Assessing changes in saltwater intrusion in some main rivers of Vinh Long province

Abstract

Saltwater intrusion (SI) associated with El Nino phenomenon is a particularly concerned issue in a period of 2015–2016. Salinity evolutions in the Mekong Delta and Vinh Long province are becoming serious. Therefore, this work aimed at assessing changes in saltwater intrusion in Vinh Long province during recent ten years (2007–2016), including changes in the highest, the lowest, and average salinities. Besides, 19 surface water samples were collected and analyzed to evaluate the current status of salinization in 2016. Results showed that the salinity tends to propagate into the infield, especially in Co Chien River (0.4 to 1.2 ‰), followed by Hau River (0.2 to 0.7 ‰) and other inland waterways (0.3–0.6 ‰), leading to certain impacts on agriculture, aquaculture, and water supply in the local in general. In Vinh Long province, Vung Liem and Tra On districts were relative significantly influenced by SI, requiring suitable control measures, particularly in the context of climate change.