Simulating Mass Transport in Unconfined Aquifers

The weighted residual technique in conjunction with the finite element method is employed to formulate numerical models to solve flow and transport problems in a nonstationary saturated ground-water zone. Through the formulation presented, elements are allowed to move to accommodate the nonstationary saturated domain without the necessity for interpolation when proceeding from one time step to the next in the solution of the mass transport equation. The models can simulate the flow of water and the movement of a pollutant in the saturated zone of a homogeneous isotropic aquifer. The moisture influx from the unsaturated zone can exert some influence over mass distribution in the neighborhood of the free surface.