Over, Under, and Through: Hydrologic Connectivity and the Future of Coastal Landscape Salinization

Abstract Seawater intrusion (SWI) affects coastal landscapes worldwide. Here we describe the hydrologic pathways through which SWI occurs ‐ over land via storm surge or tidal flooding, under land via groundwater transport, and through watersheds via natural and artificial surface water channels—and...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water Resources Research
Main Authors: Ashley M. Helton, P. James Dennedy‐Frank, Ryan E. Emanuel, Scott C. Neubauer, Kyra H. Adams, Marcelo Ardon, Lawrence Band, Kevin M. Befus, Hanne Borstlap, Jamie A. Duberstein, Adam C. Gold, John S. Kominoski, Alex K. Manda, Holly A. Michael, Stephen M. J. Moysey, Allison N. Myers‐Pigg, Justine A. Neville, Greg Noe, Jeeban Panthi, Elnaz Pezeshki, Matthew J. Sirianni, Nicholas D. Ward
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-07-01
Subjects:
saltwater intrusion
seawater intrusion
hydrologic connectivity
coastal landscape
salinization
sea level rise
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR038720
Description
Summary:Abstract Seawater intrusion (SWI) affects coastal landscapes worldwide. Here we describe the hydrologic pathways through which SWI occurs ‐ over land via storm surge or tidal flooding, under land via groundwater transport, and through watersheds via natural and artificial surface water channels—and how human modifications to those pathways alter patterns of SWI. We present an approach to advance understanding of spatiotemporal patterns of salinization that integrates these hydrologic pathways, their interactions, and how humans modify them. We use examples across the East Coast of the United States that exemplify mechanisms of salinization that have been reported around the planet to illustrate how hydrologic connectivity and human modifications alter patterns of SWI. Finally, we suggest a path for advancing SWI science that includes (a) deploying standardized and well‐distributed sensor networks at local to global scales that intentionally track SWI fronts, (b) employing remote sensing and geospatial imaging techniques targeted at integrating above and belowground patterns of SWI, and (c) continuing to develop data analysis and model‐data fusion techniques to measure the extent, understand the effects, and predict the future of coastal salinization.
ISSN:0043-1397
1944-7973

Similar Items