Modeling seawater intrusion in the Burdekin Delta aquifer, North Queensland, Australia

K. Narayan; C. Schleeberger; P.B. Charlesworth; Keith Bristow

doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2007.01.008

Modeling seawater intrusion in the Burdekin Delta aquifer, North Queensland, Australia

K. Narayan, C. Schleeberger, P.B. Charlesworth, Keith Bristow

Research output: Book chapter/Published conference paper › Conference paper › peer-review

108 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Burdekin Delta is situated in the dry tropics of North Queensland and provides a major waterresource for the irrigation of sugarcane. The Delta is unique in that it overlies a shallow groundwater systemand is close to the Great Barrier Reef. Aquifer management practices include large recharge pits to assist withartificial replenishment of groundwater. Artificial recharge can be used to maintain groundwater levels andsubsequently control seawater intrusion. This technique, however, is often costly and ineffective in areaswhere excessive groundwater pumping occurs. In the lower Burdekin Delta more than 1800 groundwaterpumps are used for irrigation purposes and excessive pumping has resulted in seawater intrusion near thecoastline. In this paper we describe the use of a variable density flow and solute transport model, SUTRA, todefine the current and potential extent of saltwater intrusion in the Burdekin Delta aquifer under variouspumping and recharge conditions. A 2-D vertical cross-section model has been developed for the area, whichaccounts for groundwater pumping and various artificial recharge sites currently being used in the delta. TheBurdekin Delta aquifer consists mainly of sand and clay with granitic bedrock. The model domain usesvertical cross sections along the direction of groundwater flow. The initial conditions were based on the landuse prior to agricultural development in the area when the seawater interface was in its assumed natural state.The results address the effects of variations in pumping and artificial and natural recharge rates on thedynamics of saltwater intrusion. The simulation has been carried out for a range of recharge, pumping ratesand hydraulic conductivity values. The results show that the saltwater intrusion is far more sensitive topumping rates and recharge than aquifer properties such as hydraulic conductivity. The impacts of possiblemanagement scenarios on groundwater quality have also been investigated.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Integrative Modelling of Biophysical, Social and Economic Systems for Resource Management Solutions
Editors	D.A. Post
Place of Publication	Australia
Publisher	Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand
Pages	224-229
Number of pages	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2007.01.008
Publication status	Published - 2003
Event	MODSIM 2003 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. - Townsville, Queensland, Australia Duration: 14 Jul 2003 → 17 Jul 2003

Conference

Conference	MODSIM 2003 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation.
Country/Territory	Australia
Period	14/07/03 → 17/07/03

Access to Document

10.1016/j.agwat.2007.01.008

Cite this

Narayan, K., Schleeberger, C., Charlesworth, P. B., & Bristow, K. (2003). Modeling seawater intrusion in the Burdekin Delta aquifer, North Queensland, Australia. In D. A. Post (Ed.), Integrative Modelling of Biophysical, Social and Economic Systems for Resource Management Solutions (pp. 224-229). Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2007.01.008

@inproceedings{9d4a9b125670410c92437a342a78c119,

title = "Modeling seawater intrusion in the Burdekin Delta aquifer, North Queensland, Australia",

abstract = "The Burdekin Delta is situated in the dry tropics of North Queensland and provides a major waterresource for the irrigation of sugarcane. The Delta is unique in that it overlies a shallow groundwater systemand is close to the Great Barrier Reef. Aquifer management practices include large recharge pits to assist withartificial replenishment of groundwater. Artificial recharge can be used to maintain groundwater levels andsubsequently control seawater intrusion. This technique, however, is often costly and ineffective in areaswhere excessive groundwater pumping occurs. In the lower Burdekin Delta more than 1800 groundwaterpumps are used for irrigation purposes and excessive pumping has resulted in seawater intrusion near thecoastline. In this paper we describe the use of a variable density flow and solute transport model, SUTRA, todefine the current and potential extent of saltwater intrusion in the Burdekin Delta aquifer under variouspumping and recharge conditions. A 2-D vertical cross-section model has been developed for the area, whichaccounts for groundwater pumping and various artificial recharge sites currently being used in the delta. TheBurdekin Delta aquifer consists mainly of sand and clay with granitic bedrock. The model domain usesvertical cross sections along the direction of groundwater flow. The initial conditions were based on the landuse prior to agricultural development in the area when the seawater interface was in its assumed natural state.The results address the effects of variations in pumping and artificial and natural recharge rates on thedynamics of saltwater intrusion. The simulation has been carried out for a range of recharge, pumping ratesand hydraulic conductivity values. The results show that the saltwater intrusion is far more sensitive topumping rates and recharge than aquifer properties such as hydraulic conductivity. The impacts of possiblemanagement scenarios on groundwater quality have also been investigated.",

keywords = "Artificial recharge, Burdekin Delta, Groundwater pumping, SUTRA model, Saltwater intrusion",

author = "K. Narayan and C. Schleeberger and P.B. Charlesworth and Keith Bristow",

note = "Imported on 03 May 2017 - DigiTool details were: publisher = Australia: Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, 2003. editor/s (773b) = Post, D A ; Event dates (773o) = 14-17 July 2003; Parent title (773t) = MODSIM 2003 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation..; MODSIM 2003 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. ; Conference date: 14-07-2003 Through 17-07-2003",

year = "2003",

doi = "10.1016/j.agwat.2007.01.008",

language = "English",

pages = "224--229",

editor = "D.A. Post",

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publisher = "Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand",

}

Narayan, K, Schleeberger, C, Charlesworth, PB & Bristow, K 2003, Modeling seawater intrusion in the Burdekin Delta aquifer, North Queensland, Australia. in DA Post (ed.), Integrative Modelling of Biophysical, Social and Economic Systems for Resource Management Solutions. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, Australia, pp. 224-229, MODSIM 2003 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation., Australia, 14/07/03. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2007.01.008

Modeling seawater intrusion in the Burdekin Delta aquifer, North Queensland, Australia. / Narayan, K.; Schleeberger, C.; Charlesworth, P.B. et al.
Integrative Modelling of Biophysical, Social and Economic Systems for Resource Management Solutions. ed. / D.A. Post. Australia: Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, 2003. p. 224-229.

