Inverse modelling of seawater intrusion in the Llobregat delta deep aquifer

Iríbar, V.; Carrera, Jesús; Custódio, Emílio; Medina, A.

doi:10.1016/s0022-1694(96)03290-8

Cited by 83 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The aquifer extends to a depth of 20 to 23 m below the ground at the site and is underlain by Pliocene marls that are assumed impervious. The saturated thickness during 2010-2014 ranged from 12 to 14 m. The groundwater flows from NNW to SSE with a natural gradient of 2.3 ‰ (Iribar et al, 1997). Figure 1c shows a simplified cross section of the site.…”

Section: Site Description and Instrumentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tracer test modeling for characterizing heterogeneity and local-scale residence time distribution in an artificial recharge site

Valhondo

Martinez-Landa

Carrera

et al. 2016

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. Artificial recharge of aquifers is a technique for improving water quality and increasing groundwater resources. Understanding the fate of a potential contaminant requires knowledge of the residence time distribution (RTD) of the recharged water in the aquifer beneath. A simple way to obtain the RTDs is to perform a tracer test. We performed a pulse injection tracer test in an artificial recharge system through an infiltration basin to obtain the breakthrough curves, which directly yield the RTDs. The RTDs turned out to be very broad and we used a numerical model to interpret them, to characterize heterogeneity, and to extend the model to other flow conditions. The model comprised nine layers at the site scaled to emulate the layering of aquifer deposits. Two types of hypotheses were considered: homogeneous (all flow and transport parameters identical for every layer) and heterogeneous (diverse parameters for each layer). The parameters were calibrated against the head and concentration data in both model types, which were validated quite satisfactorily against 1,1,2-Trichloroethane and electrical conductivity data collected over a long period of time with highly varying flow conditions. We found that the broad RTDs can be attributed to the complex flow structure generated under the basin due to three-dimensionality and time fluctuations (the homogeneous model produced broad RTDs) and the heterogeneity of the media (the heterogeneous model yielded much better fits). We conclude that heterogeneity must be acknowledged to properly assess mixing and broad RTDs, which are required to explain the water quality improvement of artificial recharge basins.

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Section: Site Description and Instrumentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An integrated regional hydrogeologic model had been built to improve the management of water resources (Iribar et al, 1997;Abarca et al, 2006). The artificial recharge system is nested within the regional model domain.…”

Section: Model Constructionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tracer test modeling for characterizing heterogeneity and local-scale residence time distribution in an artificial recharge site

Valhondo

Martinez-Landa

Carrera

et al. 2016

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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“…Custodio and Bruggeman, 1987;Iribar et al, 1997;Edmunds et al, 2001;Oude Essink, 2001;Oude Essink et al, 2010). Furthermore, a number of recent studies on current saltwater and freshwater interactions in coastal aquifers have demonstrated the increasing global problem of saltwater intrusion (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transboundary geophysical mapping of geological elements and salinity distribution critical for the assessment of future sea water intrusion in response to sea level rise

Jørgensen

Scheer

Thomsen

et al. 2012

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. Geophysical techniques are increasingly being used as tools for characterising the subsurface, and they are generally required to develop subsurface models that properly delineate the distribution of aquifers and aquitards, salt/freshwater interfaces, and geological structures that affect groundwater flow. In a study area covering 730 km2 across the border between Germany and Denmark, a combination of an airborne electromagnetic survey (performed with the SkyTEM system), a high-resolution seismic survey and borehole logging has been used in an integrated mapping of important geological, physical and chemical features of the subsurface. The spacing between flight lines is 200–250 m which gives a total of about 3200 line km. About 38 km of seismic lines have been collected. Faults bordering a graben structure, buried tunnel valleys, glaciotectonic thrust complexes, marine clay units, and sand aquifers are all examples of geological structures mapped by the geophysical data that control groundwater flow and to some extent hydrochemistry. Additionally, the data provide an excellent picture of the salinity distribution in the area and thus provide important information on the salt/freshwater boundary and the chemical status of groundwater. Although the westernmost part of the study area along the North Sea coast is saturated with saline water and the TEM data therefore are strongly influenced by the increased electrical conductivity there, buried valleys and other geological elements are still revealed. The mapped salinity distribution indicates preferential flow paths through and along specific geological structures within the area. The effects of a future sea level rise on the groundwater system and groundwater chemistry are discussed with special emphasis on the importance of knowing the existence, distribution and geometry of the mapped geological elements, and their control on the groundwater salinity distribution is assessed.

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“…Although these models do not predict the effect of the variable density on the groundwater flow, they are tools which, for certain cases and objectives, may be suitable to simulate these systems (Iríbar et al, 1997;Rejani et al, 2008;Nettasana et al, 2012;Psarropoulou and Karatzas, 2012;Salcedo-Sánchez et al, 2012). The optimization problem has been solved by using a heuristic iterative process and a constant density flow simulation model of the aquifer, which assumes a direct relationship between piezometric drawdown and seawater intrusion.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Methodology to Analyse and Assess Pumping Management Strategies in Coastal Aquifers to Avoid Degradation Due to Seawater Intrusion Problems

Renau‐Pruñonosa

Morell

Pulido-Velázquez

2016

Water Resour Manage

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In this paper we will focus on an interesting and complex problem, the analysis of coastal aquifer management alternatives in aquifers affected by seawater intrusion problems. A systhematic method based on an approximation of the safe yield concept for coastal aquifers and a simple model approach to the problem is proposed to help in the decision The methodology was applied to a well-known Spanish Mediterranean aquifer, the Oropesa-Torreblanca Plain aquifer. The optimization problem was solved using an iterative process from a constant density flow simulation model of the aquifer, assuming a direct relationship between piezometric drawdown and seawater intrusion.

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Inverse modelling of seawater intrusion in the Llobregat delta deep aquifer

Cited by 83 publications

References 5 publications

Tracer test modeling for characterizing heterogeneity and local-scale residence time distribution in an artificial recharge site

Tracer test modeling for characterizing heterogeneity and local-scale residence time distribution in an artificial recharge site

Transboundary geophysical mapping of geological elements and salinity distribution critical for the assessment of future sea water intrusion in response to sea level rise

A Methodology to Analyse and Assess Pumping Management Strategies in Coastal Aquifers to Avoid Degradation Due to Seawater Intrusion Problems

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