Saturated-Unsaturated Transport (SUTRA)

Purpose: Simulate solute and temperature through an aquifer
Developer: United States Geological Survey (USGS)
Key Features: Model saltwater intrusion
Latest Release: 2010, Version 2.2
OS Platform: Windows, UNIX
Cost: Free, Requires pre- and post-processor
Related Software: FEFLOW, SeaWAT, MT3D99
Website: SUTRA home page

Introduction

The SUTRA model, first released in 1984, is a three-dimensional groundwater model that simulates solute transport (i.e. salt water) or temperature in a subsurface environment. The model employs a weight grid that is based on a finite element and integrated finite difference hybrid method framework. The program then computes groundwater flow using Darcy’s law equation, and solute or transport modeling use similar equations. SUTRA has been used to simulate the effects of saltwater intrusion, contaminant transport, and thermal pollution.

SUTRA lacks an inbuilt Graphical User Interface (GUI), but pre- and post-processing can be performed using external applications (e.g., Argus One or Model Muse). The software's modular structure allows for additions to the simulation. The software is open-source.

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages Limitations
  • Software code in public domain for over 30 years
  • Estimates effects of saltwater intrusion
  • Modular-based software allows for some customization
  • Model run conditions can be steady state or transient
  • ModelMuse, a free software program, conducts pre- and post-processing of data
  • Detailed technical manual is available
  • Models solute or temperature separately
  • Aquifer properties are based on educated guesses
  • Cannot simulate multiphase flow

Illustrative Screens

Sample Applications

Africa East Asia and the Pacific Europe & Central Asia Latin America & the Caribbean Middle East and North Africa South Asia
Oman (Saltwater Intrusion) India (Saltwater Intrusion)

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