Seawater Intrusion into Coastal Aquifers

Abstract

This editorial presents a representative collection of 11 papers presented in the Special Issue on Seawater Intrusion into coastal aquifers. Coastal aquifers are one of the most important water resources in the world. In addition, the natural discharge of freshwater to the sea as submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) has an important role in the ecology of marine environments. The dynamics of seawater and freshwater within coastal aquifers are highly sensitive to disturbances, and their inappropriate management may lead to the deterioration of water quality. In many coastal aquifers, seawater intrusion has become the major constraint imposed on groundwater utilization. Groundwater exploitation and climate variations create dynamic conditions, which can significantly increase seawater intrusion into aquifers and may result in the salinization of wells.