Early-indicator signals of groundwater contamination: the case of seawater encroachment

Abstract

An early indication of groundwater contamination occurs when pollutant concentrations start to fluctuate and exceed background values of ambient fresh groundwater. An analysis of a characteristic situation of this type uses data from Israel's coastal phreatic granular aquifer. The pollutant is generally seawater, and the contamination process involves replacement of freshwater by encroaching sea- or other saltwater, a process augmented by human activity. The contamination process involves three stages: (1) groundwater composition remains relatively stable with small salinity content; (2) small salinity changes are perceptible with reversible fluctuations; and (3) salinity concentration increases at a sharply higher rate. The second stage is a useful early-indicator signal of contamination. Early-indicator signals of groundwater pollutant concentrations involve "minor" fluctuations in water chemistry at the advent of the contamination process. The intensity and magnitude of such a salinization/pollution process at any given location depends upon lithologic matrix, aquifer heterogeneity, and resultant flow domain characteristics, as well as contaminant properties. If such "signs" are detected at a sufficiently early stage, appropriate management steps may be taken to rectify further seawater and/or saltwater encroachment.