Seawater Intrusion in Extremely Heterogeneous Laboratory-Scale Aquifer: Steady-State Results

This work used experimental and numerical methods to investigate seawater intrusion (SWI) in a complex heterogeneous laboratory-scale aquifer. We started the analysis with homogeneous isotropic aquifer as reference case, then moved layered aquifers. The study also investigated block-wise synthetic aquifers different configurations. wedge toe length generally decreased under conditions, while freshwater–saltwater dispersion/mixing zone increased when compared homogenous case. saltwater–freshwater interface shows distinct gradient change across boundaries at differing hydraulic conductivities. was attributed streamline refraction, which caused reduction angle of transitioning from high low permeability zones vice versa. refraction affected mixing zone, where additional spreading observed When predominated shoreline saline water boundary, this produced shorter horizontal direction, but it more expanded vertically. provides insight into general processes SWI could be basis for defining conceptual models real-world systems. It highlights capabilities image capture small perturbations.