Semester Award Granted
Spring 2025
Submission Date
May 2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Ramesh S. V. Teegavarapu
Abstract
Expected changes to climate, including longer and drier periods of drought, extreme rainfall events, increased temperatures, and sea level rise, are expected to significantly impact groundwater conditions in the surficial aquifer system, especially along coastlines. A coupled model approach was used linking an Evapotranspiration (ET)-Recharge model to SEAWAT to highlight groundwater variability across an area of interest. The ET-Recharge model is used to develop groundwater recharge and maximum potential groundwater ET based on rainfall and Reference ET scenarios. Groundwater recharge and maximum potential groundwater ET are then used as input into a SEAWAT model to assess changes in groundwater levels and groundwater quality within the model domain. Results point to spatial and temporal variability of groundwater conditions based on changes in precipitation, ET, and sea level. These variations highlight the potential impacts of climate change on groundwater conditions and future availability of water resources and ability to control saltwater intrusion.
Recommended Citation
Obeysekera, Anushi, "GROUNDWATER VARIABILITY UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE: INFLUENCE OF PRECIPITATION, EVAPOTRANSPIRATION AND SEA LEVEL RISE" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 46.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general/46