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Laboratory and Numerical Investigation of Saltwater Intrusion Processes in a Circular Island Aquifer
Author(s) -
Memari Sama S.,
Bedekar Vivek S.,
Clement T. Prabhakar
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/2019wr025325
Subject(s) - aquifer , saltwater intrusion , geology , transient (computer programming) , groundwater recharge , modflow , aquifer properties , intrusion , benchmark (surveying) , mechanics , geotechnical engineering , groundwater , computer science , physics , geodesy , geochemistry , operating system
A novel radial flow experimental system to study saltwater intrusion processes in an island aquifer is presented. The study investigated steady state and transient scenarios involving advancing and receding saltwater wedges in a circular island. The experimental results were simulated using the density‐coupled version of the MODFLOW‐USG code. The experimental data along with the model simulation results are employed to develop a new radial benchmark problem for testing density‐coupled models used for simulating saltwater intrusion processes. The experimental data for transient changes in toe position and freshwater storage level indicated an asymmetric pattern where the intrusion time scale is greater than the recession time scale. Numerical experiments were completed to further investigate this asymmetric effect and to intercompare the associated transient transport processes in circular and linear strip islands. We also analyzed the sensitivity of island geometry in controlling the freshwater storage levels under different recharge conditions. Modeling results show that for similar‐sized systems, circular islands are more efficient in storing freshwater than linear strip islands.