A hydrogeological and geochemical review of groundwater issues in southern Vietnam

Quang Khai Ha; Kim, K; Nam Long Phan; Thanh Huy Phung; Lee, J; Viet Ky Nguyen; Chu Nam Phan

HERO ID

6392814

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2019

HERO ID 6392814
In Press No
Year 2019
Title A hydrogeological and geochemical review of groundwater issues in southern Vietnam
Authors Quang Khai Ha; Kim, K; Nam Long Phan; Thanh Huy Phung; Lee, J; Viet Ky Nguyen; Chu Nam Phan
Journal Geosciences Journal
Volume 23
Issue 6
Page Numbers 1005-1023
Abstract Southern Vietnam is known as one of the most vulnerable areas to climate change in the world due to its low elevation and flat topography, heavy groundwater use, and dense population. This paper introduces hydrogeological conditions and critically reviews groundwater issues that southern Vietnam faces by summarizing previous literatures. Issues that this paper covers include groundwater use and associated phenomenon, acid sulfate soils, the occurrence of saline groundwaters, seawater intrusion, land subsidence, groundwater acidification, and groundwater contamination by nitrate, ammonium, and trace metals such as As, Fe, Mn, Al, Cd, and Pb. This paper shows that most of these issues are inter-related and essentially linked with the unique hydrogeological setting of the study area. However, many of these problems have also been triggered or aggravated by human activities that use water resources and land. Issues such as those of As contamination and groundwater acidification are connected with the aquifer characteristics that are generally confined and rich in organics and pyrite. However, groundwater salinization, acidification, groundwater level declining, land subsidence, and high heavy metal concentrations are in large part caused by human activities such as well installation and heavy groundwater abstraction. While previous studies have proposed artificial recharge as a promising means of mitigating groundwater issues in the study area, the development of techniques that help minimizing aquifer disturbances is also likely required.
Doi 10.1007/s12303-019-0021-z
Wosid WOS:000491436100011
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Keyword acid sulfate soil; arsenic; sea level change; saline groundwater; acidification; artificial recharge