| Abstract: | ABSTRACT: Finite element and finite difference representations of the convective-dispersive equation have been widely used in determining contaminant transport in ground water. Due to inherent uncertainties of the transport process, those representations are inexact and contain errors. Errors in field measurements are unavoidable. By combining a numerical model, a measurement equation, and the Kalman filter, optimal estimates of the state variable (contaminant concentration) can be obtained. This paper describes the algorithm and gives a numerical example of contaminant transport in a two-dimensional ground water flow. The results show significant improvement in the estimated concentration distribution by using the filtering technique. |
