Abstract
This review summarizes several aspects related to the effect of climate and anthropogenic sea level changes on the Israeli coastal aquifers of the Mediterranean Sea (rise of ~1 cm/a) and the Dead Sea (drop of ~1 m/a). Numerical simulations show that the effect of global future sea-level rise will depend on the specific configuration of the aquifer and its connection to the sea. An important factor is the coastal topography next to the shoreline, whereby in the case of a steep coastal topography, no significant salinization is expected due to sea-level rise. Reduced recharge due to climate change or over-exploitation of groundwater is also expected to enhance the inland shift of the fresh- saline water interface. A significant fast response of groundwater system to changes in the base levels is observed in the Dead Sea coastal aquifer, both in simulations and in the field. This is exhibited by the drop of the adjacent groundwater levels as well as by the shift of the fresh- saline water interface. Also, in most parts of the Dead Sea aquifer, a fast freshening process is taking place due to the drop of groundwater level and seaward retreat of the interface.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Climate Change Effects on Groundwater Resources |
| Subtitle of host publication | A Global Synthesis of Findings and Recommendations |
| Publisher | CRC Press |
| Pages | 205-255 |
| Number of pages | 51 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780203120767 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780415689366 |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
- General Environmental Science
- General Engineering
