Abstract:
Temperature could change the migration characteristics of coastal groundwater. However, research on groundwater discharge processes under the influences of cut-off walls has been limited to isothermal conditions. This study built a two-dimensional numerical model coupling groundwater flow and salt transport in non-isothermal conditions at the site scale to investigate the impact of cut-off walls on groundwater discharge processes, considering the thermal effect. We focused on the dynamic characteristics of submarine groundwater discharge in non-isothermal conditions which are common in reality. This research quantitatively assessed the influence of seawater temperature on groundwater discharge flux (
Q) and relative discharge flux (
Q'). The results indicate that, under high-temperature seawater conditions, the timescale for
Q' to reach equilibrium is significantly reduced. Specifically, higher freshwater temperatures and lower seawater temperatures could result in a greater
Q'. However, when the seawater temperature exceeded the groundwater temperature by 15°C, reverse circulation is more likely to develop in the saltwater zone, which accelerates groundwater circulation and increases the total groundwater discharge into the sea, resulting in a corresponding rise in the
Q' value. This study is significant for cut-off wall structure optimization and coastal groundwater sustainable utilization.