På grund av ökad brist och ökad efterfrågan efter vatten på Gotland undersöks möjligheten att genom pumpning av salt grundvatten, lokalt sänka gränsen mellan salt och sött grundvatten som ligger under ön samt öka grundvattenbildningen. Med saltvattengränsen längre ner i marken skulle djupare brunnar kunna borras och större uttag skulle kunna ske vid upprättande av en grundvattentäkt. För att undersöka konceptet skapades en grundvattenmodell över delar av Sudret, ett område på södra delen av ön Gotland. För att kunna simulera förhållanden med pumpning i ett grundvattensystem där blandning sker mellan salt och sött grundvatten av olika densitet, utvecklades modellen i grundvattenmodelleringsprogrammet GMS i kombination med modulerna MODFLOW, MT3DMS samt SEAWAT. Tillsammans med modulerna kunde modellen hantera densitetsskillnader, förändring av saltkoncentrationer och påverkan av pumpar. Som grund vid utvecklingen av modellen användes en geologisk tredimensionell modell framtagen av SGU. Då inga platsspecifika undersökningar vad gäller grundvattennivåer och flödes/spridningsparametrar fanns att tillgå valdes modellparametrar utifrån litteraturvärden och tidigare undersökningar från liknande förhållanden. Först skapades en modell utan pumpning för att simulera fram ett stabilt läge för saltvattengränsen och en stabil tjocklek på språngskiktet. Modellens parametrar anpassades till dess att grundvattennivån låg nära markytan och språngskiktet låg runt övergången från kalksten till sandsten. När en relativt stabil saltvattengräns simulerats fram utvecklades modellen vidare med pumpning från det salta grundvattnet.  Resultaten från arbetet visar att det med pumpning går att sänka saltvattengränsen och att en ökning av grundvattenbildningen sker motsvarande 55 % av den bortpumpade volymen saltvatten. På grund av avsaknad av lokala materialparametrar bör resultaten inte ses som mer än en indikation på att konceptet fungerar.  Vidare föreslås att lokala geohydrologiska undersökningar genomförs för att i framtiden kunna skapa en modell som bygger på lokalt uppmätta flödes- och spridningsparametrar vilket skulle generera mer pålitliga resultat. I en framtida modell bör även pumpning från den söta delen av grundvattnet adderas till modellen för att se hur utvinnande av färskvatten skulle påverka språngskiktets utbredning  samt ge svar på hur stora uttag som skulle vara möjliga. / Because of an increased shortage and an increased demand of fresh water on Gotland, the possibility to pump saline groundwater and thereby locally lower the saltwater interface and increase recharge was investigated. With the saltwater interface further down in the bedrock, deeper wells could be drilled and extraction of more fresh water would therefore be possible. To examine the concept, a groundwater model was created to simulate the idea on a region of the peninsula Sudret on the southern part of the island of Gotland, Sweden. To be able to simulate the idea of pumping groundwater in an aquifer with a mix of saline and fresh groundwater of variable density, a model was built using the groundwater modelling program GMS in combination with the modules/program codes MODFLOW, MT3DMS and SEAWAT. With these modules, the model can handle the complex situation with extraction by pumping from groundwater of variable density and changes of salt concentration over time. A three dimensional geological model over the area produced by SGU was used as a foundation for building the model. Since no site specific surveys considering groundwater levels and flow/dispersion parameters have been previously undertaken in the study area, the parameters of the model were chosen according to literature and findings from similar projects conducted in the past. First, a model was developed to simulate a stable saltwater interface without pumps. Parameters were changed until a groundwater level close to the surface of the model was given and the saltwater interface ended up around the transition between limestone and sandstone. When the model generated desirable results, it was further developed to include the extraction of saltwater by pumping.  Results from the project showed that the concept of lowering the saltwater interface by pumping works, with an increased recharge corresponding to 55 % of the extracted saltwater volume. Because of a lack of site specific parameters, the results should not be seen as more than an indication that the concept works.  Furthermore, geohydrological measures should be made to provide local parameters regarding flow and dispersion for more reliable future models. To gain a greater understanding of how well the concept would work in reality, further development should be undertaken to include fresh groundwater extraction to assess how that would affect the position of the saltwater interface.

