Necessity of analysis of free convection effects in quantification of surface water-groundwater exchange by temperature tracer

YU Panwen; GAO Zengwen

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202502004

Volume 43 Issue 2

Feb. 2025

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YU Panwen, GAO Zengwen. Necessity of analysis of free convection effects in quantification of surface water-groundwater exchange by temperature tracer[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(2): 31-38. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202502004

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YU Panwen, GAO Zengwen. Necessity of analysis of free convection effects in quantification of surface water-groundwater exchange by temperature tracer[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(2): 31-38. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202502004

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Necessity of analysis of free convection effects in quantification of surface water-groundwater exchange by temperature tracer

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202502004

YU Panwen,
GAO Zengwen^,

Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China

Received Date: 2024-05-06
Accepted Date: 2024-08-08
Rev Recd Date: 2024-07-17

Abstract

Abstract

Temperature tracing is a widely used method for determining pore water velocity in sediments, based on the thermal diffusion equation. This technique is valuable for understanding fluid dynamics in subsurface environments. However, in practice, the phenomenon of free convection and its associated effects are often overlooked. The assumption that free convection can be ignored is not always justified, and the implications of this assumption have not been thoroughly discussed in the literature. This oversight can lead to inaccuracies in the results obtained from temperature tracing methods. In this paper, a sandbox device was designed to simulate free convection in the sediment-water system to address this issue. This experimental setup provided a controlled environment where the effects of free convection can be systematically observed and quantified. A one-dimensional heat transfer model was developed using the R Language Program to explore the necessity of incorporating free convection effects in application of temperature tracing. This model offered a robust framework for simulating and analyzing heat transfer processes. In the study, the impact of free convection was quantified by introducing an additional thermal diffusion coefficient. This coefficient accounted for the enhanced heat transfer due to the buoyancy-driven movement of fluids. The primary focus was to assess how neglecting free convection affects the inversion results, particularly the velocity estimates. This was done through a detailed parameter sensitivity analysis, which helps understand how variations in model parameters influence the output. The findings revealed that the additional thermal diffusion coefficient can be 1 to 6 times greater than the inherent thermal diffusion coefficient of the saturated water filling material. This indicated a significant potential impact of free convection on temperature tracing results. The sensitivity analysis showed that a 55% deviation in the thermal diffusion coefficient could lead to a 13% error in velocity estimation. Disregarding free convection caused a maximum deviation of 0.012 cm/min in the inversion velocity results, which significantly affected the calculation of heat and pollutant exchange fluxes between sediment and water. Therefore, it is recommended to evaluate the influence of free convection on inversion results before applying the temperature tracing method. This evaluation can be conducted through experimental observation and computational modeling. Based on this assessment, researchers can decide whether to incorporate free convection effects into the heat transfer mechanism. By doing so, they can enhance the accuracy and reliability of the temperature tracing method, providing a more comprehensive understanding of fluid dynamics in sedimentary environments. This approach will lead to better-informed decisions in environmental management and engineering projects.
- surface water-groundwater exchange,
- temperature tracing method,
- pore water movement in sediment,
- heat transfer equation,
- free convection,
- sandbox experiment

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References(27)

References

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