Validations of a Numerical Model of Solute Transport in a Snowpack

Abstract

Snowmelt from seasonal snow covers can be significant in many environments of northern and alpine areas. Water flow and chemical transport resulting from snowmelt have been studied for an understanding of contributions to watersheds or catchments. A Mobile-Immobile water Model (MIM) was developed to describe the movement of ionic tracers through a snowpack by Lee et al. (2008) and Lee et al. (2008b). To validate the model used in the studies, mass balance calculations of the model were conducted and comparisons were made between model results and analytical solutions in this work. Mass balance was calculated based on the fact that change in total mass within a snowpack with time is equal to sum of any change in the flux of water or ionic tracers into and out of the snowpack. Calculations of both water and ionic mass show almost perfect agreement between changes of two water and solute mass fluxes. Comparisons between model results and analytical solutions including wave velocity and effective saturation show almost perfect agreement.catchments. A Mobile-Immobile water Model (MIM) was developed to describe the movement of ionic tracers through a snowpack by Lee et al. (2008) and Lee et al. (2008b). To validate the model used in the studies, mass balance calculations of the model were conducted and comparisons were made between model results and analytical solutions in this work. Mass balance was calculated based on the fact that change in total mass within a snowpack with time is equal to sum of any change in the flux of water or ionic tracers into and out of the snowpack. Calculations of both water and ionic mass show almost perfect agreement between changes of two water and solute mass fluxes. Comparisons between model results and analytical solutions including wave velocity and effective saturation show almost perfect agreement.