Groundwater Flow and Transport Modeling of Allen Forrest, Kanpur

Abhinav Srivastava, Dr. Deepesh Singh

B.Tech. Student, Assistant Professor
Dept. of Civil Engineering, H.B. Technological Institute, Kanpur (India)
accessabhinav@gmail.com, dr.deepeshsingh@gmail.com

Abstract-This paper aims at studying the problem of

groundwater contamination of Allen Forest area,
Kanpur (U. P.) and suggests suitable observation well
management strategies for the area. In this respect,
groundwater flow and contaminant transport process
was simulated over the study area using a computer
based model, MOC v3.1. The study area was suitably
discretized into a block centered finite difference grid
which was limited to 1089m 961m. The simulation
model utilizes the hydrogeological input data and
provides head and contaminant concentration values
for future time periods. It was observed that in 5
years simulation period around 42 percent of the total
study area is covered by the plume which crosses the
threshold limit of 300 mg/l. This work also utilizes the
breakthrough curves to explore suitable management
strategies for installation of observation wells in
different time periods depending upon the economic
constraints.

1. Introduction
Groundwater is a term used for the subsurface
water that occurs beneath the water table in soils and
geological formations that are fully saturated.
Groundwater is the most abundant source of fresh
water for mankind, with only 2.5% of water on earth
being fresh, the total groundwater reserves account for
30% of this share [4]. As a result of our consumptive
way of life, the groundwater environment is being
assaulted with an ever increasing number of soluble
chemicals. From water quality viewpoint, degradation
of groundwater often requires long periods of time
before the true extent of the problem is readily
detectable. It has thus become recognized as an
important environmental problem. With the increasing
sense of awareness about the environment and the
recognition of the need for its protection, the study of
solute transport related to groundwater contamination
has become the focus of numerous researchers.
Groundwater modelling is an effective way to
predict the flow of groundwater within an aquifer.

Groundwater modelling aims at studying the temporal

and spatial distribution of such contaminants in the
aquifer and helps to formulate sustainable groundwater
management strategies. During the last three decades,
research activities in this area have accelerated to a
revolutionary level. Different investigators have
studied the solute transport from different perspectives.
Groundwater models can be divided into groundwater
flow models and solute transport models. Groundwater
flow models solve for the distribution of heads,
whereas solute transport models solve for
concentration of solute as affected by advection,
dispersion and chemical reactions. Groundwater
models can be both analytical and numerical. While the
analytical models are wholly based on subjective
human judgments, numerical models simulate
groundwater flow indirectly by means of a governing
equation thought to represent the physical processes
that occur in the system, together with equations that
describe heads or flows along the boundaries of the
model [1].
After the contaminants and their behaviour have
been detected, the well locations are monitored based
on which sustainable groundwater management
strategies are devised. Along with these, efforts may
also be made for remediation of the problem by
implementing the three Es viz. engineering, education
and enforcement.

1.1. Objectives
This paper aims to address the spatial and temporal
distribution of water table and contaminant
concentrations in a confined aquifer with the following
objectives:
i. Identification of various groundwater extraction,
recharge and contaminant sources in the area of
Allen Forest Zoo.
ii. Implementation of a coding based numerical model
for groundwater flow and contaminant transport for
the area.

Proceedings of International Conference of Benchmarks in Engineering Science and Technology (IC-BEST) 7-8 September 2012.

iii.
iv.

Prediction of the head distribution, fate of the

contaminants in different time periods.
Developing sustainable strategies for groundwater
observation well installation in the study area.

2. Theoretical background

characteristics is not to solve equation 2 directly, but

rather to solve an equivalent system of ordinary
differential equations. Considering saturated thickness
as a variable and by expanding the convective transport
term, equation 2 can be written as [7]:
1

2.1. Groundwater flow equation

The equation describing the transient twodimensional areal flow of a homogeneous
compressible fluid through a non-homogeneous
anisotropic aquifer in Cartesian tensor notation can be
written as [8]:
,

1,2

Where:

Tij

transmissivity tensor, [L2/T];

