Submit to Water Review for Water Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Groundwater Flow and Transport Modeling in Aquifer Systems

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Hydrogeology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2025) | Viewed by 6661

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Zbigniew Kabala

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
Interests: groundwater; contaminant transport; aquifer characterization; pore-scale phenomena
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The importance of groundwater resources for providing drinking water cannot be underestimated—25–50% of drinking water comes from this increasingly threatened resource. Reports of groundwater contamination seem to be growing exponentially all over the world. The national Superfund Cleanup debt continues to increase in the USA, China, and many other countries. It has been estimated to be trillions of dollars. New approaches to modeling flow and contaminant transport in soils and aquifers are desperately needed for the subsurface remediation, characterization, and protection of our water resources.

This Special Issue of Water focuses on novel modeling studies in subsurface hydrology and hydrogeology as well as on field and laboratory experimental studies and their modeling. We encourage submissions providing new insights into the characterization of porous/fractured media as well as the transport of water, heat, contaminants, and/or nutrients through such media in their saturated and unsaturated (vadose) zones. We also welcome papers with a more traditional focus on applications of the established theories. We would like to see a mixture of papers across all scales of the subsurface media.

Water is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal on water science and technology, including the ecology and management of water resources, and is published semimonthly online by MDPI in Switzerland. More information about the journal is available at its website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/water. The journal’s 5-year Impact Factor is 3.5 (2022). Indexed by a number of high-visibility databases, including Web of Science and Scopus (Elsevier), the journal is ranked in the first or second quartile (Q1 or Q2) by these databases. As an open-access journal, it offers a much wider reach for its papers than do traditional, subscription-based journals. Published continuously since 2009, Water is indeed a solid, well-established journal that is here to stay.

We encourage and invite you to submit your next paper to this Special Issue in Water.

Dr. Zbigniew Kabala
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

modeling
borehole tests
laboratory tests
tracer tests
aquifer remediation
aquifer characterization
vertical circulation wells
geothermal resources

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

16 pages, 3777 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Potential of Magnetic Water Treatment of Groundwater for Calcium Carbonate Scale Mitigation in Drinking Water Distribution Networks

by David Sanchez, Eduardo Herrera-Peraza, Carmen Navarro-Gomez and Jesus Ruben Sanchez-Navarro

Water 2025, 17(9), 1265; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17091265 - 24 Apr 2025

Viewed by 203

Abstract

Mineral scaling and corrosion pose significant challenges in groundwater distribution, increasing hydraulic resistance, reducing flow rates, and raising operational costs. Magnetic water treatment (MWT) has gained attention as a non-chemical method to mitigate scale formation by promoting the transformation of calcite, a hard and adherent CaCO₃ polymorph, into aragonite, a softer and less adherent form. In Chihuahua, Mexico, mineral scaling has disrupted the drinking water distribution system, reducing flow and impairing service. This study evaluates MWT’s potential to mitigate scaling by analyzing magnetized water treated under various MWT configurations. Comparative analyses were conducted via XRD and SEM to assess changes in calcium carbonate polymorphs. Finite element method (FEM) simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0 were used to evaluate the magnetic field distribution. The results show no systematic trend in CaCO₃ polymorph transformation following MWT exposure, and FEM simulations indicate negligible magnetic field gradients in certain configurations. These findings highlight the critical role of optimizing magnetic field alignment and gradient strength. Future research should refine MWT configurations and incorporate real-time monitoring to enhance its effectiveness in scale prevention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Flow and Transport Modeling in Aquifer Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 9027 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling Hydrocarbon Plume Dynamics in Shallow Groundwater of the Rey Industrial Area, Iran: Implications for Remediation Planning

by Azadeh Agah, Faramarz Doulati Ardejani, Muntasir Shehab, Christoph Butscher and Reza Taherdangkoo

Water 2025, 17(8), 1180; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17081180 - 15 Apr 2025

Viewed by 219

Abstract

The rapid expansion of the petrochemical industry has led to significant environmental issues, including groundwater and soil contamination from hydrocarbon spills. This study investigates the movement and dispersion of hydrocarbon contaminants in the Rey industrial area in Tehran (Iran) using a two-dimensional finite element model. The results indicate that the oil plume exhibits slow migration, primarily due to low soil permeability and high hydrocarbon viscosity, leading to localized contamination. High-density pollution zones, such as TORC and REY7, are characterized by persistent hydrocarbon accumulation with minimal lateral migration. The findings emphasize the limited effectiveness of natural attenuation alone, highlighting the need for targeted remediation measures in high-density zones to accelerate contamination reduction. This study provides insights into the dynamics of hydrocarbon pollution and supports the development of effective remediation strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Flow and Transport Modeling in Aquifer Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 18090 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrogeological Assessment and Steady-State Groundwater Flow Modeling for Groundwater Management in the Golina River Sub-Basin, Northern Ethiopia, Using MODFLOW 6

by Hindeya Gebru, Tesfamichael Gebreyohannes, Ermias Hagos and Nicola Perilli

Water 2025, 17(7), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17070949 - 25 Mar 2025

