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Ghyben-Herzberg relation (Saltwater intrusion)

Description

Saltwater intrusion is the movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers, which can lead to contamination of drinking water sources and other consequences.Saltwater intrusion occurs naturally to some degree in most coastal aquifers, owing to the hydraulic connection between groundwater and seawater. Because saltwater has a higher mineral content than freshwater, it is denser and has a higher water pressure. As a result, saltwater can push inland beneath the freshwater.

Related formulas

Variables

zThickness of the fresh water zone below sea (m)
ρfDensity of freshwater (kg/m3)
ρsDensity of saltwater. (kg/m3)
hThickness of the freshwater zone above sea (m)