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. We 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 is common in reality. In this research, we quantitatively assessed the influence of seawater temperature on groundwater discharge flux (
Q) and relative discharge flux (
Q′). The results indicated 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, accelerating groundwater circulation within this zone. This, in turn, increases the total groundwater discharge into the sea, causing a corresponding rise in the
Q′ value. The results in this study are significant for cut-off walls structure optimization and coastal groundwater sustainable utilization.