Saline water intrusion can be considered an issue of growing importance in coastal-belt

regions around the world. A large number of coastal aquifers are affected by this saltwater
intrusion in the southern part of Bangladesh. This process is aggravated due to both climatic
and anthropogenic causes which include: reduced freshwater discharge, faulty management
practices in case of coastal polders, tide penetration, sea level rise, backwater flow and low
flow conditions in rivers. Consequently, due to high demand of fresh water, over extraction
of groundwater has accelerated the problem in many folds. As Bangladesh lies in the low
deltaic zone, the nation faces the extremities of salinity intrusion associated with socio-
economic impacts, since agriculture roughly employs about half the nations
The impacts of saline water intrusion are inclusive of chemical imbalances in the topsoil
inclusive of changes in ion concentrations and pH value of the soil which inevitably will lead
to reductions in crop yields, crop size and increase in amount of defective crops. All of these
impacts critically influence socio-economic as well as environmental dynamics of the region.
It is important to not overlook the importance of the increase in river water salinity as a
contributor to the increasing salinity of the soil in the Southern part of Bangladesh;
nevertheless it does appear that saline water intrusion through groundwater plays a key role
here.
Numerous measures, for both hydraulic and engineering approaches, that can be taken to
control saltwater intrusion in groundwater (coastal aquifer system) and subsequent increase in
salinity of agricultural soil are available but only some of them are feasible in the context of
Bangladesh when considering the fiscal and technological inputs involved.
One feasible method that could be used to control salt water intrusion into groundwater
sources (i.e. the coastal aquifers) is artificial recharge. In this context, artificial recharge
refers to the injection of water into a low water quality or contaminated aquifer with no intent
to withdraw the injected water. The injected water then produces a hydrodynamic barrier that
has the effect of a physical barrier to sea water intrusion. The hydrodynamic barrier is
created by raising the piezometric head of the fresh water aquifer and preventing the salt
water from moving inland. Hydrodynamic barriers are created with either recharge basins or
recharge wells. It is imperative to realize that this process involving injection wells could also
be modified so that instead of just managed recharging of these coastal aquifers through
freshwater collected or diverted from other sources, sufficiently treated wastewater could be
injected near the salt water interface to aid in maintaining a sufficient head of freshwater.
Another possible solution presents itself in the process of extracting seawater through
extraction wells from the aquifer and provides a means by which the interface between fresh
and saline water can be drawn down and to reduce the loss of freshwater by outflow to the
sea. Likewise a seemingly interesting solution is also found in the combination of
extracting/injecting wherein both the processes are used simultaneously at strategic points for
greater degree of effect. Examples can be conveniently found by observing the saltwater
intrusion barrier wells data from the USEPA.
On a more geological note, installing impermeable barriers such as grout and steel sheet piles
is normally limited to areas where the contaminated aquifer is relatively shallow and the
subsurface geology allows for a proper seal. One of the new technologies that are being
developed overseas uses what scientists are calling crystallization technology. The
"CRYSTECHSALIN" process reduces the permeability of the geological rock formations
that act as a barrier for the coastal aquifer. By artificially inducing a crystallized solution of
slightly soluble minerals from over saturated solution, the porosity of the rock formations can
be sufficiently altered and can prevent the saltwater from seeping through the rock into the
aquifer. This crystallization process interacts with soil and geologic rock formations turning
into a grout like binding agent. The over saturated crystallized solution used has flow and seal
properties that allow it to penetrate through the soil and rock layers while creating a seal that
diminishes the permeability of the rock barriers, hence preventing saltwater from intruding
into the aquifer. It is essential to note that since this is a new technique a proper study, to
ensure that the solution is applicable to geological conditions of Southern Bangladesh, is
necessary.
Apart from salinity intrusion barriers which have been discussed so far, proper farming
practices are also essential in case of the saline groundwater affecting the agricultural soil.
Drainage to intercept and redirect groundwater is important for the agricultural practices in
the southern regions, since locating the drain to intercept good quality water across the slope,
and discharging this water safely into a waterway, drainage line, and dam or storage area in
essential to managing the problematic effects of salinity on agricultural lands. This would
lower the water table in the salt affected areas and thereby promote the natural leaching of
salts to reduce salinity level in the soil.
The methods and strategies mentioned and reviewed here, are quite aptly feasible in terms of
the technology being deployed in its use, but it is important to clarify here that solutions to
the problem of increasing salinity in the agricultural soil due to saline water intrusion in
groundwater have only been considered from an engineering point of view. And as per that
criterion, the hydraulic and engineering controlling measures and modifications herein are
solutions of a more or less technical order.
References:
1. Lanbo Liu, SALINE WATER INTRUSION, in Natural and Human Hazards, from
Encyclopaedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), Developed under the Auspices of
the UNESCO, Eolss Publishers, Oxford, UK, [http://www.eolss.net][Retrieved
February 3, 2006]
2. Lubna Seal and Mohammed Abdul Baten, SALINITY INTRUSION IN INTERIOR
COAST: A NEW CHALLENGE TO AGRICULTURE IN SOUTH CENTRAL
PART OF BANGLADESH, Working Draft. [www.unnayan.org][Retrieved June 16,
2014]
3. USEPA, THE CLASS V UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL STUDY,
VOLUME 20, SALT WATER INTRUSION BARRIER WELLS,
[http://water.epa.gov][Retrieved June 16, 2014]