ISOTOPE TECHNIQUES FOR MONITORING GROUNDWATER SALINIZATION

Abstract

Salinization of water resources is one the most widespread processes that degrades water-quality and endangers future water exploitation. In many areas, particularly in arid and semi-arid zones, ground-water salinization limits the supply of potable fresh water. This problem is intensified in coastal aquifers where human activities result in accelerating water-quality deterioration. Also in in-land basins ground-water salinization can be one of the most important factor that affects the water quality. Monitoring and identifying the origin of the salinity are crucial for both water management and remediation. Yet the variety of salinization sources, particularly in unconfined aquifers, makes this task difficult. The International Atomic Energy Agency has been actively involved in the development and application of isotope techniques to a wide spectrum of hydrological problems including the development and management of water resources facing salinity risk. The paper provides a brief overview of the role of isotopes in groundwater salinization investigations. A new co-ordinated research project aimed at optimising the application of isotope methods for groundwater salinity studies is also presented.