Assessment of Salinity Intrusion in the Coastal Zone of Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh has one-third of the total land covered by the coastal zone. In this coastal region, salinity appears to be a concerning issue which contributes to 20% of the total land area. According to various investigations and analyses about 53% of the coastal region is affected by different scales of salinity. The deltaic eastern area, the deltaic central region, and the stable deltaic western region are the three regions that make up the shore. Salinity intrusion, and its rapidly expanding scope, are one of our coastal zone's most pressing issues. The extent of the saline intruded region is determined by sea level and freshwater flow via major river systems. The availability of freshwater is diminishing day-by day-as a result of the development of water-controlling infrastructure (such as dams and barrages). The situation is being exacerbated by rising sea levels. The susceptibility of the central coastal zone of Bangladesh to saltwater intrusion in surface water, groundwater, and soil was assessed in this research from 2009 to 2012. Salinities for the years 2025 and 2035 have been simulated using trend analysis of historical data. Furthermore, using CVI analysis, salinity vulnerability maps for the years 2025 and 2035 were created using 2009 and 2012 as base years.