Chapter 10 Health: Impacts of Salinity, Arsenic and Drought in South-western Bangladesh

The southwest coastal region is part of an inactive delta of large Himalayan rivers and is protected from tidal surge by the Sundarbans mangrove forest. This area is the hub of all types of disasters such as cyclones, tidal surges, floods, drought, salinity intrusions, repeated waterlogging, and land subsidence. Cyclonic tidal surges and floods are the more common disasters, and their effects are frequently experienced at the local level. But silent and invisible disasters such as increased salinity, arsenic contamination, and drought affect local livelihoods, people, and environments in this region. The vulnerability of southwest region to increased salinity, arsenic contamination, and drought are the result of a complex interrelationship among biophysical, social, economical, and technological characteristics of the country. Moreover, in the current and foreseeable future, the country is likely to be affected by the biggest, most long-lasting, and global scale but silent disaster: increased salinity, natural arsenic contamination, and drought. Therefore, this region is thought to be the most disaster-prone region in Bangladesh because of natural disasters and highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

[1]  A. Gain,et al.  Effect of River Salinity on Crop Diversity: A Case Study of South West Coastal Region of Bangladesh , 2014 .

[2]  A. Ali,et al.  Rice to shrimp: Land use/land cover changes and soil degradation in Southwestern Bangladesh , 2006 .

[3]  Arthur L. Lerner-Lam,et al.  Natural Disaster Hotspots: Case Studies , 2006 .

[4]  M. Hazarika,et al.  Evaluation of groundwater quality for irrigation in Bangladesh using Geographic information system , 2006 .

[5]  A. Hadi,et al.  Arsenicosis in Bangladesh: prevalence and socio-economic correlates. , 2004, Public health.

[6]  M. Islam,et al.  The mangrove-based coastal and nearshore fisheries of Bangladesh: ecology, exploitation and management , 2004, Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries.

[7]  M. Iftekhar,et al.  Salt Tolerances of Some Multipurpose Tree Species as Determined by Seed Germination , 2004 .

[8]  M. Iftekhar,et al.  Tree species survival in the homestread forests of salt affected areas: A perception analysis for Bangladesh , 2004 .

[9]  M. Ashraf,et al.  Salinity Induced Changes in α-Amylase Activity During Germination and Early Cotton Seedling Growth , 2002, Biologia Plantarum.

[10]  A. Meharg,et al.  Arsenic uptake and accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) irrigated with contaminated water , 2002, Plant and Soil.

[11]  S. Huq.  Climate Change and Bangladesh , 2001, Science.

[12]  J. Palutikof,et al.  Climate change 2007 : impacts, adaptation and vulnerability , 2001 .

[13]  Chandra Giri,et al.  Land cover mapping and monitoring from NOAA AVHRR data in Bangladesh , 1996 .

[14]  C. Ipe.  Issues in the Management of the Environment and Natural Resources in Bangladesh , 1995 .

[15]  Hugh Brammer,et al.  Drought in Bangladesh - Lessons for Planners and Administrators , 1987 .

[16]  Joeri Rogelj,et al.  Summary for policymakers , 2013 .

[17]  N. Hoque,et al.  Environmental Impacts and their Socioeconomic Consequences of Shrimp Farming in Bangladesh , 2008 .

[18]  M. Islam,et al.  Managing mangroves in Bangladesh: A strategy analysis , 2004 .

[19]  Kathleen Shordt,et al.  Arsenic in drinking water. , 2001, Journal of environmental health.

[20]  M. Asaduzzaman,et al.  Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change for Bangladesh. , 1999 .

[21]  D. Chakraborti,et al.  DETAILED STUDY REPORT OF SAMATA, ONE OF THE ARSENIC-AFFECTED VILLAGES OF JESSORE DISTRICT, BANGLADESH , 1998 .

[22]  M. Asaduzzaman,et al.  Climate change and sea-level rise : the case of the coast , 1996 .

[23]  C. Ortiz.  Sea Level Rise and Its Impact on Bangladesh , 1994 .

[24]  A. Barrett,et al.  Floods in Bangladesh. , 1990 .