The Henry Problem for Saltwater Intrusion

Abstract

Previous solutions of the idealized saltwater intrusion problem known as the Henry problem are discussed, and possible reasons for the observed discrepancies between them are given. High‐accuracy finite difference techniques are used to solve the nondimensionalized equations governing the problem, and a fine grid is used so that the solutions obtained contain only very small truncation errors. Such errors are investigated by means of grid refinement. Comparison of past results with the present solutions indicate, first, the presence of significant inaccuracy in certain earlier results and, second, the effects of numerical dispersion in other previous solutions calculated using relatively few grid points.

A numerical analysis of dimensionality and heterogeneity effects on advective dispersive seawater intrusion processes

“…Under natural conditions, the geometry of the saltwater wedge depends on the hydraulic properties of the aquifer, on the physical properties of the two fluids (e.g. Glover 1959;Henry 1964;Voss and Souza 1987;Croucher and O'Sullivan 1995), on the aquifer geometry (e.g. Abarca et al 2007b), and/or on the tidal patterns (e.g.…”

Modeling Pathways and Stages of CO2 Storage

“…If there is longer time for the diffusion layer to develop, the gradients are smaller, which also leads to a longer critical time within the simulation for the start of the convective regime to become dominant. From this we conclude that the length of stage (A) can not be predicted by the model, if the diffusion layer equation (15) with unknown t = t0 is applied. In contrast, model runs with the steep gradient approach deliver a length of stage (A) independent from mesh size.…”

“…In case of high Rayleigh numbers a very similar description is derived for 'density fingering' [14]. Similar multiphysics formulations have been used dealing with other density related problems in aquifers, as saltwater intrusion [15,16], salination from saltdomes [17], thermal convection, etc [14,18,19,20].…”

A method for estimating the fresh water–salt water interface with hydraulic heads in a coastal aquifer and its application

“…Knowing the temporal and spatial evolution of the fresh wateresalt water interface is significant for groundwater development and prevention of sea water intrusion and for understanding the vulnerability of a coastal environment. Many hydrogeological studies have discussed and used models describing a sharp interface between fresh water and salt water in coastal areas, especially in coastal aquifers with a narrow transition zone between fresh water and salt water, or in coastal zones where a preliminary examination of the relation between the two water bodies is needed (Glover, 1959;Fetter, 1972;Bear, 1979;Essaid, 1990;Croucher and O'Sullivan, 1995;Izuka and Gingerich, 1998;Cheng and Ouazar, 1999;Feseker, 2007;Tang et al, 2007;Kim et al, 2007). Previous studies in determining the interface are based mainly on the water table in the fresh water zone with the GhybeneHerzberg relation (ven der Veer, 1977;Reilly and Goodman, 1985;Inouchi et al, 1985;Isaacs and Hunt, 1986;Ledoux et al, 1990;Moore et al, 1992;Huyakorn et al, 1996;Person et al, 1998;Maas, 2007).…”