The use of subsurface physical barriers to control seawater intrusion in heterogeneous coastal aquifers: experimental and numerical study

The purpose of this thesis was to use laboratory and numerical modelling tools to provide an insight on the impact of subsurface physical barriers on seawater intrusion and flow dynamics in commonly found heterogeneous formations and to propose the mixed physical barrier (MPB) as a new countermeasure for seawater intrusion control purposes. In overall, this thesis is subdivided into eight chapters. The first chapter provides some relevant literature pertaining to this research, lists the objectives and presents a brief preview of each chapter.

The second chapter provides a description of the general methodology adopted in this research as well as the details of the all experimental settings investigated herein. The third chapter presents a analysis of the response of seawater intrusion and retreat to incremental water level variations. The fourth chapter provides an analysis of the saltwater upconing mechanism in response to groundwater abstraction.