= Kijb;
Kij
= hydraulic conductivity tensor, [LT-1];
b
= saturated thickness of aquifer, [L];
h
= hydraulic head, [L] ;
S
= storage coefficient, (dimensionless);
t
= time, [T];
W
= volume flux per unit area (positive sign for
outflow and negative for inflow), [L/T];
and
xi and xj are the Cartesian coordinates, [L].
=

2.2. Contaminant transport equation

The equation used to describe the two dimensional
areal transport and dispersion of a given non-reactive
dissolved chemical species in flowing ground water is
as follows [2] and [3]:

2
Where:

= concentration of the dissolved chemical

species, [M/L3];
Dij
= coefficient of hydrodynamic dispersion (a
second-order tensor), [L2/T];
b
= saturated thickness of the aquifer, [L]; and
C
= concentration of the dissolved chemical in a
source or, sink fluid, [M/L3].

2.3. Method of characteristics

The method of characteristics is used in this model
to solve the contaminant transport equation. This
method was developed to solve hyperbolic differential
equations. The approach taken by the method of

2.4. Assumptions considered in model

Following assumptions are considered in the model:
i. Darcys law is valid and hydraulic-head gradients
are the only significant driving mechanism for fluid
flow.
ii. The porosity and hydraulic conductivity of the
aquifer are constant with time, and porosity is
uniform in space.
iii. Gradients of fluid density, viscosity and
temperature do not affect the velocity distribution.
iv. No chemical reactions occur that affect the
concentration of the solute, the fluid properties, or
the aquifer properties.
v. Ionic and molecular diffusion are negligible
contributors to the total dispersive flux.
vi. Vertical variations in head and concentration are
negligible.
vii. The aquifer is homogeneous and isotropic with
respect to the coefficients of longitudinal and
transverse dispersivity.
viii. The gradients of fluid density, viscosity and
temperature do not affect the velocity distribution.

2.5. Methodology
The study area is discretized into a block-centred
finite difference grid having rows and columns. A
pumping well is represented as withdrawal (discharge)
well and is specified as one pumping well per node.
The model assumes that stresses developed in the
aquifer are constant with time during each pumping
period. But the total number of wells, as well as their
locations, flux rates, and source concentrations, may be
changed for successive pumping periods. The model
specifies observation wells on potential locations.
Other parameters like contaminant source, constant
head boundaries, no-flow boundaries, transmissivity
can be given as input in model as node identification
array [9].
An output file was obtained detailing the input
values, head values and concentration values. This

Proceedings of International Conference of Benchmarks in Engineering Science and Technology (IC-BEST) 7-8 September 2012.

output wass then used to obtain the coontour maps annd

breakthrouugh curves.

3. Flow modeling
m
off the study area
a
3.1. The study
s
area
The arrea under stud
dy is the Alllen Forest Zooo,
located in western
w
part off Kanpur city at
a latitude 26.50o
o
N and lonngitude 80.29 E. It has an area
a
of 48 acrres
with a norrth-south exten
nt of 440 meterrs and east-weest
extent of 430
4 meters.

3.2. Spatiial discretiza

ation
The sttudy area is considered ass an aquifer of
rectangularr shape. The rectangle itselff a 2020 grid is
3572 feet in x direction
n and 3152 feeet in y directioon
with each cell having th
he dimensions of 178.6 feet in
the x direcction and 157..6 feet in the y direction. Thhe
upper-left corner of thee grid was coonsidered as thhe
point of origin. The maap of the studyy area has beeen
shown in Fig.
F 1.

Figurre 2. 2020 grid drawn on th

he area along with
th
he boundaries
s

3.4. The
T lake and water table
The study area also containss a lake. Thiss lake
receivees waste wateer from nearbby residential areas.
Hence, this lake cann be considereed as a contam
minant
sourcee and at the same time also a constantt head
locatioon. The conceentration of a hypotheticall nonreactivve contaminantt present in thee lake, is assum
med to
be 4299.68 mg/l. Thhe lake covers a total of 233 cells
which equals an areaa of 647389 ftt2. The water taable is
considdered as a consstant head regiion. The locations of
the lakke as well as thhe water table have been shoown in
Fig. 3.

