Application of the aquifer's average characteristics for determining the onset of thermohaline convection in a heterogeneous aquifer

Abstract

Due to layered deposition of sedimentary rocks, the aquifer's characteristics usually vary with the depth. Such variations are mainly significant in thick aquifers. The variable characteristics cause the aquifer to be heterogeneous. The basic equations used for the simulation of transport phenomena in the heterogeneous aquifer are nonlinear. Therefore, simulation of thermohaline convection in such a stratum requires complicated mathematical models. The present study considers the application of the aquifer's average characteristic method for such a simulation. According to this method, the model considers constant average characteristics of the aquifer, instead of considering variable local characteristics of the saturated porous medium. Such an approach considerably simplifies the calculations. The study verifies the applicability of the method for the predictions concerning diffusive thermohaline convection in a heterogeneous aquifer. On this basis the study presents an analysis of important features of dispersive thermohaline convection in a heterogeneous aquifer by applying the method of the aquifer's average characteristics.