Groundwater Systems Analysis of Indian Coastal Deltas: Resource Potentials, Quality Trends, Saline-Fresh Water Interrelationships and Management Strategies

The coastal delta systems are the prominent land forms and vibrant eco systems rich in water resources and biodiversities, play a vital role in the growth and development of agriculture, irrigation, drinking water and industrial needs and provide good base for multitude of rural and urban population. About 50% of the water requirements for the above sectors are being met from the ground water resources. The stability of ground water resources and their environmental protection are therefore of prime concern for sustainable and economic development. The fresh ground water systems in the coastal deltas and the inter delta regions over the last three or four decades have been subjected to large scale stresses in the form of ground water withdrawals beyond their optimum limits to meet ever increasing demands in the agriculture and irrigation sectors. As a consequence there are large scale depletion of water levels and reductions in fresh water storage potentials, causing saline water ingression inland, thereby causing a dent in the agriculture production and economic growth of the country. This situation is being further threatened by global warming processes and tsunamic impacts. It is therefore felt necessary that an integrated and holistic approach is required who adopted to protect these important fresh water resources free from the onslaughts of anthropogenic and natural hazards. The book on “Ground Water Systems Analysis of Indian Coastal Deltas” provides an integrated and holistic approach towards understanding, assessment and management of these fresh ground water resources in different delta complexes of India.

Contents: 1. Introduction to water resources. 2. Geomorphology, evolution and structure of coastal delta basins. 3. Hydrological characteristics and soil water balances of coastal deltas. 4. Assessment of fresh groundwater resources in the coastal delta systems. 5. Groundwater quality characteristics and trend analysis in coastal delta complexes. 6. Saline fresh water interrelationships, estimations of interface structures and management mitigation strategies.