Hydrochemical changes in a small tropical island’s aquifer: Manukan Island, Sabah, Malaysia

Small islands groundwater are often exposed to heavy pumpings as a result of high demand for freshwater consumption. Intensive exploitation of groundwater from Manukan Island’s aquifer has disturbed the natural equilibrium between fresh and saline water, and has resulted increase the groundwater salinity and leap to the hydrochemical complexities of freshwater–seawater contact. An attempt was made to identify the hydrochemical processes that accompany current intrusion of seawater using ionic changes and saturation indices. It was observed that the mixing between freshwater–seawater created diversity in geochemical processes of the Manukan Island’s aquifer and altered the freshwater and seawater mixture away from the theoretical composition line. This explained the most visible processes taking place during the displacement.     

Evaluation of groundwater quality in coastal areas: implications for sustainable agriculture

Seawater intrusion is a problem in the coastal areas of Korea. Most productive agricultural fields are in the western and southern coastal areas of the country where irrigation predominantly relies on groundwater. Seawater intrusion has affected agricultural productivity. To evaluate progressive encroachment of saline water, the Korean government established a seawater intrusion monitoring well network, especially in the western and southern part of the peninsula. Automatic water levels and EC monitoring and periodic chemical analysis of groundwater help track salinization. Salinization of fresh groundwater is highly associated with groundwater withdrawal. A large proportion of the groundwaters are classified as Na–Cl and Ca–Cl types. The Na–Cl types represent effects of seawater intrusion. The highest EC level was over 1.6 km inland and high Cl values were observed up to 1.2 km inland. Lower ratios of Na/Cl and SO₄/Cl than seawater values indicate the seawater encroachment. A linear relation between Na and Cl represents simple mixing of the fresh groundwater with the seawater. The saline Na–Cl typed groundwaters showed Br/Cl ratios similar to or less than seawater values. The Ca–HCO₃ type groundwaters had the highest Br/Cl ratios. Substantial proportions of the groundwaters showed potential for salinity and should be better managed for sustainable agriculture.     

The impact of human activities in the Malia coastal area (Crete) on groundwater quality

The evaluation of the long-term effects of seawater intrusion into the aquifers due to negative water balance and nitrate pollution of drinking-water quality due to human activities requires detailed knowledge of both the transport of the chemical constituents and the geochemical processes within aquifers. Hydrogeological and hydrochemical studies in the unconfined aquifer of Malia have provided the necessary data to define the areas at increased risk from these phenomena. The solution of the second Fick's low under given boundary conditions gave an estimate of the propagation of groundwater pollution by NO₃ ^–. Additionally, in order to simulate the ion concentration changes during a period, for example a period of positive water balance or refreshening, groundwater transport and cation exchange reactions were modelled using the code PHREEQM. Received: 25 July 1997 · Accepted: 4 November 1997     

National scale evaluation of groundwater chemistry in Korea coastal aquifers: evidences of seawater intrusion

Pollution of groundwater by seawater intrusion poses a threat to sustainable agriculture in the coastal areas of Korea. Therefore, seawater intrusion monitoring stations were installed in eastern, western, and southern coastal areas and have been operated since 1998. In this study, groundwater chemistry data obtained from the seawater intrusion monitoring stations during the period from 2007 to 2009 were analyzed and evaluated. Groundwater was classified into fresh (<1,500 μS/cm), brackish (1,500–3,000 μS/cm), and saline (>3,000 μS/cm) according to EC levels. Among groundwater samples (n = 233), 56, 7, and 37% were classified as the fresh, brackish, and saline, respectively. The major dissolved components of the brackish and saline groundwaters were enriched compared with those of the fresh groundwater. The enrichment of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ was especially noticeable due to seawater intrusion. Thus, the brackish and saline groundwaters were classified as Ca–Cl and Na–Cl types, while the fresh groundwater was classified as Na–HCO₃ and Ca–HCO₃ types. The groundwater included in the Na–Cl types indicated the effects of seawater mixing. Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, SO₄ ²⁻, and Br⁻ showed good correlations with Cl⁻ of over r = 0.624. Of these components, the strong correlations of Mg²⁺, SO₄ ²⁻, and Br⁻ with Cl⁻ (r ≥ 0.823) indicated a distinct mixing between fresh groundwater and seawater. The Ca/Cl and HCO₃/Cl ratios of the groundwaters gradually decreased and approached those of seawater. The Mg/Cl, Na/Cl, K/Cl, SO₄/Cl, and Br/Cl ratios of the groundwaters gradually decreased, and were similar to or lower than those of seawater, indicating that Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, SO₄ ²⁻, and Br⁻, as well as Cl⁻ in the saline groundwater can be enriched by seawater mixing, while Ca²⁺ and HCO₃ ⁻ are mainly released by weathering processes. The influence of seawater intrusion was evaluated using threshold values of Cl⁻ and Br⁻, which were estimated as 80.5 and 0.54 mg/L, respectively. According to these criteria, 41–50% of the groundwaters were affected by seawater mixing.     

