Earth Surface Dynamics
Earth Surface Dynamics
ESurf
Articles | Volume 9, issue 4
Articles | Volume 9, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-953-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-953-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 9, issue 4
Research article
 | Highlight paper
 | 
12 Aug 2021
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 12 Aug 2021

Dynamics of salt intrusion in the Mekong Delta: results of field observations and integrated coastal–inland modelling

Sepehr Eslami, Piet Hoekstra, Herman W. J. Kernkamp, Nam Nguyen Trung, Dung Do Duc, Hung Nguyen Nghia, Tho Tran Quang, Arthur van Dam, Stephen E. Darby, Daniel R. Parsons, Grigorios Vasilopoulos, Lisanne Braat, and Maarten van der Vegt

Data sets

Wind data DHI metocean data portal https://www.metocean-on-demand.com/#/main

2008 bathymetry data Mekong River Commission (MRC) data portal https://portal.mrcmekong.org/data-catalogue

Vietnamese Mekong Delta Principle Channel Bed Elevations for 2018 G. Vasilopoulos, D. R. Parsons, and Q. Le Quan https://hydra.hull.ac.uk/resources/hull:17952

Video abstract

Dynamics of salt intrusion in the Mekong Delta Lisanne Braat and Sepehr Eslami https://doi.org/10.5446/53547

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Short summary
Increased salt intrusion jeopardizes freshwater supply to the Mekong Delta, and the current trends are often inaccurately associated with sea level rise. Using observations and models, we show that salinity is highly sensitive to ocean surge, tides, water demand, and upstream discharge. We show that anthropogenic riverbed incision has significantly amplified salt intrusion, exemplifying the importance of preserving sediment budget and riverbed levels to protect deltas against salt intrusion.
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