About half of the world´s population lives within 100 km of the oceanic coast. In coastal zones and on oceanic islands fresh groundwater is usually in density-related equilibrium with underlying saline groundwater. The resulting freshwater bodies are being used for water supply which potentially incurs the intrusion or up-coning of saltwater. Increasing pressure on these freshwater sources due to climate change, population growth, and industrial and agricultural water demands will endanger a secure water supply in many parts of the world.

We envisage a session which shall include aspects of both groundwater dynamics and quality in coastal zones and oceanic islands. Sub-topics could be but are not limited to:

• Experiments and numerical modeling of density-driven flow
• Observation and monitoring techniques
• Geochemical processes at the freshwater/saltwater interface
• Management of the freshwater/saltwater interface on islands and at the coast in times of climate change and increasing water demand