Abstract
The proper characterization of coastal aquifers requires modeling variable density flow effects. However, most models estimate processes as saline intrusion based on 2D models with constant density and are rarely calibrated to honor salinity measurements. These facts limit the model predictions reliability, affecting the estimated hydrodynamic parameters, external stresses, and other model outputs that can be critical for planning or management decisions. This paper describes the re-assessment of a coastal aquifer model (Oropesa-Torreblanca, eastern Spain) subjected to moderate-to-high saline intrusion with a transient 3D variable density flow model. Previous models were based on 2D low-resolution grids without variable density effects. The new model honors the observed trends of both piezometric and salinity data. Results show the importance of the variable density effects having on critical outputs as sea intrusion and the discharges to a local wetland of high environmental value. The widespread intrusion process and its current stabilization are confirmed but, compared to previous models, the annual average intrusion is 156% higher, discharge to the wetland increases 30%, and the inflows from neighboring formations increase 22%. The more accurate aquifer models, as well as the new discharges and intrusion estimations, are important contributions for future water and environmental planning decisions in the area.
Highlights
Coastal aquifers can be vulnerable to overexploitation, wrong management and pollution, and many coastal planes, in mild climate latitudes, are heavily occupied by urban areas, and agricultural and industrial activities
This paper presents the development of a far more accurate 3D transient model that includes variable density flow effects, whose calibration is based on both piezometric and salinity; we analyze the changes in model results and identify issues that required further consideration to improve model predictions
The space and time scales of the model cannot capture the small-scale oscillations that measured data usually display; most piezometric observations are close to pumping areas, or even at pumping locations, leading to dynamic piezometric levels whose reproduction is not plausible with a field scale model
Summary
Coastal aquifers can be vulnerable to overexploitation, wrong management and pollution, and many coastal planes, in mild climate latitudes, are heavily occupied by urban areas, and agricultural and industrial activities. It is quite common to find wetlands of high environmental value strongly dependent on the groundwater body management, both in quantity and quality This situation is especially relevant in some Mediterranean areas with semi-arid conditions and frequent episodes of water scarcity. The goal of the research described in this paper is to advance in the characterization and intrusion estimation of the Oropesa-Torreblanca coastal aquifer, located in Eastern Spain (see Figure 1), showing the important changes in model results that the improvement in the model yields This aquifer is important for both the local water supply and the water balance of a natural reserve located in the area known as “Prat de Cabanes”. This paper presents the development of a far more accurate 3D transient model that includes variable density flow effects, whose calibration is based on both piezometric and salinity; we analyze the changes in model results and identify issues that required further consideration to improve model predictions
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