Populations residing on and near the world’s coasts have become increasingly dependent on coastal groundwater for their supply of freshwater. Under the conditions of predicted climate changes, the expected rise in global sea level can adversely affect the quality and quantity of freshwater resources in coastal areas as a result of saltwater intrusion. In this study, a suite of two- and three-dimensional variable-density groundwater flow models of major coastal landforms (e.g. deltas, estuaries and small islands) has been constructed to assess the effects of sea level rise (SLR), using different SLR rates of 0.5 m, 1m and 1.5 m over the next 90 years, from 2010-2100. The model results indicate that in natural coastal systems the extent of saltwater intrusion is significantly controlled by the stratigraphy of the depositional environments. Among deltaic aquifers, wave-dominated deltas are more prone to saltwater intrusion than river- and tide-dominated deltas. In case of a partially mixed, microtidal estuary, SLR can cause extensive porewater salinity increases, especially within estuarine sand deposits. Simulations of atoll and barrier islands reveal that carbonate atoll islands with high conductivity units, are severely affected by SLR, resulting in significant reduction of the volume of freshwater lens. In contrast, migrating sandy barrier islands could retain their freshwater resources with rising sea level under conditions of increased recharge, assuming the barriers can migrate in response to SLR. The freshwater lens of barrier island aquifers would reduce in size due to increased evapotranspiration caused by change in vegetation pattern. When examined for anthropogenic impacts of groundwater withdrawal through pumping, all the coastal aquifers show evidence of saltwater intrusion, with varying degrees of impact. Wave-dominated deltas are more affected by groundwater withdrawal than river- and tide-dominated deltaic aquifers. Saltwater intrusion in atoll islands is further enhanced by pumping withdrawal. It is evident from the results of the simulations that, the potential effects on coastal aquifers of groundwater withdrawals for potable water can easily exceed the adverse effects of SLR in terms of salinity increase.

Gotland suffers from a shortage of drinking water at infrequent intervals which is onlypredicted to get worse with time. The problem is not a shortage of precipitation, the shortagelies in the combined problem of runoff and high water usage during the summer months.From September to March there is an abundance of water which mostly goes to runoff intothe sea surrounding Gotland. Due to the fact that Gotland is an island, a concave boundryis formed between the deeper saline groundwater and the fresh groundwater closer to thesurface. In an effort to possibly help in solving the water shortage, an idea was introducedto pump out the saline groundwater from the deep and thus creating an increase in storageof fresh groundwater.Firstly an investigation into suitable locations for modeling was conducted where two siteswere chosen. To test this concept and see if the idea was feasable a 2D-model was establishedusing GMS, MODFLOW, MT3DMS and SEAWAT with the aim of simulating the groundwaterat the well chosen sites on Sudret, Gotland. Two wells were implemented in the model,one for extracting fresh groundwater and one for extracting saline groundwater. The hopeswere to be able to simulate an increase of the storage of fresh water during the rechargeperiod and thus helping to solve the problem with insufficient water during the strenuoussummer months. Hopefully the results of the simultations can make up the foundations foran implementation of the concept at a location at Gotland.Results for site 1 indicate that the volume of fresh water in the