Porous Pathways: Mathematical Insights into Subsurface and Groundwater Flow Transport


Authors : Sultana Begam; Mariyam Khan; Suchitra Sapakal; Shakeel Ansari

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 11 - November


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yvkjmrxr

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/ynz2jjm6

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25nov1350

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : Subsurface fluid flow and solute transport through porous geological formations form the foundation of hydrogeology, environmental engineering, and energy resource management. This manuscript presents a mathematical exposition of the governing equations, analytical formulations, and computational models describing fluid and contaminant migration in groundwater systems. In addition to characterizing natural flow behavior, special emphasis is placed on the mechanisms responsible for groundwater contamination, including the movement of pollutants from industrial discharge, agricultural leachates, and subsurface waste repositories. We explore the interplay between pore-scale heterogeneity, continuum-scale flow laws, and transport mechanisms such as advection, dispersion, diffusion, and reactive interactions that govern contaminant fate. Furthermore, the discussion extends to the mathematical modeling of remediation strategies— such as pump-and-treat, in-situ bioremediation, and permeable reactive barriers—and their effectiveness under varying hydrogeological conditions. The synthesis connects classical Darcy theory with modern multi-scale, stochastic, and data- driven frameworks, offering insights into contamination prediction, risk assessment, remediation optimization, and sustainable groundwater utilization.

Keywords : Porous Media, Subsurface Flow, Darcy’s Law, Advection-Dispersion, Solute Migration

References :

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Subsurface fluid flow and solute transport through porous geological formations form the foundation of hydrogeology, environmental engineering, and energy resource management. This manuscript presents a mathematical exposition of the governing equations, analytical formulations, and computational models describing fluid and contaminant migration in groundwater systems. In addition to characterizing natural flow behavior, special emphasis is placed on the mechanisms responsible for groundwater contamination, including the movement of pollutants from industrial discharge, agricultural leachates, and subsurface waste repositories. We explore the interplay between pore-scale heterogeneity, continuum-scale flow laws, and transport mechanisms such as advection, dispersion, diffusion, and reactive interactions that govern contaminant fate. Furthermore, the discussion extends to the mathematical modeling of remediation strategies— such as pump-and-treat, in-situ bioremediation, and permeable reactive barriers—and their effectiveness under varying hydrogeological conditions. The synthesis connects classical Darcy theory with modern multi-scale, stochastic, and data- driven frameworks, offering insights into contamination prediction, risk assessment, remediation optimization, and sustainable groundwater utilization.

Keywords : Porous Media, Subsurface Flow, Darcy’s Law, Advection-Dispersion, Solute Migration

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Paper Submission Last Date
31 - January - 2026

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