Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #145071
Title: SOLUTE TRANSPORT DURING VARIABLY-SATURATED FLOW - INVERSE METHODS

Author
item SIMUNEK, JIRI - UC RIVERSIDE, CA
item Van Genuchten, Martinus
item JACQUES, DIEDERIK - BELGIAN NUCLEAR RES
item HOPMANS, JAN - UC DAVIS, CA
item INOUE, MITSUHIRO - TOTTORI UNIV, JAPAN
item FLURY, MARCUS - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/16/2002
Publication Date: 12/20/2002
Citation: Simunek, J., Van Genuchten, M.T., Jacques, D., Hopmans, J.W., Inoue, M., Flury, M. 2002. Solute transport during variably-saturated flow - inverse methods. Book Chapter. Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 4. Physical Methods. Chapter 6.6. SSSA Book Series No. 5 435-1449

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The use of parameter estimation techniques for determining soil hydraulic properties is well-established. The approach has been widely used for various laboratory and field experiments. In separate lines of research, solute transport parameters are often obtained from column experiments assuming steady-state water flow, and using parameter estimation codes such as CFITIM, CXTFIT, or STANMOD for fitting analytical solutions of the transport equation to experimental breakthrough curves. Obtaining solute transport parameters for conditions for which no analytical solutions exist, such as for nonlinear adsorption, can be accomplished using numerical solutions. In this book chapter we focus on the application of parameter estimation methods to indirect estimation of the soil hydraulic and solute transport parameters from variably-saturated transient flow experiments. Since the approach requires the use of numerical methods, we also include a relatively simple example involving transport of solute with nonlinear chemical reaction (during steady water flow) for which no analytical solution is available. Parameter estimation methods coupled with comprehensive numerical models can provide extremely useful tools for analyzing experimental data that may not be evaluated optimally using conventional tools such as analytical solutions. Because of the generality of numerical models, these tools are very attractive for analyzing conveniently and accurately a broad range of steady-state and transient laboratory and field flow and transport experiments.