Vulnerabilities

Two potential operations are at risk. First, the abstraction of the low-flow compensation water at the mouth of major rivers (e.g. the River Exe). Abstraction generally occurs as low down the system as possible, i.e. close to the tidal limits of a particular channel. Sea level rise solely or in combination tidal surges may lead to a greater incidence or further penetration of up-river saline penetration on the high tide (1). This could result in periodic shut-down of the major abstraction pumps. As several abstraction points are relatively close to current maximum saline incursion limits, this is viewed as a long-term threat. A more significant threat is the potential for saline intrusion of key aquifers (2). Others, however, report that saline intrusion into coastal aquifers is currently assessed as a relatively minor issue (3).

References

The references below are cited in full in a separate map 'References'. Please click here if you are looking for the full references for the United Kingdom.

1. Holman et al. (2002)
2. C-CLIF and GEMRU (2003)
3. Land Use Consultants, CAG Consultants and SQW Limited (2003b)
4. Hiscock and Tanaka (2006)
5. Holman and Hiscock (1998), in: Hiscock and Tanaka (2006)
6. Holdway et al. (1978), in: Hiscock and Tanaka (2006)
7. Hiscock and Tanaka (2006a)
8. Webb and Howard (2011), in: IPCC (2014)
9. Ferguson and Gleeson (2012); Loaiciga et al. (2012), both in: IPCC (2014)