Effect of permeability of subsurface barrier on salt water intrusion in coastal aquifers

Abstract

Semi-pervious, subsurface barriers are considered to be one of the viable solution for the control of saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers. Investigations are carried out in this work to assess the performance of the barrier with different permeabilities using a finite element model. The advancement of saltwater - freshwater interface and the water table profiles are monitored for fresh water withdrawals at inland locations under the scenarios of wide ranging hydraulic conductivities of the barrier. The results indicated that barrier is able to check the advancement of the intrusion significantly with the hydraulic conductivity being less than certain limit. The performance of the barrier is also compared with no barrier conditions. Marked variations in the interface and water table profiles are observed as compared to no barrier condition. The performance of the barrier was not found to be satisfactory beyond certain limit of permeability.