Groundwater pumping causes salinization of coastal streams due to baseflow depletion: Analytical framework and application to Savannah River, GA

Peters, Chelsea N.; Kimsal, Charles; Frederiks, Ryan S.; Paldor, Anner; McQuiggan, Rachel; Michael, Holly A.

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.127238

Cited by 17 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…In panels IIa and IIb of Figure 6, moving inland from the marsh, there is a small irrigation well near the coastline, a larger irrigation well further inland, and large municipal wells farthest inland, all bordered by a river to the north. Barlow and Leake (2012) highlighted how groundwater pumping can pull stream water into the underlying aquifer, and Peters et al (2022) used an analytical model to show how increased groundwater pumping can cause salt fronts to migrate farther inland in coastal rivers. Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that SWI may be induced due to groundwater pumping near tidally influenced streams.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since all the SC levels in these deep wells were below 0.4 mS/cm, and recovered to nonpumping levels immediately following the cessation of pumping, these short-term fluctuations are assumed to be due to disturbance of nonseawater solutes sourced from the surface (i.e., fertilizer) and localized stratification of those solutes. A more detailed explanation of the effects of pumping dynamics on individual well SC levels can be found in McQuiggan et al (2022). Limited drawdown in water levels (i.e., <0.7 m drawdown) was observed in DW-C4 when the average nonpumping water levels of the other deep wells were below 1.5 m NAVD 88 and two or more wells were pumping for at least 24 h. These conditions occurred most frequently in 2019 when average water levels were at their lowest during the study period and not during 2020 when water levels were at their highest.…”

Section: Deep Wellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most rivers and streams are hydraulically connected to aquifers (Winter et al 1998), and along the coast, the competing forces of tides and freshwater inputs shift the position of the freshwater‐saltwater interface in streams (Gong and Shen 2011). Both rising sea levels (Manda et al 2014; Smajgl et al 2015) and streamflow reduction due to reduced precipitation and groundwater pumping cause upstream migration of the salt front in streams (Wolock et al 1993; DRBC 2019; Peters et al 2022). The salinized surface water could pose a threat to fresh groundwater beneath streams that are losing water to the aquifer, either naturally or due to nearby pumping (Navoy et al 2005), or if saline water becomes trapped behind an impoundment and migrates into the subsurface (e.g., Nuruzzaman et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Surface Water‐Groundwater Connections as Pathways for Inland Salinization of Coastal Aquifers

et al. 2022

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Coastal agricultural zones are experiencing salinization due to accelerating rates of sea‐level rise, causing reduction in crop yields and abandonment of farmland. Understanding mechanisms and drivers of this seawater intrusion (SWI) is key to mitigating its effects and predicting future vulnerability of groundwater resources to salinization. We implemented a monitoring network of pressure and specific conductivity (SC) sensors in wells and surface waters to target marsh‐adjacent agricultural areas in greater Dover, Delaware. Recorded water levels and SC over a period of three years show that the mechanisms and timescales of SWI are controlled by local hydrology, geomorphology, and geology. Monitored wells did not indicate widespread salinization of deep groundwater in the surficial aquifer. However, monitored surface water bodies and shallow (<4 m deep) wells did show SC fluctuations due to tides and storm events, in one case leading to salinization of deeper (18 m deep) groundwater. Seasonal peaks in SC occurred during late summer months. Seasonal and interannual variation of SC was also influenced by relative sea level. The data collected in this study data highlight the mechanisms by which surface water‐groundwater connections lead to salinization of aquifers inland, before SWI is detected in deeper groundwater nearer the coastline. Sharing of our data with stakeholders has led to the implementation of SWI mitigation efforts, illustrating the importance of strategic monitoring and stakeholder engagement to support coastal resilience.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Deep Wellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Surface Water‐Groundwater Connections as Pathways for Inland Salinization of Coastal Aquifers

et al. 2022

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“…Injection wells are used to inject freshwater into the aquifer to create a hydraulic barrier that prevents the intrusion of saltwater. Injection wells are most effective in areas where the freshwater aquifer is shallow (Peters et al, 2022).…”