F
Figure
1. Map of Allen Fores
st Zoo

3.5. Pumping
P
and observation
n wells
3.3. Boun
ndaries and location of stu
udy area
The oriigin has been shown by the letter O alonng
with the grrid and the bou
undaries of the study area havve
been show
wn in Fig. 2. Th
he total numbeer of cells fallinng
inside the boundary
b
is 27
70 and thus thee total area to be
b
studied is 7599787.2 ft2. The outerm
most cells of thhe
w boundary. Thhe
whole gridd were designatted as a no flow
hydro-geollogic characteeristics of thee aquifer weere
assumed too be constant th
hroughout the study
s
period.

Based on the dataa collected durring the survey of the

study area, two pum
mping wells were
w
found to exist,
each with a disccharge of 200.96 ft3/sec. Their
coordinates on the grrid were identiified to be (8, 9) and
(7, 3). 10 imaginary observation wells
w
were arbiitrarily
locatedd on the grid. Their locationns on the gridd have
been taabulated below
w and shown inn Fig. 3.

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Tab
ble 1. Location
n of Observation Wells

Observation Well No
o.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Coorrdinates
(
(6,6)
(11,12)
(88,14)
(12,16)
(115,7)
(55,17)
(16,11)
(55,10)
(44,14)
(15,14)

3.6. Pump
ping period
The tootal pumping period taken for the moddel
execution was 5 years.. During the first 2.5 yearrs,
evaluation was done for every 2 montths interval. Thhe
next 2.5 years
y
was ev
valuated for every
e
6 monthhs
interval. The
T program was
w suitably modified
m
to priint
the data att the required time intervalss. The chemiccal
output at each time sttep includes a concentratioon
matrix and a tabulation
n of concenttrations at eacch
observationn well.

3.7. Parameters
P
an
nd hydro-geoological inpu
uts
The model needss a set of variiables or param
meters
for a streamlined simulation
s
proocess. These inputs
includee defining a finnite differencee grid, specifying the
pumping period, inittial number off particles per node,
maxim
mum cell disstance per particle
p
movee and
converrgence criterioon for the num
merical methods. The
follow
wing parameterss were specifieed for the modeel as:
Table 2. Para
ameters used in the model

Param
meters
Time Steps
S
in a Pum
mping Period
Numbeer of Pumping Periods
Total Pumping
P
period
Nodes in x direction
Width of finite-differrence cell in x
direction
Nodes in y direction
Width of finite-differrence cell in y
direction
Maxim
mum number off particles
Initial number of parrticles per nodee
Numbeer of node idenntification codees
Maxim
mum cell distannce per particlee move
Conveergence criterioon

V
Value
1
1
5 yeears
20
178.6 feet
20
1577.6 feet
64000
9
2
0.500
0.00001

Appart from the above

a
stated inputs,
i
severall other
inputs regarding the hydro-geological characterisstics of
the aquuifer were alsoo needed by thee model.
Forr a confined aquifer
a
transmiissivity is definned as
the hyydraulic conduuctivity of thhe aquifer per unit
thickneess. Transmisssivities greateer than 0.0155 m2/s
(0.16 ft2/s) represennt good aquiffers for waterr well
exploittation [5].
Efffective porosityy refers to the fraction of the total
volume in which fluuid flow is effeectively takingg place
and inncludes dead-ennd pores (as thhese pores cannnot be
flushedd, but they cann cause fluid movement
m
by release
r
of preessure like gass expansion) and
a excludes closed
pores or
o non-connectted cavities [5]].
The ratio of transsverse to longittudinal disperssivities
was assumed to be 0.3. The folllowing inputss were
given to
t the model:
Figu
ure 3. Showing
g the study are
ea with all
boundaries
s, lake and we
ells

Obserrvation well
Pumpping well

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Table 3. Hydro-geological inputs for the model

Parameter

Value
Time (Months)

