Integrated Simulation of Groundwater Flow and Nitrate Transport in an Alluvial Aquifer Using MODFLOW and MT3D: Insights into Pollution Dynamics and Management Strategies

Abdessalam Laoufi, Abderezzak Boudjema, Sabrine Guettaia, Abdessamed Derdour () and Abdulrazak H. Almaliki
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Abdessalam Laoufi: Laboratory n°25 Promotion of Water, Mineral and Soil Resources, Environmental Legislation and Technological Choices, University of Tlemcen, P.O. Box 119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria
Abderezzak Boudjema: Laboratory n°25 Promotion of Water, Mineral and Soil Resources, Environmental Legislation and Technological Choices, University of Tlemcen, P.O. Box 119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria
Sabrine Guettaia: Laboratory n°25 Promotion of Water, Mineral and Soil Resources, Environmental Legislation and Technological Choices, University of Tlemcen, P.O. Box 119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria
Abdessamed Derdour: Artificial Intelligence Laboratory for Mechanical and Civil Structures, and Soil, University Center of Naama, P.O. Box 66, Naama 45000, Algeria
Abdulrazak H. Almaliki: Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-23

Abstract: This study employs an integrated numerical modeling approach using MODFLOW and MT3D to simulate groundwater flow and nitrate transport in the alluvial aquifer of Hennaya plain. The groundwater flow model was calibrated and validated against observed hydraulic heads, showing excellent agreement in both steady-state and transient conditions, with a correlation coefficients (R 2 ) of 0.99 and 0.987, respectively. Meticulous calibration yielded adjusted hydraulic conductivity values between 10 −1 and 10 −11 m/s, with effective porosity ranging from 0.03 to 0.34 and total porosity values varying from 0.29 to 0.38 across the aquifer. Water budget analysis revealed that the aquifer’s primary recharge occurs from the southern side. Nitrate transport modeling indicated that advection is the dominant process, with contaminants migration predominantly occurring from south to north, following the groundwater flow direction. Pollution levels were found to decrease gradually with distance from sources, confirming agricultural activities and sewage disposal as primary contributors to nitrate contamination. Predictive scenarios over a 40-year period explored various management strategies, which suggest that maintaining current nitrogen input rates will lead to continued increases in nitrate pollution, while a 50% reduction in agricultural inputs could significantly improve groundwater quality. However, even with substantial reductions, nitrate concentrations are not expected to reach levels safe for drinking within the simulation timeframe. This study underscores the need for immediate and sustained action to address nitrate pollution in the Hennaya Plain aquifer, emphasizing the importance of stringent nitrogen management practices, particularly in the agricultural sector.

Keywords: hennaya plain; numerical modeling; groundwater flow; nitrate transport; MODFLOW; MT3D; nitrate pollution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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