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Salt Water Intrusion
Question 1
The contamination by salt water into drinking water is called saltwater intrusion. This is a naturally occurring process in mostly coastal aquifers. The process is reliant on hydraulic connection between seawater and groundwater. Saltwater is known to have a higher content of minerals as compared to freshwater. This increases its pressure and density. Thus, saltwater is pushed inland and into freshwater like, the coastal regions or wells found in such areas (Delleur 26). In addition, the location of wells can determine the contamination. This can be attributed to drop levels of extraction of the groundwater through agricultural channels or drainage.
Question 2
Saltwater intrusion is a dangerous contamination effect on the fresh water and drinking water sources. The intrusion extent, intended water use, and levels of salinity determine the extent to which adverse effects of safe clean water from supply wells is negated (Fares and El-Kadi 179). For example, in the state of Washington, certain aquifer portions are reached by the intrusions. This reduces the amount of clean water for domestic utilization due to the contamination. In New Jersey, water tables have been significantly lowered by 30 meters due to the contamination, while water wells that supply clean water have increasingly been closed.
Question 3
The affected persons at risk of
suffering the effects of saltwater intrusion in coastal or South Florida
include the growing population in Broward
County. The daily use of
clean water is to be reduced due to the contamination. Other regions include Palm Beach and Dade. The
aquifer in Biscayne has been identified as a major casualty especially due to
its traces from northwest of the state into the Palm Beach county. The above areas hold large
populations who are dependent on the water supplies that are prone to the
contamination.
Works Cited
Delleur, J. W. The Handbook of Groundwater Engineering. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, 2006. Print.
Fares, Ali, and Aly I. El-Kadi. Coastal Watershed Management. Southampton UK: WIT Press, 2008. Print.