Saltwater intrusion into the aquifer of Phu Quy island, Binh Thuan province

Abstract

     Phu Quy Island of Binh Thuan Province is one of the major islands of Vietnam in economic development and has the potential to become a central center for logistics services. Demand for water increases on the island has caused adverse impacts,water resource depletion and groundwater salinization. This paper presentsthe dynamics of groundwater and saltwater intrusion in the island using numerical models. Results show that groundwater level fluctuations in the system depends upon rainfalland pumping conditions, while the salinity distribution and the movement of salinity plume depends mainly on rainfall and groundwater extraction especially during dry seasons when groundwater recharge becomes small. Technical solutions have also been proposed to minimize the environmental impact due to pumping.