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The origin of brackish and saline groundwater in the coastal area of the Netherlands

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2016

V.E.A. Post ,
H. Van der Plicht  and
H.A.J. Meijer
V.E.A. Post*
Affiliation:
Vrije Universiteit, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Department of Hydrology and Hydrogeology, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; e-mail: posv@geo.vu.nl
H. Van der Plicht
Affiliation:
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Centre for Isotope Research, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands; e-mail: Plicht@phys.rug.nl
H.A.J. Meijer
Affiliation:
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Centre for Isotope Research, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands; e-mail: Plicht@phys.rug.nl
*
* Corresponding author

Abstract

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An explanation is presented for the origin of brackish to saline groundwater in the coastal area of the Netherlands based on geological, chemical (chlorinity), isotopic and geophysical data. A critical review of all possible salinization mechanisms shows that the origin of the brackish water is related to former transgressions. Both the vertical salinity distribution and the carbon-14 activity of the groundwater indicate that connate sea water from the Pliocene to Early Pleistocene is not the source of the brackish to saline waters in the overlying Pleistocene fluvial aquifers. Instead, it derives from Holocene transgressions. The salinization mechanism is discussed in relation to the paleogeographical development during the Holocene and the occurrence of low-permeability strata. Finally, freshening of the aquifers following retreat of the sea is briefly considered.

Keywords

carbon-14coastal areagroundwaterHoloceneNetherlandssalinity

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Netherlands Journal of Geosciences , Volume 82 , Issue 2 , July 2003 , pp. 133 - 147
Copyright
Copyright © Stichting Netherlands Journal of Geosciences 2003

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