GroMoPo Metadata for Columbia Aquifer model

A two-dimensional, field scale, finite-element ground water model was developed to simulate the ground water discharge process within an unconfined coastal aquifer, Model development was based on the density dependent fluid flow approach with water table and dynamic tidal boundary conditions, The performance of the model was compared against data collected from the Columbia Aquifer on the eastern shore of Virginia. The dynamic tidal boundary conditions were necessary to reproduce the surficial mixing zone observed within the ground water intertidal zone of the aquifer, The model was able to reproduce field data on the movement of the near-shore water table, ground water salt concentrations, and ground water discharge rates and patterns. The model was not able to replicate the short-term fluctuation in salt concentration observed within the surficial mixing zone, The inability to account for the wave action of the tides,within the intertidal zone is believed to be responsible for this difficulty. The development of the model provided a new method to investigate ground water discharge to coastal systems.