Subsidence in the lower deltaic areas of Bangladesh

The lower deltaic area of Bangladesh is located on two active troughs, Faridpur Trough and Hatiya Trough. Although most of the Bengal Basin is slowly subsiding, the troughs are subsiding more rapidly. The area shows evidence of three different types of subsidence: tectonic, anthropogenic, and that resulting from the compaction of peat layer. Under natural conditions the subsidence of the area is compensated by sediment brought into the system by rivers, tides, and coastal currents. However, man‐made projects, especially the coastal embankment project and polder projects, are altering the sedimentation pattern of the area. Areas being protected by embankment and polders from salt water intrusion and flood water are receiving very little to no sediments from outside. In most of…