Scholarly record
INTEGRATED ANALYSIS OF SEAWATER INTRUSION DYNAMICS IN THE NORTHERN BLACK SEA COAST OF BULGARIA
Abstract
Managing water deficits in coastal areas presents significant challenges amid current climate fluctuations. This study examines the hydrological and water management factors contributing to seawater intrusion along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Utilizing data from field monitoring and hydrological model simulations, the research highlights the anthropogenic impacts shaped by the structure and dynamics of water supply. Findings reveal that rainfall levels in the Bulgarian Black Sea coastal region are below the national average. Coupled with excessive groundwater extraction for domestic purposes, this has led to seawater intrusion in the central and northern coastal areas. Over the past 50 years, marine intrusion processes in the area have remained inactive, primarily due to reduced economic and demographic activities following political changes in 1989. However, no significant improvements have been observed. Groundwater levels in the recharge zone, approximately 30 km inland, have risen by 1 meter, but no changes have been recorded in the marine intrusion zone. A decline in spring flow rates in coastal zones and continuous contamination of groundwater with chloride and sodium underscore the severity of the issue. The containment and mitigation of marine intrusion in Northeast Bulgaria require the implementation of unconventional methods. The persistence of this issue emphasizes the urgent need to explore alternative water sources and adopt specific water treatment methods.
Publication Impact Profile
Publication details
References13
Hussain M. S., Abd-Elhamid H. F., Javadi A. A., Sherif M. M., Management of Seawater Intrusion in Coastal Aquifers: A Review, Water, Switzerland, vol. 11 (12), pp. 2467, 2019. DOI: 10.3390/w11122467
Brzozowski C., Protecting Drinking Water from Saltwater Intrusion, Water World, USA, 2017, Online Resource.
Saltwater intrusion EEA, Are the impacts of water abstractions being reduced?, European Environment Agency, Denmark, 2023, Online Resource.
Pulido-Bosch A., Lopez-Chicano M., Calaforra J. M., Calvache M. L., Machkova M., Dimitrov D., Velikov B., Pentchev P., Groundwater problems in the karstic aquifers of the Dobrich region, northeastern Bulgaria, Hydrological Sciences Journal, United Kingdom, vol. 44, issue 6, pp. 913-927, 1999. DOI: 10.1080/02626669909492289
Integrated Development Plan of Shabla Municipality 2021�2027, strategic planning and programming documents for regional development regulated by the Regional Development Act (State Gazette, issue 21/13.03.2020).
Antonov H., Danchev D., Ground Waters in Bulgaria, Tehnika Publishing House, Bulgaria, 1980, pp. 360.
Pulido-Bosch A., Machkova M., Lopez-Chicano M., Calvache M. L., Dimitrov D., Calaforra J. M., Velikov B., Penchev P., Hydrogeology of the Upper Aquifer, Dobrich Region, Northeastern Bulgaria, Hydrogeology Journal, Germany, vol. 5, issue 2, pp. 75-85, 1997. DOI: 10.1007/s100400050120
Marinova T., Malcheva K., Bocheva L., Trifonova L., Climate profile of Bulgaria in the period 1988�2016 and brief climatic assessment of 2017, BGMH, Bulgaria, vol. 22, pp. 2-15, 2017.
Pentchev P., Spasov K., Shopova K., The Role of the Ground Waters for the Durankulak Lake Development, Annual of the University of Mining and Geology St. Ivan Rilski, vol. 51, pp. 144-148, 2008.
MOEW, Regulation No. 1 of 10.10.2007 on research, use, and conservation of groundwater, last amended as of December 2016, Bulgaria, Legislative Document.
Nitcheva O., Milev B., Trenkova T., Philipova N., Dobreva P., Kamchia watershed groundwater recharge assessment by the CLM3 model. 13th National Congress on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, 6 � 10 September 2017, Sofia, Bulgaria. DOI: 10.1051/matecconf/201814503011.
European Commission, Guidance Document No. 18: Guidance on Groundwater Status and Trend Assessment, Belgium, 2009, Official EU Report.
Letskovska, S., Milen Baltov, Kamen Seymenliyski, Radostin Dolchinkov. Black Sea � a renewable source of energy and resources. Annual of the Burgas Free University, Vol. �LII, 2020, 211-238. ISSN: 1311-221X (in Bulgarian)
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.