Aquifer Thickness

20 feet

Potentiometric heads in
the water table

130 feet in the north and

north-east boundary and
100 feet on the south and
south-west boundary

Transmissivity

0.12 ft2/sec

Longitudinal
Dispersivity

100 feet

Transverse Dispersivity

30 feet

Effective Porosity

0.30

Storage Co-efficient

0, due to steady state

conditions

2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
36
42
48
54
60

10
2
20.96 ft3/sec

4. Results and analysis

4.1. Spatial distribution
concentration

of

contaminant

The concentration values at all the nodes were

interpolated in the entire study area by method of
Kriging utilized by Surfer 10. Kriging is a statistical
interpolation method that chooses the best linear
unbiased estimate and unlike other interpolation
methods, it preserves the field value at measurement
points [1]. The contours join all points of same
concentration. The successive contour maps help to get
an idea about the areal extent of contamination in
ground water. The various contour maps obtained were
then carefully superimposed over the study area.
The values on contour lines represent concentration
values in mg/l. The threshold limit of groundwater
contamination is assumed to be 300 mg/l. It was
observed that a total of 167 cells, around 42 percent of
the total study area cross the threshold limit at the end
of simulation period of 5 years.
The number of cells crossing the threshold limit
after every time interval of 2 months up to 2.5 years
and 6 months from then onwards has been shown in
Table 4.

Number of cells above

threshold limit
107
136
150
156
157
160
157
161
162
161
160
161
162
163
164
162
165
164
165
167

The results indicate that as the total time of

simulation increases, the concentration of the
contaminant gradually spreads throughout the
finite difference grid. The study area consists of
400 finite difference cells out of which 167 cells
were observed to be above the threshold limit of
300 mg/l. Fig. 4 shows a curve depicting the
number of cells crossing the threshold limit of
300 mg/l with time.
250
225
200
175
150
125
100
75
50
25
0

Number of cells above threshold

limit

Number of Observation
Wells
Number of Pumping
Wells
Discharge of each
pumping well

Table 4. Number of cells above the threshold limit

with time

10 14 18 22 26 30 42 54
Time (Months)

Figure 4. Curve showing the number of cells

crossing the threshold limit with time

The spatial distribution of threshold limit of

contaminant concentration at the end of simulation
period of 5 years has been shown in Fig. 5.

Proceedings of International Conference of Benchmarks in Engineering Science and Technology (IC-BEST) 7-8 September 2012.

Figure 5. Spatial Distrib

bution of conc
centration ove
er
mulation
the study area att the end of sim

4.2. Head
d distribution
n
The disstribution of heead was also calculated
c
by thhe
model. Sinnce, the conceerned problem
m was of steaddy
state the head
h
distributio
on did not varyy throughout thhe
simulation period; insteaad it was calcuulated only once
at the end of the simulaation period. Fig.
F 6 shows thhe
initial distrribution of heaad in the study area along wiith
the directioons of flow deepicted by arroows. The arroow
symbol pooints in the "downhill"
"
dirrection and thhe
length of the arrow deepends on thee magnitude, or
steepness, of the slope [6].

Fig
gure 6. Initial head
h
distribution (in feet) with
w
vector map

Figg. 7 shows thee final distribuution of heads along

with thhe vector mapp at the end of
o 5 year simuulation
periodd. The two deppressions at cooordinates (7, 3)
3 and
(8, 9) represent the drawdown
d
cauused by the pum
mping
wells present
p
at thosee locations.

Figu
ure 7. Final dis
stribution of head
h
(in feet) with
w
vector map

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4.3. Temporal distribution of contaminant

concentration
For observing the temporal distribution of
concentration, breakthrough curves were plotted at all
the ten identified potential locations for observation
well installations. A breakthrough curve can be defined
as a graph between concentration and time at a
particular point at sampling location.

4.4. Observation well management strategies

An observation well is used to obtain representative
groundwater quality samples and hydrogeologic
information. Observation wells are simple and
inexpensive monitoring tools that help in monitoring
groundwater trends. A properly designed, installed, and
developed groundwater observation well, provides the
following:
1. Representative samples of groundwater that can be
analyzed to determine physical properties and
water-quality parameters of the sample
2. Conducting aquifer tests used for the purpose of
determining the hydraulic properties of the
geologic materials.
4.4.1. Installation strategy of observation wells
For an entire study of the area it is needed to install
observation wells at different locations. As the
installation of observation wells involves a huge capital
investment it is many times not economical to
completely utilise the observation wells. In this section
a methodology has been adopted to install the wells
step by step with time. The methodology utilizes the
breakthrough curves. When the concentration value
crosses the threshold limit at a particular time, an
observation well is needed to be installed before that
time. It is assumed that a well can be installed one
month before that particular time.
With the help of breakthrough curves obtained, the
wells which cross the threshold limit of 300 mg/l can
be predicted along with the time they would take to
cross that limit. Due to economic constraints all the
wells cannot be installed at the same time. So, at a
time, observation wells need to be installed at those
locations only which cross the limit.
With the help of breakthrough curves it can be seen
that observation well locations 1, 2 and 3 remain above
the threshold limit throughout the simulation period so
an observation well should be installed at those
locations from the beginning of the simulation period.
Well locations 4 and 5 cross the threshold limit
after 3 months of the simulation period so observation

