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SWICA-M³-The First International Conference on SaltWater Intrusion and Coastal Aquifers-Monitoring, Modeling and Management By Peter Swarzenski June 2001 in this issue:  previous story | next story In search of food: Lack of ground vegetation brings out the resourceful nature of Moroccan goats. The U.S. Geological Survey co-hosted and was a strong participant in the First International Conference on SaltWater Intrusion and Coastal Aquifers (SWICA-M³) that met in Essaouira, Morocco on April 18th-25th. In attendance were more than 150 scientists from 35 countries. Dr. Alex Cheng (University of Delaware) and Dr. Driss Ouazar (Ecole Mohammadia d'IngŽnieurs, Morocco) were the gracious hosts for SWICA-M³. USGS presentations were given by Brian Edwards (GD, Menlo Park), David Fitterman (GD, Denver), Jack Kindinger (GD, St. Petersburg), Leonard Konikow (WRD, Reston), Christian Langevin (WRD, Miami), Fred Paillet (WRD, Denver), Dorothy Payne (WRD, Atlanta), Peter Swarzenski (GD, St. Petersburg), and Clifford Voss (WRD, Reston). The CMGP speakers provided clear evidence for the importance of using geologic data both to strengthen cooperative studies between numerical modelers and hydrogeologists and to better describe subsurface aquifers and flow systems. Brian had a very well attended poster on the integrated science approach used in the LA Basin coastal aquifer study. Jack presented geophysical results from Indian River Lagoon region, Florida, and identified the geologic control on upward groundwater migration. Peter demonstrated the importance of understanding the impact of submarine groundwater discharge on coastal systems by describing the hydrogeology of an offshore spring. Ruins: Berber ruins in front of the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco. The purpose of the conference stems from an ever-increasing proportion of the world's population (now about 70%) dwelling along our coastal zones. In response to this population and economic growth, ground water is becoming an increasingly important component of the overall water demand. The inadequacy of sound management schemes has led to over-exploitation of ground water in many coastal regions of the world, resulting in encroachment of sea water into coastal aquifers. The conference objectives were to bring together researchers, practitioners, and water resource managers from all over the world to exchange state-of-the-art knowledge and to propagate the newest technological advancements. The conference was a successful multidisciplinary meeting with hydrogeologists, geophysicists, geochemists, numerical modelers, managers, and policy makers. The conference theme was to promote an integrated approach that incorporates all aspects of monitoring, modeling, and management in addressing coastal aquifer issues. Prior to the conference, two 2-day tutorial workshops provided training on fundamental theories as well as hands-on sessions on principals of subsurface hydrogeology and numerical modeling. Dr. Jacob Bear taught Workshop I—Modeling flow and solute transport in the subsurface. Drs. Cliff Voss and Lenny Konikow (USGS) taught Workshop II—Practical modeling of saltwater intrusion: variable-density flow and solute transport simulation using the U.S. Geological Survey Sutra code. The next SWICA-M³ conference will be held in Merida, Mexico (Yucatan) in April 2002. Brian, Jack, and Peter have been asked by Dr. Louis Marin (Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico) and the SWICA-M³ steering committee to help organize this meeting. Stay tuned for future conference updates; SWICA-M³ No. 2 promises to be an informative and exciting conference. in this issue:  previous story | next story

June 2001 Mailing List: Sign up to receive monthly email updates: in this issue: cover story: Great Blue Hole of Belize Channel Islands Cruise Lake Mead Mapping New Underwater Microscope System Hurricane Display Reston Open House WHFC Outreach Monterey Open House School-to-Work Partnership Acadiana Migratory Bird Day SWICA-M³ Global Assessment of Geologically-Sourced Methane Methane Hydrates Metadata Workshop Sue Hunt—Recycling Coastal Stewardship GIS 2001: Logan GIS 2001: Massachusetts Bay WHFC Visitors Northeast Earthquake Hazards Map June Publications List

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