Greenhouse effect, sea level rise, and salinity in the Delaware Estuary

This joint report by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Delaware River Basin Commission examines the implications of the greenhouse warming for salinity control in the Delaware estuary. The study focuses on the implications of (1) a 21-inch rise in global sea level expected by 2050, which would imply a rise of 2.4 feet in the Delaware estuary; and (2) a 7-foot global rise by 2100, which would imply an 8.2-foot rise in the Delaware estuary. The authors estimate the increase in estuary salinity, estimate the possible increase in salinity of the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system, discuss the implications, and examine possible responses. Potential changes in precipitation are not evaluated. Entire report online at: Sea Level Rise and Salinity in the Delaware Estuary