Coupled effect of seawater intrusion on groundwater quality: study of South-West zone of Surat city

Groundwater quality is a major problem for humanity since it is closely related to human health. The flow of seawater into freshwater aquifers is known as saltwater intrusion, and it can lead to groundwater quality contamination, including drinking water. Due to the extremely severe hydraulic interface between groundwater and seawater, saltwater intrusion can happen naturally in coastal aquifers. The aim of the study is to examine the status of seawater intrusion within the study region of the South-West zone of Surat city, Gujarat. The present study evaluates Groundwater Quality Index using a weighted arithmetic method including various chemical ions. The South-West zone of Surat city is located along the coast; seawater infiltration has a significant impact on the groundwater in the state. The conceptual model will be developed and analyzed using MODFLOW to analyze the effects of seawater intrusion analysis. The model domain is characterized by three hydro-stratographic layers and covers an area of approximately 110 km2 in a 400 m × 400 m grid size. An analytical study with MODFLOW would be carried out for three-dimensional groundwater flows with species of solute transport. This study would help profile the study area regarding groundwater quality.