Spatial Moment Equations for a Groundwater Plume with Degradation and Rate-Limited Sorption
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 19, Issue 5
Abstract
In this paper, the authors analytically derive the solution for the spatial moments of groundwater solute concentration distributions simulated by a one-dimensional model that assumes advective-dispersive transport with first-order degradation and rate-limited sorption. Sorption kinetics are assumed to be governed by a first-order rate model, and degradation is assumed to occur in the aqueous (i.e., mobile) phase only. As an extension of a previously published moment analysis of a model with similar assumptions, an explicit analytical solution is presented for the zeroth, first, and second spatial moments, as well as equations that describe the behavior of the first and second moments at long times. Moment simulations show that when the degradation rate is relatively large compared to the sorption rate, there are time periods in which the first and second spatial moments of the solute concentration distribution (the mean and variance, respectively) decrease over time. At long times, it is seen that the first and second moments increase linearly with time, indicating that velocity and dispersion are constant.
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Acknowledgments
The authors appreciate the very helpful comments of two anonymous reviewers. Financial support was provided by Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) Project ER-1737. Any opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not, necessarily, reflect the official positions and policies of the U.S. EPA, the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, nor the U.S. government. Any mention of products or trade names does not constitute recommendation for use by the U.S. EPA.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 19 • Issue 5 • May 2014
Pages: 1053 - 1058
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 10, 2012
Accepted: Jul 17, 2013
Published online: Apr 15, 2014
Published in print: May 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Sep 15, 2014
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