Evaluating the Extent of Seawater Intrusion in Sindhrot Taluka Near Mahi River Basin Vadodara

The rise in the salinity of groundwater resources due to the intrusion of seawater in the freshwater bodies has been a vital issue in these contemporary times. Saltwater intrusion is the phenomenon, where seawater intrudes into freshwater bodies, increasing their salinity. The intensification of global warming leading to a rise in sea levels, excessive usage of groundwater, yearly variation in climatic patterns, and tidal influences have equally contributed to exacerbating this phenomenon globally. The scope of this study specifically focuses on the Mahi River basin of the Sindhrot region in Gujarat, India. This phenomenon has been observed in this region with mild as well as severe impacts on this region of the basin. Through the course of this study, a very systematic analysis of water samples collected in and along the Sindhrot region encompassing not only the water bodies but also water from households has been carried out. The water samples were tested and analyzed based on two major parameters, total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC). The severity of the phenomenon was also gauged by a community survey that collectively addressed the major health, environmental, and economic effects of saltwater intrusion. In the current study, in-situ testing of water specimens was performed at Anklav, Amrapura, Gangapura, Kotna Village, Sindhrot, Umeta, Angadh, Chaukari, and Dajipura villages. The results showed high values of electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS) in these villages. The Sindhrot region near the Mahi River basin exhibited an average value of TDS and EC as 955.78 ppm and EC as 2001.05 µS/cm, respectively. Both in-situ testing and community survey results revealed that the maximum TDS values and EC values were significantly higher than the acceptable limit ranges, indicating a substantial amount of saltwater intrusion and the corresponding need for mitigation measures.