flow models with solute transport models represents a common challenge in groundwater resources assessments and contaminant transport modelling. The solution that is explored in this paper is based on defining a finer grid subdomain within a larger coarser domain. The local-grid refinement (LGR) implemented in the MODFLOW code has such a provision to simulate groundwater flow in two nested grids: a higher-resolution sub-grid within a coarse grid. Under the premise that the interface between both models was well defined, a comprehensive sensitivity and un- certainty analysis was performed whereby the effect of a parameter perturbation in a coarser-grid model on transport predictions using a higher-resolution grid was quantified. This approach was tested for a groundwater flow and solute transport analysis in support of a safety evaluation of the future surface radioactive waste disposal facility. Our reference coarse-grid groundwater flow model was coupled with a smaller fine sub-grid model in two different ways. While the reference flow model was calibrated using observed groundwater levels at a scale commensurate with that of the coarse-grid model, the fine sub-grid model was used to run a solute transport simulation quantifying concentrations in a hypothetical well nearby the disposal facility.
Details
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 881-899 |
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Journal | Mathematical Geosciences |
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Volume | 44 |
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Issue number | 7 |
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DOIs | |
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Publication status | Published - Sep 2012 |
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