In the study saltwater intrusion processes in a hypothetical homogenous and multi-layered coastal aquifer system are simulated using the United States Geological Survey (USGS) finite element model for saturated-unsaturated fluid density-dependent groundwater flow with energy transport of chemically reactive single species solute transport (SUTRA) for different boundary conditions and aquifer parameters.
The saltwater intrusion profiles for steady-state or transient conditions are obtained and analyzed. The effects of changes in the permeabilities of aquifers and aquitards, changes in the influx at the boundary, and changes in dispersivities in medium on the saltwater intrusion process are investigated.
The effects of material independent and material dependent dispersivities are also subjected to analysis. It is inferred from analysis that permeability of the medium, dispersivity in the medium and influx at the boundaries affect the extent and intensity of saltwater intrusion in a coastal aquifer system.
However, material dependent dispersivity in a multilayered aquifer system did not lead to discernible changes in the intrusion profile compared to that with material-independent dispersivity for the present set-up. The report presents an elaborate discussion of results and analysis with the aid of tables and plots.
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