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Why can saltwater intrusion threaten freshwater supplies used for irrigation in coastal areas?
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Irrigation
Specialized irrigation equipment watering crops in a field.
Saltwater intrusion threatens freshwater supplies used for irrigation by infiltrating coastal groundwater and surface water, which increases the salinity of the water supply.1
When this saline water is used for irrigation, it creates significant agricultural challenges:
- Soil Degradation: Excess salt accumulates in the soil as water evaporates, leading to the deterioration of soil quality and a loss of farmland productivity.23
- Plant Dehydration: High salt levels in the soil interfere with osmosis. Instead of absorbing water, plants may lose moisture to the soil, causing dehydration and inhibiting growth.2
- Nutrient Imbalance: Salinity can prevent proper nitrogen uptake in crops. Furthermore, high salt concentrations can mobilize other pollutants in the soil, potentially harming the surrounding ecosystem.21
This intrusion is often exacerbated by the over-withdrawal of groundwater, which reduces the pressure needed to keep saltwater at bay, and by rising sea levels that push salt water further inland.1