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USING ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY TO MAP A SALTWATER INTRUSION AND INVESTIGATE THE RELATIONSHIP OF TREE MORTALITY IN SAPELO ISLAND **

Abstract

Saltwater intrusion has several drivers such as sea level rise, the frequency/duration of droughts, natural disasters, and anthropogenic influences, all of which are compounded by climate change. Seawater moving further inland due to these factors poses serious threats to freshwater environments. These impacts can include shifts in vegetation communities and tree mortality. Sudden loss of coastal vegetation can be a visible indicator of possible inland saltwater intrusion. One of the goals of this study is to investigate the possible cause of observed tree mortality on Sapelo Island and map the extent of saltwater intrusion on the island. The second goal is to identify whether climate change is responsible for the observed tree mortality. This study used the SYSCAL Junior resistivity equipment to map the subsurface distribution of electrical resistance using the Wenner-Schlumberger array configuration. Resistivity profiles were collected during both high and low tide events at two sites (inland and near the beach) to capture temporal and spatial changes in groundwater salinity. Results show that there are both temporal and spatial tide-induced changes in groundwater salinity with the potential of impacting the trees.

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