Viewed by 320

Abstract

Unsustainable groundwater extraction for domestic and agricultural purposes, particularly crop irrigation, is leading to dramatic reductions in the quantity and quality of groundwater in many developing countries, including Ethiopia. Assessing and predicting groundwater responses to hydraulic stress caused by overexploitation related to anthropogenic activities and climate change are crucial for informing water management decisions. The aim of this study is to develop a three-dimensional steady-state groundwater flow model for the Golina River Sub-Basin to understand the relationship between groundwater recharge and groundwater pumping and their impacts under steady-state conditions from the perspective of groundwater management. The model was created using MODFLOW 6 and discretized into 345 rows and 444 columns with a grid resolution of 100 m by 100 m. The subsurface was modeled as two layers: a clastic alluvial layer overlying a weathered and fractured bedrock. The surface-water divide of the Golina River Sub-Basin was treated as a no-flow boundary. The initial values of horizontal hydraulic conductivity ranged from 0.001 m/day for rhyolite to 27.26 m/day for alluvial deposits. The aquifer recharge rates from the WetSpass model ranged from 1.08 × 10⁻³ to 2.25 × 10⁻⁴ m/day, and the discharge rates from the springs, hand-dug wells, and boreholes were 2.79 × 10⁴ m³/day, known flux boundaries. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the model is very sensitive to hydraulic conductivity, moderately sensitive to aquifer recharge, and less sensitive to groundwater pumping. Calibration was performed to match observed and simulated hydraulic heads of selected wells and achieved a correlation coefficient of 0.998. The calibrated hydraulic conductivity ranged from 1.2 × 10⁻⁴ m/day for rhyolite to 20 m/day for gravel-dominated alluvial deposits. The groundwater flow direction is toward the southeast, and the water balance indicates a negligible difference between the total recharge (207,775.8297 m³/day, which is the water entering the aquifer system) and the total pumped volume (207,775.9373 m³/day, which is the water leaving the aquifer system). The scenario analysis showed that an increase in the pumping rate of 25%, 50%, and 75% would result in a decrease in the hydraulic head by 4.64 m, 10.18 m, and 17.38 m, respectively. A decrease in recharge of 25%, 50%, and 75% would instead result in hydraulic-head declines of 6 m, 15.29 m, and 46.97 m, respectively. Consequently, the findings of this study suggest that decision-makers should prioritize enhancing integrated groundwater management strategies to improve recharge rates within the aquifer system of the study area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Flow and Transport Modeling in Aquifer Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 16263 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Environmental (Dust, Soil, and Groundwater) Impact and Remediation of Lead Smelters for Sustainable Development: A Modeling Approach

by Mohamed ElKashouty and Mohd Yawar Ali Khan

Water 2025, 17(5), 622; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17050622 - 20 Feb 2025

Viewed by 460

Abstract

Lead (Pb) poses a significant risk to human health and the environment. Global Pb production and consumption have markedly risen due to unregulated development and urbanization, Pb smelting, and Pb-acid battery processing. This study addresses the issue of elevated heavy metal concentrations in dust, soil, and groundwater in Shubra Al Khaymah due to the Awadallah Pb smelter. Pb concentration in soil and groundwater escalates in proximity to the Awadallah smelter and diminishes with distance from it—the surface soil functions as a repository for heavy metals. The concentrations of Pb (50–1500 µg/L), manganese (Mn) (1–750 µg/L), iron (Fe) (200–1250 µg/L), and boron (B) (250–1750 µg/L) in the groundwater stratum exceeded drinking and irrigation standards. A solution to the groundwater system issue is proposed by employing pumping wells adjacent to the riverbed to recover the contaminated water from the hydrogeological environment. Processing Modflow Path (PMPATH) program may delineate groundwater protection zones according to the travel time of 150 days (Zones 1 and 2) and the whole watershed source (Zone 3). An injection well was constructed to replenish excellent water quality in the groundwater aquifer in the upstream region. A 3D model of dissolved matter transport was created to examine the concentration distribution across remediation time in the contaminated region. This model demonstrates that, after 365 days of injection, the C/Co concentration ratio exceeded 70% in the downstream area, rendering it appropriate for drinking and irrigation. The alternate strategy is to encapsulate the severely contaminated zone. All measures aim to decrease the piezometric pressure in the vicinity, directing groundwater flow towards the contaminated zone, as accomplished by Processing Modflow Windows (PMWIN). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Flow and Transport Modeling in Aquifer Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1870 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ensuring the Safety of an Extraction Well from an Upgradient Point Source of Pollution in a Computationally Constrained Setting

by Christopher Nenninger, James R. Mihelcic and Jeffrey A. Cunningham

Water 2024, 16(18), 2645; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16182645 - 18 Sep 2024

