Changes in climate patterns are dramatically influencing some agricultural areas. Arid, semi‐arid and coastal agricultural areas are especially vulnerable to climate change impacts on soil salinity. Inventorying and monitoring climate change impacts on salinity are crucial to evaluate the extent of the problem, to recognize trends and to formulate irrigation and crop management strategies that will maintain the agricultural productivity of these areas. Over the past three decades, Corwin and colleagues at the U.S. Salinity Laboratory (USSL) have developed proximal sensor and remote imagery methodologies for assessing soil salinity at multiple scales. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact climate change has had on selected agricultural areas experiencing weather pattern changes, with a focus on the use of proximal and satellite sensors to assess salinity development. Evidence presented in case studies for Californiaʼs San Joaquin Valley (SJV) and Minnesotaʼs Red River Valley (RRV) demonstrates the utility of these sensor approaches in assessing soil salinity changes due to changes in weather patterns. Agricultural areas are discussed where changes in weather patterns have increased root‐zone soil salinity, particularly in areas with shallow water tables (SJV and RRV), coastal areas with seawater intrusion (e.g., Bangladesh and the Gaza Strip) and water‐scarce areas potentially relying on degraded groundwater as an irrigation source (SJV and Murray‐Darling River Basin). Trends in salinization due to climate change indicate that the infrastructure and protocols to monitor soil salinity from field to regional to national to global scales are needed. HIGHLIGHTS: Climate change will have a negative impact on agriculture, particularly in arid regions. Proximal/remote sensors are useful to assess climate change impact on soil salinity across scales. Salt‐water intrusion, shallow water tables and degraded water reuse will increase soil salinity. Infrastructure and protocols to monitor soil salinity across multiple scales are needed.

Climate change impacts on soil salinity in agricultural areas

Assessment of groundwater salinity and quality in Gaza coastal aquifer, Gaza Strip, Palestine: An integrated statistical, geostatistical and hydrogeochemical approaches study.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking Purpose in Rural Areas Surrounding a Defunct Copper Mine

Water quality assessment has always been a dominant part of environmental quality management. The present study involved the suitability assessment and mapping of groundwater quality for agricultural activities and drinking purposes in Rawalpindi and Islamabad area. A total of 22 samples were collected from borewells and open wells, and these water samples were further analysed for physical and chemical characteristics on the basis of which different indices were developed. Water quality index was calculated for overall water quality quantification from the perspective of human consumption. The results showed that a greater proportion exhibited poor quality for drinking due to over-exploitation of groundwater resource, agricultural impact and direct release of contaminants. Further, evaluation of groundwater for its suitability for irrigation showed that majority of the groundwater was suitable for irrigation purposes.

Use of Geographic Information System and Water Quality Index to Assess Groundwater Quality in Rawalpindi and Islamabad

This paper aims to assess and map the spatial distribution of ground water quality of the Dhankawadi ward of Pune by using the Geographical Information System (GIS). Dhankawadi is experiencing rapid urbanization, this made people to depend on groundwater resources. APHA's standard laboratory procedure has been adopted to assess the quality of ground water at each sampling location. Garmin GPS has been used to collect the sampling point location. Inverse Distance Weighed (IDW) spatial interpolation technique has been used to estimate the spatial distribution of the ground water parameters and WQI. A potable index map has been prepared with help of WQI map. Google earth has been used for preparation of Land use and Land class (LULC) image. Results of WQI are interpreted with respect to the LULC. The potable Index map shows that, the groundwater in the study area is good enough for drinking and domestic purposes except in the places of Upper Katraj nagar and north part of Bharati Vidyapeeth University campus.

Ground water quality assessment of Dhankawadi ward of Pune by using GIS

A Geographical Information System (GIS) tool was used to construct thematic maps for groundwater quality in the Gaza Strip. Environmental data were integrated and an overall picture about the spatial variation in the groundwater quality of the Gaza Strip was defined. The integrated spatial maps helped to refine information on land use, soil types, depth to groundwater table, environmental “hot spots”, and contaminant concentra-tions of the study area. The groundwater quality maps have been derived from the results of an eight-year monitoring program for major anions, cations and heavy metals. An environmental hot-spots map was de-rived from potential contaminating sources, showed direct and indirect influences on groundwater quality. The GIS maps showed not only contaminant distributions but also illustrated the need to improve the groundwater quality management methods. Several contaminants pose great problems in the water of Gaza. Integration of water data and GIS maps for all parameters revealed that there is probably no drinking water in Gaza according to the WHO standards. Moreover, the new maps of 2008 could be used as base-line for water planners and policy makers as well as guidelines for the Palestinian people to manage and protect their groundwater. Increased water demand from population and economic growth, environmental needs, land use changes, urbanization, groundwater mining, deterioration of water quality, pollution from local and diffuse sources, environmental hot-spots and impacts on public heath and ecosystems are all factors that can create a severe water quality crisis as well as water shortage problems.

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Sami Abu Fakher

Papers

Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Gaza Strip, Palestine Using GIS Mapping