Salinity intrusion length: comparison of different approaches

Abstract

2 3Salinity is an important parameter influencing the water quality of estuaries. Prediction of salt intrusion length in estuaries is a challenge for managers as well as scientists in this field. Several numerical and empirical models have been developed for the prediction of salt intrusion length in recent decades. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of empirical models in the Arvand river estuary in south-west Iran. A laterally averaged, twodimensional hydrodynamics-water quality model called CE-QUAL-W2 was used for numerical simulations. Salt intrusion lengths under different discharge and tidal conditions were first predicted by the validated numerical model, then the semi-empirical models were applied to the same hydrological/tidal conditions. From the comparison of the results, it was found that the model of Savenije, that properly considers the variation of bathymetry along the estuary, outperformed the others and could be used as a rapid assessment tool in the Arvand river estuary.

Investigation of hydraulics transport time scales within the Arvand River estuary, Iran

“…(), and the numerical results have recently been compared with those of semi‐empirical equations of salinity intrusion by Etemad‐Shahidi et al . ().…”

“…The approach used to calculate these scales should be chosen very carefully and should consider the assumption of the approach, the hydrodynamics of the system and the kind of problem that has been dealt with. Noting the importance of the Arvand River as a source of freshwater, the focus of previous hydrodynamics and water quality studies in this area was mainly on the salinity intrusion length and obtaining a predictive formula for it (Zahed et al ., ; Etemad‐Shahidi et al ., ). In this article, different approaches that are suggested for estimating the hydraulic time scales have been compared with each other, using a numerical model.…”

An empirical model for salinity intrusion in alluvial estuaries

“…Their analysis indicated that this relationship can be approximated by L HWS~Q−0.2 . The importance of variation of channel bathymetry has been also echoed by other investigators (e.g.,Gay and O'Donnell 2007;Etemad- Shahidi et al 2011). It seems that the difference between the values of the exponents may be related to variations in bathymetry and width along the estuaries.…”

Soil salinization trend from 2003 to 2022 across the globe response to climate change

“…In arid climate conditions, overdrawing groundwater extractions and unmanaged agricultural fertilization resulted in the reduction of groundwater levels and depletion 25,26 . Soluble salts migrated to the topsoil along with upflowed capillary water due to the shallowing groundwater, which aggravates soil salinization 27 . For example, previous studies reported soil salinization increased due to the decline and degradation of groundwater in UAE 28 , Western Desert of Egypt 29 , and Tadla plain 30 .…”