Water resources management in high-stress regions is a large-scale problem affecting food and water security. Therefore, modern irrigation systems such as sprinklers, subsurface, and drip irrigations are applied to manage the water shortage in regions of the Nile delta. Because of the increase in population rate and climate change, freshwater supplies are significantly limited and must be efficiently managed. Consequently, Egypt plans to implement MIS in the old land of the Nile delta. The current study aims to investigate and model the recharge from the excess irrigation system that affects groundwater storage and land subsidence unexpectedly. The visual modflow was applied to investigate the groundwater heads and drawdown. At the same time, the analytical solution based on Terzaghi theory, and the surfer software was used to estimate and map the land subsidence.For this reason, we investigated the groundwater drawdown in the high-water shortage of Egypt’s Nile delta. Three scenarios were considered by changing irrigation methods and their Impact on land subsidence in the Nile Delta Aquifer (NDA). Therefore, the results of this study demonstrated that the groundwater drawdown reached 2.60 m, 4.20 m, and 6.50 m, respectively. In contrast, the land subsidence outstretched 26 m, 44 m, and 65 cm for the sprinkle sub-surface. Future design infrastructures such as pipelines, roads, irrigation networks, canals, and water structures should consider land subsidence due to modern irrigation systems (MIS).

Saltwater Intrusion (SWI) is threatening coastal archaeological sites, particularly in Crotone, southern Italy. The study area has been experiencing notable SWI due to over-pumping of groundwater, rising land subsidence, and climate change. Consequently, this study examines the applicability of polycaprolactone (PCL), a common biodegradable polymer, as a protective barrier for archaeological conservation. PCL films were synthesized via solvent casting and dried under controlled conditions. Physicochemical properties of the films were evaluated using six analytical techniques: (1) contact angle measurements for surface hydrophobicity, (2) Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for chemical stability, (3) Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for morphological characterization, (4) permeability testing for evaluating saltwater diffusion, (5) mechanical testing for tensile properties, and (6) biodegradability assays for degradation rates. All samples were evaluated at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days in natural seawater. Results from these tests indicate that unmodified PCL films exhibited moderate hydrophobicity, partial hydrolytic degradation, resistance to permeability, declining mechanical strength, and limited biodegradability over the testing period.

Coastal archaeological heritage sites are increasingly threatened by seawater intrusion (SWI) due to climate change, frequently intensified by legacy industrial contamination. This study assesses sustainable mitigation strategies for SWI at the Crotone archaeological site (southern Italy), which lies within a Site of National Interest affected by heavy-metal contamination. The area preserves the buried remains of the ancient city of Kroton, an urban complex established in the 8th century BCE by Greek settlers, which later became a major centre of Magna Graecia. A variable-density numerical groundwater model was applied to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated hydraulic configuration combining an impervious barrier with controlled groundwater extraction, designed to preserve the ancient city. The potential reuse of extracted brackish and polluted groundwater was assessed through a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) comparing Reverse Osmosis (RO), Electrodialysis (ED), and Nanofiltration (NF). Results indicate that the integrated mitigation strategy stabilised the freshwater-saltwater interface, reduced salinity beneath the archaeological area and enabled the interception of saline and contaminated groundwater. The Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis identified RO as the most favourable option in terms of ion removal efficiency, supporting both salinity control and contaminant recovery. Overall, the proposed framework provides a transferable approach for integrated management of SWI, groundwater contamination and cultural heritage protection.

Saltwater Intrusion (SWI) is threatening coastal archaeological sites, particularly in Crotone, southern Italy. The study area has been experiencing notable SWI due to over-pumping of groundwater, rising land subsidence, and climate change. Consequently, this study examines the applicability of polycaprolactone (PCL), commonly a biodegradable polymer, as a protective barrier for archaeological conservation. PCL films were synthesized via solvent casting and dried under controlled conditions. Physicochemical properties of the films were evaluated using six analytical techniques: (1) contact angle measurements for surface hydrophobicity, (2) Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for chemical stability, (3) Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for morphological characterization, (4) permeability testing for evaluating saltwater diffusion, (5) mechanical testing for tensile properties, and (6) biodegradability assays for degradation rates. All samples were evaluated at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days in natural seawater. Results from these tests indicate that unmodified PCL films exhibit moderate hydrophobicity, low chemical stability, moderate permeability, declining mechanical strength, and limited biodegradability over the testing period. Therefore, their suitability as long-term protective barriers requires further optimization. Nevertheless, material enhancement using nanoparticles or surface functionalization is highly recommended to improve hydrophobicity, enhance surface stability, reduce permeability, decrease biodegradability, and increase durability in saline environments.