The project will address the effects of anthropogenic forces, such as pumping, potential climatic changes and sea level changes on coastal aquifers. The work comprises five analytical tasks: climate change-induced scenarios of sea level rise; climate change- induced scenarios of streamflow and groundwater recharge as derived from global circulation models (GCMs) and re-scaled to a regional level; groundwater transport models of salt water intrusion and groundwater movement; a groundwater management optimization model; and a case study on the Santa Clara/Calleguas groundwater basin located in Ventura County, California. Results from this research will provide a better understanding for the optimal management and operation of coastal aquifers under climate-induced stress from both sea level rise and changing groundwater recharge patterns.
