Energy Environment and Economy
Energy, Environment and Sustainable Sciences | online ISSN 3069-0935
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Volume 3 Number 1 2025
REVIEWS (Open Access)
Saltwater Intrusion in Coastal Systems: Integrated Evidence from Hydrological, Agricultural, and Socioeconomic Analyses
Zahir Uddin1*, Ismath Tarin2, Md. Sazzad Hosen Raju3, Ahsan Habib3*
Energy Environment and Economy 3 (1) 1-15 https://doi.org/10.25163/energy.3110569
Submitted: 23 October 2025 Revised: 12 December 2025 Accepted: 25 December 2025 Published: 27 December 2025
Abstract
Saltwater intrusion (SWI) is an increasingly critical challenge for coastal regions, driven by climate change, sea-level rise, and intensified groundwater extraction. Its impacts extend beyond aquifer salinization, affecting agricultural productivity, ecosystem functioning, and community resilience. This systematic review synthesizes evidence from multidisciplinary studies investigating SWI through hydrological modeling, seasonal hydrochemical monitoring, geospatial analysis, agricultural assessments, and management scenario evaluations. Following PRISMA guidelines, data were extracted from numerical simulations, empirical field measurements, and assessment frameworks. Because the included studies reported heterogeneous outcome metrics—such as total dissolved solids (TDS), vulnerability indices, economic losses, and modeled salinity changes—effect sizes were standardized by converting comparable contrasts into standardized mean differences. When direct statistical parameters were unavailable, effect estimates were approximated from reported comparative indicators to enable cross-study synthesis. The pooled analysis indicated a strong and consistent effect of SWI-related impacts across studies (pooled effect size = 3.00, 95% CI: 2.57–3.43) with negligible heterogeneity (I² = 0%). Forest plots showed substantial overlap of confidence intervals, while funnel plots suggested symmetrical distributions, although interpretation is limited by the small number of studies. Despite differences in methodological approaches, the convergence of findings highlights the consistent and measurable influence of SWI on environmental and socioeconomic systems. Overall, the results emphasize the need for integrated monitoring, modeling, and adaptive management strategies to mitigate saltwater intrusion and enhance resilience in vulnerable coastal regions.
Keywords: Saltwater intrusion; Coastal groundwater; Hydrogeochemistry; Environmental modeling
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