Solute Transport in Soils: An Algorithmic Approach

An algorithmic approach is proposed for the problem of solute transport in soils. The algorithm is based on the assumption of steady-state water flow conditions and it is applied to both processes of salt accumulation and salt removal (leaching). Soil-solute interactions are also included in the algorithm. A basic assumption of the model is that the rate of salt accumulation or removal follows a first-order kinetic equation. The involvement of a piston-flow mechanism, observed frequently in laboratory or field experiments, may be accounted for, by the present model, through sub-dividing the soil column and applying a convolution integral to the various soil sections. Breakthrough curves calculated by the present approach could be adjusted so as to bring them in close proximity with the experimental ones already presented by other researchers.