An analytical solution for the head distribution in a tidal leaky confined aquifer extending an infinite distance under the sea

Abstract

A mathematical model is developed to investigate the effects of tidal fluctuations and leakage on the groundwater head of leaky confined aquifer extending an infinite distance under the sea. The leakages of the offshore and inland aquitards are two dominant factors controlling the groundwater fluctuation. The tidal influence distance from the coast decreases significantly with the dimensionless leakage of the inland aquitard (u(i)). The fluctuation of groundwater level in the inland part of the leaky confined aquifer increases significantly with the dimensionless leakage of the offshore aquitard (u(o)). The influence of the tidal propagation parameter of an unconfined aquifer on the head fluctuation of the leaky confined aquifer is comparatively conspicuous when u(i) is large and u(o) is small. In other words, ignoring water table fluctuation of the unconfined aquifer will give large errors in predicting the fluctuation, time lag, and tidal influence distance of the leaky confined aquifer for large u(i) and small u(o). On the contrary, the influence of the tidal propagation parameter of a leaky confined aquifer on the head fluctuation of the leaky confined aquifer is large for large u(o) and small u(i). (C) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.