5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
[AHW24-P07] Modelling Groundwater Aquifers subjected to Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR)
Keywords:Managed Aquifer Recharge, Groundwater Modelling, Finite Difference Method, Unconfined Aquifers, Boussinesq's equation, Hydrogeology
Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is a process used to replenish groundwater reserves for future use or environmental benefits. It is a key strategy in sustainable water resource management, helping us to address increasing water supply vulnerabilities. MAR can be implemented through various techniques like infiltration basins, injection wells, controlled reservoir releases and stream channel modifications, particularly, in arid regions. Groundwater modelling plays a crucial role in understanding aquifer behaviour and assessing groundwater levels under different hydrological conditions.
This study employs numerical modelling using MODFLOW to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of MAR systems. MODFLOW, based on the Finite-Difference Method, is widely used for simulating groundwater flow and transport processes. The primary objectives of this modelling approach include optimizing MAR operations and analyzing geochemical interactions occurring during water injection, storage, and recovery phases. Additionally, the research aims to assess water recovery efficiency and the influence of injected water on surrounding groundwater, considering heterogeneous hydrogeological parameters such as transmissivity, porosity, and storativity.
Furthermore, this study integrates the nonlinear Boussinesq’s equation to better simulate transient flow conditions in unconfined aquifers, a condition often overlooked in MAR models but critical for representing real-world recharge scenarios. Sensitivity analysis will also be performed to examine the effects of varying recharge rates and boundary conditions, ultimately contributing to improved groundwater management strategies.
This study employs numerical modelling using MODFLOW to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of MAR systems. MODFLOW, based on the Finite-Difference Method, is widely used for simulating groundwater flow and transport processes. The primary objectives of this modelling approach include optimizing MAR operations and analyzing geochemical interactions occurring during water injection, storage, and recovery phases. Additionally, the research aims to assess water recovery efficiency and the influence of injected water on surrounding groundwater, considering heterogeneous hydrogeological parameters such as transmissivity, porosity, and storativity.
Furthermore, this study integrates the nonlinear Boussinesq’s equation to better simulate transient flow conditions in unconfined aquifers, a condition often overlooked in MAR models but critical for representing real-world recharge scenarios. Sensitivity analysis will also be performed to examine the effects of varying recharge rates and boundary conditions, ultimately contributing to improved groundwater management strategies.