3D Variable Density Flow Simulation to Evaluate Pumping Schemes in Coastal Aquifers

A three dimensional model is presented for the simulation of seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers by considering the development of a transition zone and thus the variable density flow approach. The model is applied to a heterogeneous coastal aquifer to study the effects of the pumping rate, the salinity of freshwater inflow and the thickness of the aquifer, on the degradation of pumped water quality through wells in certain location. Even for an optimum pumping scheme solution based on a simple two-dimensional flow model, we simulate freshwater degradation in pumped water which depends on the salinity of freshwater inflow and aquifer thickness.     

Coastal Aquifer Management Based on the Joint use of Density-Dependent and Sharp Interface Models

In pumping optimization of coastal aquifers, the evaluation of the objective function and constraints using density-dependent models is overwhelmed by complex and time-consuming numerical simulations. To address those cases where the available density-dependent model runs are very limited, due to excessive computational burden, an efficient optimization strategy is developed. The proposed methodology uses an efficient sharp interface model jointly with a complex density-dependent model in an evolutionary optimization algorithm. While most evaluations are based on the sharp interface model, the density-dependent model is selectively called to evaluate promising solutions and to improve the predictions of the sharp interface model through the adaptive modification of the saltwater-freshwater density ratio. The method is tested for pumping optimization problems in confined and unconfined coastal aquifers with multiple pumping wells. The optimal solutions are compared to those obtained by density-dependent as well as by sharp interface optimization alone. Under a very restrictive computational budget, the best feasible solution is attained in less than 25 density-dependent model runs for two optimization problems of 10 and 20 decision variables. The results indicate that this optimization method leads to good feasible solutions and that an improved estimation of optimal pumping rates can be achieved within a limited computational budget. The method could also stand as an efficient preliminary exploration of the optimal search space, to provide good feasible starting points for the implementation of more comprehensive methods of coastal aquifer management.

     

Stochastic and Robust Multi-Objective Optimal Management of Pumping from Coastal Aquifers Under Parameter Uncertainty

Combined simulation-optimization approaches have been used as tools to derive optimal groundwater management strategies to maintain or improve water quality in contaminated or other aquifers. Surrogate models based on neural networks, regression models, support vector machies etc., are used as substitutes for the numerical simulation model in order to reduce the computational burden on the simulation-optimization approach. However, the groundwater flow and transport system itself being characterized by uncertain parameters, using a deterministic surrogate model to substitute it is a gross and unrealistic approximation of the system. Till date, few studies have considered stochastic surrogate modeling to develop groundwater management methodologies. In this study, we utilize genetic programming (GP) based ensemble surrogate models to characterize coastal aquifer water quality responses to pumping, under parameter uncertainty. These surrogates are then coupled with multiple realization optimization for the stochastic and robust optimization of groundwater management in coastal aquifers. The key novelty in the proposed approach is the capability to capture the uncertainty in the physical system, to a certain extent, in the ensemble of surrogate models and using it to constrain the optimization search to derive robust optimal solutions. Uncertainties in hydraulic conductivity and the annual aquifer recharge are incorporated in this study. The results obtained indicate that the methodology is capable of developing reliable and robust strategies for groundwater management.     

Pumping Optimization of Coastal Aquifers Assisted by Adaptive Metamodelling Methods and Radial Basis Functions

The application of metamodelling frameworks is a popular approach to handle the computational cost arising from complex computer simulations and global optimization algorithms in simulation-optimization routines. In this paper, Radial Basis Functions (RBF) are used as metamodels for the computationally expensive variable-density flow and salt transport numerical simulations, in a pumping optimization problem of coastal aquifers. While RBF metamodels have been fairly utilized in many engineering optimization problems, their use is very limited in coastal aquifer management. Two adaptive metamodelling frameworks are employed, that is, the adaptive-recursive approach and the metamodel-embedded evolution strategy. In both frameworks, cubic RBF models are used to approximate the constraint functions imposed on the coastal aquifer pumping optimization problem. The optimal pumping rates are first calculated based on the variable-density and salt transport numerical models of seawater intrusion. The resulting optimal solutions and the computational times are set as benchmark values in order to assess the performance of the metamodelling optimization strategies. Results indicate that the metamodel-embedded evolution framework outperformed in terms of computational efficiency the adaptive-recursive approach while it successfully located the region of the global optimum. Furthermore, with the metamodel-embedded evolution strategy the computational time of the variable-density-based optimization was reduced by 96 %.     

