Saltwater intrusion (SWI) in coastal aquifers poses a significant threat to freshwater resources, exacerbated by climate change and rising sea levels. This study investigates SWI dynamics using laboratory experiments, geophysical monitoring with the self-potential (SP) method, and numerical simulations to assess the impact of varying salt concentrations (7 g/L and 35 g/L) on intrusion rates and electrochemical responses. Laboratory experiments were conducted in a custom-designed sandbox model, with SP data collected in real time using a 192-electrode system. Numerical simulations were performed to replicate experimental conditions and validate the model’s predictions. Results show that salt concentration significantly influences intrusion rates and SP responses. In low-salinity systems (7 g/L), SP values increased gradually from 0 mV to 20 mV, with a slow intrusion rate of 0.034 m/h. In contrast, moderate-salinity systems (35 g/L) exhibited rapid SP changes (0 mV to 5 mV) and a faster intrusion rate of 0.1 m/h. Sharp SP anomalies near the intrusion source, with values dropping from 10 mV to −40 mV, were observed in low-salinity systems, highlighting localized charge imbalances. The model’s performance was evaluated using relative RMSE, showing a good fit in Experiment (1) (RMSE = 5.00%) and acceptable results for Experiment (2) (RMSE = 23.45%). These findings demonstrate the potential of the SP method for real-time monitoring of SWI and provide insights for improving management strategies in coastal aquifers.
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Water
Research Member
Research Publisher
MDPI Publisher
Research Rank
Web of Science (Q2), Scopus (Q2)
Research Vol
17(7)
Research Website
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/7/941
Research Year
2025
Research Abstract