Coastal Hydrology, Thermal Energy and Density-Driven Flow Applications

The effects of temperature and salinity on fluid density can be critical to accurately simulate groundwater movement and to sustainably manage groundwater resources in coastal regions. Density-dependent flow modelling incorporates these effects into hydrogeological analyses and decision-making processes.

HydroGeoSphere is an industry leading solution for accurately simulating density driven flow systems, with full support for density effects in all available model domains including surface and groundwater flow, fracture flow, and more.

Benefits

  • Model climate change impacts to support adaptation plans

  • Improve resilience to extreme weather

  • Scenario analysis & historical reanalysis of events

  • See the effects of engineered designs on coastal aquifers

  • Reduce uncertainty through a physics-based approach

Aerial view of rocky coastline with waves crashing against rocks and tide pools along the edge of the ocean.

Aquanty’s physics-based approach to modelling integrated hydrology reduces the uncertainty inherent in statistical approaches to environmental simulations.

Coastal view of rocky cliffs with ocean waves and mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Density-driven flow modelling supports a comprehensive & holistic understanding of coastal hydrology.

A scenic view of a winding river flowing through green wetlands and trees, with a sunset sky featuring orange, pink, and blue hues over distant hills.

Fully-integrated hydrologic simulations consider various interconnected components of a watershed including surface water, groundwater, precipitation, land use, soil types, and more.

A small outdoor stream with flowing water surrounded by green grass and lush plants.

Investigate the impacts of thermal energy transport on groundwater flow; critical for geothermal energy applications and simulating stream temperature in aquatic ecosystems.

A stormy ocean scene with dark clouds and rain over the sea, with waves crashing onto the beach.

Assess and mitigate risk associated with coastal storm events, enabling you to plan for and develop resilient communities & economies, and secure vulnerable coastlines.

An aerial view of Toronto harbor with downtown Toronto skyline, skyscrapers, and CN Tower, a park with green trees and sports fields, and boats docked at a marina along Lake Ontario in summer.

Support climate adaptation plans using sophisticated integrated hydrologic models which directly couple oceanography with terrestrial hydrology, providing the most reliable and realistic way to evaluate climate change impacts on coastal hydrology.

Featured Projects

Aquanty’s flagship simulation platform HydroGeoSphere represents an industry leading solution for accurately simulating density driven flow systems, with full support for density effects in all available model domains including surface and groundwater flow, fracture flow, and more.

Diagram showing the Miura Peninsula, Japan, with maps, geologic layer models, fracture zones, and simulated salinity distribution maps.

Integrated Hydrologic Analysis for the Miura Coastal Aquifer System

Density-driven groundwater flow plays a critical role for freshwater and sea water interaction in coastal aquifer systems and for both water quantity and quality. An example in Miura Peninsula, Japan, indicates that the location of the interface between freshwater and saline water is determined by multiple factors such as topography, meteorologic driving forces, and subsurface geology.

A collection of scientific models and diagrams showing geological layers, water table location, water age, transit time, and groundwater dynamics, with labeled sections such as Basalt/Trachyte, Basement, and SF/US.

Water Resources Analysis for the Volcanic Island of Jeju, South Korea

Regional scale integrated hydrologic modelling of Jeju Island indicates that there are various groundwater systems with distinct characteristic such as a mountainous recharge system, an active coastal groundwater system, a stable deep freshwater system, and a saline groundwater system. A regional scale integrated groundwater-surface water model can be used to better interpret and manage water resources on the island.

Effects of floodplain shading on hyporheic aquifer temperatures

HydroGeoSphere can be used to simulate water and heat transport in floodplains under variable riparian forest densities. Riparian forests have the potential to mediate atmosphere-aquifer heat exchange by shading the floodplain surface, thereby influencing stream channel temperatures indirectly via hyporheic exchange of water and heat. Model results indicate that shade mediates the warming of hyporheic and channel water. Consideration of floodplain shade management, both during and after restoration actions, may improve outcomes for restoration of stream channel temperatures.

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Modeled Salinities In Coastal Aquifers Depend On High- And Low-frequency Fluctuations In Sea Level, Controlled By Storage Properties.

HydroGeoSphere can be used to simulate groundwater flow and salt transport in coastal aquifers under variable sea level conditions. Model results indicate that cyclical sea level fluctuations— from tidal to glacial timescales— can significantly alter average salinity distributions compared to steady-state assumptions. Considering these multi-scale fluctuations during model calibration can improve the accuracy of salinity estimates and support more effective management of vulnerable coastal groundwater resources.

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Vulnerability To Sea-level Rise And Storm-surge Salinization Differs For Topography-limited And Recharge-limited Systems: Insights From Groundwater Flow And Transport Modeling At Assateague Island, MD

HydroGeoSphere can be used to assess coastal aquifer vulnerability to sea-level rise and storm-surge overwash. Model results at Assateague Island, MD show that storm-surge frequency poses a greater salinization risk than sea-level rise alone, with recharge-limited systems being especially susceptible over the long term.

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Impact Of Ocean Surge Profiles On Overwash-driven Salinization In Coastal Aquifers

HydroGeoSphere can be used to simulate storm-surge-driven salinization of coastal aquifers. Results show that surge profile shape, duration, and regional variations in surge magnitude strongly influence saltwater infiltration and recovery time, with certain surge conditions posing heightened long-term risks to coastal groundwater resources.

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