Simulation of plume behavior at the Macrodispersion Experiment (MADE1) site by applying the coupled Markov chain model for site characterization

摘要

Numerical simulations of solute transport are performed in a highly heterogeneous field with a complex geological configuration at the Macrodispersion Experiment (MADE1) site, Columbus Air Force Base in northern Mississippi. The purpose of these simulations are two fold. The first is to illustrate how the coupled Markov chain model can be applied to delineate the complex geometrical configuration at the site. The second is to show how reliable this model is for predicting plume behavior in a highly heterogeneous subsurface. Although we adopted some assumptions like two-dimensional steady flow in confined aquifers, the results are quit satisfactory. The results emphasized that delineation of the geometrical configuration of the aquifer heterogeneity is the key to obtain accurate prediction of plume evolution in heterogeneous formations. The coupled Markov model is a powerful tool to characterize formation heterogeneity.