Derivation of Advection/Dispersion Equation

for Solute Transport in Saturated Soils

The advection/dispersion equation is based on the conservation of mass. This
equation is applicable when

• The soil is saturated

• Flow is steady
• Darcy's Law is applicable

Darcy's Law in One Dimension

dh Q
v = −K =
dl A

Flow does not move through the entire cross-section; the actual area available
to flow is φA, where φ is the porosity. The average linear velocity is given by

Q v
u= =
φA φ
Where ã is the average linear velocity. The actual velocity at which water
travels through the pores is even more than the average linear velocity, since the
water travels through irregular paths.

Transport Mechanisms
Advection: Dissolved substances carried along with bulk fluid flow.

Hydrodynamic Dispersion: Solute spreads out from path expected to be

followed by advection alone.
Dispersion mechanisms

a) Pore channel velocity: molecules travel at different velocities.

b) Mixing of pore channels, tortuosity, branching.

c) Difference in pore sizes (different velocities)

d) Variable conductivity in soil layers

e) Molecular Diffusion (Sometimes considered a distinct process)

Molecules spread out from areas of high concentration to areas of low
concentration (Thermodynamics, Brownian motion)
Longitudinal and Transverse dispersion

Longitudinal dispersion Spreading in the direction of flow

Transverse dispersion Spreading in the direction perpendicular to flow

Generally, longitudinal > transverse

Advection Dispersion Equation

Assuming
⌧ Homogeneous medium

⌧ constant and uniform

⌧ Dx, Dy, Dz constant in space

∂C ∂ 2C ∂ 2C ∂ 2C ∂C ∂C ∂C
= Dx 2 + D y 2 + Dz 2 − u x − uy − uz
∂t ∂x ∂y ∂z ∂x ∂y ∂z
where C = C(x,y,z,t) is the solute concentration.

In one dimension;

∂C ∂ 2C ∂C
= Dx 2 − u x
∂t ∂x ∂x
Analytic Examples
One dimensional case with step input.

Initial and boundary conditions are

C(x,0) = 0 for x ≥ 0 (No contamination initially in soil)
C(0,t) = C0 for t ≥ 0 (Constant concentration input at upstream end)
C(∞,t) = 0 for t ≥0 (Semi-infinite column)

Solution is

  x − u xt     
C=
C0
erfc  + exp u x x erfc x + u x t 
2  D  2 D t 
  2 Dx t   x  x  

2 x −y 2

erf ( x) = ∫ e dy
π0

erfc(x) = 1 - erf(x)

erf(0) = 0 ; erf(∞) = 1 ; erf(-x) = -erf(x)

Three dimensional case. Instantaneous spill of a mass M of contaminant at
point (0,0,0). Flow in x direction only in a homogeneous, isotropic medium.

Initial and boundary conditions are

C(x,y,z,0) = 0 for all x,y,z (No contamination initially in soil)

C(0,0,0, 0+) = C0 =f(mass,volume) (Instantaneous input pulse)

Solution is

M  ( x − u t )2 y2 z 2 
C= 
exp − − −
8(πt )
3/ 2
Dx D y Dz  4 D t 4 D t 4 Dz t 
 x y

Concentration at center of gravity at time t

M
C=
8(πt )
3/ 2
Dx D y Dz

Explicit Formulation of the Advective-Dispersive Equation.

∂C ∂ 2C ∂C
= Dx 2 − u x
∂t ∂x ∂x

Cit + ∆t − Cit
∆t
D
(
= 2 Ci +1 + Ci −1 − 2Ci −
∆x
u
2∆x
) (
Ci +1 − Ci −1 )

 D∆t u∆t  t  D∆t u∆t  t  2 D∆t  t

Cit + ∆t =  2 − Ci +1 +  2 + Ci −1 + 1 − 2  i
C
 ∆x 2 ∆x   ∆x 2 ∆x   ∆x 