Deterioration of coastal water aquifers

Abstract

Securing water for sustainable development is a major challenge facing the global community. Provision of safe adequate water to meet demands of domestic sector remains a focal objective to be attained for developing countries. Developing countries at present face fundamental environmental pressures induced by high population growth, rapid urbanization, and deficient water sector services reflecting on improper management of water resources. As such, communities seeking to cope with these challenges resort to an overexploitation of groundwater aquifer. The objective of the study is to assess the quality profile of potentially used coastal ground water aquifer and its impacts on public health for three main coastal cities in Lebanon (Beirut, Tripoli and Saida). Water samples were collected during the dry season, from drilled private wells of the indicated coastal cities that exhibit high population density. Water samples were assed for their physiochemical profile that encloses indicators of seawater intrusion (Conductivity, total dissolved solids, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, Ca and Mg content, alkalinity, nitrate, and sulphate). The collected data were analyzed using the software “AQUACHEM” interfaced to “PHREEQC” geochemical models, and the SigmaStat statistical Package. Preliminary results expose major progressive increase in water salinity mainly induced by seawater intrusion into the coastal aquifers. These results emphasize the importance of instating integrated water resource management to ensure sustainability and viability of this main water resource.