Abstract
A three-dimensional variable-density groundwater flow and salinity transport model is implemented using the SEAWAT code to quantify the spatial variation of water-table depth and salinity of the surficial aquifer in Merritt Island and Cape Canaveral Island in east-central Florida (USA) under steady-state 2010 hydrologic and hydrogeologic conditions. The developed model is referred to as the ‘reference’ model and calibrated against field-measured groundwater levels and a map of land use and land cover. Then, five prediction/projection models are developed based on modification of the boundary conditions of the calibrated ‘reference’ model to quantify climate change impacts under various scenarios of sea-level rise and precipitation change projected to 2050. Model results indicate that west Merritt Island will encounter lowland inundation and saltwater intrusion due to its low elevation and flat topography, while climate change impacts on Cape Canaveral Island and east Merritt Island are not significant. The SEAWAT models developed for this study are useful and effective tools for water resources management, land use planning, and climate-change adaptation decision-making in these and other low-lying coastal alluvial plains and barrier island systems.
Résumé
Un modèle de flux hydrogéologique et transport de salinité tridimensionnel et de densité variable a été construit en utilisant le code SEAWAT pour quantifier la variation spatiale de la profondeur du niveau d’eau et de la salinité de l’aquifère superficiel des îles Merritt et Cap Canaveral dans le centre-est de la Floride (Etats-Unis d’Amérique) en régime permanent pour les conditions hydrologiques et hydrogéologiques de 2010. Le modèle développé est considéré comme le modèle “de référence” et a été calibré à l’aide de mesures piézométriques de terrain, des cartes de l’occupation des sols et de la couverture végétale. Ensuite, cinq modèles de projection/prédiction ont été développés en se basant sur des modifications des conditions aux limites du modèle ‘de référence’ calibré afin de quantifier les impacts du changement climatique selon divers scénarios d’augmentation du niveau de la mer et des projections à 2050 de changements des précipitations. Les résultats du modèle indiquent que l’ouest de l’île Merritt aura une submersion des basses plaines et une intrusion saline du fait de sa basse altitude et de son faible relief alors que les impacts du changement climatique sur l’île de Cap Canaveral et l’est de l’île Merritt ne sont pas significatifs. Les modèles SEAWAT développés pour cette étude se sont montrés très utiles et sont des outils efficaces pour la gestion de la ressource en eau, l’aménagement du territoire et la prise de décision pour l’adaptation au changement climatique pour les sites étudiés ainsi que pour les autres plaines alluviales côtières de basse altitude et systèmes d’îles barrières.
Resumen
Se implementó un modelo tridimensional de flujo y transporte de salinidad de agua subterránea de densidad variable utilizando el código SEAWAT para cuantificar la variación espacial de la profundidad de la capa freática y la salinidad del acuífero superficial en Merritt Island y Isla de Cabo Cañaveral, en el centro-este de Florida (EEUU) bajo un estado estacionario para las condiciones hidrológicas y hidrogeológicas de 2010. El modelo desarrollado se conoce como modelo de “referencia” y se calibró contra los niveles freáticos medidos en el campo y un mapa de uso y cobertura del suelo. Luego se desarrollan cinco modelos de predicción / proyección en base a la modificación de las condiciones de contorno del modelo de “referencia” calibrado para cuantificar los impactos del cambio climático en distintos escenarios de ascenso del nivel del mar y de cambios en las precipitaciones proyectadas hasta 2050. Los resultados del modelo indican que el oeste Merritt Island se encontrará con las tierras bajas inundadas y la intrusión de agua salada debido a su baja altitud y topografía plana, mientras que los impactos del cambio climático en la isla de Cabo Cañaveral y el este de la isla de Merritt no son significativos. Los modelos SEAWAT desarrollados para este estudio son herramientas útiles y eficaces para la gestión de los recursos hídricos, la planificación del uso del suelo y la adaptación al cambio climático en la toma de decisiones de estas y otras llanuras aluviales costeras bajas y sistemas de islas de barrera.
摘要
将三维变密度地下水数值模拟工具SEAWAT应用于美国佛罗里达州中东部梅里特岛和卡纳维拉尔岛,建立并校准了三维变密度地下水流与溶质运移模型,用于模拟现阶段(2010年)该区域地下浅层非承压含水层地下水埋深和盐分浓度的分布,进而预测了研究区未来海平面上升与降雨量变化对于地下水埋深及盐分浓度的动态分布和变化规律的影响。研究表明,在西梅里特岛,由于海拔较低且地势低平,气候变化有可能会引起地下水位的抬升,造成更多低洼地区被淹没,也有可能会引起地下水位的下降,产生海水入侵,污染地下水。研究同时表明,在东梅里特岛和卡纳维拉尔岛,气候变化的影响并不显著。研究成果为水文地质工程师与市政规划人员研究与制定地下水管理策略提供了科学依据和决策支持。
Resumo
Um modelo tridimensional de fluxo subterrâneo com densidade variável e transporte de salinidade é implementado usando o código SEAWAT para quantificar a variação espacial da profundidade do nível freático do aquífero superficial em Merrit Island e Cape Canaveral Island no centro-leste da Flórida (EUA) sobe condições hidrológicas e hidrogeologicas permanentes de 2010. O modelo desenvolvido é denominado como o modelo de “referência” e calibrado com níveis freáticos medidos e mapas de uso e ocupação da terra. Em seguida, cinco modelos de previsão/projeção são desenvolvidos através da modificação das condições de contorno do modelo de “referência” de forma a quantificar o impacto de alterações climáticas sob vários cenários de aumento do nível do mar e alteração do regime de precipitação projetadas para 2050. Os resultados do modelo indicam que a zona oeste de Merritt Island irá sofrer inundação das zonas baixas e intrusão salina devido à baixa elevação e topografia plana, enquanto o impacto das alterações climáticas em Cape Canaveral Island e no leste de Merritt Island não são significativos. Os modelos SEAWAT desenvolvidos neste estudo são ferramentas uteis e efetivas para a gestão de recursos hídricos, no planeamento do uso da terra e na tomada de decisão para adaptar às alterações climáticas nestas e em outras zonas baixas da planície aluvial costeira e sistemas de ilhas barreiras.
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Acknowledgements
This research was funded in part by the NASA Kennedy Space Center, Ecological Program, Climate Adaptation Science Investigators (CASI) project (Award: IHA-SA-13-006) and the Louisiana Sea Grant Laborde Chair Endowment.
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Xiao, H., Wang, D., Hagen, S.C. et al. Assessing the impacts of sea-level rise and precipitation change on the surficial aquifer in the low-lying coastal alluvial plains and barrier islands, east-central Florida (USA). Hydrogeol J 24, 1791–1806 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-016-1437-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-016-1437-4