IMPACTS OF THE INTENSIVE AQUACULTURE ON THE GROUNDWATER IN THUA THIEN HUE PROVINCE: A CASE STUDY AT VINH AN COMMUNE, PHU VANG DISTRICT

Abstract

This paper is an endeavor of the authors to examnine impacts of the intensive aquaculture on the groundwater at Vinh An Commune, Phu Vang District, Thua Thien Hue Province. Results showed that groundwater level in the study area varies from 0m to 4m above sea level in the dry season. Amount of the groundwater use for shrimp farming on the dune in one year is equivalent to 0.4 times (in 2012) to 4.8 times (in 2010) of that for the life water of residents in Vinh An Commune. As a result of measuring the groundwater level and testing the water quality in Vinh An Commune, this paper pointed out a possibility that the shrimp farming on the dune has caused the lowering of groundwater level and has affects on the quality of groundwater. The change of the coastline at Vinh An Commune by comparing the topographic map issued in 1970 and 2002 showed that the shoreline has retreated 40-100m in width during the 32 years and the saltwater intrusion into the groundwater near the coast in 2010 was caused by the coastal erosion and a fall in the groundwater level in recent years.

Key words: groundwater, intensive aquaculture, saltwater intrusion, sea level rise, coastal erosion.