Groundwater hydrochemistry and origin in the south-eastern part of Wadi El Natrun,Egypt

The demand for water is rapidly increasing in Egypt, because of high population and agriculture production growth rate, which makes research of water resources necessary. The regional multi-aquifer system of the Miocene–Pleistocene age is discharged in Wadi El Natrun area. Intensive aquifer overexploitation and agricultural development in the area are related to groundwater quality deterioration. Hydrochemical and hydrogeological data was evaluated to determine the groundwater origin and quality in the south-eastern part of wadi, which appears to be more significant for water supply owing to lower groundwater salinity. The dominance of the high mineralised Cl groundwater type was found; however, also less mineralised SO₄ and HCO₃ types were identified there. Based on the ion relations, halite and gypsum dissolution and ion exchange are the most important hydrochemical processes forming the groundwater chemical composition. The Cl dominated groundwater matches the discharge part of the regional hydrogeological system. Contrary, the presence of HCO₃ and SO₄ hydrochemical types corresponds to the infiltration and transferring parts of the hydrogeological system indicating the presence of zones conducting low mineralised groundwater. The discharge area of the over-pumped aquifer in Wadi El-Natrun lies 23 m beneath the sea level with the shoreline being at the distance of 100 km, thus there is a real risk of seawater intrusion. Using the hydrochemical facies evolution diagram, four samples in the centre of the discharge area indicate advanced seawater intrusion. The zones of the highest demand for groundwater quality protection were indicated based on a spatial pattern of hydrogeochemical composition.     

Improvement of groundwater quality due to fresh water ingress in Potharlanka Island, Krishna delta, India

Hydrochemical study had been carried out on the groundwater resources of Potharlanka Island, Krishna delta, India. Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed at 42 sites in December 2001 and October 2006. A comparative study of hydrochemical data indicates: groundwater is mildly alkaline with a pH of 7.0–8.2; electrical conductivity (EC) varies from 605 to 5,770 μS/cm in December 2001, and 652–5,310 μS/cm in October 2006. More than 62% of the groundwater samples in 2006 have TDS value <2,000 mg/l, which is within permissible limit of potable water, but 57% of the samples in 2001, are higher than the maximum permissible limit. Extremely low HCO₃/Cl and variable high Mg/Ca (molar ratios) had been indicated the transformation of the fresh groundwater aquifer systems to saline in 2001. Groundwater of this Island is mainly classified as Na–Cl and mixed types. A high percentage of Na–Cl type of these waters indicates the possibility of seawater ingression/intrusion process during 2001 and comparatively mixed water type indicates the dilution activities of groundwater. Excessive withdrawal of groundwater has caused the increase of saline water intrusion. Improvement of groundwater quality in this Island due to artificial recharge structures made by NGRI under RGNDWM project and affects of the flood due to heavy rainfall of the months of September–October 2005 are discussed in this paper.     

Simulation of seawater intrusion into the Khan Yunis area of the Gaza Strip coastal aquifer

 The Gaza Strip coastal aquifer is under severe hydrological stress due to over-exploitation. Excessive pumping during the past decades in the Gaza region has caused a significant lowering of groundwater levels, altering in some regions the normal transport of salts into the sea and reversing the gradient of groundwater flow. The sharp increase in chloride concentrations in groundwater indicates intrusion of seawater and/or brines from the western part of the aquifer near the sea. Simulations of salt-water intrusion were carried out using a two-dimensional density-dependent flow and transport model SUTRA (Voss 1984). This model was applied to the Khan Yunis section of the Gaza Strip aquifer. Simulations were done under an assumption that pumping rates increase according to the rate of population growth, or about 3.8% a year. Model parameters were estimated using available field observations. Numerical simulations show that the rate of seawater intrusion during 1997–2006 is expected to be 20–45 m/yr. The results lead to a better understanding of aquifer salinization due to seawater intrusion and give some estimate of the rate of deterioration of groundwater. Received, September 1997 Revised, January 1998, July 1998 Accepted, August 1998     

