2013-2017

Under construction

see also http://geoblog.weebly.com/expedition-zandmotor

Introduction

The pilot Sand Motor creates a dynamic environment along the coastline of the Netherlands, in which (continuous) changes in the distribution of fresh and salt groundwater take place. Although the magnitude of the spatial and temporal changes in the density of the coastal groundwater is not known beforehand, it creates an ideal circumstance for the advancement of our knowledge on seawater intrusion processes.

The research subjects of the PhD are chosen in accordance with the below mentioned objectives:

• develop tools to understand and predict the effects of the Sand Motor and similar mega nourishment’s on fresh water availability in the dune-beach system
• make a significant contribution to the scientific knowledge on seawater intrusion processes and the modeling of variable-density processes in real situations

Based on these objectives, the expected changes in the distribution of fresh and salt groundwater and the interdisciplinary character of the Sand Motor project five research subjects are defined:

• Development of the fresh-salt water mixing zone/interface
• Effect of tides and storm surges on the fresh-salt water mixing zone/interface
• Uncertainty analysis
• Possibility to increase coastal fresh groundwater reserves
• Interdisciplinary (hydrology, geochemistry, ecology, morphology)

More Information

Ir. Sebastian Huizer
sebastian dot huizer at deltares dot nl

Dr.ir. Gualbert Oude Essink
T +31 (0)6 30550408
gualbert dot oudeessink at deltares dot nl

Prof.dr. Marc Bierkens
marc dot bierkens at deltares dot nl