Symmetry Solutions for Transient Solute Transport in Unsaturated Soils with Realistic Water Profile

Authors: Moitsheki, R.¹; Broadbridge, P.²; Edwards, M.¹

Source: Transport in Porous Media, Volume 61, Number 1, October 2005 , pp. 109-125(17)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

We examine solutions for solute transport using the convection-dispersion equation (CDE) during steady evaporation from a water table. It is common, when solving the CDE, to first approximate the volumetric water content of the soil as a constant. Here, we assume a reasonable function for the water content profile and construct realistic nonlinear hydraulic transport properties. Both classical and nonclassical symmetry techniques are employed. Invariant solutions are obtained for the one dimensional CDE even with a nontrivial background profile for volumetric water content.

Keywords: solute transport; unsaturated soil; analytical solutions; Lie point symmetries

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11242-004-6799-8

Affiliations: 1: Institute for Mathematical Modelling and Computational Systems, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, 2522, New South Wales, Australia, 2: Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Delaware, 501 Ewing Hall, Newark, DE, 19716-2553, U.S.A., Email: pbroad@math.udel.edu

Publication date: 2005-10-01