SALTRANS: Methods for assessing salt intrusion and transport in heterogeneous and fractured aquifers

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 00.0334

Key words (English)

Groundwater; salinization; coastal aquifers; analytical methods; numerical modelling; water resources management; Environmental Protection; Regional Development

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: EVK1-2000-00062

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.4a.1 Sustainable management and quality of water

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
ETH Zürich
Institut für Hydromechanik und Wasserwirtschaft

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: Weizmann Institute of Science (IL)

Abstract (English)

The research focuses on development of quantitative models and methodologies for assessment of saline intrusion in aquifers. Widespread salinization phenomena occur during seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers, salt intrusion from natural and anthropogenic sources, and up coning caused by over pumping. Many saline intrusion and reaction processes are not well understood, and quantitative prediction of these processes remains elusive, largely because of natural aquifer heterogeneity. Sustainable management of groundwater resources in the presence of salinity sources can be achieved by use of models to evaluate different exploitation and remediation scenarios. Field and laboratory work will be integrated with theoretical analyses to develop realistic models for saline intrusion in aquifers. These models will be applied in field tests and to the development of methodologies for assessment of saline intrusion in aquifers.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 00.0334