Groundwater Resources in the Mekong Delta: Availability, Utilization and Risks

Wagner, F.; Tran, Vuong Bui; Renaud, Fabrice G.

doi:10.1007/978-94-007-3962-8_7

Cited by 49 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…In the Mekong Delta ('Delta'), shared by Cambodia and Vietnam, groundwater exploitation has increased dramatically in recent decades. Up from a limited number before the 1960s, today more than one million wells access groundwater for domestic, agricultural, and industrial needs, causing hydraulic heads (i.e., groundwater levels) to steadily decline in many aquifers over extensive regions (Wagner et al 2012). Over-exploitation of groundwater exposes a densely settled population of >20 million living in the Delta to a variety of hazards associated with naturally occurring arsenic contamination (Erban et al 2013), subsurface saline intrusion (e.g., Bear et al 1999), land subsidence (e.g., Poland 1984) and potential damage to infrastructure, as well as increases in the depth and duration of annual flooding.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater extraction, land subsidence, and sea-level rise in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Erban

Gorelick

Zebker

2014

Environ. Res. Lett.

344

282

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Groundwater exploitation is a major cause of land subsidence, which in coastal areas poses a flood inundation hazard that is compounded by the threat of sea-level rise (SLR). In the lower Mekong Delta, most of which lies <2 m above sea level, over-exploitation is inducing widespread hydraulic head (i.e., groundwater level) declines. The average rate of head decline is ∼0.3 m yr −1 , based on time-series data from 79 nested monitoring wells at 18 locations. The consequent compaction of sedimentary layers at these locations is calculated to be causing land subsidence at an average rate of 1.6 cm yr −1 . We further measure recent subsidence rates (annual average, 2006-10) throughout the Delta, by analysis of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR), using 78 ALOS PALSAR interferograms. InSAR-based subsidence rates are 1) consistent with compaction-based rates calculated at monitoring wells, and 2) ∼1-4 cm yr −1 over large (1000s of km 2 ) regions. Ours are the first mapped estimates of Delta-wide land subsidence due to groundwater pumping. If pumping continues at present rates, ∼0.88 m (0.35-1.4 m) of land subsidence is expected by 2050. Anticipated SLR of ∼0.10 m (0.07-0.14 m) by 2050 will compound flood inundation potential. Our results suggest that by mid-century portions of the Mekong Delta will likely experience ∼1 m (0.42-1.54 m) of additional inundation hazard.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater extraction, land subsidence, and sea-level rise in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Erban

Gorelick

Zebker

2014

Environ. Res. Lett.

344

282

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“…Groundwater is also used to irrigate coffee plantations in the highlands of eastern Cambodia and mountainous regions of Lao PDR, and rice and other crops in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam [70]. It is estimated that more than one million wells access groundwater for domestic, agricultural, and industrial needs in the Mekong Delta region in Cambodia and Vietnam, which is a major increase from a limited number before the 1960s [91,92]. For irrigation, there has been an increasing use of groundwater during the dry season when surface water becomes less available and accessible due to reduced water levels in rivers [89].…”

Section: Availability and Use Of Surface Water And Groundwater Resourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of the Integrated Effects of Changing Climate, Land Use, and Dams on Mekong River Hydrology

Pokhrel

Burbano

Roush

et al. 2018

Water

174

112

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Abstract:The ongoing and proposed construction of large-scale hydropower dams in the Mekong river basin is a subject of intense debate and growing international concern due to the unprecedented and potentially irreversible impacts these dams are likely to have on the hydrological, agricultural, and ecological systems across the basin. Studies have shown that some of the dams built in the tributaries and the main stem of the upper Mekong have already caused basin-wide impacts by altering the magnitude and seasonality of flows, blocking sediment transport, affecting fisheries and livelihoods of downstream inhabitants, and changing the flood pulse to the Tonle Sap Lake. There are hundreds of additional dams planned for the near future that would result in further changes, potentially causing permanent damage to the highly productive agricultural systems and fisheries, as well as the riverine and floodplain ecosystems. Several studies have examined the potential impacts of existing and planned dams but the integrated effects of the dams when combined with the adverse hydrologic consequences of climate change remain largely unknown. Here, we provide a detailed review of the existing literature on the changes in climate, land use, and dam construction and the resulting impacts on hydrological, agricultural, and ecological systems across the Mekong. The review provides a basis to better understand the effects of climate change and accelerating human water management activities on the coupled hydrological-agricultural-ecological systems, and identifies existing challenges to study the region's Water, Energy, and Food (WEF) nexus with emphasis on the influence of future dams and projected climate change. In the last section, we synthesize the results and highlight the urgent need to develop integrated models to holistically study the coupled natural-human systems across the basin that account for the impacts of climate change and water infrastructure development. This review provides a framework for future research in the Mekong, including studies that integrate hydrological, agricultural, and ecological modeling systems.

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“…Reis and Mollinga [13] reported that groundwater levels in the MD are decreasing at a rate of 0.5-0.7 m per year. This continuous decrease, which is mainly caused by overexploitation by supply stations, industry and domestic wells, might lead to the intrusion of more saline water from the coast into groundwater resources in the near future [19]. Furthermore, predicted sea level rise is likely to lead to further salinization of ground-and surface water resources.…”

Section: Salinitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since surface water is commonly available at most locations, this resource is used for a variety of functions including drinking, especially in rural areas that are not influenced by salinity intrusion. Other sources of water used for drinking in the rural areas include groundwater, especially since the 1990s [19], and harvested rainwater, while in (larger) villages and cities most people are connected to piped-water sources. In rural areas of the MD, piped-water supplies are also available at some locations.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Piped-Water Supplies in Rural Areas of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam: Water Quality and Household Perceptions

Wilbers

Sebesvári

Renaud

2014

Water

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Abstract:In the Mekong Delta (MD) in Vietnam, piped-water supply stations are being intensively built to reach the millennium development goal (MDG) to provide safe and clean drinking water resources to communities. However, studies focusing on the effectiveness of supply stations in reaching these goals are scarce to date. Water samples from 41 water supply stations in the MD were collected between June and October 2012. Water samples were analyzed for general parameters, salinity, nutrients, metal(loid)s and microbial indicator bacteria and compared with World Health Organization (WHO) and Vietnamese drinking water guidelines. In addition, 542 household interviews were conducted to investigate the connection rate to piped-water and people's perceptions regarding piped-water supplies. The results show that water guidelines were exceeded for pH (min. 6.2), turbidity (max. 10 FTU), Cl (max. 1,576 mg·L ). Moreover, more than half of the interviewed households with access to a piped-water supply did not use this supply as a source of drinking water due to (i) high connection fees; (ii) preference for other water sources; and (iii) perceived poor quality/quantity. Our study shows that the maintenance and distribution of water supply stations should significantly improve in order for piped-water to become a reliable drinking water source. Additionally, alternatives, such as rainwater harvesting and decentralized treatment facilities, should also be considered.

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Groundwater Resources in the Mekong Delta: Availability, Utilization and Risks

Cited by 49 publications

References 20 publications

Groundwater extraction, land subsidence, and sea-level rise in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Groundwater extraction, land subsidence, and sea-level rise in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

A Review of the Integrated Effects of Changing Climate, Land Use, and Dams on Mekong River Hydrology

Piped-Water Supplies in Rural Areas of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam: Water Quality and Household Perceptions

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