A Hydrothermal Coupling Model for Estimating Temperature Variations in the Riparian Zone

In research using heat tracing technology to investigate the lateral hyporheic exchange in the shallow geological body of the riparian zone, the accurate estimation of temperature changes can provide a scientific basis for quantifying the process of lateral hyporheic exchange. To improve the accuracy of estimating temperature changes in the riparian zone, a hydrothermal coupling model considering parameter heterogeneity was established based on existing models of the relationship between thermal conductivity and saturation. The model was verified by temperature data from laboratory experiments, and the effect of the thermal conductivity prediction models was compared with that of the partial differential equation (PDE) modeling approach. The results show that the established hydrothermal coupling model can effectively characterize the temperature changes observed in a generalized laboratory model of the riparian zone, and the model simulation effects vary with the equivalent thermal conductivity models. In addition, several thermal conductivity empirical models are suggested for further application. The model parameter sensitivity analysis indicated that the hydraulic conductivity , VG model parameters (α and β) and heat capacity of soil have a relatively large effect on the temperature output of the model. The results of this study will provide reference for the selection of equivalent thermal conductivity model for simulating temperature variations in the riparian zone.