A combined hydrodynamic and mixing model approach to quantify small saline groundwater input into rivers
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Date
2011-07-06
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Publisher
International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics
Abstract
The flow of groundwater into a stream is difficult to quantify. Several techniques exist, however they all have limitations with both practicality and accuracy being difficult to achieve. This study develops a method that is accurate, within the limits of input data, and practical for use in areas where groundwater inputs into rivers have a detectable level of some tracer (in this case salt). The study is undertaken on the Darling River in northwestern New South Wales, Australia. This study used a one-dimensional hydro-dynamic model (MIKE 11) of the river with the coupled advection-dispersion module to model the transport of salinity concentrations. Using a simple mixing model, a time series of saline groundwater discharge was generated and input into the hydrodynamic model. The resulting saline-groundwater discharge hydrograph agrees with conceptual understanding of groundwater-surface water processes and reasonably approximates the actual measured EC values in the river.
Description
Keywords
Ground water, Rivers, New South Wales, Australia, Salts, Salinity
Citation
Morrison, T. N., Rayburg, S. C., & Hughes, C. E. (2011). A combined hydrodynamic and mixing model approach to quantify small saline groundwater input into rivers. Paper presented to the 2011 International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) General Assembly, Earth on the Edge: Science for a Sustainable Planet, 28 June - 7 July 2011, Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved from http://iugg.org/archive/iugg2011/tourhosts.com.au/live/iugg2011/pdf/IUGG2011_FinalEntireProgram.6June.pdf