SALINA- SALine INntrusion in coastal Aquifers: Hydrodynamic Assessment and Prediction of Dynamic Response.

Lead Research Organisation: Imperial College London
Department Name: Civil & Environmental Engineering

Abstract

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Description We have demonstrated through laboratory and field experiments, backed up with numerical modelling, that Self-Potential (SP), an electrical signal generated by the movement of a salt water - freshwater interface, can provide a percursor for saline intrusion. In particular, we have shown that changes in SP profiles in boreholes are an important way of detecting this effect. This has been confirmed through achieving one of the key objectives of the project, which was to add contaminant transport and an electrical model to the dynamic grid meshing code IC-FERST.
Exploitation Route We believe this new version of the code is relevant to other areas of environmental modelling and pollution. In addition, we secured £7k of funding from the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers to develop a prototype automated SP logging system. This, in turn, helped us secure further funding to develop and test this automated system through an Impact Acceleration Account award, where we will be working with additional project partners (Affinity Water and Anglian Water).
Sectors Environment
 
Title 3D printed self potential electrodes 
Description A bespoke 3D printed electrode which was developed to enable these to be fitted to laboratory equipment. 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact A technical note describing the tool has been submitted and is in review. The results show excellent agreement with commercial products but the 3D printing capability provides great flexibility especially in connection with use in laboratory experiments. 
 
Title IC-FERST Groundwater 
Description IC-FERST is a research tool developed at Imperial College to model multiphase flow in the subsurface in a highly efficient manner using parallised dynamic mesh optimisation and has been developed to include aqueous phase contaminant transport and an associate geoelectrical solver to simulate subsurface self-potential responses. 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact None as yet. 
URL https://www.imperial.ac.uk/earth-science/research/research-groups/norms/software/ic-ferst/
 
Description Presentation to members of the hydrogeological group of the Geological Society of London 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact On-line presentation on key outputs from the project to members of the hydrogeological community followed by interactive Q & A.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.hydrogroup.org.uk/new-developments-in-monitoring-and-modelling-saline-intrusion-in-coast...
 
Description Water industry seminar 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Due to covid the workshop with the water industry was held on-line. The project was presented to industry practitioners. The response was very positive and has led to opportunitie to trial an experimental method developed within the project with three different water companies. This is taking place in summer 2022.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021