akvifer can be increasedby 13of the extraction volume when only saline groundwater is removed. The maximumflow of only saline extraction at site 1 has been determined to 35m3år per meter. For example,with only an extraction of saline water of 35m3år at site 1 the fresh water in the aquifer willincrease by 340m3 per metre after 10 years.The model indicates that the volume of fresh water in the akvifer can be increased bya minimum of 15 of the saline extraction volume when only saline water is removed. Themaximum flow of only saline groundwater at site 2 was decided to be 65m3år per meter. Forexample, with only an extraction of saline water of 65m3år at site 1 the fresh water in theakvifer will increase by 940m3 per metre after 10 years. / Gotland lider till och från av vattenbrist under sommaren, problemen förväntas även ökai samband med klimatförändringar och expanderande antropogen påverkan. Under vinterhalvåretfår Gotland mer än tillräckligt med sötvatten för att täcka efterfrågan, problemetuppkommer från att majoriteten av vattnet evapotranspireras samt går till ytavrinning tillÖstersjön. Ytterligare en orsak till vattenbristen beror på att Gotlands grundvatten omgesav saltvatten. Saltvattnet kring Gotland bildar en konkav gräns mellan sött och salt vatten igrundvattenmagasinet vilket väsentligt begränsar den möjliga lagringen av sött grundvatten.För att hjälpa till att lösa problemen med vattenbrist på Gotland introducerades en idé attutöka andelen sött vatten i grundvattenmgasinen genom att pumpa salt grundvatten fråndjupet under återhämtningsperioden.Arbetet påbörjades genom att undersöka en lämplig plats på Gotland, både ur en modelleringssynpunktsamt inför ett eventuellt fortsatt arbete. Två platser valdes slutligen dären 2D-grundvattenmodell skapades vid båda platserna med hjälp av GMS, MODFLOW,MT3DMS och SEAWAT. I modellen implementerades två uttagsbrunnar, en för salt grundvattenfrån djupet och en för sött grundvatten närmare ytan. Eftersom modellen skapats i 2Dinnebär det det en förenkling av geometrin och modellresultat motsvarar då en horisontelltborrad brunn, därför anges resultaten som flöde per meter horisontell brunn. Förhoppningenvar att genom simulering kunna påvisa en ökning av sötvatten i grundvattenmagasinet genomatt extrahera salt grundvatten under återhämtningsperioden. målet är att undersökningarnaska leda till en implementering av metoden i verkligheten i ett försök att minska vattenbristen.Modellresultat för plats 1 indikerar att volymen sött vatten i akviferen ökar med 13 avuttaget när endast salt vatten extraheras. Det maximala uttagsflödet vid plats 1 för endastsalt vatten bestämdes till 35m3år per meter. Vid ett saltvattenuttag på 35m3år vid plats 1 ökarsötvattenvolyem i akviferen t.ex. med 340m3 per meter efter 10 år.Modellresultat för plats 2 indikerar att volymen sött vatten i akviferen ökar med 15 avuttaget när endast salt vatten extraheras. Det maximala uttagsflödet vid plats 2 för endastsalt vatten bestämdes till 65m3år per meter. Vid ett saltvattenuttag på 65m3år vid plats 2 ökarsötvattenvolyem i akviferen t.ex. med 940m3 per meter efter 10 år. / diva2:1345440

Groundwater overexploitation can cause the collapse of coastal aquifers. The goal of this study was to apply a template, the computer code SEAWAT to evaluate the behavior of the salt wedge Coastal Aquifer System, which has studied the case of complex Barreira/Marituba in Part Coast Metropolitan Region of Maceió-AL. In addition they were analyzed physicochemical indexes to characterize the study area and verify the source of salt contamination. The model calibration was performed in two parts. The underground flow calibration obtained a correlation coefficient between calculated hydraulic loads and observed of 0.764 and the calibration concentration of Total Dissolved