Numerical simulation of saltwater intrusion in a groundwater basin

Abstract

The spatial and transient behavior of the coupled mechanism of saltwater and freshwater flow throughout the Erzin, Turkey, groundwater basin was analyzed to forecast the position of the interface under a particular set of recharge and discharge conditions. The densitydriven saltwater intrusion process was simulated with the use of a finiteelement model. Physical parameters, initial heads, and boundary conditions of the basin were defined on the basis of available field data, and an areal, steady-state groundwater model was constructed to calibrate the observed head values corresponding to the initial development phase of the aquifer. Initial and boundary conditions determined from the areal calibration were used to evaluate the aquifer's dispersivities and the porosity in a steady-state, cross-sectional analysis. Consequently, the initial position of the salt concentration distribution was calibrated under steady-state conditions. The initial concentration distribution was then marched through time under discharge and recharge conditions, and the present-day position of the interface was predicted. In the cross-sectional simulation, the saltwater front was predicted to move inland during the discharge period, whereas in the recharge period the heads were predicted to recover to their initial positions with no significant movement of saltwater. The present-day distribution of salt concentrations was estimated via a 25-year simulation. Results indicate that the width of the dispersion zone has increased during this period and the saltwater encroachment has gradually been slowed down, tending toward a new steady-state position. Water Environ. Res., 68, 855 (1996).

Comparison of Different Indicators for Groundwater Contamination by Seawater Intrusion on the Lebanese Coast

“…It is often associated with over pumping in coastal regions, resulting in overdraft conditions and creating an inland gradient of seawater. The problem of seawater intrusion has been reported by many authors (Bakker, 2000;Hurswitz et al, 2000;Person et al, 1998;Langevin et al, 1998;Karahanoglu, 1997;Bonacci and Bonacci, 1997;Padilla and Sanjulian, 1997;Emekli et al, 1996;HuyaKorn et al, 1996) particularly along the southern Lebanese coast by El Moujabber et al (2004), El Moujabber et al (2003 and El Moujabber and Bou Samra (2002).…”

Groundwater contamination and its effect on health in Turkey

“…Groundwater can be polluted by seawater intrusion due to excessive abstraction of groundwater from coastal wells. In coastal plains such as Çeşme (İzmir), Bodrum (Mugla), Gökçeada (Çanakkale), Marmaris (Mugla), Çanakkale, Erzin (Hatay), Kazanlı (Mersin), and Turgutreis (Mugla), groundwater has been either completely or partially affected by seawater (Baba and Deniz 2004;Baba and Yigitbas 2007;Burak et al 1997;Gemici and Filiz 2001;Gürçay 2004;Demirel 2004;Emekli et al 1996). Around the Çeşme peninsula (İzmir) and Bodrum peninsula (Mugla), during summer when groundwater abstraction is high, water levels decrease below sea level.…”

Multi‐strainer model concept for conjunctive pumping of saline and non‐saline groundwater from coastal aquifers

“…Several authors (e.g., Bear, 1979;Bear, Cheng, Sorek, Ouazar, & Herrera, 1999;Bower, Motz, & Durden, 1999;Collins & Gelhar, 1971;Hoque, 1982;Huyakorn, Wu, & Park, 1996;Motz, 1992) have presented numerical models for simulation of the salinity front as a sharp interface, with and without upconing below a pumping well. On the other hand, Craig and Narayan (1998), Emekli, Karahanoglu, Yazicigil, and Doyuran (1996), Larabi and Aharmouch (2001), Nobi and Gupta (1997), Reilly and Goodman (1985), Voss and Souza (1987), and Papadopoulou, Karatzas, Koukadaki, and Trichakis (2005) studied the problem as density-dependent miscible flow. Bear (1979) and Hoque (1989) described the limitations of fresh water withdrawal due to interface upconing below a pumping well, leading to the introduction of saline dispersion above the interface.…”