On the use and error of approximation in the Domenico (1987) solution.

A mathematical solution for solute transport in a three-dimensional porous medium with a patch source under steady-state, uniform ground water flow conditions was developed by Domenico (1987). The solution derivation strategy used an approximate approach to solve the boundary value problem, resulting in a nonexact solution. Variations of the Domenico (1987) solution are incorporated into the software programs BIOSCREEN and BIOCHLOR, which are frequently used to evaluate subsurface contaminant transport problems. This article mathematically elucidates the error in the approximation and presents simulations that compare different versions of the Domenico (1987) solution to an exact analytical solution to demonstrate the potential error inherent in the approximate expressions. Results suggest that the accuracy of the approximate solutions is highly variable and dependent on the selection of input parameters. For solute transport in a medium-grained sand aquifer, the Domenico (1987) solution underpredicts solute concentrations along the centerline of the plume by as much as 80% depending on the case of interest. Increasing the dispersivity, time, or dimensionality of the system leads to increased error. Because more accurate exact analytical solutions exist, we suggest that the Domenico (1987) solution, and its predecessor and successor approximate solutions, need not be employed as the basis for screening tools at contaminated sites.