In Vietnam, culturing striped catfish makes an important contribution to the Mekong Delta's economy. Water level rise during rainy season and salt intrusion during dry season affect the water exchange and quality for this culture. Sea level rise as a consequence of climate change will worsen these influences. In this study, water level rise and salt water intrusion for three sea level rise (SLR) scenarios (i.e., ?30, ?50, and ?75 cm) were simulated. The results showed that at SLR ?50, the 3-m-flood level would spread downstream and threaten farms located in AnGiang, DongThap and CanTho provinces. Rising salinity levels for SLR ?75 would reduce the window appropriate for the culture in SocTrang and BenTre provinces, and in TienGiang's coastal districts. Next to increasing dikes to reduce the impacts, the most tenable and least disruptive option to the farming community would be to shift to a salinity tolerant strain of catfish.
Rainwater is considered a promising alternative water source for coastal areas where freshwater resources are increasingly under pressure. This study evaluates rain regime characteristics that influence the ability to exploit rainwater in the coastal provinces of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD). In particular, it considers the impact of climate change and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) processes. We analyzed rainfall data from 102 monitoring stations across the VMD from 1989 to 2017. Using statistical methods, we explored (1) characteristics of the rainy season, including the dates of onset and cessation and season length; (2) average rainfall volumes; and (3) the maximum number of consecutive nonrainy days during the rainy season and over the year. We also analyzed changes in these characteristics over time, in parallel with ENSO processes and climate change. Trend lines were determined using nonparametric methods, utilizing Sen’s slope estimation and the Mann–Kendall test. Results showed a tendency for the rainy season to start earlier and end later in the western coastal zone of the study area, with season length gradually decreasing towards the East Sea and inland. The shortest rainy season was found in the estuary zone (in the northeast of the VMD). Rainfall was abundant on the west coast, again diminishing gradually towards the East Sea and inland. Rain was also quite plentiful during four dry season observation months in the study area, but it lacked the predictability needed for effective exploitation. The number of consecutive days without rain averaged 96 annually, with a difference of 29 days between the largest and smallest observations. The difference between the provinces with the longest and shortest periods without rain averaged 41 days. Although the impact of climate change on the rain regime is complex, we can say that the rainy season now tends to start earlier, end later, and be lengthier, though without exhibiting clear trends. ENSO processes significantly impacted rainfall regime characteristics, especially the dates of onset and cessation, and season length.
Freshwater resources make an essential contribution to the livelihoods of millions of local people in the coastal estuaries of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD). However, coastal freshwaters currently face numerous threats, not least (i) changing tidal dynamics due to sea level rise and (ii) changes in river regimes due to dam construction upstream. This research explores the evolution of freshwater regimes in these coastal estuaries. Using process diagrams, freshwater distributions are mapped and analyzed. Application of statistical methods provides insight into freshwater flow cycles and variations in water regimes upstream at various measurement points within the estuaries. A previously calibrated and validated hydraulic model is used to simulate drought-year scenarios and spatial changes in freshwaters over time. Findings indicate decreasing river discharges in the flood season, but increasing discharges in the dry season, due to the impacts of hydropower dams. In addition, the driest months are shifting earlier. From this data, we derive rules of thumb regarding freshwater distributions in the coastal estuaries of the VMD. These relate to (i) the boundary beyond which freshwater is always found; (ii) the boundary where freshwater appears daily; (iii) the start of the freshwater season; (iii) the boundary where freshwater appears until February and until April; (iv) the end of the flood season; and (v) the number of days without freshwater per year. The trends discerned will help local freshwater users and decision makers formulate forward-looking, flexible strategies for freshwater exploitation, while also providing avenues for further research.
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