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Abstract
This paper presents an approach for coupling MODFLOW and MT3DMS for the simulation
of variable-density ground water flow. MODFLOW routines were modified to solve a variable-density
form of the ground water flow equation in which the density terms are calculated using
an equation of state and the simulated MT3DMS solute concentrations. Changes to the
MODFLOW and MT3DMS input files were kept to a minimum, and thus existing data files
and data files created with most pre- and postprocessors can be used directly with
the SEAWAT code. The approach was tested by simulating the Henry problem and two of
the saltpool laboratory experiments (low- and high-density cases). For the Henry problem,
the simulated results compared well with the steady-state semianalytic solution and
also the transient isochlor movement as simulated by a finite-element model. For the
saltpool problem, the simulated breakthrough curves compared better with the laboratory
measurements for the low-density case than for the high-density case but showed good
agreement with the measured salinity isosurfaces for both cases. Results from the
test cases presented here indicate that the MODFLOW/MT3DMS approach provides accurate
solutions for problems involving variable-density ground water flow and solute transport.