A THREE-DIMENSIONAL FINITE-ELEMENT MODEL OF SEAWATER INTRUSION IN WESTERN LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK

Abstract eng:
A three-dimensional version of the U.S. Geological Survey’s SUTRA (Saturated-Unsaturated TRAnsport) ground-water-flow model was tested for its ability to simulate seawater intrusion into the ground-water system of western Long Island, N.Y. This model solves two equations–a fluid-mass balance for unsaturated and saturated ground-water flow, and a solute mass balance. The solute concentration corresponds to the mass fraction of total dissolved solids and accounts for density dynamics driven by solute concentration. An extensive geographic information system of the region is the basis for the aquifer-geometry and boundary-conditions representation. The direct-banded matrix solver that is typically used with two-dimensional SUTRA models has large computer-memory requirements and was replaced with an iterative solver. Model simulations indicate that the hydrologic system has not reached a steady-state configuration in response to pumping, changes in recharge, and postglacial sea-level rise.

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