Remediation of sea water intrusion: A case study

Sea water intrusion and remediation in the Upper Floridan Aquifer in South Carolina is simulated using the finite-element model SUTRA developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. A sensitivity analysis of the effect of the hydrog eologic parameters on the sea water recharge and seepage velocities is perf ormed. An increase in confining unit and/or in aquifer conductivity results in an increase of the sea water recharge, An increase in aquifer porosity results in a decrease of the sea water recharge. Among the three remedial t echniques simulated-reduced aquifer withdrawals, an injection well, and a c ombined injection and capture well-the reduced aquifer withdrawals and inje ction well are the best methods for preventing sea water intrusion.