A modular approach to the Korba aquifer sea-water intrusion study: 2. Simulation, data manipulation, and visualization for the 3D model
Lecca, G.; Paniconi, C.; Bettio, F.; Muscas, L.; Leonardi, E.; Khlaifi, I.; Tarhouni, J. (1999). A modular approach to the Korba aquifer sea-water intrusion study: 2. Simulation, data manipulation, and visualization for the 3D model. Natuurwet. Tijdschr. 79(1-4): 62-68 In: Natuurwetenschappelijk Tijdschrift. L. Walschot/Natuur- en Geneeskundige Vennootschap: Gent. ISSN 0770-1748, more Also appears in:De Breuck, W.; Walschot, L. (Ed.) (1999). Proceedings of the 15th Salt-Water Intrusion Meeting Ghent (Belgium), 25-29 May 1998. Natuurwetenschappelijk Tijdschrift, 79(1-4). Natuurwetenschappelijk Tijdschrift: Gent. 307 pp., more |  |
| Keywords | Data processing
Irrigation
Models
Simulation
Water > Ground water
Water quality
Water table
Tunisia [Marine Regions]
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| Authors | | Top | - Lecca, G.
- Paniconi, C.
- Bettio, F.
- Muscas, L.
| - Leonardi, E.
- Khlaifi, I.
- Tarhouni, J.
| |
| Abstract | Sea-water intrusion is an important environmental problem in the coastal aquifers of many Mediterranean countries. In the 438 km² Korba aquifer of eastern Tunisia, a large increase in the number of pumping wells for irrigation purposes since the 1960s has resulted in significant lowering of water-table levels in several observation piezometers, and in a consequent deterioration of water quality. Due to the important agricultural uses of the Korba plain, several remediation scenarios are being considered for this region, including artificial recharge of the aquifer and construction of small reservoirs to serve as an alternative source of irrigation water. In order to investigate the impact of these measures on aquifer-water quality, a modelling study supported by a geographic information system (GIS) and a database management system (DBMS) is being developed. The 3D finite-element model considers coupled density-dependent variably saturated flow and miscible transport. Calibration results and simulations that examine the interplay between recharge and pumping and its effect on the saline-water distribution in the subsurface and the unsaturated zone are discussed. Other simulations are used to investigate the location and extent of the window or seepage face controlling fresh-water discharge into the sea. Model-output data are post-processed to extract the selected time and/or space slices without extensive reformatting to produce 3D graphical display and animation sequences. Data and model are organized to give the user the ability to increase the understanding of the pollution mechanism and to assess its evolution in the presence of remediation steps. |
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