Research output: Book chapter/Published conference paper › Conference paper › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Modeling seawater intrusion in the Burdekin Delta aquifer, North Queensland, Australia

AU - Narayan, K.

AU - Schleeberger, C.

AU - Charlesworth, P.B.

AU - Bristow, Keith

N1 - Imported on 03 May 2017 - DigiTool details were: publisher = Australia: Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, 2003. editor/s (773b) = Post, D A ; Event dates (773o) = 14-17 July 2003; Parent title (773t) = MODSIM 2003 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation..

PY - 2003

Y1 - 2003

N2 - The Burdekin Delta is situated in the dry tropics of North Queensland and provides a major waterresource for the irrigation of sugarcane. The Delta is unique in that it overlies a shallow groundwater systemand is close to the Great Barrier Reef. Aquifer management practices include large recharge pits to assist withartificial replenishment of groundwater. Artificial recharge can be used to maintain groundwater levels andsubsequently control seawater intrusion. This technique, however, is often costly and ineffective in areaswhere excessive groundwater pumping occurs. In the lower Burdekin Delta more than 1800 groundwaterpumps are used for irrigation purposes and excessive pumping has resulted in seawater intrusion near thecoastline. In this paper we describe the use of a variable density flow and solute transport model, SUTRA, todefine the current and potential extent of saltwater intrusion in the Burdekin Delta aquifer under variouspumping and recharge conditions. A 2-D vertical cross-section model has been developed for the area, whichaccounts for groundwater pumping and various artificial recharge sites currently being used in the delta. TheBurdekin Delta aquifer consists mainly of sand and clay with granitic bedrock. The model domain usesvertical cross sections along the direction of groundwater flow. The initial conditions were based on the landuse prior to agricultural development in the area when the seawater interface was in its assumed natural state.The results address the effects of variations in pumping and artificial and natural recharge rates on thedynamics of saltwater intrusion. The simulation has been carried out for a range of recharge, pumping ratesand hydraulic conductivity values. The results show that the saltwater intrusion is far more sensitive topumping rates and recharge than aquifer properties such as hydraulic conductivity. The impacts of possiblemanagement scenarios on groundwater quality have also been investigated.

AB - The Burdekin Delta is situated in the dry tropics of North Queensland and provides a major waterresource for the irrigation of sugarcane. The Delta is unique in that it overlies a shallow groundwater systemand is close to the Great Barrier Reef. Aquifer management practices include large recharge pits to assist withartificial replenishment of groundwater. Artificial recharge can be used to maintain groundwater levels andsubsequently control seawater intrusion. This technique, however, is often costly and ineffective in areaswhere excessive groundwater pumping occurs. In the lower Burdekin Delta more than 1800 groundwaterpumps are used for irrigation purposes and excessive pumping has resulted in seawater intrusion near thecoastline. In this paper we describe the use of a variable density flow and solute transport model, SUTRA, todefine the current and potential extent of saltwater intrusion in the Burdekin Delta aquifer under variouspumping and recharge conditions. A 2-D vertical cross-section model has been developed for the area, whichaccounts for groundwater pumping and various artificial recharge sites currently being used in the delta. TheBurdekin Delta aquifer consists mainly of sand and clay with granitic bedrock. The model domain usesvertical cross sections along the direction of groundwater flow. The initial conditions were based on the landuse prior to agricultural development in the area when the seawater interface was in its assumed natural state.The results address the effects of variations in pumping and artificial and natural recharge rates on thedynamics of saltwater intrusion. The simulation has been carried out for a range of recharge, pumping ratesand hydraulic conductivity values. The results show that the saltwater intrusion is far more sensitive topumping rates and recharge than aquifer properties such as hydraulic conductivity. The impacts of possiblemanagement scenarios on groundwater quality have also been investigated.

KW - Artificial recharge

KW - Burdekin Delta

KW - Groundwater pumping

KW - SUTRA model

KW - Saltwater intrusion

U2 - 10.1016/j.agwat.2007.01.008

DO - 10.1016/j.agwat.2007.01.008

M3 - Conference paper

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EP - 229

BT - Integrative Modelling of Biophysical, Social and Economic Systems for Resource Management Solutions

A2 - Post, D.A.

PB - Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand

CY - Australia

T2 - MODSIM 2003 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation.

Y2 - 14 July 2003 through 17 July 2003

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Narayan K, Schleeberger C, Charlesworth PB, Bristow K. Modeling seawater intrusion in the Burdekin Delta aquifer, North Queensland, Australia. In Post DA, editor, Integrative Modelling of Biophysical, Social and Economic Systems for Resource Management Solutions. Australia: Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand. 2003. p. 224-229 doi: 10.1016/j.agwat.2007.01.008

Modeling seawater intrusion in the Burdekin Delta aquifer, North Queensland, Australia

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