E.V.

A PROJECT

Saltwater intrusion is the movement of saline

water into freshwater aquifers, which can lead to contamination
of drinking water sources and other consequences. Saltwater intrusion
occurs naturally to some degree in most coastal aquifers, owing to
the hydraulic connection between groundwater and seawater.
Because saline water has a higher mineral content than freshwater, it
is denser and has a higher water pressure. As a result, saltwater can
push inland beneath the freshwater.[1] Certain human activities,
especially groundwater pumping from coastal freshwater wells, have
increased saltwater intrusion in many coastal areas. Water extraction
drops the level of fresh groundwater, reducing its water pressure and
allowing saltwater to flow further inland. Other contributors to
saltwater intrusion include navigation channels or agricultural
and drainage channels, which provide conduits for saltwater to move
inland, and it can also make sea level rise.[2] Saltwater intrusion can
also be worsened by extreme events like hurricane storm surges.[3]

Saltwater Intrusion
Saltwater intrusion occurs along coastlines in areas where groundwater has been
depleted or is currently being over pumped. Because it can take thousands of
years to replenish, groundwater stored in aquifers is not considered to be a
renewable resource. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS)
groundwater accounts for approximately 30 percent of liquid fresh water

Through Earth’s hydrologic cycle liquid water that is not absorbed by organisms,
returned to the oceans as rain or is not carried off by the prevailing winds as
water vapor, percolates through the ground and into groundwater aquifers. As
the sea-level rises along coastlines already prone to flooding, such as Florida, or
Tangier Island, freshwater aquifers can become contaminated with salt water.
Saltwater intrusion is irreversible and once an aquifer is contaminated it is no
longer suitable for use. Its main uses are for domestic purposes or agricultural.

According to Wired, 90 percent of South Florida’s water supply comes from

aquifers and some cities in that region have had to shut down groundwater wells
due to saltwater intrusion caused by sea-level rise. One of the most common
causes of saltwater intrusion is the depletion of groundwater. Depleting
groundwater resources creates a cone-shaped depression in the ground
surrounding the pumped area and reverses the flow of groundwater. This means
that instead of water flowing out of the aquifer, water is pulled into the aquifer
from the sea (Richard, et al.).