A numerical model for the economical simulation of long-term transient response in density-dependent transport problems is introduced. Although a classical Galerkin finite element approach is used, emphasis on optimum efficiency throughout the development results in a scheme that is found to be significantly less costly than comparable existing schemes. This advantage in efficiency increases the scope of simulation problems that can be handled within the constraints of a limited research budget. Some distinctive aspects are the elimination of static quantities in the fluid continuity equation, achieved by the introduction of equivalent freshwater head, and the elimination of numerical integration, achieved by the deliberate choice of linear elements. As a result of this choice, fluid velocities are discontinuous across the element boundaries. It is shown, however, that the solution obtained with discontinuous velocities approaches that obtained with continuous velocities as the grid is refined, and that the two types of solutions give essentially the same results when the elements are in the same size range. The model is applied to simulate the complete transient response for a well-known problem of seawater intrusion in a confined aquifer. The simulation is performed with both the constant dispersion coefficient used by previous researchers, and a more physically realistic velocity-dependent dispersion coefficient. Responses are found to be substantially different for the two types of coefficients, with the velocity-dependent dispersion coefficient producing much slower convergence to a state of dynamic equilibrium, and a much more pointed saltwater toe, which at the bottom of the aquifer tends to a sharp interface at equilibrium. Finally, it is shown by means of large-scale applications that the model is capable of efficiently simulating the long-term transient response in systems of practical significance.
