2013-2107

Under construction

Introduction

The pilot Sand Engine 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. Based on the available literature on seawater intrusion processes an outline is made of the direction of the PhD research.
For each of the research subjects a short description of the plan and expected outcomes are given, together with a summary of the present knowledge and practices 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 Engine 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 Engine 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