international ground water modeling center
OVERVIEW
Soil and groundwater pollution is an ever-increasing, worldwide problem. Tens of billions of dollars are spent each year in the United States and elsewhere to remediate groundwater pollution, and to limit or prevent future contamination of the subsurface. Most subsurface pollution problems stem from activities involving the unsaturated (vadose) zone between the soil surface and the groundwater table. The unsaturated zone hence provides the best opportunities to limit or prevent groundwater pollution. Once contaminants enter groundwater, pollution is essentially irreversible, or can be remediated only with extreme costs.
Numerical modeling is becoming an increasingly important tool for analyzing complex problems involving water flow and contaminant transport in the unsaturated zone. This course is designed to familiarize participants with the principles and mathematical analysis of variably-saturated flow and transport processes, and the application of state-of-the-art numerical codes to site-specific subsurface flow and transport problems.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course begins with a detailed conceptual and mathematical description of water flow and solute transport processes in the vadose zone, followed by an brief overview of the use of finite element techniques for solving the governing flow and transport equations. Special attention is given to the highly nonlinear nature of the governing flow equation. Alternative methods for describing and modeling the hydraulic functions of unsaturated porous media are also described.
"Hands-on" computer sessions will provide participants an opportunity to become familiar with the Windows-based RETC, STANMOD, HYDRUS-1D and HYDRUS-2D software packages. Emphasis will be on the preparation of input data for a variety of applications, including flow and transport in a vadose zone, variably-saturated flow through a dam, flow and transport to a tile drain, and two-dimensional leachate migration from a landfill through the unsaturated zone into groundwater. Calibration will be discussed and demonstrated by means of both one- and two-dimensional inverse problems.
The course begins at 5:00pm Wednesday(21st). Course sessions are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Thursday(22nd) and 8:00 AM to noon on Friday(23rd).
COURSE SOFTWARE
The course introduces a new generation of Windows-based numerical models for simulating water, heat and/or contaminant transport in variably-saturated porous media. These include the HYDRUS-1D and HYDRUS (2D/3D) codes for one- and two-dimensional simulations, respectively, the STANMOD code for evaluating solute transport in the subsurface using one- and multi-dimensional solutions of the advection-dispersion equation, the RETC code for evaluating the hydraulic properties of unsaturated media, and the Rosetta code for estimating the soil hydraulic properties (and their uncertainty) from soil texture and related data. HYDRUS-1D and HYDRUS (2D/3D) are supported by interactive graphics-based interfaces for data-preprocessing, generation of unstructured as well as structured finite element grid systems, and graphic presentation of the simulation results. Except for HYDRUS (2D/3D) , all software packages are in the public domain.
COURSE HANDOUTS
Course handouts include lecture notes prepared by the instructors, documentation of the RETC code (including the software), and documentation of the STANMOD, HYDRUS-1D and HYDRUS (2D/3D) models.
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Jirka Simunek is a Professor of Hydrology with the Department of Environmental Sciences of the University of California. He received an M.S. in Civil Engineering from the Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic, and a Ph.D. in Water Management from the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague. His expertise is in numerical modeling of subsurface water flow and solute transport processes, equilibrium and nonequilibrium chemical transport, multicomponent major ion chemistry, field-scale spatial variability, and inverse procedures for estimating the hydraulic properties of unsaturated porous media.
COURSE LOCATION
The course will be held at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. A city and campus map will be sent to you upon course enrollment.
ENROLLMENT & REGISTRATION
The fee for the short course is $595 before May 6 and thereafter $695 with MODFLOW 2008 Conference registration and $695 before May 6 and thereafter $795 without MODFLOW 2006 Conference registration. Enrollment for the course requires a deposit of $100. You will be invoiced for the tuition balance. Fee covers instruction, course notes, textbook, refreshments, and certificate of participation. Lodging and meals are not covered. Payment in full must be received prior to the beginning of the course. The registration fee may be paid by check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or purchase order. Enrollment is limited. In case of cancellation before May 6th, tuition is refunded, less the $100 deposit, the right to course materials is forfeited. Substitutions are permitted at any time. Organizers retain the right to cancel the course. In the event of cancellation, the registered participants will be informed before May 13, 2006, and the fee will be refunded.
To register click here. We will then contact you with more information based on your payment selection.
COURSE CREDIT
Upon request, the Colorado School of Mines will award 1.6 Continuing Education Units (CEU) for completion of the course.
TRANSPORTATION AND LODGING
The Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, which is 20 minutes west of Denver, 1 hour west of the Denver International Airport and can be reached by taxi, airport shuttle or rental car. Lodging is available in Golden, within walking distance of the campus. Information regarding transportation, parking, and lodging will be sent upon registration.
Last Update: January 9, 2008