Types of Aquifers,

Formations in
Bengal Delta and
Issues Related to
Over-utilization
Tirna Kundu,
BSc Geography, Semester–VI
Hydrology & Oceanography
Content

Aquifers and Their

Bengal Delta
Formation

Increasing Demand Impact of Ground

for Ground Water Water Ove-utilization

Possible Solutions
and Conclusion

Tirna Kundu, BSc Geography Honours, Semester VI, 2022 2

Bengal Delta

Tirna Kundu, BSc Geography Honours, Semester V, 2022 3

About Bengal Delta
 The “Bengal Delta” or the “Sundarbans Delta” is
located in the Bengal region of South Asia, consisting
of the Indian state of West Bengal and Bangladesh.
 World's largest river delta and it empties into the Bay
of Bengal with the combined waters of several river
systems, mainly those of the Ganga and Brahmaputra
rivers.
 One of the most fertile regions in the world, thus
earning the nickname the ”Green Delta”.
 The delta stretches from the Hooghly River in the east
to the Meghna River in Bangladesh.

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Geology of Bengal Delta
 The Bengal Delta is a vast alluvial plain, covering an area of approximately 105,000 sq.
km. The Delta is dominated by sedimentary deposits and complex depositional
processes.
 The deltaic sediments are arranged in a series of distinct geological formations that
reflect the depositional environments and processes that have operated over time.
 The formations include the Barind, Madhupur, Dupi Tila, Plio-Pleistocene and Holocene
sediments.
 The geology of the Bengal Delta is complex and dynamic, shaped by the interplay of
sedimentation, tectonic activity, and the hydrological regime of the rivers.
 This has important implications for the people who live in the delta, as the region is
vulnerable to natural hazards such as flooding, landslides, and cyclones.

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Aquifers and Their Formation in Bengal Delta

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 Aquifers
 Aquifers are underground layers of permeable rock, sediment, or soil that contain groundwater.
 There are two types of aquifers, viz., Unconfined Aquifers, Confined Aquifers
 Unconfined Aquifers:
 Not restricted by any impermeable layer and are typically
found close to the ground surface.
 Also known as water tables and are vulnerable to surface
contaminants.
 Formed in the Holocene alluvium, which is composed of
loose sand and clay deposits

 Confined Aquifers:
 Formed in the Plio-Pleistocene sediments, which are
more consolidated and contain more clay and silt.
 Located beneath a layer of impermeable rock or clay,
which acts as a barrier to the flow of water.

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Types of Aquifers in the Bengal Delta (1/2)
 There are six types of aquifers in the Bengal Delta:
 Shallow unconfined aquifer [Type -1]: Composed mainly of grey sand.
 Semi-confined to leaky-confined aquifer [Type -2]: Lies within shallow to intermediate
depth, composed mainly of grey sand with its overlying grey to dark grey soft clay.
 Shallow unconfined aquifer [Type -3]: Composed mainly of orange sand.
 Confined aquifer [Type -4]: Lies within intermediate depth, composed mainly of orange
sand with its overlying brown to bluish grey hard clay.
 Semi-confined to leaky-confined aquifer [Type -5]: Lies within intermediate to deep of
brownish grey to off-white or rarely orange sand with its overlying grey to dark grey soft
clay.
 Confined aquifer [Type -6]: Lies at a deepest depth, composed mainly of brownish grey
to off-white sand overlain by brownish grey hard clay.

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Characteristics of Aquifer Types in the Bengal Delta

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Formation of Aquifers in Bengal Delta
 Deltaic Deposits:
The Bengal delta is formed by the deposition of sediment carried by the Ganges-Brahmaputra-
Meghna river system. These sedimentary deposits are mainly composed of sand, silt, and clay.
The unconfined aquifers in the region are formed in the uppermost layer of these deposits.
 Fluvial Deposits:
The fluvial deposits in the Bengal delta are formed by the action of rivers. These deposits are
mainly composed of sand and gravel. Confined and leaky aquifers in the region are formed in the
middle and lower layers of these deposits.
 Marine Deposits:
The marine deposits in the Bengal delta are formed by the deposition of sediments in the shallow
marine environment. These deposits are mainly composed of clay and silt. These deposits act as
a confining layer for the underlying aquifers.