Viewed by 753

Abstract

Shallow groundwater is an important resource, especially in low- and middle-income countries; however, shallow groundwater is particularly vulnerable to point sources of pollution such as latrines or unlined waste disposal ponds. The objective of this paper is to derive a quantitative criterion for siting an extraction well and an upgradient point source of pollution to ensure that they are hydraulically disconnected, i.e., that no water flows from the point source to the well. To achieve this objective, we modeled the flow of shallow groundwater considering uniform regional flow, a single point source of pollution, and a single extraction well. For any set of flow rates and upgradient point source distance, we sought the minimum “off-center distance” y_min (i.e., the distance in the direction perpendicular to regional flow) that ensures the well and the point source are hydraulically disconnected. For constituencies with access to computing resources and coding expertise, we used a computer-based method for determining y_min that is exact to within the accuracy of a root-finding algorithm; this approach is recommended when computer access is available. For constituencies lacking these resources, we determined a simple, closed-form, approximate solution for y_min that has an average error of less than 3% for the conditions we tested. For a subset of scenarios in which the point source is sufficiently far upgradient of the well (n = 77), the root mean square relative error of the approximate solution is only 0.52%. We found that y_min depends on a length parameter (Q_w + Q_ps)/Q_R, where Q_w is the extraction rate of the well, Q_ps is the injection rate of the point source, and Q_R is the regional groundwater flow rate per unit of perpendicular length. Either the exact solution or the closed-form approximation can help to site wells near point sources of pollution, or to site point sources near wells, in a manner that protects the health of the well user. The approximate solution is valuable because many constituencies that rely on shallow wells for water supply and latrines for sanitation also lack access to the computer resources necessary to apply the exact solution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Flow and Transport Modeling in Aquifer Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 14562 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrodynamic Porosity: A New Perspective on Flow through Porous Media, Part II

by August H. Young and Zbigniew J. Kabala

Water 2024, 16(15), 2166; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152166 - 31 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2333

Abstract

In this work, we build upon our previous finding that hydrodynamic porosity is an exponential function of pore-scale flow velocity (or interstitial Reynolds number). We previously discovered this relationship for media with a square cavity geometry—a highly idealized case of the dead-ended pore spaces in a porous medium. Thus, we demonstrate the applicability of this relationship to media with other cavity geometries. We do so by applying our previous analysis to rectangular and non-rectangular cavity geometries (i.e., circular, and triangular). We also study periodic flow geometries to determine the effect of upstream cavities on those downstream. We show that not only does our exponential relationship hold for media with a variety of cavity geometries, but it does so almost perfectly with a coefficient of determination (R²) of approximately one for each new set of simulation data. Given this high fit quality, it is evident that the exponential relationship we previously discovered is applicable to most, if not all, unwashed media. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Flow and Transport Modeling in Aquifer Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 10159 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrodynamic Porosity: A New Perspective on Flow through Porous Media, Part I

by August H. Young and Zbigniew J. Kabala

Water 2024, 16(15), 2158; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152158 - 30 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2091

Abstract

Pore-scale flow velocity is an essential parameter in determining transport through porous media, but it is often miscalculated. Researchers use a static porosity value to relate volumetric or superficial velocities to pore-scale flow velocities. We know this modeling assumption to be an oversimplification. [...] Read more.

θ_{m o b i l e}

, exhibits a quantifiable dependence on the Reynolds number (i.e., pore-scale flow velocity) in the Laminar flow regime. This fact remains largely unacknowledged in the literature. In this work, we quantify the dependence of

θ_{m o b i l e}

on the Reynolds number via numerical flow simulation at the pore scale for rectangular pores of various aspect ratios, i.e., for highly idealized dead-end pore spaces. We demonstrate that, for the chosen cavity geometries,

θ_{m o b i l e}

decreases by as much as 42% over the Laminar flow regime. Moreover,

θ_{m o b i l e}

exhibits an exponential dependence on the Reynolds number, Re =

R

. The fit quality is effectively perfect, with a coefficient of determination (R²) of approximately 1 for each set of simulation data. Finally, we show that this exponential dependence can be easily fitted for pore-scale flow velocity through use of only a few Picard iterations, even with an initial guess that is 10 orders of magnitude off. Not only is this relationship a more accurate definition of pore-scale flow velocity, but it is also a necessary modeling improvement that can be easily implemented. In the companion paper (Part 2), we build upon the findings reported here and demonstrate their applicability to media with other pore geometries: rectangular and non-rectangular cavities (circular and triangular). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Flow and Transport Modeling in Aquifer Systems)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Groundwater Flow and Transport Modeling in Aquifer Systems

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI