Teaching
MODELING UNSATURATED WATER FLOW AND CONTAMINANT TRANSPORT
Independent study CSS 892
Credits: 2
Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
Spring 2014 semester
Syllabus
Main topics:
- Water, multiple solutes transport;
- Water and nutrient uptake by roots;
- Microbial fate and transport;
- Nitrogen transformation and transport;
- Pharmaceutical transport;
- Soil heterogeneity, non-equilibrium and preferential solute transport.
Overview: Modeling unsaturated flow/transport is crucial for predicting a wide range of soil- and groundwater processes, including those involved in environmental pollution. This course will provide in-depth conceptual understanding of the principles of flow and transport modeling in unsaturated zone. Students will obtain hands-on modeling experience using models of HYDRUS family – the world leading software for unsaturated modeling. Modeling exercises will involve application of state-of-the-art numerical codes to solving real-life site-specific subsurface flow and transport problems.
Time line: The course will start with a detailed conceptual and mathematical description of water flow and solute transport processes in the vadose zone, followed by a brief overview of the use of finite element techniques for solving governing flow and transport equations. Special attention will be given to calibration, parameter determination and predictive uncertainty of the model. Additional topics, such as preferential and non-equilibrium water flow and solute transport will also be discussed.
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