Characterizing the groundwater resources and proposing its sustainable development strategies for the Gio Linh region in Quang Tri province, Vietnam

The Gio Linh region in Quang Tri province, Vietnam, faces pressing threats from pollution and saltwater intrusion, endangering the groundwater quality, the primary source of potable water for the local population. This study’s objective is to identify and quantify groundwater recharge sources and understand the relationships between aquifers and groundwater, as well as their interactions with surface water. The ultimate aim is to develop sustainable strategies for the prudent management of this critical natural resource. The research utilized a combination of traditional methodologies and isotopic techniques to analyze spatial and temporal variations in groundwater recharge. A unique seasonal fluctuation in stable isotope composition is pivotal in comprehending groundwater characteristics, driven by temporal changes in isotopic signatures of precipitation influenced by atmospheric moisture sources along Truong Son range in Vietnam. Local rainfall is identified as the primary source of groundwater in the Gio Linh area, with an average recharge rate of (220 ± 30) mm/year. During an extended seven-month dry season, the Truc Kinh, Ha Thuong, and Kinh Mon reservoirs in the western region serve as the sole sources of groundwater recharge. Stable isotope composition analysis confirms the lack of hydraulic interaction between Holocene and Pleistocene aquifers. To ensure the sustainable utilization of groundwater in both quality and quantity, a comprehensive strategy has been devised, emphasizing source protection and the implementation of prudent exploitation measures within the study area.