title: Effect of sea-level rise on salt water intrusion near a coastal well field in southeastern Florida.
abstract: A variable-density groundwater flow and dispersive solute transport model was developed for the shallow coastal aquifer system near a municipal supply well field in southeastern Florida. The model was calibrated for a 105-year period (1900 to 2005). An analysis with the model suggests that well-field withdrawals were the dominant cause of salt water intrusion near the well field, and that historical sea-level rise, which is similar to lower-bound projections of future sea-level rise, exacerbated the extent of salt water intrusion. Average 2005 hydrologic conditions were used for 100-year sensitivity simulations aimed at quantifying the effect of projected rises in sea level on fresh coastal groundwater resources near the well field. Use of average 2005 hydrologic conditions and a constant sea level result in total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration of the well field exceeding drinking water standards after 70 years. When sea-level rise is included in the simulations, drinking water standards are exceeded 10 to 21 years earlier, depending on the specified rate of sea-level rise.
authors.affiliation: Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department, 115 South Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
authors.forename: Christian D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Langevin
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zygnerski
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D005431:Florida; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D012623:Seawater; D060986:Water Wells