Transient Evolution of Inland Freshwater Lenses: Comparison of Numerical and Physical Experiments

Water

Adam Milewski¹  Rachel Rotz¹  Todd C Rasmussen² 

[1] Department of Geology, University of Georgia, 210 Field Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA;Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 East Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA;

关键词: inland freshwater lenses;    arid environments;    SEAWAT;    numerical model;   

DOI  :  10.3390/w12041154

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Brackish to saline groundwater in arid environments encourages the development and sustainability of inland freshwater lenses (IFLs). While these freshwater resources supply much-needed drinking water throughout the Arabian Peninsula and other drylands, little is understood about their sustainability. This study presents a numerical model using the SEAWAT programming code (i.e., MODFLOW and the Modular Three-Dimensional Multispecies Transport Model (MT3DMS)) to simulate IFL transient evolution. The numerical model is based on a physical laboratory model and calibrated using results from simulations conducted in a previous study of the Raudhatain IFL in northern Kuwait. Data from three previously conducted physical model simulations were evaluated against the corresponding numerical model simulations. The hydraulic conductivities in the horizontal and vertical directions were successfully optimized to minimize the objective function of the numerical model simulations. The numerical model matched observed IFL water levels at four locations through time, as well as IFL thicknesses and lengths (R² = 0.89, 0.94, 0.85). Predicted lens degradation times corresponded to the observed lenses, which demonstrated the utility of numerical models and physical models to assess IFL geometry and position. Improved understanding of IFL dynamics provides water-resource exploration and development opportunities in drylands throughout the Arabian Peninsula and elsewhere with similar environmental settings.

【 授权许可】

Unknown