Island and Coastal Hydrogeology

Islands and coastal environments present particular challenges to hydrogeologists owing to the dynamics of the groundwater/seawater interface, the geometry of the groundwater lens and the difficulties associated with estimating meaningful recharge and groundwater discharge to sea.

However, these challenges need to be met as they have an impact on water resource availability, which in turn can impact both humans and sensitive ecosystems. Complexity is also often added by the difficulties associated with characterizing the hydrogeological system, the presence of development and the potential impacts associated with climate change, the latter possibly changing climatic setting and increasing both sea levels and saline intrusion.

The meeting’s aim is to cover all of the issues that have to be considered by hydrogeologists including conceptualization and evaluation, the challenges of monitoring and modeling as well as the assessment of developmental impacts and water resource availability.