ABSTRACT
The behavior of saltwater plumes in a freshwater aquifer poses a concern in groundwater protection matters. Of main interest often are the locations of groundwater extraction and predictions of salt concentration in wells. This study presents the preliminary results of an application of a recently developed three-dimensional variable-density flow code, d 3 f, to a problem based on field data. The effect of increased pumping from an aquifer exposed to the intrusion of ancient saltwater is evaluated. The time development of the salt concentration distribution, starting from a steady-state situation, and the breakthrough curve in a well field are studied including density effects. Furthermore it is shown that large time scales have to be taken into account for management strategies.
