Spatial and Temporal Variation of Soil and Water Salinity in the South-Western and South-Central Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Salinity intrusion is one of the major water-related problems in the coastal region of Bangladesh. The intention of this study was to discuss the spatial distribution of soil and water salinity with their severity levels using geospatial techniques. The spatial analysis shows about 222 300ha of new land being affected by various degrees of soil salinity during the last four decades. The analysis revealed that the spatial extent of salinity has been following an increasing trend and the movement of soil salinity has moved north from the coast. An increasing trend of salinity concentration in the rivers has already been found in the Lower Meghna River, Alaipur Khal (creek) of Daratona River, Gorai Madhumati, Rupsa Passur River and Bishkhali River in different districts of coastal Bangladesh. The groundwater is contaminated with a high level of salinity, which affects sources of drinking water, agriculture and the irrigation sector. Increased soil and water salinity levels cause an unfavourable environmental and hydrological situation that restricts usual crop production throughout the year. This research will assist decision makers and planners in taking proper initiatives for developing integrated land and water resources management plans for the coastal regions, which have similar environmental settings along the Bay of Bengal. Copyright (c) 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.