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Stratification of Aquifers in the Bengal Delta (1/2)
 Each sand-silt-clay fining upward sequence represents a single cycle of fluvial deposit.
 Subsequently, due to channel migration and superimposition of younger channels over the
older one, the mentioned sedimentary sequences are superimposed over each other,
sometimes obliterating partly or fully the clay-silt units of the underlying cycle.
 As a result, stacks of multiple aquifers are seen separated from each other by the
intervening thin to thick clay beds.
 Depending on the unique nature and color of the sedimentary package as well as break in
sedimentation, three distinct fluvial cycles of deposit are distinguished. These are designated
from top downward as:
 Upper Fluvial Deposit (UFD),
 Middle Fluvial Deposit (MFD), and
 Lower Fluvial Deposit (LFD)

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Stratification of Aquifers in the Bengal Delta (2/2)

 Interfaces between these three fluvial deposits

show the presence of calcrete (CaCO3) and/or
pebble to boulder bed unit representing two
successive depositional breaks.
 The UFD is assigned to Holocene age, the MFD
to Pleistocene age and the LFD to Plio-
Pleistocene age.

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Increasing Demand for Ground Water in
Bengal Delta

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Increasing Demand for Ground Water
 Bengal Delta is rich in groundwater resources, which are used for
drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes.
 Sustainable development and efficient management of water is an
increasingly complex challenge in Bengal Delta.
 Increasing population, growing urbanization and the need for raising
agricultural production generates competing demands for water.
 Ground water has steadily emerged as the backbone of the region’s
agriculture and drinking water security.
 Contribution of ground water is nearly 89% in irrigation, 85% in rural water
supply and 50% in urban / semi-urban water supply. (World Bank, March
2019)
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Ground Water Utilization in Bengal Delta
 India part of Bengal Delta has lakhs of groundwater extraction points.
 15% of the Groundwater in India is overexploited.
 94% of the Indian population have access to improper water resource.
( CGWB 2017)
 75% of the Rural population depend on Groundwater for drinking.
 If current trends continue, “within 20 years 60% of all aquifers in Bengal
Delta in India will be in a critical condition,” according to a 2019 World
Bank report.
 Overutilization of aquifers in the delta has led to a range of problems,
including groundwater depletion, saltwater intrusion, and subsidence.

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Impact of Ground Water Over Utilization

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Groundwater Depletion

 Groundwater depletion occurs when more water is extracted from

an aquifer than is replenished through natural processes.
 In the Bengal Delta, groundwater depletion has been a major
problem for decades, as water is extracted for irrigation, drinking,
and industrial purposes.
 As groundwater levels decline, it becomes more difficult and
expensive to access water.
 This has led to a range of problems, including decreased crop
yields, increased pumping costs, and damage to ecosystems that
rely on groundwater.
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Saltwater Intrusion
 Saltwater intrusion occurs when seawater infiltrates an aquifer due
to over-pumping or other factors.
 In the Bengal Delta, saltwater intrusion has become a major
problem in coastal areas, where groundwater is being extracted
faster than it can be replenished.
 This has led to increased salinity levels in drinking water and
irrigation supplies, which can damage crops and harm human
health.
 In some areas, the intrusion of saltwater has made groundwater
unusable for irrigation or drinking altogether.
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Subsidence
 Subsidence is the sinking of land due to the removal of
groundwater from an aquifer.
 In the Bengal Delta, subsidence has been a major problem in
urban areas, where large amounts of groundwater are extracted
for drinking and industrial purposes.
 As the ground sinks, it can damage buildings, roads, and other
infrastructure, and increase the risk of flooding.
 In some areas, subsidence has caused buildings to collapse or
become uninhabitable.

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Possible Solutions and Conclusion

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Solutions
 To address the problems of groundwater depletion, saltwater intrusion, and subsidence in
the Bengal Delta, a range of solutions are needed. These could include:
 Improving water use efficiency in agriculture and industry.

 Encouraging the use of alternative water sources, such as rainwater harvesting and
surface water.
 Implementing policies to regulate groundwater use and prevent over-exploitation.
 Developing better monitoring systems to track changes in groundwater levels and
saltwater intrusion.
 Investing in infrastructure to provide access to safe drinking water and reduce reliance
on groundwater.
 Ultimately, a combination of these solutions will be needed to ensure sustainable use of
groundwater resources in the Bengal Delta.

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Conclusion

 Overutilization of aquifers in the Bengal Delta has led to a range of problems,

including groundwater depletion, saltwater intrusion, and subsidence.
 Addressing these problems will require a range of solutions, including
improving water use efficiency, encouraging the use of alternative water
sources, and implementing policies to regulate groundwater use.
 By taking action now, we can ensure that future generations have access to
the vital groundwater resources they need to thrive.

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Thank You!