Assessing the efficiency of mitigation measures for saltwater intrusion in man-made canals: A comprehensive modelling study of the Ghent-Terneuzen canal
Wijnants, T.C. (2023). Assessing the efficiency of mitigation measures for saltwater intrusion in man-made canals: A comprehensive modelling study of the Ghent-Terneuzen canal. MSc Thesis. University of Twente: Enschede. 96 pp.
This thesis aims to assess the efficiency of mitigation measures for reducing saltwater intrusion in the Ghent-Terneuzen canal, a man-made waterway vulnerable to saltwater intrusion. By employing a comprehensive 3D modelling approach, the study investigates various physical and management measures to identify effective strategies for mitigating the saltwater intrusion. The primary objective is to evaluate and quantify the effectiveness of these measures using the Delft 3D model. The methodology involves setting up the Delft 3D model specifically for the Ghent-Terneuzen canal. Eight mitigation measures are tested, including four physical measures (saltwater trap, elevated threshold, canal constriction and selective withdrawal) and four management measures related to upstream discharge (summer discharge spreading, summer pulses, winter flushing, and a rainfall pulse). The model is used to simulate and analyze the impact of these measures on saltwater intrusion dynamics. The research contributes to the current understanding of saltwater intrusion in closed systems, providing valuable insights into the efficiency of mitigation measures in the context of the Ghent-Terneuzen canal. This research’s findings lead to the conclusion that the canal’s salinity levels will escalate as a direct consequence of the construction of the New Lock Terneuzen, necessitating the implementation of appropriate measures.
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