We will investigate saltwater intrusion along the lower Elbe region as a result of the sea level rise driven by the projected climate change with a particular focus on the issue of soil salinization affecting soil health, agriculture and a wide range of processes occurring in soil. This 3-years project is a part of the TideelbeKlima funded by German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt).
Due to its higher density in comparison to freshwater, saline water along coasts and estuaries flows landward under the less dense freshwater until reaching equilibrium. With increasing sea level, this seawater interface can shift landwards reducing the thickness of the freshwater layer on top. Since the areas along the Lower Elbe serve for the extraction of fresh groundwater for domestic and agricultural use, this alteration in water quality could pose serious challenges to the availability and quality of water for drinking and irrigation practices along the shoreline of the Lower Elbe. An important example for the latter is the orchard “Altes Land” which is located along the Lower Elbe. With more than 10 million trees and 10,500 ha, it is one of the largest contiguous orchard plantations in Europe which could be affected by the projected sea level rise and the occurrence of extreme climate events. With a focus on the area between Hamburg and Cuxhaven, we aim at providing predictive tools capable of quantifying the effects of sea level rise under different climate scenarios on the dynamics of saltwater intrusion in Lower Elbe and its consequences on groundwater quality and agriculture.

For inquiries please contact: vahid.sobhi.gollo[at]tuhh.de