Question

[M T]

Dear friends, 

I am currently preparing a manuscript for submission to a Q1 journal. My study focuses on simulating contaminant transport using the MODFLOW, MT3DMS, and SEAM3D codes, followed by field-scale validation through real-world implementation of the simulated remediation process.

Although the work is practical and has strong applied outcomes, my submissions to several journals have been rejected at the initial review stage. I am wondering whether modeling-based studies are generally less favored in high-impact journals. I understand the importance of novelty, and I believe my work offers that — as it integrates various modeling codes and methodologies to investigate contaminant fate in a unique way.

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions or insights on how I could enhance the scientific depth, originality, or presentation of my work to make it more suitable for publication in a Q1 journal.

Thank you very much for your time and valuable advice.

[Ashutosh]

Hi,

I will tell you exactly what my peers told me. Groundwater modeling, reactive transport modeling and all sort of modeling studies at lab scale and regional scale had been done already in 1990s and 2000s. A journal requires novelty in your approach and what new has been done. Additionally how does your journal contribute to the scientific world by knowing what we dint know yet.

I run regional groundwater and regional contaminant models each week with site specific conditions which is just work and adds nothing to scientific knowledge.

Once I focused on that it got me scientific journals during my Phd.

//Ashutosh Singh

On 9 Nov 2025, at 16:59, M T <www.denn...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Yohannes]

Hi,

Modeling studies can succeed in Q1 journals if they show novelty, strong field validation, and broad relevance. 

Literally, this can be enhanced by Framing your study within global contaminant transport challenges (e.g., PFAS, nitrate, heavy metals) and possible link to climate resilience, groundwater sustainability, or urban planning.

Good luck,

Dr Yohannes Yihdego

🔍 ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dr-Yohannes-Woldeyohannes

📚 Academia: https://latrobe.academia.edu/YohannesYihdegoWoldeyohannes 

🐦Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/Yohannesyihdego

[Selva Balaji]

Hi,

Glad that this topic has come up here for discussion. I feel that groundwater papers require higher level of standard to publish, especially field validation part, when compared other fields in hydrology. In general, in developing countries field data access is very minimal or negligible even. So it is very difficult to publish in this field.

With regards,

Selva 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/modflow/356c24f6-a583-4741-9605-197ba4b5baedn%40googlegroups.com.

[Mahesh Maskey]

Dear M T,

Thank you for sharing this question — it’s a situation many of us have faced with modeling manuscripts. Your study sounds quite valuable, especially since it combines MODFLOW, MT3DMS, and SEAM3D with field-scale validation.

If you don’t mind, could you please share a brief outline of your manuscript (main sections or key research questions)? It would help the group understand your study’s structure and focus so we can offer more specific suggestions — for example, where to strengthen the conceptual framework, highlight novelty, or connect model results to broader hydrogeological processes.

Good luck with your manuscript submission!

Best regards,

Mahesh L. Maskey, Ph. D. in Hydrologic Sciences.

Research Computational Hydrologist

Agrohydrology, Hydroinformatics and Computational Hydrology

Professor of Hydrology in FEWEC Nexus

Cell: (530) 220-5562
Email: mma...@formerstudents.ucdavis.edu

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