Assessment of the Changing Landscape and Overall Aquifer Condition Due to Saline Water Intrusion: A Review

Seawater intrusion in the low-lying coastal areas is increasing drastically around the globe. Most people of the coastal areas live in extreme poverty and practice agriculture for their livelihood. Anthropological activities have altered the overall landscape of the coastal areas worldwide thereby affecting other characteristics of the associated aquatic sub-systems. These coastal areas are being affected frequently by severe cyclonic storms along with acute flooding. In addition to this, most of the coastal aquifers are under the threat of saline water intrusion and excessive groundwater extraction from the coastal freshwater wells is one of the major causes. The coastal region faces constant pressure from several water-related threats such as water and soil-salinization, floods etc. Salinity intrusion along with flooding leads to lesser land fertility and greater health hazards in the coastal areas. If this continues, saline water will eventually intrude the shallow coastal aquifers entirely reducing the availability of fresh water in the coastal areas. Hence both the soil and water might get completely salinized over time. This adversely affects the production of vegetables, fruits, crops etc. The widespread growth of mangroves is also stunted as a result of rising humidity and salinity. Proper scientific studies of environmentally significant physicochemical parameters of groundwater are required in the coastal aquifers. This will help to identify the aquifer condition along with the seasonal salinity changes and to develop future planning to minimize the region’s vulnerability to natural hazards as well as gradual landscape changes. The proposed study aims to analyze data related to the aquifer property of different coastal aquifer systems focusing on the shallow aquifers. The analyses have been done using secondary data and interpretation of the secondary data shows that salinity of the aquifers increases near coasts. This study is significant in terms of assessment of the risks associated with aquifer contamination and landscape changes. The present study can be used for the management, training and development of the socio-economic condition and the ecosystem of the coastal area.