wells should be installed at those locations during the

2nd month.
Well location 6 crosses the threshold limit after 4
months of the simulation period so observation wells
should be installed at this location during the 3rd
month.
Well location 7 crosses the threshold limit after 45
months of the simulation period so observation wells
should be installed at this location during the 44th
month.
Well locations 8, 9 and 10 never cross the threshold
limit during the simulation period so observation wells
need not be installed at these locations.

4.5. Remedial measures

The other method for ensuring the wholesomeness
of groundwater is the treatment of the influent water
which carries the contaminant being drained into the
lake. When situations arise like all the observation well
locations become unsafe, this method can be resorted
to, though at a higher cost. A small treatment facility
can be established anywhere in the course of the drain
or preferably, near its entrance in the lake. Although,
this method is expensive but it would benefit in the
long run because treating the contaminant at its very
source will reduce the concentration of contaminant
falling in the lake which, in turn, would gradually
render the groundwater safe.
Finally, after the engineering aspect has been
covered, the next step should be to educate the
residents of the area about the problem so that they
remain cautious and use secondary methods to purify
the water before consuming it. As a long term planning
a combined system with effluent treatment, regional
ordinances and observation wells may be adopted to
mitigate the groundwater contamination problem.

5. Conclusions
Two dimensional modelling was done for
groundwater flow and contaminant transport in the
study area, Allen Forest Zoo. The study area,
encompassing 48 acres was defined and a finite
difference grid was designed on it. The model predicts
the spread of plume after every specified time interval
starting from 2 months to 60 months (5 years) and also
the head distribution at the end of the time step. The
simulation results indicate that as the total time from
the beginning to the end of simulation increases, the
concentration of the contaminant gradually spreads
with the groundwater movement. At the end of the
simulation period, it was observed that around 42
percent of the total study area had crossed the threshold

Proceedings of International Conference of Benchmarks in Engineering Science and Technology (IC-BEST) 7-8 September 2012.

limit of 300 mg/l. Ten potential observation well

locations were identified over the study area. At these
locations the model predicts the values of
concentration achieved throughout the simulation
period. This data was used for preparing breakthrough
curves which in turn helped to analyse the suitability of
installing an observation well at a particular location.
Considering the economic constraints, the
predictions of the simulation helped a lot to decide the
best management strategy for observation well
installation. It was suggested to install an observation
well, at a time, only at those locations where the
concentration of contaminant crosses the threshold
limit. It was also suggested that after all the well
locations cross the threshold limit, a small treatment
facility should be established at contaminant source.
This would gradually improve the groundwater quality.
The aspects of education and enforcement were also
discussed very briefly for groundwater quality
improvement which would spread awareness and
gradually reduce the outflow of contaminants in the
waste water.

REFERENCES
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groundwater modeling: simulation of flow and advective transport.
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[2] Bear, Jacob (1972). Dynamics of fluids in porous media,
American Elsevier Publishing Co., New York, 764.
[3] Bredehoeft, J. D. and Pinder, G. F. (1973) Mass transport in
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[4] Chow, Ven Te; Maidment, David R. and Mays, Larry W. (1988).
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[5] Freeze,R.A.and Cherry, J. A. (1979). Groundwater. Englewood
Cliff, N. J. Prentice-Hall.
[6] Golden Software Inc. (2011), SURFER version 10.0.
[7] Konikow, L. F. and Grove, D. B. (1977) Derivation of equations
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Proceedings of International Conference of Benchmarks in Engineering Science and Technology (IC-BEST) 7-8 September 2012.