Delineating the coastal saline water intrusion zones using Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT)

Seawater intrusion is a major worldwide environmental issue for coastal groundwater resources. Due to natural & human activities, freshwater aquifers are contaminated with saltwater. In the present study, the Electrical Resistivity survey was carried out in Mandarmani, West Bengal, India, to delineate such saltwater intruded zones. It was observed that in the nearby area, many shallow aquifers (around 30m depth) was affected mainly by the salinity problem. ERT results show the signature of saline clay based on significantly less resistivity value. The probable cause of the high salinity problem in this area is excessive use of groundwater resources, Fish farming, Salt industry & recently, a cyclonic effect was observed. 

Keywords: Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), aquifers, saline water intrusion.