Solids, which has very close to the salt concentration value, obtained a 0.682 correlation coefficient for the year 2015 . Since then analyzed two different scenarios, which allowed us to verify the effect of groundwater exploitation in the salt wedge for the year 2025. The first considered the existing exploitation by 2015 without pumping increments. As a result, it was found advancing saline wedge area into two areas, an area that suffers decrease, besides the formation of cones with vertical rise of the seawater. In the second scenario were added licenses of water works as well and plus the assumption of 32 new pumping wells installation, according to the city's growth. However, in this case, it was not possible to see variations in the mix zone for the first scenario for the year 2025. The analysis of hydrogeological indices pointed to higher chloride concentrations in the region close to the line of the Atlantic Ocean, with little influence of nitrate and, in general, showed the existence of seawater intrusion. / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A exploração indiscriminada de água subterrânea pode causar o colapso dos aquíferos costeiros. O objetivo deste trabalho foi aplicar um modelo, o código computacional SEAWAT, para avaliar o comportamento da cunha salina em Sistema Aquífero Costeiro, onde foi estudado o caso do Complexo Barreira/Marituba na costa de Parte da Região Metropolitana de Maceió-AL. Ademais foram analisados índices físico-químicos para caracterizar a região de estudo e verificar a fonte de contaminação salina. A calibração do modelo foi realizada em duas vertentes. A calibração de fluxo subterrâneo obteve um coeficiente de correlação entre cargas hidráulicas calculadas e observadas de 0,764 e a calibração de concentração de Sólidos Totais Dissolvidos, que possui valor muito próximo à concentração de sal, obteve um coeficiente de correlação de 0,682 para o ano de 2015. A partir de então foram analisados dois cenários distintos, que permitiram verificar o efeito da explotação de água subterrânea na cunha salina para o ano de 2025. O primeiro considerou a explotação existente até 2015, sem acréscimos de bombeamentos. Como resultado, verificou-se o avanço da cunha salina em duas áreas do domínio, uma área que sofre recuo, além da formação de cones com ascensão vertical da água do mar. No segundo cenário foram adicionadas as licenças de obras hídricas como poços e mais a hipótese de instalação de 32 novos poços de bombeamento, de acordo com o crescimento da cidade. Porém, neste caso, não foi possível visualizar variações na zona de mescla em relação ao primeiro cenário para o ano de 2025. A análise dos índices hidrogeológicos apontou para maiores concentrações de cloretos na região próxima à linha do Oceano Atlântico, com pouca influência do nitrato e, no geral, indicaram a existência de intrusão de água do mar.

Διερευνώνται επιμέρους θέματα διαχείρισης παράκτιων υδροφορέων που αφορούν στην διασφάλιση της αειφορίας των υπόγειων αποθεμάτων μέσω (α) της προστασία τους έναντι στην υποβάθμιση της ποιότητάς τους που μπορεί να προέλθει από τη διείσδυση του θαλασσινού νερού και από ανθρωπογενείς δραστηριότητες και (β) της διασφάλισης της κάλυψης των αναγκών σε υπόγειο νερό κατά τις περιόδους αυξημένης ζήτησης. Η διερεύνηση βασίζεται στη χρήση δύο αριθμητικών μοντέλων υπόγειας ροής που λαμβάνουν υπόψη τις διαφορές πυκνότητας μεταξύ γλυκού και αλμυρού νερού και περιλαμβάνει τα ακόλουθα: Παρουσιάζεται ο τρόπος με τον οποίο διατυπώνονται και επιλύονται οι εξισώσεις που περιγράφουν την υπόγεια ροή υπό την επιρροή διαφορών πυκνότητας σε δύο ευρέως χρησιμοποιούμενα αριθμητικά μοντέλα, που είναι το μοντέλο SEAWAT-2000 (Langevin et al., 2003) και το μοντέλο SUTRA v2.2 (Voss & Provost, 2010). Βάσει των ανωτέρω και της εμπειρίας που