A Methodology to Analyse and Assess Pumping Management Strategies in Coastal Aquifers to Avoid Degradation Due to Seawater Intrusion Problems

Water Resources Management - In this paper we will focus on an interesting and complex problem, the analysis of coastal aquifer management alternatives in aquifers affected by seawater intrusion...     

A Cost-Effective Method to Control Seawater Intrusion in Coastal Aquifers

Intrusion of seawater into coastal aquifers is considered one of the most important processes that degrade water-quality by raising the salinity to levels exceeding acceptable drinking standards. Therefore saltwater intrusion should be prevented or at least controlled to protect groundwater resources. This paper presents a cost-effective method to control seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers. This methodology ADR (Abstraction, Desalination and Recharge) includes; abstraction of saline water and recharge to the aquifer after desalination. A coupled transient density-dependent finite element model is developed for simulation of fluid flow and solute transport and used to simulate seawater intrusion. The simulation model has been integrated with an optimization model to examine three scenarios to control seawater intrusion including; abstraction, recharge and a combination system, ADR. The main objectives of the models are to determine the optimal depths, locations and abstraction/recharge rates for the wells to minimize the total costs for construction and operation as well as salt concentrations in the aquifer. A comparison between the combined system (ADR) and the individual abstraction or recharge system is made in terms of total cost and total salt concentration in the aquifer and the amount of repulsion of seawater achieved. The results show that the proposed ADR system performs significantly better than using abstraction or recharge wells alone as it gives the least cost and least salt concentration in the aquifer. ADR is considered an effective tool to control seawater intrusion and can be applied in areas where there is a risk of seawater intrusion.     

Optimal Locations of Groundwater Extractions in Coastal Aquifers

A regional water supply management model for coastal aquifers was developed. One of its outcomes is the definition of the optimized locations for groundwater withdrawal. Such a tool permits the analysis of alternative plans for groundwater extraction and the sustainable use of water resources in a coastal aquifer subject to saltwater intrusion. The principal components are the evolutionary optimization and the analytical/numerical simulation models. The optimization technique looks for the best well locations taking into consideration the economic results and the satisfaction of the societal water demand. However these two concerns are conditioned by trying to control the saltwater intrusion, i.e., preserving the environmental equilibrium. The simulation model uses the governing mathematical equations for groundwater movement to find the interface between freshwater and saltwater. Because of the non-linearity in the system and the possibility of a jumping interface, a security distance was defined. This is a controlling variable which can be set by the decision makers. The model was applied to a typical case with interesting results. For example, diagrams showing the relationship between the location of the wells and the security distance(s) are of importance to the managers. It was also crucial to have an understanding of the tradeoffs between groundwater withdrawals, positions of the wells from the coast line, and the security distance. The model was also applied to a real case in order to relate the extractions, distances and artificial recharge (not presented in this paper).     

Development a Novel Integrated Distributed Multi-objective Simulation-optimization Model for Coastal Aquifers Management Using NSGA-II and GMS Models

Water Resources Management - Groundwater is one of the most valuable water resources in the world in terms of quantity and quality. Therefore, their protection as an important issue should be...     

混流泵模型及装置特性的比较与分析

对南水北调东线工程建设的第一座泵站——宝应泵站，初步设计阶段采用的混流泵模型与引进的日本某公司混流泵模型基本结构进行了比较，对两种模型的水力特性和装置模型试验结果进行了对比分析，日本泵模型的最高效率比初步设计阶段模型最高效率高约3％，扬程加权平均的装置模型效率相差7％左右。数值模拟结果表明，对初步设计阶段采用的混流泵结构作一些改变，配合口本设计的进、出水流道后，装置的最高效率也提高了2．5％，但在高效区仍比日本泵装置低5％左右。因此，日本泵的水力性能较为优越，应加强对国外引进设备和技术的消化和吸收，开发新的有自主知识产权的泵和技术。     

Simulation and Multi-Objective Management of Coastal Aquifers in Semi-Arid Regions

