Determining Aquifer Hydrogeological Parameters in Coastal Aquifers from Tidal Attenuation Analysis, Case Study: The Malta Mean Sea Level Aquifer System

The coastal and carbonate Mean Sea Level Aquifer (MSLA) of Malta is characterised by high anisotropy heterogeneity, which together make evaluating the aquifer system parameters a challenging task. In this paper, we present an approach for determination hydrogeological based on tidal-induced groundwater fluctuations that can be applied in other similar contexts. This work presents analysis data undertaken monitoring boreholes located MSLA exhibiting fluctuations. allowed us to determine values three main parameters: hydraulic diffusivity, transmissivity conductivity. These will subsequently used as input flow reactive transport modelling purposes. study, methodology fast Fourier transform (FFT) proposed improve applicability Jacob–Ferris method observed level sea FFT reproduced signals isolate component induced tides, thus eliminating short- long-term variations water table disruptive factors. Results showed variability within short distance, reflecting heterogeneity system. derived from are complemented with results pumping tests aim estimating spatial distribution study area. analysed means geostatistics tools uncertainty, correlation variation space through use semi-variograms.