αποκτήθηκε από την παράλληλη εφαρμογή τους, οι δύο κώδικες αξιολογούνται συγκριτικά και διατυπώνονται κριτήρια, στα οποία μπορεί να βασιστεί η επιλογή του κατά περίπτωση προσφορότερου κώδικα. Γίνεται η ρύθμιση αριθμητικού μοντέλου, το οποίο είναι βασισμένο στον κώδικα SEAWAT-2000, για τον παράκτιο υδροφορέα του Γλαύκου π., ο οποίος βρίσκεται στα νότια της πόλης των Πατρών και αποτελεί σημαντικό υδατικό πόρο για την περιοχή. Η ρύθμιση του μοντέλου βασίζεται σε μετρήσεις της υπόγειας στάθμης που προέρχονται από ένα σχετικά πυκνό δίκτυο γεωτρήσεων παρατήρησης το οποίο όμως έχει χρονικά περιορισμένη διάρκεια λειτουργίας. Το δίκτυο κατασκευάστηκε στα πλαίσια του προγράμματος INTERREG Ελλάδα – Ιταλία, 2000 – 2006, σε συνεργασία του Εργαστηρίου Υδραυλικής Μηχανικής του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών και της Δημοτικής Επιχείρησης Ύδρευσης και Αποχέτευσης της Πάτρας (Δ.Ε.Υ.Α.Π.) και ολοκληρώθηκε στα μέσα του 2008. Η διαδικασία ρύθμισης του μοντέλου περιλαμβάνει τα εξής: (α) Τη συστηματική οργάνωση, συνδυασμό και αξιολόγηση των διαθέσιμων πληροφοριών σε λογισμικό συστημάτων γεωγραφικών πληροφοριών. (β) Την εφαρμογή υδραυλικών και στατιστικών μεθόδων σε συνδυασμό με την τροποποίηση και εφαρμογή μεθόδων αριθμητικής προσομοίωσης αντλητικών δοκιμών για τον προσδιορισμό των υδραυλικών χαρακτηριστικών του υδροφορέα. (γ) Τη συνδυαστική ανάλυση υδρολογικών δεδομένων και χρονοσειρών της υπόγειας στάθμης για την εκτίμηση των συνιστωσών του υδρολογικού ισοζυγίου. (δ) Τον καθορισμό κατάλληλων κριτηρίων αξιολόγησης των προσομοιώσεων. (ε) Την εμπειρική ρύθμιση των παραμέτρων του μοντέλου, η οποία επειδή έγινε παράλληλα με την συλλογή των μετρήσεων της υπόγειας στάθμης πραγματοποιήθηκε για δύο περιόδους, κατ’ αρχήν για την περίοδο 2008-2010 και εν συνεχεία για την περίοδο 2010-2012 και (στ) την εκτέλεση προσομοιώσεων Monte Carlo για την πραγματοποίηση καθολικής ανάλυσης ευαισθησίας (global sensitivity analysis, βλ. Saltelli et al., 2004) και τη διερεύνηση ύπαρξης περισσοτέρων συνδυασμών των τιμών των παραμέτρων του μοντέλου που οδηγούν σε παρόμοια αποτελέσματα (equifinality thesis, Beven, 2006). Από τη ρύθμιση του μοντέλου με τη βοήθεια των μετρήσεων της υπόγειας στάθμης που συλλέχτηκαν με το δίκτυο παρατήρησης προέκυψαν πληροφορίες για τους μηχανισμούς εμπλουτισμού του υδροφορέα στις διάφορες περιοχές, κάτι που είναι σημαντικό για τη διαχείρισή του. Το ρυθμισμένο μοντέλο του παράκτιου υδροφορέα του Γλαύκου χρησιμοποιήθηκε για την εξέταση θεμάτων διαχείρισης του υδροφορέα: (α) Προσδιορίστηκαν οι ζώνες τροφοδοσίας των γεωτρήσεων της ΔΕΥΑΠ με χρήση του κώδικα MODPATH v3 (Pollock, 1994) και εκτιμήθηκε η τρωτότητα αυτών των γεωτρήσεων. Διαπιστώθηκε ότι οι γεωτρήσεις που βρίσκονται κοντά στην κοίτη του Γλαύκου, όπως συμβαίνει με πολλές από τις γεωτρήσεις της ΔΕΥΑΠ, αντλούν σχεδόν αποκλειστικά νερό που προέρχεται από τον ποταμό. Έτσι είναι δυνατόν να προσβληθούν από ρυπάνσεις του νερού του ποταμού καθώς επίσης και από ανθρωπογενείς δραστηριότητες στις παρόχθιες ζώνες. (β) Εκτιμήθηκε ο κίνδυνος διείσδυσης θαλασσινού νερού σε περίπτωση εμφάνισης περιόδων ξηρασίας, για δύο διαφορετικά σενάρια αντλήσεων: ένα σύμφωνα με το σημερινό καθεστώς χρήσης του υπόγειου νερού και ένα για την αύξηση των αντλήσεων κατά 50%. Διαπιστώθηκε ότι για ξηρασία διάρκειας τεσσάρων ετών και αύξηση των αντλούμενων ποσοτήτων τα φαινόμενα υφαλμύρισης θα είναι έντονα. Με την επάνοδο όμως των μέσων υδρολογικών συνθηκών ο υδροφορέας ανακάμπτει. (γ) Για συνθήκες ξηρασίας εξετάστηκε η αποτελεσματικότητα του τεχνητού εμπλουτισμού για τον περιορισμό της διείσδυσης του θαλασσινού νερού. Ως μέθοδος εμπλουτισμού εξετάστηκε η εποχιακή αύξηση της στάθμης του νερού στον ποταμό με τη βοήθεια φουσκωτών φραγμάτων (βλ. Κωτσοβίνος, 1999). Διαπιστώθηκε ότι με τη μέθοδο αυτή μπορεί να επιτευχθεί σημαντική αύξηση των υπόγειων αποθεμάτων. Τέλος, εξετάζεται ως μέτρο προστασίας έναντι της διείσδυσης του θαλασσινού νερού η τεχνική των υπόγειων φραγμών. Επειδή στις μελέτες της τεχνικής αυτής που έχουν παρουσιαστεί στη βιβλιογραφία (π.