Groundwater is the main water resource in many semi-arid coastal regions and water demand, especially in summer months, can be very high. Groundwater withdrawal for meeting this demand often causes seawater intrusion and degradation of water quality of coastal aquifers. In order to satisfy demand, a combined management plan is proposed and is under consideration for the island of Santorini. The plan involves: (1) desalinization (if needed) of pumped water to a potable level using reverse osmosis and (2) injection into the aquifer of biologically-treated waste water. The management plan is formulated in a multi-objective, optimization framework, where simultaneous minimization of economic and environmental costs is desired, subject to a constraint so that cleaned water satisfies demand. The decision variables concern the well locations and the corresponding pumping and recharging rates. The problem is solved using a computationally efficient, multi-objective, genetic algorithm (NSGAII). The constrained multi-objective, optimization problem is transformed to an unconstrained one using a penalty function proportional to constraint violation. This extends the definition of the objective function outside the domain of feasibility. The impact of prolonged droughts on coastal aquifers is investigated by assuming various scenarios of reduced groundwater recharge. Water flow and quality in the coastal aquifer is simulated using a three-dimensional, variable density, finite difference model (SEAWAT). The method is initially applied to a test aquifer and the trade-off curves (Pareto fronts) are determinedl for each drought scenario. The trade-off curves indicate an increase on the economic and environmental cost as groundwater recharge reduces due to climate change.     

Alternatives to Reduce Pumping Effects in Glacial Stratified Drift Aquifers During Periods of Low Stream Flow

Low stream flows in the Fenton River, part of a hydrogeological setting characterized by glacial stratified drift, forces the University of Connecticut to frequently reduce groundwater withdrawals during the months of June–October. The objective of this study was to investigate stream/aquifer interactions in such a hydrogeologic system in order to increase water withdrawals while minimizing adverse impacts to in-stream flow. A groundwater flow model was developed using MODFLOW to investigate the influence of well location and pumping timing on in-stream flow in the vicinity of the water supply wells. The numerical model comprised detailed geophysical data and decadal hydrologic data (2000–2009) to assess well placement, rest periods and cyclical pumping. The relocation of a water supply well up to 228 m from the river had a positive but minimal improvement to stream flows (<2.83 L/s). When the well field was shut off for more than 45 days, stream flows returned to the no pumping condition with only slight impact at 30 days, whereas a 30 day rest period gave 4 weeks of dampened pumping influence on stream flows. A management scenario of 1 week cyclical pumping between two water supply wells following a 45 day rest period can allow for current restriction thresholds to be reduced by 28.3 L/s with minimal impact to stream flows (7.36 L/s) and would allow additional water to be pumped for all years in which there was a demand for water.     

Development and Implementation of Support Vector Machine Regression Surrogate Models for Predicting Groundwater Pumping-Induced Saltwater Intrusion into Coastal Aquifers

Predicting the extent of saltwater intrusion (SWI) into coastal aquifers in response to changing pumping patterns is a prerequisite of any groundwater management framework. This study investigates the feasibility of using support vector machine regression (SVMr), an innovative artificial intelligence-based machine learning algorithm for predicting salinity concentrations at selected monitoring wells in an illustrative aquifer under variable groundwater pumping conditions. For evaluation purpose, the prediction results of SVMr are compared with well-established genetic programming (GP) based surrogate models. SVMr and GP models are trained and validated using identical sets of input (pumping) and output (salinity concentration) datasets. The trained and validated models are then used to predict salinity concentrations at specified monitoring wells in response to new pumping datasets. Prediction capabilities of the two learning machines are evaluated using different proficiency measures to ensure their practicality and generalisation ability. The performance evaluation results suggest that the prediction capability of SVMr is superior to GP models. Also, a sensitivity analysis methodology is proposed for assessing the impact of pumping rates on salt concentrations at monitoring locations. This sensitivity analysis provides a subset of most influential pumping rates, which is used to construct new SVMr surrogate models with improved predictive capabilities. The improved prediction capability and the generalisation ability of the SVMr models together with the ability to improve the accuracy of prediction by refining the input set for training makes the use of proposed SVMr models more attractive. Prediction models with more accurate prediction capability makes it potentially very useful for designing large scale coastal aquifer management strategies.     

