The Mekong Delta in Vietnam and Cambodia Is Subsiding and in Need of Remediation

Abstract

Land subsidence and rising sea levels could result in 40% of the Mekong Delta being covered by the South China Sea within the next few decades. The impact of groundwater withdrawal, in the SE Asia mega deltas of Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta, Jakarta Delta, Chao Phraya Delta and Mekong Delta, is a major reason these deltas are sinking. There are lessons to be learned from both failures and successful remediation efforts in other mega deltas as Vietnam policy makers seek to address Mekong Delta subsidence. Without a significant Vietnam government remediation and mitigation efforts, land subsidence in the Mekong Delta will continue. Land subsidence has occurred in the Mekong Delta as a result of the retention of sediments behind the China and Laos dams on the main stem of the Mekong River, reduced flooding peaks, climate change, sea level rise, storm surges and flooding. In addition, subsidence has been exascerbated by compaction, groundwater extraction for shrimp ponds, rice paddies and the household and drinking water needs of approximately 20 million people living on the Mekong Delta in Vietnam and Cambodia. The Mekong Delta shorelines are eroding and significant land areas, including wetlands, are becoming open water. The wetlands and land mass are also subsiding as a result of the reduction in sediment deposition. Large dams on the mainstem of the Mekong River in China and Laos have reduced peak flows and reduced sediment loads in lower Mekong River. Population and industrial growth have increased groundwater extraction and salt water intrusion as the delta subsides leading to consolidation and reduction in the current plumes flowing into the South China Sea. The primary objective of this paper is to assess the impact of groundwater withdrawals for rice paddies, shrimp ponds, aquaculture, industry and drinking water on Mekong Delta land subsidence. The secondary objective is to identify mitigation efforts used in other Southeast Asia deltas and make remediation recommendations for the sinking Mekong Delta. Promising mitigation approaches are injecting river water deep into the underlying alluvial sediments, return of the sediments trapped in China and Laos reservoirs to the Mekong River mainstem, increase in the Mekong River flooding peaks, and construction of sea and floodwalls, dykes, polders and levees. The addition of Mekong River sediments to build up existing floodplains, the reduction of coastal shoreline erosion, the planting of mangroves and protection of urban and agricultural areas from being covered by the South China Sea are strategies that could help remediate land subsidence in the Mekong Delta.