Numerical investigation of mixed physical barriers for saltwater removal in coastal heterogeneous aquifers

Abstract

Saltwater intrusion is a prevalent global environmental issue that detrimentally impacts coastal groundwater aquifers. This problem is exacerbated by climate change and increased groundwater abstraction. Employing physical barriers proves effective in mitigating saline water intrusion. In this study, a validated numerical simulation model is utilized to assess the impact of aquifer stratification on the effectiveness of mixed physical barriers (MPBs) and their response to structural variations. Additionally, the performance of MPBs was compared with that of single physical barriers in a laboratory-scale aquifer. Three different configurations were replicated, comprising two stratified aquifers (HLH and LHL) and a homogenous reference aquifer (H). The results demonstrate that MPBs are efficient in decreasing the saltwater penetration length in the investigated cases. The reductions in penetration length were up to 65% in all cases. The removal efficacy of residual saline water for MPBs exceeded that of the subsurface dam by 2.1–3.3 times for H, 2.1–3.6 times for HLH, and 8.3 times for LHL conditions, while outperforming the cutoff wall by 38–100% for H, 39–44% for HLH, and 2.7–75% for LHL. These findings are of importance for decision-makers in choosing the most appropriate technique for mitigating saline water intrusion in heterogeneous coastal aquifers.