Inclined Physical Subsurface Barriers for Saltwater Intrusion Management in Coastal Aquifers

Saltwater intrusion (SWI) has a negative environmental impact on groundwater quality in coastal areas. Therefore, effective management strategies are required to preserve fresh groundwater resources. Historically, vertical barriers have been exclusively considered in both numerical studies and practical applications. The novelty of this study consists in investigating the SWI mitigation effectiveness of inclined physical subsurface barriers (PSBs), and specifically cutoff walls (CWs) and subsurface dams (SDs). An initial benchmark analysis of the Henry problem was performed. Following verification, the proposed model was applied to a real case study - the Biscayne aquifer (Southeastern Florida, USA). The model simulations run for different scenarios considering the vertical placement of the PSB, an inclined placement of the PSB according to different slopes (1/4, 1/2 and 1/1, at sea- and landside) and the combination of the best scenario. The results showed that CWs are more effective in limiting SWI in comparison with SDs. The most positive impact in both cases was achieved for a slope of 1/4, indicating that a moderate vertical inclination of the PSB better preserve coastal groundwater resources. The model presented in this work can be a valuable tool for policy makers in predicting the coastal aquifer response. However, a comprehensive cost–benefit analysis is required to further account for the feasibility and the economic costs related to the construction of inclined PSBs.

     

Optimal Management of Coastal Aquifers Using Linked Simulation Optimization Approach

Saltwater intrusion management models can be used to derive optimal and efficient management strategies for controlling saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers. To obtain physically meaningful optimal management strategies, the physical processes involved need to be simulated while deriving the management strategies. The flow and transport processes involved in coastal aquifers are difficult to simulate especially when the density-dependent flow and transport processes need to be modeled. Incorporation of this simulation model within an optimization-based management model is very complex and difficult. However, as an alternative, it is possible to link a simulation model externally with an optimization-based management model. The GA-based optimization approach is especially suitable for externally linking the numerical simulation model within the optimization model. Further efficiency in computational procedure can be achieved for such a linked model, if the simulation process can be simplified by approximation, as very large number of iterations between the optimization and simulation model is generally necessary to evolve an optimal management strategy. A possible approach for approximating the simulation model is to use a trained Artificial Neural Network (ANN) as the approximate simulator. Therefore, an ANN model is trained as an approximator of the three dimensional density-dependent flow and transport processes in a coastal aquifer. A linked simulation – optimization model is then developed to link the trained ANN with the GA-based optimization model for solving saltwater management problems. The performance of the developed optimization model is evaluated using an illustrative study area. The evaluation results show the potential applicability of the developed methodology using a GA- and ANN-based linked optimization – simulation model for optimal management of coastal aquifer.     

An Artificial Intelligence Approach for the Stochastic Management of Coastal Aquifers

Aquifer recharge rates and patterns are often uncertain, especially in arid areas due to sporadic and erratic rainfall. Therefore, determining the optimal groundwater abstraction using classical approaches such as Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) requires a large number of groundwater simulations and exorbitant computational efforts. The problem becomes even more complex and time consuming for regional coastal aquifers whose domains must be discretized using high-resolution meshes. In fact, even fast evolutionary multi-objective optimization techniques generally require a large number of simulations to determine the Pareto-front among the objectives. This study explores the performance of a Decision Tree (DT) approach for the generation of the Pareto optimal solutions of groundwater extraction. This paper applies the DTs for the optimal management of the Al-Khoud coastal aquifer in Oman. The learning process of the developed DT-based model uses the output of a numerical simulation model to assess the aquifer response based on different abstraction policies. The trained DT network then utilizes the NSGA-II to determine the Pareto-optimal solutions. The simulation show that the general flux pattern in the study area is toward the sea and the hydraulic head following a similar pattern in both best and worst recharging scenarios downstream of the studied recharging dam. Statistical tests showed a good correlation between the DT-based and simulation-based results and demonstrate the capability of the DT approach to obtain high-quality solutions by incorporating a large number of recharge scenarios. Moreover, the required runtime of the DT-based approach is extremely low (5 min) compared to that of the simulation-based method (several days). This means that including additional Monte-Carlo simulations can be readily done in few minutes using the obtained DTs, instead of the long computational time needed by the simulation-based approach.     

Elitist Continuous Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm for Optimal Management of Coastal Aquifers

This paper presents an evolutionary based approach to achieve optimal management of a coastal aquifer to control saltwater intrusion. An improved Elitist Continuous Ant Colony Optimization (ECACO) algorithm is employed for optimal control variables setting of coastal aquifer management problem. The objectives of the optimal management are; maximizing the total water-pumping rate, while controlling the drawdown limits and protecting the wells from saltwater intrusion. Since present work is one of the first efforts towards the application of an ECACO algorithm, sharp interface solution for steady state problem is first exploited. The performance of the developed optimization model is evaluated through application examples available in the literature. The comparisons indicate the applicability of the ECACO algorithm. In the second approach, the numerical simulation is combined with ECACO algorithm. In this model, through some simple schemes, such as continuity equations in the porous media cells and existing hydraulic systems in the study area, further details can be investigated. The evaluation results show the potential applicability of the proposed numerical based model for optimal management of coastal aquifers.     