环境同位素特征对滨海岩溶地区海水入侵过程的指示意义

大连大魏家水源地位于中国北方典型滨海岩溶地区。近30年来,地下淡水的不合理开采造成的地下水位降落漏斗引发了严重的海水入侵。以大魏家水源地为研究对象,通过大量的水文地质调查和水化学及同位素采样测试分析,探讨海水入侵形成的水动力条件,通过分析滨海岩溶含水层中地下水主要水化学和多种同位素(δ2H-δ18O,δ34S,δ13C)组成特征,识别了海水入侵过程中发生的主要水文地球化学作用,并对其进行了定量模拟,从而阐明了岩溶含水层中的海水入侵机理。研究结果表明:大连大魏家海水入侵主要通道为大魏家地区存在的导水断裂、岩溶裂隙以及第四系松散地层。对δ2H-δ18O同位素的组成分析表明,研究区地下水主要来自大气降水补给,结合Cl-浓度分布,认为除海水入侵淡水含水层后增加了地下水中的盐分外,浅层地下水的蒸发也对地下水中盐分的累积起到了重要作用。根据不同水体中δ34SSO4,δ13CHCO3等同位素特征,结合水化学成分(如SO2-4,Cl-)分析认为,研究区微咸水和咸水并不是地下水淡水和海水简单混合而成。利用反向水文地球化学模拟揭示了控制滨海岩溶含水层中水化学演化的主要水文地球化学反应有方解石、蒙脱石和石膏的溶解作用,伊利石的沉淀作用以及Ca-Na离子交换作用,伴随着CO2的释放。     

Study of shallow groundwater quality evolution under saline intrusion with environmental isotopes and geochemistry

Evolution of the shallow groundwater quality under saline intrusion in porous aquifer system has been studied with environmental isotopes and geochemistry in the Laizhou Bay area, China. Two campaigns of water sampling from various sources were carried out in spring and winter for environmental isotopic and chemical analyses. The origin of groundwater salinity from intrusion of both modern seawater and deep brine water was identified by analysing the correlations between ¹⁸O, D, T, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻ and electrical conductivity. The results indicate that the brine is originated from evaporating and concentrating of intruded seawater and its δD and δ¹⁸O are different from modern seawater but similar to those of mixture of seawater with fresh groundwater. It is hard to distinguish the salinity origin in this area by the δD–δ¹⁸O relationship alone. The relations between δ¹⁸O and conductivity, Cl⁻ and SO₄²⁻ have been used to identify the salinity origin due to the distinct difference in salinity between the brine and seawater, conjunctively with use of T. A threshold of T = 12 TU was adopted to identify the origin of saline groundwater.     

硇洲岛海水入侵数值模拟

通过对硇洲岛地质和水文地质条件的综合分析,建立了本研究区三维地下水数值模型,并获取了相关含水层参数。从而建立海水入侵数值模型,对硇洲岛在不同开采条件下的海水入侵趋势进行了模拟预测,结果表明,减少开采量能减缓硇洲岛海水入侵;在满足当地供水需求的前提下,减少浅层水开采量,在远离沿海区域的中部地区适当增加中层水开采量的开采方案优于现状开采条件下的方案。本研究也为减缓海水入侵提供了相关科学依据。     

The influence of marine inflows on the chemical composition of groundwater in small islands: the example of the Cyclades (Greece)

 Marine contamination of groundwater may be caused by seawater intrusion and by salt spray. The role of both processes was studied in the Cyclades archipelago on four small islands (45–195 km²) whose aquifers consist essentially of fractured, weathered metamorphic rocks. Annual rainfall ranges from 400 to 650 mm and precipitation has high total dissolved solids contents of 45–223 mg l^–1. The chemical characteristics of the groundwater, whose salinity is from 0.4 to 22 g l^–1, are strongly influenced by seawater intrusion. However, the effect of atmospheric input is shown in certain water sampling locations on high ground elevation where the dissolved chloride contents may attain 200 mg l^–1. Received: 14 November 1995 · Accepted: 9 September 1996     

Groundwater resources evaluation in calcareous limestone using geoelectrical and VLF-EM surveys (El Salloum Basin,Egypt)

