UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS

FACULTY OF SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF MARINE SCIENCES
MSB 529: SEMINAR ON SELECTED TOPICS

TOPIC: SALTWATER INCURSIONS AND ITS

ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS ON
LAGOONS.

BY
OKHILUA, DESIRE ERONMOSELE
170814033
INTRODUCTION

• Saltwater incursion occurs when seawater enters freshwater systems like aquifers, rivers, and
lagoons.

• This process disrupts the natural separation between freshwater and saltwater, especially in coastal
regions.

• In lagoons, saltwater incursions cause ecological challenges due to both natural and human activities.
Plate 1: View of Lagoon Baynes Peak, Saltspring
Island, British Columbia, Canada

Source: Michal Klajban, 2018

 CAUSES OF SALT WATER
INCURSIONS IN LAGOONS.
Saltwater incursions in lagoons are caused mainly by two factors:

• Natural factors
• Anthropogenic factors
NATURAL CAUSES OF SALT WATER
INCURSIONS IN LAGOONS

• Tidal Influence

• Sea Level Rise

• Storm Surges
• Natural Geologic Factors
ANTHROPOGENIC CAUSES OF SALT
WATER INCURSIONS IN LAGOONS

• Groundwater Extraction

• Coastal Infrastructure Development

• Land Use Changes

• Hydrological Modifications
 Plate 2: A storm surge.

Source: National Ocea Service,

2023.
ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF
SALT WATER INCURSIONS IN
LAGOONS
 ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF SALT WATER
INCURSIONS IN LAGOONS

• Biodiversity Changes

• Ecosystem Functioning

• Water Quality

• Physical and Chemical Processes

• Socio-Economic Impacts
 Biodiversity Changes

• Species Displacement

• Habitat Alteration

Ecosystem Functioning
• Nutrient Cycling

• Food Web Dynamics

 Water Quality

• Increased Salinity

• Pollutant Dynamics

Physical and Chemical Processes

• Sedimentation Patterns

• Hydrology
 Socio-Economic Impacts

• Fisheries

• Agriculture

• Tourism and Recreation

 CASE STUDIES OF SALT WATER INCURSIONS IN
LAGOONS

1. Koggala Lagoon, Sri Lanka 2. Lekki Lagoon, Nigeria • 3. Venice Lagoon, Italy

• Cause: • Cause: • Cause:

- Reduced freshwater inflow
during droughts.
• Impact:
- Changes in Salinity
- Altered Flora and Fauna
- Reduced Water Quality
- Uncertain sources of saltwater - Multiple factors: reduced river
intrusion. flow, land subsidence, sea level
rise.
• Impact:
- Loss of Biodiversity • Impact:
- Threat to Local Communities - Increased Flooding
- Damage to Infrastructure
- Ecological Changes
 CASE STUDIES OF SALT WATER INCURSIONS IN
LAGOONS

4. Florida Everglades, USA
• Cause:
- Freshwater diversion, sea level
rise
• Impact:
- Loss of Freshwater Wetlands
- Increased Salinity
- Disrupted Water Flow Patterns
5. Eastern Cape Lagoons, South 6. La Carbonera Lagoon, Mexico
Africa • Cause:
- Density differences and pressure
• Cause: head gradients
- Groundwater extraction, climate
change • Impact:
- Unique Intrusion Behavior
• Impact:
- Reduced Lagoon Water Levels
- Loss of Submerged Vegetation
- Impact on Livelihoods
 CASE STUDIES OF SALT WATER INCURSIONS IN
LAGOONS

7. Indian River Lagoon, Florida, • 8. Ebro Delta, Spain

USA
• Cause:
• Cause: - Reduced River Flows
- Groundwater Depletion
• Impact:
• Impact: - Altered Ecosystems
- Ecological Changes - Management Strategies
MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION
STRATEGIES OF SALT WATER
INCURSIONS IN LAGOONS
 MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES OF SALT
WATER INCURSIONS IN LAGOONS

• Well Management Practices

• Well Pump Set-Up and Operation

• Monitoring and Data Collection

• Advanced Engineering Solutions

• Socio-Economic and Environmental Considerations

 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, saltwater incursions in lagoons are driven by natural factors like tides and sea level
rise, and human activities such as groundwater extraction and infrastructure development. These
incursions harm biodiversity, water quality, and ecosystem health.
 THANK YOU
FOR LISTENING