潮汐引起滨海承压含水层地下水位变化的数值模拟

海潮波动可以引起海岸带地下水位发生波动。建立基于有限差分法的滨海地区一维承压含水层地下水运动数值模型。通过将潮汐波动概化为正弦波,模拟滨海地区地下水位随潮汐波动的变化。结果表明,受海潮影响的滨海含水层地下水位与海潮有相似的波动特征,但变幅减小,受海潮的影响程度与离海岸的距离有关,随着离海岸距离的增加地下水位的变幅及潮汐效率呈负指函数衰减,地下水位对海潮的滞后时间随距离呈线性增加。例如,当承压含水层导水系数为31．25m^2／h、储水系数为4．5×10^-4及海潮振幅为2．5m、周期为24．7h时,在距离海岸500m处,振幅为1．35268m,潮汐效率为0．54107,滞后时间为1．825h。在距海岸达4389m以远时可以认为地下水位不受海潮波动的影响。     

A Standardized Index for Assessing Seawater Intrusion in Coastal Aquifers: The SITE Index

A large number of coastal aquifers worldwide are impacted by seawater intrusion. A major aim of European Directives 2000/60/EC and 2006/118/EC is to achieve good ecological status in groundwater bodies, including coastal aquifers. To this goal, information is needed about the current state of, and changes over time in, individual aquifers. This information can be obtained by applying methods that determine the status of aquifers in an uncomplicated manner. Methods for this type of assessment must comply with three essential criteria. First, calculation of the index must be straightforward and should be based on easy-to-obtain or commonly available data. Next, the index should be able to highlight important characteristics in understandable terms. Finally, the results should be objective and should be expressed in such a way that different time periods and different aquifers can be compared. In this paper we describe the development of a method to characterize seawater intrusion that meets these criteria and is based on four basic parameters: surface area, intensity, temporality, and evolution. Each parameter is determined by specific calculations derived from the groundwater chloride concentrations. Results are specified as a numerical index and an alphanumeric code. This index, known as SITE, has been applied to four Mediterranean coastal aquifers. The standardized results allowed us to discriminate between, and objectively compare the status of these groundwater bodies. Further, this index will make it possible to prioritize management actions and evaluate the effectiveness of these actions over time.     

Transient Investigation of the Critical Abstraction Rates in Coastal Aquifers: Numerical and Experimental Study

This research investigated the transient saltwater upconing in response to pumping from a well in a laboratory-scale coastal aquifer. Laboratory experiments were completed in a 2D flow tank for a homogeneous aquifer where the time evolution of the saltwater wedge was analysed during the upconing and the receding phase. The SEAWAT code was used for validation purposes and to thereafter examine the sensitivity of the critical pumping rate and the critical time (the time needed for the saltwater to reach the well) to the well design and hydrogeological parameters. Results showed that the critical pumping rate and the critical time were more sensitive to the variations of the well location than the well depth. The critical time increased with increasing the location and depth ratios following a relatively linear equation. For all the configurations tested, the lowest critical pumping rate was found for the lower hydraulic conductivity, which reflects the vulnerability of low permeability aquifers to salinization of pumping wells. In addition, higher saltwater densities led to smaller critical pumping rate and shorter critical time. The influence of the saltwater density on the critical time was more significant for wells located farther away from the initial position of the interface. Moreover, increasing the dispersivity induced negligible effects on the critical pumping rate, but reduced the critical time for a fixed pumping rate.     

Application of Non-Linear Simulation and Optimisation Models in Groundwater Aquifer Management

The need for rational and overall water resources management has become, during the past decades, a problem ofmajor importance due to the rising water demands. In this paper atechnique is presented through which a management model that combines the useof two separate models, a flow simulation and an optimisation one, isused for groundwater management. The necessary stages for the formulationand the combined use of the two models, along with a number of problemsthat might arise during the development of the management model are alsopresented. This technique is applied to a large-scale case study problemthat forms an optimisation approach with a large number of non-linear decisionvariables. The results of the application of the management modeldemonstrate the importance of the use of such models both in managing rationallyavailable water resources and in reducing the operational cost of theirexploitation.