Simulation of Heat Flow in a Synthetic Watershed: The Role of the Unsaturated Zone
Future climate forecasts suggest atmospheric warming, with expected effects on aquatic systems (e.g., cold-water fisheries). Here we apply a recently published and computationally efficient approach for simulating unsaturated/saturated heat transport with coupled flow (MODFLOW) and transport (MT3D-U...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/23/3883 |
| _version_ | 1797462080675119104 |
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| author | Eric D. Morway Daniel T. Feinstein Randall J. Hunt |
| author_facet | Eric D. Morway Daniel T. Feinstein Randall J. Hunt |
| author_sort | Eric D. Morway |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Future climate forecasts suggest atmospheric warming, with expected effects on aquatic systems (e.g., cold-water fisheries). Here we apply a recently published and computationally efficient approach for simulating unsaturated/saturated heat transport with coupled flow (MODFLOW) and transport (MT3D-USGS) models via a synthetic three-dimensional (3D) representation of a temperate watershed. Key aspects needed for realistic representation at the watershed-scale include climate drivers, a layering scheme, consideration of surface-water groundwater interactions, and evaluation of transport parameters influencing heat flux. The unsaturated zone (UZ), which is typically neglected in heat transport simulations, is a primary focus of the analysis. Results from three model versions are compared—one that neglects UZ heat-transport processes and two that simulate heat transport through a (1) moderately-thick UZ and (2) a UZ of approximately double thickness. The watershed heat transport is evaluated in terms of temperature patterns and trends in the UZ, at the water table, below the water table (in the groundwater system), and along a stream network. Major findings are: (1) Climate forcing is the product of infiltration temperatures and infiltration rates; they combine into a single heat inflow forcing function. (2) The UZ acts as a low-pass filter on heat pulses migrating downward, markedly dampening the warming recharge signal. (3) The effect of warming on the watershed is also buffered by the mixing of temperatures at discharge points where shallow and deep flow converge. (4) The lateral extent of the riparian zone, defined as where the water table is near land surface (<1 m), plays an important role in determining the short-term dynamics of the stream baseflow response to heat forcing. Runoff generated from riparian areas is particularly important in periods when rejected infiltration during warm and wet periods generates extra runoff from low-lying areas to surface water. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:28:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e7c08e744055455d9bf834bcc575eb0e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:28:25Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-e7c08e744055455d9bf834bcc575eb0e2023-11-24T12:32:49ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412022-11-011423388310.3390/w14233883Simulation of Heat Flow in a Synthetic Watershed: The Role of the Unsaturated ZoneEric D. Morway0Daniel T. Feinstein1Randall J. Hunt2U.S. Geological Survey, Nevada Water Science Center, 2730 N. Deer Run Rd. Suite 3, Carson City, NV 89701, USAU.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Milwaukee Office, 3209 North Maryland Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USAU.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 1 Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53726, USAFuture climate forecasts suggest atmospheric warming, with expected effects on aquatic systems (e.g., cold-water fisheries). Here we apply a recently published and computationally efficient approach for simulating unsaturated/saturated heat transport with coupled flow (MODFLOW) and transport (MT3D-USGS) models via a synthetic three-dimensional (3D) representation of a temperate watershed. Key aspects needed for realistic representation at the watershed-scale include climate drivers, a layering scheme, consideration of surface-water groundwater interactions, and evaluation of transport parameters influencing heat flux. The unsaturated zone (UZ), which is typically neglected in heat transport simulations, is a primary focus of the analysis. Results from three model versions are compared—one that neglects UZ heat-transport processes and two that simulate heat transport through a (1) moderately-thick UZ and (2) a UZ of approximately double thickness. The watershed heat transport is evaluated in terms of temperature patterns and trends in the UZ, at the water table, below the water table (in the groundwater system), and along a stream network. Major findings are: (1) Climate forcing is the product of infiltration temperatures and infiltration rates; they combine into a single heat inflow forcing function. (2) The UZ acts as a low-pass filter on heat pulses migrating downward, markedly dampening the warming recharge signal. (3) The effect of warming on the watershed is also buffered by the mixing of temperatures at discharge points where shallow and deep flow converge. (4) The lateral extent of the riparian zone, defined as where the water table is near land surface (<1 m), plays an important role in determining the short-term dynamics of the stream baseflow response to heat forcing. Runoff generated from riparian areas is particularly important in periods when rejected infiltration during warm and wet periods generates extra runoff from low-lying areas to surface water.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/23/3883heat transportwatershed modelingtemperatureunsaturated zone |
| spellingShingle | Eric D. Morway Daniel T. Feinstein Randall J. Hunt Simulation of Heat Flow in a Synthetic Watershed: The Role of the Unsaturated Zone Water heat transport watershed modeling temperature unsaturated zone |
| title | Simulation of Heat Flow in a Synthetic Watershed: The Role of the Unsaturated Zone |
| title_full | Simulation of Heat Flow in a Synthetic Watershed: The Role of the Unsaturated Zone |
| title_fullStr | Simulation of Heat Flow in a Synthetic Watershed: The Role of the Unsaturated Zone |
| title_full_unstemmed | Simulation of Heat Flow in a Synthetic Watershed: The Role of the Unsaturated Zone |
| title_short | Simulation of Heat Flow in a Synthetic Watershed: The Role of the Unsaturated Zone |
| title_sort | simulation of heat flow in a synthetic watershed the role of the unsaturated zone |
| topic | heat transport watershed modeling temperature unsaturated zone |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/23/3883 |
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