ABSTRACT
Ongoing changes in climatic conditions threaten the low-lying coastal areas of the world in the form of sea-level rise and its detrimental consequences including storm surge, erosion and saltwater intrusion. Because of the country’s unique geographic location, flat deltaic topography and relatively high population density, the coastal regions of Bangladesh are extremely vulnerable to these impacts. The vulnerability to saltwater intrusion on the Ganges deltaic coast was assessed using the GALDIT
AU: Please expand “GALDIT”. method. The study identified a notable seasonal (wet/dry) variation in the three aquifer systems. The first (upper) aquifer was characterized as highly vulnerable, the second aquifer (middle) had moderate-to-low vulnerability and the third (lower) aquifer low to very low vulnerability, during both the wet and dry seasons. Of the coastal districts in the study area, Khulna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat are highly vulnerable to saltwater intrusion; Jalokhati, Barishal, and Bhola are moderately vulnerable, with the remaining districts, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Jessore, and Narail, having low vulnerability. The GALDIT outcomes could contribute to policies for the conservation and management of groundwater resource, identification of sensitive recharge zones and regional management planning, thereby providing an essential platform for the sustainable use of groundwater resources
