Three-dimensional modeling of contaminant transport in groundwater based on advection – dispersion process

Abstract One of the ways to deal with the water crisis is to supply groundwater using wastewater distribution to increase water storage for the future. Water quality improves during movement into the soil and transported by groundwater. Developing the simulation model used to determine the contaminant concentration generated by point recharge wells is the main objective of this study. Advection, dispersion, chemical reaction, sink and source were the implemented strategies for solving the problem. To achieve this goal, groundwater samples were collected from 16 wells in different parts of west region of China and studied their nitrate concentration to study the spread of nitrate pollution in groundwater and to determine possible sources of nitrate. Furthermore, temperature, electrical conductivity and pH were measured. A three-dimensional model of nitrate flow and transfer in groundwater with the aim of better detecting nitrate flow and movement in groundwater and determining system index times was developed to find the results of changes in groundwater leaching of nitrate on contaminant concentration. Successfully simulated the model showed that the solute transport of nitrate in groundwater. Spatial changes of nitrate advancing front, salinity depletion and nitrate leakage from the agricultural activities were shown. Under reaction conditions, about 80% of nitrate was lost.