STUDIES ON WATER MOVEMENT AND SOLUTE TRANSPORT IN ARID REGIONS

Abstract

Low precipitation rates and high evapotransporation rates commonly result in low rates of water movement and thick vadose zones in arid regions. Arid regions have been considered as favorable sites for storage of nuclear wastes and other contaminants. Understanding groundwater recharge, water movement and solute transport in these regions is crucial for the rational management of water resources, preservation of subsurface water quality, optimization of irrigation and drainage efficiency, safe and economic extraction of subsurfacemineral and energy resources, subsurface storage of energy and waste, and perhaps prediction of global climate change. In the last several decades, important studies have been conducted in this area and much progress has been made.