χ. Luyun et al., 2011) έμφαση δίνεται μόνο στην επιρροή των γεωμετρικών χαρακτηριστικών των φραγμών (απόσταση από την ακτή, βάθος φραγμού), έγινε στην παρούσα εργασία συστηματική διερεύνηση της συναρτησιακής σχέσης ανάμεσα στην αποτελεσματικότητα της μεθόδου και τα χαρακτηριστικά τόσο των φραγμών όσο και του υδροφορέα (υδραυλική αγωγιμότητα, ανισοτροπία, υδρομηχανική διασπορά, παροχή γλυκού νερού προς τη θάλασσα, αντλήσεις στην παράκτια ζώνη, υλικό κατασκευής του φραγμού). Η διερεύνηση έγινε με τη βοήθεια του αριθμητικού μοντέλου SUTRA 2.2 (Voss and Provost, 2010), για δύο τύπους υπόγειων φραγμών: τους διαφραγματικούς τοίχους και τα υπόγεια φράγματα. Δίδονται διαγράμματα και αναλυτικές σχέσεις με χρήση αδιάστατων μεταβλητών και για εύρος τιμών των μεταβλητών αυτών που μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν για τη διαστασιολόγηση φραγμών σε εφαρμογές πεδίου. Βάσει των αποτελεσμάτων που προκύπτουν από τη διερεύνηση της προαναφερθείσας συναρτησιακής σχέσης και χρησιμοποιώντας και το μοντέλο του Γλαύκου, εξετάστηκε η αποτελεσματικότητα της κατασκευής ενός φραγμού περιορισμένου μήκους στον υδροφορέα. Διαπιστώθηκε ότι πέραν του περιορισμού της διείσδυσης αλμυρού νερού σε περιόδους ξηρασίας που επιτυγχάνεται, ο φραγμός επιταχύνει την υποχώρηση της αλμυρής σφήνας όταν επανέλθουν οι συνήθεις υδρολογικές συνθήκες. / In the present study coastal aquifer management issues are investigated. These issues concern measures which ensure the sustainability of the coastal groundwater and particularly: (a) protective measures against the degradation of groundwater caused by saltwater intrusion and human activities and (b) measures allowing the availability of sufficient volumes of fresh groundwater during periods of high demand. The investigation is based on the application of two numerical codes, which are suitable for simulating the groundwater flow under the influence of density differences. The investigation procedure is as follows. The application of the equations of groundwater flow with density differences and transport, the limitations and the advantages are presented for two widely used numerical models, the SEAWAT-2000 code (Langevin et al., 2003) and the SUTRA v.2.2 code (Voss & Provost, 2010). Based on the analysis above and on the experience acquired through the parallel use of the two codes, basic criteria are derived that allow for the selection of the code that best suits the needs of a certain problem. The investigation focuses on the Glafkos coastal aquifer, which is located at north Peloponnese (Greece), south of the city of Patras and is an important source of freshwater for the region. For this aquifer the SEAWAT-2000 code is implemented and calibrated. The model calibration is based on groundwater level time series that were registered by a relatively dense monitoring network, whose operation time, however, is limited. The network of the monitoring wells was constructed during 2007-2008 in cooperation of the Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory (Department of Civil Engineering, University of Patras) and the Municipal Enterprise of Water Supply and Sewage of Patras (DEYAP), in the frame of the project INTERREG IIIA GREECE-ITALY. The calibration procedure is based on: (a) The application of a G.I.S. system to organize, combine, analyse and evaluate the available information. (b) The application of hydraulic and statistical methods combined with the modification and application of pumping tests simulation methods, for the estimation of the hydraulic parameters of the coastal aquifer. (c) The combined analysis