Modeling preferential zone-regulated freshwater-saltwater mixing zone

Y. Q. Xia, M. C. Boufadel

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The freshwater-saltwater mixing zone is of great importance in the study of the land-ocean interaction processes and coastal groundwater environments. This paper considers a coastal multilayered system which consists of an unconfined aquifer and a confined aquifer with an aquitard between them. The aquitard is assumed to have a breached zone (preferential zone). 2D density-dependent numerical simulations with the MARUN code were conduced to explore effects of the preferential zone on the movements of the freshwatersalt-water mixing zone. The results show that an inland preferential zone caused the freshwater-saltwater mixing zone in the confined aquifer to move landward, and induced seawater upcoming around the zone. An intertidal preferential zone caused the freshwater-saltwater mixing zone in the confined aquifer to move close to the preferential zone, while an offshore preferential zone would enhance the water exchange in the system. The findings provide insights into the management of coastal environment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationModelling and Computation in Engineering - Proceedings of the International Conference on Modelling and Computation in Engineering, CMCE 2010
Pages79-83
Number of pages5
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Conference on Modelling and Computation in Engineering, CMCE 2010 - Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Duration: Nov 6 2010Nov 7 2010

Publication series

NameModelling and Computation in Engineering - Proceedings of the International Conference on Modelling and Computation in Engineering, CMCE 2010

Other

OtherInternational Conference on Modelling and Computation in Engineering, CMCE 2010
Country/TerritoryHong Kong
CityHong Kong
Period11/6/1011/7/10

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Modeling and Simulation

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