An analytical solution for ground water transit time through unconfined aquifers.
An exact, closed-form analytical solution is developed for calculating ground water transit times within Dupuit-type flow systems. The solution applies to steady-state, saturated flow through an unconfined, horizontal aquifer recharged by surface infiltration and discharging to a downgradient fixed-head boundary. The upgradient boundary can represent, using the same equation, a no-flow boundary or a fixed head. The approach is unique for calculating travel times because it makes no a priori assumptions regarding the limit of the water table rise with respect to the minimum saturated aquifer thickness. The computed travel times are verified against a numerical model, and examples are provided, which show that the predicted travel times can be on the order of nine times longer relative to existing analytical solutions.
Chesnaux
R
R
Ecole Plytechnique de Montréal, Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. romain.chesnaux@polymtl.ca
Molson
J W
JW
Chapuis
R P
RP
D005618:Fresh Water; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D014872:Water Movements