of hydrological data and groundwater level time series for the estimation of the aquifers water budget components. (d) The establishment of appropriate criteria for the evaluation of simulation results. (e) The empirical calibration of the model is performed for two periods, i.e. the period 2008-2010 and the period 2010-2012. This procedure is due to the availability of the groundwater level time series which were registered parallel to the model calibration. (f) The application of the Monte-Carlo method in order to investigate the probability that different combinations of model parameters give similar or better simulation results. The model calibration led to a better understanding of the aquifers recharge mechanisms which is crucial for the development of a groundwater management policy and the implementation of a management plan. The calibrated groundwater model of the Glafkos coastal aquifer is used for the investigation and evaluation of coastal aquifer management applications: (a) The capture zones of the municipal production wells are delineated by applying the MODPATH v3 code (Pollock, 1994). It is found out that the production wells that are located close to the Glafkos River, as it is the fact for the majority of the municipal production wells, pump water that originates almost exclusively from the river. Consequently, polluted water from the river or polluting human activities close to the riverbank can affect the quality of the pumped water. (b) The saltwater intrusion risk is estimated, in case of a prolonged drought period. Two cases are investigated; the first considers the current pumping rates of groundwater while the second considers a 50% increased pumping. It is found out that a four-year drought period combined with an increase of the groundwater exploitation will lead to significant saltwater intrusion problems. (c) The applicability and effectiveness of in-channel artificial recharge with the use of rubber dams, as a countermeasure against the saltwater intrusion, which may be induced by a four-year drought period, is investigated. It is found that the method is applicable and effectively reduces the intrusion of saltwater. Further it increases the groundwater storage in the aquifer. Finally, the construction of a cutoff wall which covers only a small part of the aquifers width, is evaluated as a countermeasure to saltwater intrusion problems which may arise in Glafkos coastal aquifer. Due to the fact that existing studies on the technique of the subsurface barriers focus only on the influence of the geometrical characteristics of barriers covering the whole width of the aquifer, a systematic investigation is curried out on the functional relationship between the effectiveness of the barriers and all the parameters influencing it, i.e. the geometrical characteristics of the barriers, the aquifer parameters (the hydraulic conductivity, anisotropy, hydromechanical dispersion, groundwater flow towards the sea) and the pumping rate. The investigation is curried out by the use of the finite element code SUTRA v.2.2 and concerns two types of barriers; the subsurface dams and the cutoff walls. The results include graphs and functional relationships for the assessment of the effect of subsurface dams and cutoff walls and the design of such structures. The results are presented in terms of dimensionless variables, with ranges suitable for field applications. Based on these results, a cutoff wall of small width is designed for the Glafkos coastal aquifer. Its effectiveness is evaluated by applying the calibrated SEAWAT-model of the coastal aquifer. It is shown that the cutoff wall not only reduces the saltwater intrusion during drought periods, but also it reduces the retreat time of the saltwater front under normal hydrological conditions.