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Saltwater intrusion, which can be caused by groundwater pumping, changes in recharge, and sea-level rise, will increase the potential for the contamination of freshwater with seawater constituents such as bromide and iodide, ions that are frequently disregarded because their concentrations in saltwater are significantly lower than that of chloride. However, elevated bromide and iodide levels will increase the formation of carcinogenic byproduct chemicals during the disinfection of drinking water. Therefore, the objective is to understand how exposure to carcinogenic byproduct chemicals can be quantified by evaluating the fluxes of bromide and iodide from saltwater to freshwater. This will be accomplished by quantifying the potential of saltwater intrusion to alter groundwater chemistry, specifically by analyzing the spatial and temporal variability in the ratios of bromide-to-chloride and iodide-to-chloride in selected coastal aquifers. An experimental matrix will include field sampling for one year at each location to account for seasonal variations, and samples will be analyzed for total dissolved solids, chloride, bromide, and iodide. The aim is to explore the application of said ratios as a predictable indicator of the levels of bromide, iodide, and the subsequent formation of disinfection byproducts. The significance of this work is to develop an understanding of how population growth, urbanization, and climate change may influence human health risks that need to be incorporated into the long-term planning and management of drinking water treatment. |