Abstract
The nature of shallow aquifers and the impacts of seawater intrusion in small islands within the Pacific Ocean are reviewed. Many Pacific islands rely on shallow fresh groundwater lenses in highly permeable aquifers, underlain and surrounded by seawater, as their principal freshwater source. It is argued here that, in small islands, the nature of fresh groundwater lenses and their host aquifers coupled with frequent natural and ever-present anthropogenic threats make them some of the most vulnerable aquifer systems in the world. A simple steady-state approximation is used to provide insight into the key climatic, hydrogeological, physiographic, and management factors that influence the quantity of, and saline intrusion into freshwater lenses. Examples of the dynamic nature of freshwater lenses as they respond to these drivers are given. Natural and human-related threats to freshwater lenses are discussed. Long dry periods strongly coupled to sea surface temperatures impact on the quantity and salinity of fresh groundwater. The vulnerability of small island freshwater lenses dictates careful assessment, vigilant monitoring, appropriate development, and astute management. Strategies to aid future groundwater sustainability in small islands are presented and suggested improvements to donor and aid programs in water are also advanced.
Résumé
La nature des aquifères peu profonds et les impacts de l’intrusion d’eau de mer dans les pays des petites îles de l’Océan Pacifique sont examinés. De nombreux territoires des îles du Pacifique comptent sur des lentilles d’eau douce peu profondes au sein d’aquifères extrêmement perméables, supportés et entourés par l’eau de mer,comme leur principale source d’eau douce. On indique ici que, dans les petites îles, la nature des lentilles d’eau douce souterraine et les aquifères hôtes associés à des menaces naturelles fréquentes et anthropiques toujours présentent en font quelques-uns des systèmes aquifères les plus vulnérables au monde. Un simple approximation en état permanent est utilisée pour fournir un aperçu des facteurs clés climatiques, hydrogéologiques, physiographiques et de gestion qui influent sur l’importance de l’intrusion d’eau saline dans les lentilles d’eau douce. Des exemples de la nature dynamique des lentilles d’eau douce lorsqu’elles répondent à ces causes sont donnés. Les menaces d’origine naturelle et humaine pour les lentilles d’eau douce sont examinées. De longues périodes sèches fortement associées aux températures de surface de la mer ont un impact sur la quantité et la salinité de l’eau douce souterraine. La vulnérabilité des lentilles d’eau douce des petites îles dictent une évaluation minutieuse, un contrôle rigoureux, une mise valeur appropriée et une gestion clairvoyante. Des stratégies destinées à assister la durabilité à venir de l’eau souterraine dans les petites îles sont exposées et des améliorations suggérées au décideur et des programmes d’assistance pour l’eau sont aussi présentés.
Resumen
Se revisa la naturaleza de los acuíferos someros y los impactos de la intrusión de agua de mar en países de pequeñas islas en el Océano Pacífico. Muchos países de islas del Pacífico dependen de lentes de agua subterránea dulce someras en acuíferos altamente permeables, con el agua de mar subyacente y circundante, como su principal fuente de agua dulce. Se argumenta aquí, que en las pequeñas islas, la naturaleza de los lentes de agua subterránea dulce y sus acuíferos hospedantes asociados a frecuentes amenazas tanto naturales y como omnipresentes amenazas antrópicas, hacen que ellas sean los sistemas acuíferos más vulnerables en el mundo. Una simple aproximación en estado estacionario es usada para proveer conocimiento sobre los factores climáticos, hidrogeológicos, fisiográficos y de gestión claves que influyen en la cantidad de, e intrusión salina en los lentes de agua dulce. Se dan ejemplos de la naturaleza dinámica de las lentes de agua dulce en respuesta a estos forzantes. Se discuten las amenazas naturales y antrópicas a las lentes de agua dulce. Extensos períodos secos fuertemente asociados a la temperatura superficial del mar afectan la cantidad y salinidad del agua subterránea dulce. La vulnerabilidad de las lentes de agua dulce de pequeñas islas exige una evaluación cuidadosa, un monitoreo de alertas, un desarrollo apropiado y una gestión astuta. Se presentan las estrategias para ayudar a la sustentabilidad futura de las aguas subterráneas en pequeñas islas y se anticipan sugerencias para mejorar los programas de contribución y ayuda para el agua.
Resumo
É passada em revista a natureza dos aquíferos superficiais e os impactes da intrusão marinha em pequenos países insulares do Oceano Pacífico. Muitos países insulares do Pacífico dependem de lentes de água subterrânea pouco profundas em aquíferos altamente permeáveis, subjacentes e rodeados por água do mar, como a sua principal fonte de água doce. Argumenta-se aqui que, em pequenas ilhas, a natureza das lentes de água doce subterrânea e dos seus aquíferos de acolhimento, juntamente com as sempre presentes, e naturalmente frequentes, ameaças antropogénicas, os torna nuns dos sistemas aquíferos mais vulneráveis em todo o mundo. Uma simples aproximação em regime permanente (“steady-state”) é utilizada para dar uma ideia dos factores chave de ordem climática, hidrogeológica, fisiográfica, e de gestão, que influenciam a quantidade e a intrusão salina nas lentes de água doce. São apresentados exemplos da natureza dinâmica das lentes de água doce e a forma como elas respondem a esses factores. São discutidas as ameaças naturais e humanas relacionadas com as lentículas de água doce. Longos períodos secos, fortemente associados à temperatura da superfície do mar, produzem impacte sobre a quantidade e salinidade da água doce. A vulnerabilidade das lentículas de água doce em pequenas ilhas dita uma avaliação cuidadosa, uma monitorização vigilante, um desenvolvimento adequado e uma gestão astuta. São apresentadas estratégias para auxiliar a sustentabilidade futura das águas subterrâneas em ilhas pequenas, e são dadas sugestões para uma melhor acção dos doadores e dos programas de ajuda.
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Acknowledgements
Parts of this work were supported by the Kiribati Adaptation Program Phase II supported by AusAID, NZaid, and the World Bank, by the European Development Fund, by the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) and by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Project LWR1/2001/050. We are grateful to our colleagues throughout the Pacific who have generously worked with us and have taught us a great deal.
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White, I., Falkland, T. Management of freshwater lenses on small Pacific islands. Hydrogeol J 18, 227–246 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-009-0525-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-009-0525-0