8
Applications of Groundwater
Quality Models
8.1 Simulation and Prediction of Groundwater Pollution
8.1.1 The General Procedure of Studying Groundwater
Pollution Problems
In the application of mathematical models to practical groundwater pollution problems, the following steps should be included:
1. Determination of Study Objectives and Tasks
The determination of study objectives and tasks should be based on practical
problems under consideration. The problems often encountered are:
a. Analysis and prediction of the contamination tendency in water supply for
factories, mines and municipalities;
b. Estimation of the impact on groundwater caused by waste water drainage
and waste heaps;
c. Appraisal of the possible pollution of groundwater due to irrigation
with waste water, and the residual pesticide and chemical fertilizer in the
soil;
d. Study of the relationship between surface water pollution and groundwater pollution;
e. Research on the influence of artificial recharge on groundwater quality;
f. Estimation of the possibility and degree of salt water intrusion from the
neighboring aquifers;
g. Study of the potential hazard created by radioactive waste stored underground, and so on.
Different problems will require different tasks, such as:
a. Defining the polluted region and preventing water sources from being
polluted;
b. Designing the location of new wells;
c. Predicting the time required for self-purification of the polluted aquifers;
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