Affecting Factors of Salinity Intrusion in Pearl River Estuary and Sustainable Utilization of Water Resources in Pearl River Delta

Abstract

The rivers in the Pearl River Delta were seriously affected by the strong salinity intrusion and the drinking water of residents in this area was continuously threatened in recent years. To solve the salinity intrusion problem, the Pearl River Water Resources Commission (PRWRC) has organized fresh water transfers from upstream several times since 2005. Noticing the fact that the salinity intrusion in recent years is getting more active, the duration is getting longer, the affected scope is getting larger, the intensity is getting stronger, and etc, this paper analyzes the fac- tors that affect the salinity intrusion in the Pearl River Estuary from the following aspects: the variation of upstream runoff, the change of river topography, the vari- ation of sea level, wind and its direction, and etc. Based on the analysis, this paper proposes some measures for preventing the salinity intrusion to ensure the safety of water supply and the sustainable development of water resources.