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A Standardized Index for Assessing Seawater Intrusion in Coastal Aquifers: The SITE Index

Author

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  • Bruno J. Ballesteros

    (Coastal Aquifers Research Group, Geological Survey of Spain)

  • Ignacio Morell

    (Jaume I University)

  • Olga García-Menéndez

    (Jaume I University)

  • Arianna Renau-Pruñonosa

    (Jaume I University)

Abstract

A large number of coastal aquifers worldwide are impacted by seawater intrusion. A major aim of European Directives 2000/60/EC and 2006/118/EC is to achieve good ecological status in groundwater bodies, including coastal aquifers. To this goal, information is needed about the current state of, and changes over time in, individual aquifers. This information can be obtained by applying methods that determine the status of aquifers in an uncomplicated manner. Methods for this type of assessment must comply with three essential criteria. First, calculation of the index must be straightforward and should be based on easy-to-obtain or commonly available data. Next, the index should be able to highlight important characteristics in understandable terms. Finally, the results should be objective and should be expressed in such a way that different time periods and different aquifers can be compared. In this paper we describe the development of a method to characterize seawater intrusion that meets these criteria and is based on four basic parameters: surface area, intensity, temporality, and evolution. Each parameter is determined by specific calculations derived from the groundwater chloride concentrations. Results are specified as a numerical index and an alphanumeric code. This index, known as SITE, has been applied to four Mediterranean coastal aquifers. The standardized results allowed us to discriminate between, and objectively compare the status of these groundwater bodies. Further, this index will make it possible to prioritize management actions and evaluate the effectiveness of these actions over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno J. Ballesteros & Ignacio Morell & Olga García-Menéndez & Arianna Renau-Pruñonosa, 2016. "A Standardized Index for Assessing Seawater Intrusion in Coastal Aquifers: The SITE Index," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(13), pages 4513-4527, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:30:y:2016:i:13:d:10.1007_s11269-016-1433-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11269-016-1433-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. A. Vallejos & F. Sola & A. Pulido-Bosch, 2015. "Processes Influencing Groundwater Level and the Freshwater-Saltwater Interface in a Coastal Aquifer," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 29(3), pages 679-697, February.
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    3. Hakan Arslan & Bilal Cemek & Yusuf Demir, 2012. "Determination of Seawater Intrusion via Hydrochemicals and Isotopes in Bafra Plain, Turkey," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(13), pages 3907-3922, October.
    4. Miguel Pérez-Martín & Teodoro Estrela & Joaquín Andreu & Javier Ferrer, 2014. "Modeling Water Resources and River-Aquifer Interaction in the Júcar River Basin, Spain," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 28(12), pages 4337-4358, September.
    5. Teodoro Estrela & Elisa Vargas, 2012. "Drought Management Plans in the European Union. The Case of Spain," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(6), pages 1537-1553, April.
    6. L Benini & M Antonellini & M Laghi & P. Mollema, 2016. "Assessment of Water Resources Availability and Groundwater Salinization in Future Climate and Land use Change Scenarios: A Case Study from a Coastal Drainage Basin in Italy," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(2), pages 731-745, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Leticia Baena-Ruiz & David Pulido-Velazquez & Antonio-Juan Collados-Lara & Arianna Renau-Pruñonosa & Ignacio Morell, 2018. "Global Assessment of Seawater Intrusion Problems (Status and Vulnerability)," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 32(8), pages 2681-2700, June.

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