Understanding and developing groundwater resources in arid regions such as El Salloum basin, along the northwestern coast of Egypt, remains a challenging issue. One-dimensional (1D) electrical sounding (ES), two-dimensional (2D) electrical resistivity imaging (ERI), and very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) measurements were used to investigate the hydrogeological framework of El Salloum basin with the aim of determining the potential for extraction of potable water. 1D resistivity sounding models were used to delineate geoelectric sections and water-bearing layers. 2D ERI highlighted decreases in resistivity with depth, attributed to clay-rich limestone combined with seawater intrusion towards the coast. A depth of investigation (DOI) index was used to constrain the information content of the images at depths up to 100 m. The VLF-EM survey identified likely faults/fractured zones across the study area. A combined analysis of the datasets of the 1D ES, 2D ERI, and VLF-EM methods identified potential zones of groundwater, the extent of seawater intrusion, and major hydrogeological structures (fracture zones) in El Salloum basin. The equivalent geologic layers suggest that the main aquifer in the basin is the fractured chalky limestone middle Miocene) south of the coastal plain of the study area. Sites likely to provide significant volumes of potable water were identified based on relatively high resistivity and thickness of laterally extensive layers. The most promising locations for drilling productive wells are in the south and southeastern parts of the region, where the potential for potable groundwater increases substantially.

     

A review of seawater intrusion and its management in Australia

Extended periods of below-average rainfall combined with a rising population density in the Australian coastal margin have led to higher stresses on coastal water resources, and the risk of seawater intrusion has increased. Despite reports of seawater intrusion in the majority of states and evidence that some Australian coastal aquifers are seriously depleted, comprehensive seawater intrusion investigations have only been completed for coastal systems in Queensland and to a lesser degree in Western Australia and South Australia. The degree of assessment appears to be linked to the perceived economic value of the groundwater resource. The most detailed studies include those of the Pioneer Valley and Burnett basins in Queensland, for which conceptual and mathematical models have been developed at the regional scale, and have been used to underpin trigger-level management approaches to protect against further seawater intrusion. Historical responses to seawater intrusion include the establishment of artificial recharge schemes; the most prominent being that of the Lower Burdekin aquifers in Queensland. Recommendations for future solutions include enhanced fit-for-purpose seawater intrusion monitoring, continuing research into investigation methods, and improved knowledge-sharing through education programs and the development of national guidelines for seawater intrusion assessment and management.     

Olocenic alluvial aquifer of the River Cornia coastal plain (southern Tuscany, Italy): database design for groundwater management

 Hydrogeological research is in progress, utilizing GIS methods, with the principal aim of modelling the Olocenic alluvial aquifer of the River Cornia coastal plain (southern Tuscany, Italy), which has been exploited for drinking water, irrigation, and industrial uses. A consequence of exploitation has been the appearance of wide seawater intrusion. The alluvial aquifer has recently been subjected to new well fields for the supply of drinking water, with an increase of total average discharge of about 4×10⁶ m³/year. This paper presents results obtained from updating and integrating basic knowledge and structuring the database. The hydrogeological study allowed the recognition of the extension of areas that are characterized by a hydraulic head under the sea level, the progressive salinization of the aquifer, and the increase of water deficit in the aquifer which is produced by a progressive extraction of water superior to the natural recharge. In addition, benefits and disadvantages resulting from the location of new well fields in a hydrogeologically favourable zone, and the boundary conditions for much of the area studied have been defined. The GIS was used as support for making and updating the tabular and spatial database with the aim of integrating the local and regional hydrogeological knowledge. This study will permit the realization of a numerical simulation of the groundwater flow of the aquifer aimed at correcting the management of water resources, by means of the GIS-modelling integration. Received: 23 June 1998 · Accepted: 16 November 1998     

Monitoring of the groundwater chemical status in the Azores archipelago (Portugal) in the context of the EU water framework directive

A main challenge associated to EU Water Framework Directive corresponds to groundwater monitoring, both quantitative and chemical. The need for monitoring was also stressed by the Azores Water Plan. Monitoring of the chemical status of groundwater in Azores started in 2003 and has been progressively enlarged to all islands, totalizing 72 springs and 32 wells. A large number of parameters are analysed biannually, as major, minor and trace elements, pesticides and total hydrocarbons, as well as microbial indicators. Spring waters are mainly from HCO₃–Na type; instead water from wells is predominantly from the Cl–Na type, been differences attributed to their respective hydrogeologic framework. Springs discharge mainly from perched-water bodies, been influenced mainly from CO₂ in soils, silicate weathering, and seawater spraying and aerosols. Wells are in basal bodies, therefore subject to seawater intrusion influence, and 9% of Cl analyses made in wells exceed the standard value. Heavy metals, metalloids, hydrocarbons and pesticides all comply with standard values. Agriculture pollution also influences groundwater quality, as revealed by both NO₃ and PO₄ content, been the guide value exceeded respectively in 8 and 9% of the analyses. Despite the discontinuous variation of coliforms over time microbial indicators present an impact on water quality.     

