Monitoring the Effect of Artificial Dune Construction Using Multiple Geophysical Methods

In the winter of 2014/2015, the Dutch coast near Petten was reinforced by the construction of a large artificial dune. The dune was constructed next to the old sea dike that did not meet the current safety requirements. Since 2013, the Hollands Noorderkwartier Water Board has been monitoring ground- and surface water data to describe the transient effects of the construction on the groundwater quantity and quality. To keep track of the changes, a range of monitoring methods are applied. In addition to head measurements and water quality samples in monitoring wells, we use different geophysical methods to describe the reference and the current situation. We will show the pros and cons of the different methods, and how the combination of the results of all methods will get us closer to understanding the hydrological system and the consequences of the construction of the artificial dune.