Delineation of Seawater Intrusion Using Geo-Electrical Survey in a Coastal Aquifer of Kamala Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Abstract

The coastal areas of Phuket Island are facing the risk of seawater intrusion, because intense anthropic activity due to urbanization and the expansion of tourism influences coastal hydrologic systems. Indeed, the Kamala sub-district—on the western part of Phuket Island—is a well-known and attractive destination for tourists. Previous research indicates that there is likely to be a seawater intrusion in Kamala. The main purpose of this study was to delineate the seawater intrusion problem in a coastal aquifer in Kamala. Geo-electrical surveys of four lines were successfully conducted in the study area. Two-dimensional (2D) inversion models from the resistivity data show high-resolution subsurface resistivity anomalies of seawater intrusion. The concentration of the seawater intrusion decreases eastward toward the inland areas. Based on a sample measurement, the contaminated zone of seawater has a resistivity value smaller than 30 Ohm-m, and the empirical relationship between the formation conductivity and fluid conductivity of the study area was established. Finally, time-lapse Electrical Resistivity Imaging (time-lapse ERI) was conducted to prove that there was no presence of clay layers in study area; thus, the low resistivity plumes (smaller than 30 Ohm-m) were scientifically interpreted as being seawater intrusion.