Saltwater intrusion dynamics in a laboratory confined aquifer

Date

12-2014

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

College

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Roger A Luyun Jr.

Restrictions

Restricted: Not available to the general public. Access is available only after consultation with author/thesis adviser and only to those bound by the confidentiality agreement.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the flow dynamics of saltwater intrusion using a laboratory-scale confined aquifer setup. A confined aquifer system with pumping wells was simulated through a flow tank using sand as the porous medium. The behavior of the saltwater intrusion was observed using two aquifer thickness and two hydraulic gradients. The saltwater intrudes in a wedge-like shape which advances at a faster pace at the beginning then gradually slows down until steady state condition is achieved. As the hydraulic gradient increases, the saltwater wedge is smaller and intrudes at a lower rate. Also, the thicker the aquifer the farther the saltwater intrudes. This followed available mathematical equation for saltwater intrusion in confined aquifers. A difference between the experimental and theoretical toe positions was observed but this may be due to the laboratory scaling effect. Pumping experiments were done in two points with two different extraction rates. A farther landward migration of the saltwater wedge was observed as the pumping rate at the well increases. Also, higher extraction rate results to longer attainment of equilibrium state but faster rate of toe advancement. It can also be observed that the closer the pumping well is to the toe of the saltwater wedge, the farther the induced advance of the saltwater toe, and the easier and faster up-coning may occur which causes salinization of potable fresh groundwater. Understanding the flow dynamics of saltwater intrusion leads to the development of more realistic and effective management implementations in preventing groundwater resource depletion.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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