Porter, Adam, Jegatheesan, Veeriah, and Narayan, Kumar (2005) Pumping optimisation of the lower Burdekin delta aquifer using an analytical model of seawater intrusion. In: Papers from the Ozwater Specialist Conference. pp. 1-8. From: Ozwater Specialist Conference, 5 - 7 May, 2005, Townsville, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

The Burdekin Delta region is used primarily for the production of sugar cane. The system overlies a major unconfined aquifer, which fulfills the region's irrigational requirements. Farmers in the area have an economic incentive to pump and irrigate with the minimum discharge. Pumping at higher rates will route more water to evaporation and to deep recharge, both forms of wastage from the farmer's perspective. The aim of this study is to determine the current extent of seawater intrusion, model the intrusion should increased pressure be placed on the resource and to alleviate the problem by specifying the maximum extraction rates whilst maintaining protection from intrusion.

An analytical model has been created based on a single potential formulation, which includes ambient flow and surface accretion components, as the governing equation. The method of images was applied to account for the rectangular approximated aquifer boundaries. The simplex method is employed in the MATLAB environment to solve the linear optimization problem with constraints on flow potential being imposed. The potential constraints protect the wells by maintaining a potential at the wells larger than that at the toe.

If current trends in the Burdekin region continue, the intrusion of seawater will increase contaminating the groundwater reserve and irreversibly damaging the resource. The development of these models will allow better understanding of these processes, thus providing the foundation for regulation. A step towards the sustainability of this vital resource is the primary outcome of this venture.

Item ID:	7623
Item Type:	Conference Item (Research - E1)
ISBN:	978-0-908255-63-4
Keywords:	analytical model; Burdekin delta aquifer; pumping optimisation; salt water intrusion
Related URLs:	http://www.ozwater10.com.au/
Date Deposited:	20 Jul 2010 05:49
FoR Codes:	09 ENGINEERING > 0907 Environmental Engineering > 090702 Environmental Engineering Modelling @ 100%
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9609 Land and Water Management > 960999 Land and Water Management of Environments not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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