Forecasting solute breakthrough curves through the unsaturated zone using artificial neural network

  • Yoon Hee-Sung (Laboratory of Hydrogeological Environment, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University) ;
  • Hyun Yun-Jung (Laboratory of Hydrogeological Environment, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee Kang-Kun (Laboratory of Hydrogeological Environment, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University)
  • Published : 2005.04.01

Abstract

In this study, solute breakthrough curves through the unsaturated zone were predicted using artificial neural network (ANN) by numerical tests and laboratory experiments. In the numerical tests, applicability of ANN model to prediction of breakthrough curves was evaluated using synthetic data generated by HYDRUS-2D. An appropriate strategy of ANN application and input data form were recommended. The ANN model was validated by laboratory experiments comparing with HYDRUS-2D simulations. The results show that the ANN model can be an effective method for forecasting solute breakthrough curves through the unsaturated zone when hydraulic data are available.

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