Geochemical Variations of Groundwater Quality in Coastal and Karstic Aquifers in Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka

Gunaalan, K.; Asanthi, H.B.; Gamage, Tilak Priyadarshana; Thushyanthy, M.; Saravanan, S.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-05969-3_5

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A recent study on groundwater quality and availability in Jaffna Peninsula identified that the indiscriminate extraction of groundwater owing to post-war development projects, agriculture expansion and resettlements could be the major reason for the water quality deterioration [28]. The intensive agricultural practices adopted in the last three decades has also worsened the salinity issue in groundwater [35].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The porous limestone geology of aquifers is recharged directly by rainfall, which percolates through the fissures and floats as mound-shaped lenses on top of a denser layer of seawater. Significant imbalance has been noted between the draw-off and recharge rate and several studies have reported higher electrical conductivity (EC) values in the groundwater of the Jaffna peninsula [25][26][27][28].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Assessment of Spatial and Temporal Trend of Groundwater Salinity in Jaffna Peninsula and Its Link to Paddy Land Abandonment

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Salinization is an explicit global threat faced by coastal low lands. The increased seawater ingression into groundwater due to various climatic and anthropogenic factors affects functioning of ecosystems, biodiversity and the sustainability of coastal agriculture. This study was undertaken to investigate the changes in groundwater salinity in Jaffna Peninsula over a 20-year period and its relationship with paddy land abandonment. Permanently abandoned paddy areas were mapped using historical Landsat images, while groundwater salinity changes in 63 agricultural wells for the period 1999 to 2019 were analysed. The trend in salinity, including proximity to the coast, was examined. The results showed that approximately 8178 ha (43% of total paddy land) of paddy lands had been permanently abandoned while the groundwater salinity had increased by 1.6-fold over the last two decades. An increasing salinity trend with decreasing distance from the coast was observed. Presently, nearly 59% of the wells showed salinity levels that were unsuitable for crop irrigation. The results underline the need for urgent and effective management of groundwater resources in order to maintain the sustainability of the existing paddy lands and ensure availability of potable water for consumption along the coastal low land areas of Jaffna Peninsula.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Spatial and Temporal Trend of Groundwater Salinity in Jaffna Peninsula and Its Link to Paddy Land Abandonment

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These negative effects on fauna, flora and humans are already happening in the Lower Indus Plain (Mirza and Ahmad 2005). In Sri Lanka, the same combination of increased water demand depleting aquifers, sea-level rise and prolonged droughts will contribute to accelerating aquifer pollution (Laattoe et al 2013;Gunaalan et al 2015). This phenomenon is already occurring in many parts of the country.…”

Section: Groundwater Contaminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of climate change science, knowledge and impacts on water resources in South Asia. Background Paper 1

Lacombe¹,

Chinnasamy²,

Nicol³

2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Figure 2b shows the distribution of the 2,697 wells scattered across the island (Saravanan et al, 2013), which translates to a well density of approximately 123 wells per km 2 . However, this figure masks the much higher density of wells for domestic use in the tree covered residential area (over 200 wells per km 2 ) than that in the cropped area (20 wells per km 2 ), which in Karainagar is primarily rainfed rice farming and not irrigated agriculture.…”

Section: Background To the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Close to 99% are dug wells or kiṇaṟu (Figure 3a), which can range about 2 to 8 m in depth, with well diameter ranging from 1 to 3 m (Saravanan et al, 2013). Although these wells are mainly constructed to exploit an aquifer to provide water all year round, there are some wells that dry up during the peak of dry season.…”

Section: Background To the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater mapping and locally engaged water governance in a small island terrain: Case study of Karainagar island, Northern Sri Lanka

Karthiga,

Rameshwaran,

Ketheesan

et al. 2023

World Water Policy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Groundwater is a vital resource under threat in island communities. Karainagar, a 22 km2 island, is one of seven islands off the coast of Jaffna in Northern Sri Lanka, with its population of just about 11,000 persons, experiences seasonal water shortage, and salinity in groundwater as twin threats impacting on their lives. This paper reports on a 3‐year study (October 2019 to September 2022) to map groundwater dynamics of Karainagar island spatially and seasonally and discusses the patterns revealed in terms of community needs, policy implications, and governance ideas that could already be considered by relevant authorities and citizens jointly. Thirty‐six dug wells used for drinking, domestic, agricultural, and public purposes were selected, and water level, salinity, and pH changes recorded along with daily rainfall. This paper offers a thorough description of the geography, land use, distribution of wells, and water bodies, followed by discussion of the current status of the groundwater in Karainagar island. Year‐to‐year differences in rainfall pattern resulted in different rates of change and range in water level with a corresponding reverse pattern seen in salinity with some exceptions across the island. Cumulative rainfall required to reach full capacity of wells ranged from 652 to 892 mm over the 3 years with an average figure of 739 mm of rain. This implies that any further rainfall during early phase of the main rainy season is potential surface water for storage and runoff. Practices such as unregulated pumping and construction of tube wells are argued to be contributing to increase in salinity levels with health implications for residents. A participatory governance approach that overcomes limitations of the existing institutional approach is proposed. Its success based on broad stakeholder engagement, improved equity, and transparency when supported by adequate policies and village level aquifer monitoring will enable sustainability of groundwater resources in Karainagar.

show abstract

Geochemical Variations of Groundwater Quality in Coastal and Karstic Aquifers in Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka

Cited by 4 publications

References 9 publications

Assessment of Spatial and Temporal Trend of Groundwater Salinity in Jaffna Peninsula and Its Link to Paddy Land Abandonment

Assessment of Spatial and Temporal Trend of Groundwater Salinity in Jaffna Peninsula and Its Link to Paddy Land Abandonment

Review of climate change science, knowledge and impacts on water resources in South Asia. Background Paper 1

Groundwater mapping and locally engaged water governance in a small island terrain: Case study of Karainagar island, Northern Sri Lanka

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About