Finney's Descent

Finney's Descent is a model used in chemical and environmental engineering to describe how liquids, like water, seep downward through porous materials such as soil or sediment. The process involves capillary forces pulling water into tiny pores, creating a steady, predictable flow. As water moves downward, it forms a distinct front separating wet and dry zones. This concept helps predict how contaminants or nutrients travel underground, informing environmental assessments and remediation strategies. Essentially, Finney's Descent provides a way to quantify and understand the rate and pattern of vertical liquid infiltration in porous environments.