Numerical Modeling of Saline Intrusion in Salar de Atacama
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 8, Issue 1
Abstract
This paper presents the results of numerical simulations of groundwater circulation and solute transport at the Salar de Atacama through use of a numerical model to solve the two-dimensional problem of flow in an aquifer when considering the effects of variable density. The phenomena associated with solute transport are modeled by means of an advection–dispersion equation, and a linear relationship is assumed between fluid density and concentration of the dissolved solids. Simulations considered conditions of high groundwater evaporation, which depends on the depth of the phreatic surface. Results indicate that the discharge of groundwater occurs essentially in freshwater–saline water interface zones, where a number of lagunas begin. Different freshwater recharge scenarios were simulated, while it was verified that the effects of evaporation are important and minimize or buffer the variations in the phreatic surface and the discharges of groundwater that are the source of water supply for the lagunas.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 8 • Issue 1 • January 2003
Pages: 25 - 34
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 14, 2002
Accepted: Jul 9, 2002
Published online: Dec 13, 2002
Published in print: Jan 2003
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