Section: Injection Wellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Assessment of Saltwater Intrusion in Coastal Regions of Lagos, Nigeria

Callistus,

Daniel,

Pelumi

et al. 2024

GEP

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This paper explains various factors that contribute to saltwater intrusion, including overexploitation of freshwater resources and climate change as well as the different techniques essential for effective saltwater intrusion management. The impact of saltwater intrusion along coastal regions and its impact on the environment, hydrogeology and groundwater contamination. It suggests potential solutions to mitigate the impact of saltwater intrusion, including effective water management and techniques for managing SWI. The application of A.I (assessment index) serves as a guideline to correctly identify wells with SWI ranging from no intrusion, slight intrusion and strong intrusion. The challenges of saltwater intrusion in Lagos and the salinization of wells were investigated using the hydro-chemical parameters. The study identifies four wells ("AA", "CMS", "OBA" and "VIL") as having high electric conductivities, indicating saline water intrusion, while other wells ("EBM", "IKJ, and "IKO") with lower electric conductivities, indicate little or no salt-water intrusion, and "AJ" well shows slight intrusion. The elevation of the wells also played a vital role in the SWI across coastal regions of Lagos. The study recommends continuous monitoring of coastal wells to help sustain and reduce saline intrusion. The findings of the study are important for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners who are interested in addressing the challenges of saltwater intrusion along coastal regions. We assessed the SWI across the eight (8) wells using the Assessment Index to identify wells with SWI. Wells in "CMS" and "VIL" has strong intrusions. A proposed classification system based on specific ion ratios categorizes water quality from good (+) to highly (−) contaminated (refer to Table 4

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“…However, salinity is expected to increase locally as a result of several processes all linked to anthropogenic activities and ongoing climate changes (Le et al, 2019; Reid et al, 2019). In addition to the impacts linked to sea‐level rise (Church & White, 2011; Vermeer & Rahmstorf, 2009), extreme storm events (Maxwell et al, 2019) and specific anthropogenic activities (i.e., groundwater pumping; Peters et al, 2021; Reid et al, 2019), salinity also can increase in temperate areas as a consequence of current modifications of climatic conditions (i.e., increased temperature and decreased precipitation; Çolak et al, 2022; Schroeder et al, 2017). Freshwater inputs to coastal wetlands are reduced because of decreasing riverine flows (Schroeder et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Some like it salty: Spatio‐temporal dynamics of salinity differentially affect anurans and caudates in coastal wetlands

et al. 2023

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Coastal wetlands are naturally subjected to salinity, which is expected to increase through global climate changes. Most species will be affected by these changes, leading to major consequences for community structure and ecosystem functioning. We investigated variation of salinity of temporary wetlands across spatial (1,000 m from the ocean) and temporal (across three breeding season) scales relevant to coastal biodiversity and used amphibians (six species, sampled across one breeding season) as a model to investigate the consequences of the spatio‐temporal variation of salinity in 24 ponds situated on the Atlantic coast of France. We show that salinity is a highly dynamic environmental variable that varies widely both across spatial and temporal scales. The spatio‐temporal dynamics of salinity are a critical factor structuring amphibian communities that affect the main amphibian phylogenetic groups (caudates vs. anurans) differently. Temporal variation in salinity disrupts the match between salinity selected by reproductive adults and those experienced later by their developing offspring, which negatively affect reproductive success. Future changes in coastal salinity are likely to affect the structure and functioning of these ecosystems, excluding salt‐intolerant species and eventually leading to less diverse communities of salt‐tolerant species.

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Groundwater pumping causes salinization of coastal streams due to baseflow depletion: Analytical framework and application to Savannah River, GA

Cited by 17 publications

References 60 publications

Surface Water‐Groundwater Connections as Pathways for Inland Salinization of Coastal Aquifers

Surface Water‐Groundwater Connections as Pathways for Inland Salinization of Coastal Aquifers

An Assessment of Saltwater Intrusion in Coastal Regions of Lagos, Nigeria

Some like it salty: Spatio‐temporal dynamics of salinity differentially affect anurans and caudates in coastal wetlands

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