Simulation-Optimization Models for the Remediation of Groundwater Contamination

In the age of rapid development and exploitation of water resources, the groundwater resources are not only dangerously depleted but also subjected to contamination due to various sources. To restore the contaminated aquifers using a best (or optimal) strategy, optimization models are often coupled with groundwater simulation models. The complex problem of groundwater contamination and its remediation is generally simulated by solving the governing equations of flow and transport by using numerical methods such as finite difference method (FDM), finite element method (FEM) or meshless method. On-site pump and treat method or in-situ barriers, chemical or bioremediation, etc., are some of the techniques which are applied for aquifer remediation. Further, optimization models like linear/non-linear programming, swarm intelligent techniques can be applied for cost minimization, pumping management and remediation. In this paper, details of simulation model using technique called meshless method and optimization technique using particle swarm optimization are discussed with the help of a case study for remediation of a hypothetical aquifer. Results from the proposed model demonstrate the effectiveness of such techniques and encourages applying them for other groundwater contamination remediation design plans.