Estuary, river and surrounding groundwater quality detirioration associated with tidal instrusion

Abstract

Salinity intrusion is a problem in many coastal estuarine and waterways in various parts of the world. Brisbane is a river city close to the coast and as such the condition of the river influences the surrounding groundwater quality. The data gathered by various agencies relating to the river system are used in this paper to develop and calibrate a 3D model of tidal intrusion into the river and surrounding groundwater. The FEMWATER finite element package is used to solve the model equations. Model simulations showed that salinity as far as15-25km from the coast. The model simulations show tidal effects on Brisbane River and surrounding groundwater and water quality deterioration appear to be related to coastal seawater intrusion over time.