Search

Search

Coastal Groundwater Threatened by Rising Saltwater Intrusion, NASA Study Reveals

A groundbreaking study from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has uncovered alarming predictions for global coastal groundwater supplies, with saltwater intrusion projected to affect 77% of coastal watersheds worldwide by 2100. This phenomenon threatens freshwater resources, ecosystems, and infrastructure in vulnerable regions.

What is Saltwater Intrusion?

Saltwater intrusion occurs when seawater seeps into underground freshwater aquifers, driven by an imbalance between freshwater recharge from rainfall and seawater pressure.

  • Key Factors Influencing Intrusion:
    • Rising Sea Levels: Global warming accelerates sea-level rise, pushing saltwater further inland.
    • Reduced Rainfall: Slower groundwater recharge weakens the flow of freshwater toward the ocean, amplifying saltwater intrusion.

Study Highlights

  • Researchers evaluated over 60,000 coastal watersheds globally, modeling future scenarios based on data from HydroSHEDS, a WWF-managed database.
  • Rising sea levels alone are predicted to cause saltwater intrusion in 82% of watersheds studied, while diminished rainfall recharge may affect 45%.
  • Particularly vulnerable regions include:
    • The Arabian Peninsula
    • Western Australia
    • Parts of the Gulf of Mexico

Implications

The study warns of severe consequences:

  • Freshwater Scarcity: Aquifers contaminated with saltwater become undrinkable, posing a critical challenge to communities relying on coastal groundwater.
  • Ecosystem Damage: Saltwater intrusion disrupts habitats, threatening biodiversity.
  • Infrastructure Risks: Corrosion from saltwater can compromise buildings, pipes, and other infrastructure.

Call for Adaptive Strategies

Kyra Adams, the study's lead author, emphasized the importance of tailoring management approaches to local conditions:

"Depending on where you are and which factor dominates, your management implications might change."

A Shared Responsibility

The study, co-funded by NASA and the US Department of Defense, underscores the urgency of addressing climate change to safeguard freshwater resources. Adaptive strategies, such as sustainable water management and infrastructure planning, will be crucial in mitigating the impact of saltwater intrusion on vulnerable coastal regions worldwide.

As rising sea levels and changing rainfall patterns continue, protecting coastal groundwater supplies is not just a local challenge but a global imperative.