Seawater Intrusion in the Longkou Laizhou Area,Shandong1

Abstract The extensive intrusion (covering an area of 83.7-238.3 km² and accounting for 18.6-31.5% of the total area of the plain), the presence of a transitional zone 1.5-6.0 km in width, and the interconnection in distribution between the seawater intrusion district and the region lower than the sea level caused by the strong drop of the groundwater level are major characteristics of the seawater intrusion in the study area. Cation exchange played an important role during the formation of chemical composition of the groundwater in the seawater intrusion district.     

海水入侵问题研究综述

在综合有关文献的基础上，分析了国内外海水入侵的研究现状，讨论了海水入侵的概念，认为海水入侵概念的核心是人为超量开采地下淡水造成海水与淡水的水动力平衡破坏；进行了海水入侵的影响因素和成因分析，指出发生海水入侵必须具备一定的水动力条件和水文地质条件；介绍了海水入侵的判别指标和三维动态监测方法，给出了海水入侵的防治措施，并提出了海水入侵有待加强研究的几个方面。     

GIS-based GALDIT method for vulnerability assessment to seawater intrusion of the Quaternary coastal Collo aquifer (NE-Algeria)

The overexploitation of groundwater in coastal aquifers is often accompanied by seawater intrusion, intensified by climate change and sea level rise. Heading long-term water quality safety and thus the determination of vulnerable zones to seawater intrusion becomes a significant hydrogeological task for many coastal areas. Due to this background, the present study focussed the established methodology of the GIS-based GALDIT model to assess the aquifer vulnerability to seawater intrusion for the Algerian example of the Quaternary coastal Collo aquifer. According to the result analysis overall, more than half of the total surface of the northern study area can be classified as highly vulnerable. Besides the coastline, the areas nearby the local wadis of Guebli and Cherka occur to be the most vulnerable in the region. In view of further map removal performance as well as single-parameter sensitivity analyses from a coupled perspective respectively the GALDIT parameters, distance from the shore (D) and aquifer hydraulic conductivity (A) have been found to be of key significance regarding the model results (mean effective weightings ~?18–19%). Overall, the study results provide a good approximation basis for future management decisions of the Collo aquifer region, including various perspectives such as identification of suitable settings for prospective groundwater pumping wells.     

Intervention scenarios to manage seawater intrusion in a coastal agricultural area in Oman

The Batinah coastal plain in northern Oman has experienced a severe deterioration of groundwater quality due to seawater intrusion as a result of excessive groundwater abstraction for agricultural irrigation. Upgrading all farms to fully automated irrigation technology based on soil moisture sensors may significantly reduce the water demand and lead to recovering groundwater levels. This study compares the effects of smart irrigation technology, recharge dams, and a combination of both on seawater intrusion in the coastal aquifer of the Batinah. A groundwater flow and transport model is used to simulate the effect of reduced pumping rates on seawater intrusion for various intervention scenarios over a simulation period of 30 years, and an economic analysis based on cost-benefit analysis is conducted to estimate the potential benefits. Results indicate that a combination of smart irrigation and recharge dams may prevent further deterioration of groundwater quality over the next 30 years. In conjunction with increased efficiency, this combination also generates the highest gross profit. This outcome shows that the problem of seawater intrusion needs to be tackled by a comprehensive, integrated intervention strategy.     

Groundwater salinization processes in shallow coastal aquifer of Djeffara plain of Medenine, Southeastern Tunisia

Urban and industrial development and the expansion of irrigated agriculture have led to a drastic increase in the exploitation of groundwater resources. The over-exploitation of coastal aquifers has caused a seawater intrusion and has seriously degraded groundwater quality. The shallow coastal aquifer of the Djeffara plain, southeastern Tunisia constitutes an example of water resource suffering an intensive and uncontrolled pumping for irrigation. Intensive exploitation of the aquifer and climate aridity caused a decrease in piezometric level and an increase in salinity. According to the hydrochemical data (Cl⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, NO₃ ⁻, HCO₃ ⁻, Br⁻, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) and the stable isotope composition (oxygen-18 and deuterium content), groundwater salinization in the investigated system is caused by three main processes: (i) salts dissolution especially in the central part of Jerba and around Medenine plain; (ii) evaporation process; and (iii) seawater intrusion which caused the increase in salinity in the peninsula of El Jorf, in Jerba and in the North of Ben Gardane.