SPONSOR:
National Institute for Water Resources, Water Resources Research Institute Program
PROJECT PERIOD:
3/1/2015 - 2/28/2016
ABSTRACT:
Recent drilling log and depth profile data acquired from boreholes drilled through the basal lens in the northern Keauhou aquifer suggest that cold, intermediate depth seawater circulates through the basal lens in this region, likely entering at the steep submerged headwall of the North Kona Slump (Bowles, 2007; Nance, 2013). Though this finding has significant implications with respect to our understanding of the physical and geochemical properties of groundwater in this region, the mechanisms responsible for its occurrence are poorly understood. We intend to investigate the dynamics of intermediate seawater circulation through the Keauhou aquifer using variable density numerical simulation of groundwater flow.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR