Impact of Climate Change and Land Use on Groundwater Salinization in Southern Bangladesh—Implications for Other Asian Deltas

Abstract

Pervasive salinity in soil and water is affecting agricultural yield and the health of millions of delta dwellers in Asia. This is also being exacerbated by climate change through increases in sea-level and tropical storm surges. One consequence of this has been a widespread introduction of salt water shrimp farming. Here, we show, using field data and modeling, how changes in climate and land use are likely to result in increased salinization of shallow groundwater in SE Asian mega-deltas. We also explore possible adaptation options. We find that possible future increase of episodic inundation events, combined with salt water shrimp farming, will cause rapid salinization of groundwater in the region making it less suitable for drinking water and irrigation. However, modified land use and water management practices can mitigate the impacts on groundwater, as well as the overlying soil, from future salinization. The study therefore provides guidance for adaptation planning to reduce future salinization in Asian deltas.

Salinity and food security in southwest coastal Bangladesh: impacts on household food production and strategies for adaptation

“…The consideration of socio-economic contexts will be crucial for future implementation research on a strategy that has received particular attention in the development literature: transitioning to freshwater shrimp aquaculture. Our results and many other studies support the characterization of bagda farming as a form of maladaptation driving further salinization (Ali, 2006; A. F. M. T. Islam et al, 2011;M. A. Islam et al, 2019;Jodder et al, 2016;Johnson et al, 2016;Paul & Vogl, 2011;Sohel & Ullah, 2012), as well as inequality (Paprocki, 2018;Paprocki & Cons, 2014).…”

“…2(a)) are used to retain and direct water in and around polders, large tracts of floodplain enclosed by mud embankments (Fig. 2(b)) (Ali, 2006;M. A. Islam et al, 2019).…”

“…Chief among the mega-deltas is the Ganges River Delta, the most populous river basin in the world, home to over 100 million inhabitants at a density of nearly 1300 people per square kilometer (Ericson et al, 2006;Szabo et al, 2016a). Worldwide, the Ganges River Delta is among the most environmentally sensitive to the effects of climate change, sea level rise, and saltwater intrusion, in conjunction with human activity and land use (Cruz et al, 2007;M. A. Islam et al, 2019;Oppenheimer et al, 2019;Szabo et al, 2016a).…”

Climate Change, Migration, and Civil Strife

“…Displacement from these areas will be a widespread issue within a few decades [36][37][38]. In addition, repetitive instances of saltwater intrusion from sea-level rise and storm surges will render well water non-potable and farmland infertile, causing livelihoods stress even for people whose dwellings are not directly affected by rising waters [39][40][41].…”

A Comprehensive Gridded Dataset Associated to the Climate Change Effect on the Water Resources in the Grand Est Region, France

“…Climate change and intensive land use for agriculture and resources extraction have shown to have, in most cases, a negative influence on the water resources and environment, in various places of the globe [1][2][3]. Often, the global and regional changes are related to improper management of the territory and to limitations in the action plans for natural resources conservation [4][5][6].…”