Numerical modelling in the coastal aquifer between Burlamacca Canal and Bufalina Ditch, southern Versilia (Tuscany, Italy)

Abstract

Groundwater numerical models are necessary instruments for management of water resources and for their protection, both in terms of quantity and quality. In this paper we present a study on an area located along the southern coastline of Versilia (Viareggio,LU) affected by marine intrusion. The main purpose of this work was to create a mathematical flow model based on a conceptual hydrogeological model defined by a multidisciplinary approach. For the realization of the numerical model the ModFlow code and the graphic interface Visual ModFlow was used. The procedure for defining the mathematical model involves a series of steps such as horizontal and vertical discretization of the space, the definition of the initial and boundary conditions, the assignment of the hydraulic properties of the cells and, finally, the definitions of external perturbations to the system (recharge, evapotranspiration, drainage and pumping wells). Implementation, development and calibration of the numerical flow model was performed both in steady and transient state. Both models were calibrated using the manual “trial and error adjustment” method using heads measurements. Moreover the model results gathered in transient state simulation were compared with the data continuously recorded by a piezometer of the monitoring network of the Regional Hydrological Service. There is a good correlation between the measured data and those calculated by the model which then turns out to be sufficiently representative and provides a solid basis for the development of a transport model that could be useful to control and manage the phenomenon of the salt water intrusion.

Keywords

• coastal aquifers, groundwater flow, hydrogeochemistry, conceptual model, numerical modeling