Finite element modelling of recirculating density-driven saltwater intrusion processes in groundwater

Abstract This paper is concerned with an appropriate finite element model for solving transient and steady-state density-driven saltwater intrusion processes in groundwater with or without free surface. Alternative formulations and several numerical solution strategies are discussed. A comparative study is given for a cellular benchmark problem. An implicit predictor-corrector method with automatically adjusted time stepping involving a full Newton method is studied. Results on saltwater wedge displacement and gravity-driven sinking of saltwater from a deposit into the subsurface illustrate the efficacy of the model chosen. The results for the saltwater wedge problems are compared with analytical sharp-interface assessments.

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