| Abstract: | The effect of homogeneous sand lenses on the groundwater flow in an otherwise homogeneous clayey deposit is examined by performing Monte Carlo simulations using a finite element flow model. In the simulations, the locations of the sand lenses are assumed to be mutually independent. The paper examines the effect on the flow field in a clayey deposit of (a) different percentages of sand lenses, (b) different hydraulic conductivities of the sand lenses, (c) different average sand lens sizes, (d) non-uniformity of the sizes of the sand lenses, and (e) localization of the sand lenses. The effect of these non-uniform flow fields on contaminant migration is then examined using a finite element contaminant transport model. For the range of cases considered it is shown that: the volume of sand lenses present has a greater influence than the shape, size, location and hydraulic conductivity of the sand lenses; simplified calculations performed using the geometric and harmonic means of hydraulic conductivity bracket the behaviour evident from more complex analyses; and the maximum impact on an aquifer separated from a waste disposal facility by a deposit containing sand lenses can be modelled to sufficient accuracy, using quite simple flow and contaminant transport models. |
