TY - GEN
T1 - Numerical modelling of saltwater-freshwater interaction in the Walawe River Basin, Sri Lanka
AU - Ranjan, Priyantha
AU - Kazama, So
AU - Sawamoto, Masaki
PY - 2007/12/1
Y1 - 2007/12/1
N2 - A finite difference model that simulates freshwater and saltwater flow separated by a sharp interface has been applied to estimate the salinity intrusion in the lower part of the Walawe River basin to the southern coastal aquifer, Sri Lanka. The effect of hydrogeological factors on the dynamics of the freshwater-saltwater interface has been considered through storage coefficients, porosity and hydraulic conductivity. The paper concludes that hydraulic conductivity is the main hydrogeological factor affecting the movement of the freshwater-saltwater interface, and the saltwater intrusion is more sensitive to groundwater recharge than hydrogeological properties. Therefore, the model was calibrated by adjusting the hydraulic conductivity to match the observed salinity profile in the southern coastal aquifer. Simulation results compare well with the observed long-term salinity profile suggesting that the numerical model can be used to successfully simulate the salinity profile in the area.
AB - A finite difference model that simulates freshwater and saltwater flow separated by a sharp interface has been applied to estimate the salinity intrusion in the lower part of the Walawe River basin to the southern coastal aquifer, Sri Lanka. The effect of hydrogeological factors on the dynamics of the freshwater-saltwater interface has been considered through storage coefficients, porosity and hydraulic conductivity. The paper concludes that hydraulic conductivity is the main hydrogeological factor affecting the movement of the freshwater-saltwater interface, and the saltwater intrusion is more sensitive to groundwater recharge than hydrogeological properties. Therefore, the model was calibrated by adjusting the hydraulic conductivity to match the observed salinity profile in the southern coastal aquifer. Simulation results compare well with the observed long-term salinity profile suggesting that the numerical model can be used to successfully simulate the salinity profile in the area.
KW - Coastal groundwater resources
KW - Hydrogeology
KW - Salinity intrusion
KW - Southern coastal aquifer Sri Lanka
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=55849109697&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=55849109697&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:55849109697
SN - 9781901502046
T3 - IAHS-AISH Publication
SP - 306
EP - 314
BT - IAHS-AISH Publication - A New Focus on Groundwater - Seawater Interactions
T2 - International Symposium: A New Focus on Groundwater - Seawater Interactions - 24th General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG)
Y2 - 2 July 2007 through 13 July 2007
ER -
