Back

Coastal hydrogeology

Sketch of an ocean basin indicating the study areas for terrestrial hydrogeology, coastal hydrogeology and marine hydrogeology. Modified from Wilson (2005).[1]

Coastal Hydrogeology is a branch of Hydrogeology that focuses on the movement and the chemical properties of groundwater in coastal areas. Coastal Hydrogeology studies the interaction between fresh groundwater and seawater, including seawater intrusion, sea level induced groundwater level fluctuation, submarine groundwater discharge, human activities and groundwater management in coastal areas.[2][3]

The freshwater-seawater interface is a dynamic boundary where freshwater mixes with seawater.[2] An interface in Coastal Hydrogeology refers to the location that freshwater from aquifer meets seawater. Steady freshwater-seawater interface is an equilibrium stage where the boundary locates in a relatively fixed location, while seawater intrusion or a strong recharge rate breaks the equilibrium, leading to an unsteady freshwater-seawater interface.[4] Mixing of groundwater and seawater creates a special chemical system that is a good indicator to show the interaction and the interface.[2]

Human activities such as pumping of groundwater and land reclamation break the equilibrium, leading to seawater intrusion, development of a seepage zone or pollution of the ocean.[5][6] The interaction between groundwater system and the ocean is complex. Preventive actions and engineering measurements are adopted to mitigate the impacts.

  1. ^ Wilson, Alicia M. (2005). "Fresh and saline groundwater discharge to the ocean: A regional perspective". Water Resources Research. 41 (2): 02016. Bibcode:2005WRR....41.2016W. doi:10.1029/2004WR003399. S2CID 129264765.
  2. ^ a b c Jiao, J., & Post, V. (2019). Coastal hydrogeology. Cambridge University Press.
  3. ^ Fisher, A. T. (2005). "Marine hydrogeology: recent accomplishments and future opportunities". Hydrogeology Journal. 13 (1): 69–97. Bibcode:2005HydJ...13...69F. doi:10.1007/s10040-004-0400-y. ISSN 1435-0157. S2CID 14334070.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :18 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference :7 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :19 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · View on Wikipedia

Developed by Nelliwinne