Groundwater Flow Modelling

Groundwater occurs in the upper layers of the earth’s crust. These layers consist of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. During their origin and later evolution, these rocks develop porous and permeable structures containing pore spaces. Within these pores, the water of meteoric, juvenile, connate, or metamorphic origin occurs in both liquid and gaseous phases along with other gases and liquid such as hydrocarbons and magma. Meteoric water include rain water, lake and river waters, and groundwaters. Juvenile water is assumed to be derived from the mantle. Water trapped during the deposition of sediments and produced during diagenetic reaction is known as connate or formation water. Metamorphic waters are derived from the dehydration of hydroxyl-bearing minerals through rising pressure and temperature. These fluids are subjected to a wide variety of stresses such as recharge due to precipitation. As a result, a groundwater flow regime is established. Subsurface porous formations capable to transmit and yield significant amount of water under ordinary field conditions are called aquifers. The use of aquifers is increasing as both a source of water supply and a medium for storing various hazardous wastes. Therefore, our knowledge of groundwater flow must also expand. Studies of groundwater flow in these aquifers are useful for proper management of the groundwater resources in order to meet the increasing demands of water supply for domestic, industrial, and agricultural usage.