Work

Numerical Analysis of Nitrate in Groundwater Considering Topographical Characteristics and Climate Change

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Changes in rainfall patterns due to climate change affect groundwater levels, which significantly influence the concentration and distribution of contaminants. This study used OpenGeoSys to compare and analyze the accumulation and dispersion of nitrate concentrations under different climate change scenarios, while reflecting the characteristics of mountainous and flat terrains. Groundwater recharge rates were calculated through the Water Table Fluctuation (WTF) method, using rainfall and groundwater level data. The simulation results linked to the SSP scenarios showed that, in mountainous areas, a rise in groundwater level (+2.1 m) led to the dispersion and dilution of nitrate, whereas in flat areas, low flow velocities resulted in nitrate accumulation. This study analyzed the impact of climate change-induced groundwater-level fluctuations on contaminant behavior and is expected to provide foundational data to develop strategies for groundwater management and pollution mitigation that are adaptive to climate change.

Source: Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation

DOI: 10.9798/kosham.2025.25.2.23

Authors: Hyunjung Lee, Seungoh Lee

Language: English

Topic: Groundwater and Isotope Geochemistry

Subfield: Geochemistry and Petrology

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Climate action

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, National Research Foundation of Korea

Award: G1297927580