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Effect of multiple lateral cavities on stream solute transport under non-Fickian conditions and at the Fickian asymptote

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Title Effect of multiple lateral cavities on stream solute transport under non-Fickian conditions and at the Fickian asymptote
Names Jackson, Tracie R. (creator)
Apte, Sourabh V. (creator)
Haggerty, Roy (creator)
Date Issued 2014-11-27 (iso8601)
Note To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Elsevier and can be found at: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-hydrology.
Abstract In field studies of solute transport, transient storage within lateral cavities and other stream features generates
breakthrough curves (BTCs) with pronounced and persistent skewness. Current solute transport
theory requires that the coefficient of skewness (CSK) decrease over time because the system eventually
reaches Fickian conditions. However, published data show that CSK is constant in time. To aid development
of solute transport theory that explains field observations, we quantify the effect of lateral cavities
on solute transport under non-Fickian and Fickian conditions. Six hydrodynamics models were developed:
one with no lateral cavities, three with lateral cavities in series, and two with lateral cavities in parallel.
Results reveal that lateral cavities in series have longer tails and smaller peak concentrations
compared to lateral cavities in parallel. Lateral cavities in series cause greater dispersion and require larger
distances to reach Fickian conditions (x[subscript Fick]) compared to lateral cavities in parallel. Cavity configuration
has a greater influence on longitudinal dispersion and x[subscript Fick] than the number of cavities present. CSK
changes with monitoring location and maximum CSK (= 10–20) near lateral cavities is higher than empirical
estimates (≈1.18). We postulate that adding more transient storage zones would increase channel
complexity and yield closer results between simulated and empirical CSK, and testing this hypothesis
warrants future research. Finally, while current models can obtain good fits to measured BTCs by parameterizing
mass exchange rates and volume ratios, these parameters do not adequately describe the fundamental
fluid mechanics driving exchange.
Genre Article
Topic Lateral cavity
Identifier Jackson, T. R., Apte, S. V., & Haggerty, R. (2014). Effect of multiple lateral cavities on stream solute transport under non-Fickian conditions and at the Fickian asymptote. Journal of Hydrology, 519, 1707-1722. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.09.036

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