Polemio M., Gallicchio G., 2003, IV Meeting Crystallisation Technologies for Prevention of Salt Water Intrusion, 2003,
URL: http://www.cnr.it/prodotto/i/172122

Saline water intrusion has been the subject of various investigations worldwide for many years. Numerous research groups are dealing with the development of numerical models describing groundwater and/or seawater movement in porous or fractured aquifers. The progress in computer techniques has allowed the construction of huge models simulating the process of saline water intrusion in dependence on the given geological and hydraulic conditions as well as the fresh water pumping rate. Large projects to reduce saline water intrusion by the creation of hydraulic barriers were realised or are under planning. Investigations concerning precipitation or crystallisation processes occurring during saline water intrusion have been, however, only in some cases the subject of investigations. This is highly surprising because it is well known that precipitation or crystallisation phenomena play an important role in permeability changes of porous formations. Nothing is known if similar processes artificially induced can be used for the direction of groundwater flow and thus for the prevention of saline water intrusion. A systematic research concerning the use of artificially induced crystallisation processes for the direction of groundwater flow in coastal areas has been started with the European project "CRYSTECHSALIN" in 2001. The project combines 11 research groups from 7 countries. The research topics lead from fundamental subjects concerning crystallisation processes from oversaturated solutions to the description of geological and geochemical conditions in different costal areas as well as to the realisation of field tests in large scale. A new technology based on the in-situ formation of impermeable walls in costal areas shall be developed in order to reduce or stop saline water intrusion. This includes the development of numerical models describing groundwater flow in the areas in question as well as construction of monitoring systems allowing the detection of saline water intrusion. Mathematical models will be developed and used for the description of crystallisation processes from oversaturated solutions. CRYSTECHSALIN is dated until March 2004. Three project meetings and many additional consultations between the partners took place since 2001. The book summarise main results obtained within the last 18 months and gives an outlook for the investigations that have to be realised within the next months. Many results have an "intermediate" status, however they are valuable for publication and public discussion.

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