Scientists Tap 'Secret' Fresh Water Under the Ocean, Raising Hopes For a Thirsty World (apnews.com)
- Reference: 0179022946
- News link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/25/09/05/160234/scientists-tap-secret-fresh-water-under-the-ocean-raising-hopes-for-a-thirsty-world
- Source link: https://apnews.com/article/freshwater-expedition-ai-501-cape-cod-5d62cae0f040d369b16d8400202f0a88
Samples registered salinity as low as 1 part per thousand -- meeting U.S. freshwater standards -- with some readings even lower. Scientists collected nearly 50,000 liters for laboratory analysis to determine whether the water originates from ancient glacial melt or current terrestrial groundwater systems. The UN projects global freshwater demand will exceed supply by 40% within five years.
[1] https://apnews.com/article/freshwater-expedition-ai-501-cape-cod-5d62cae0f040d369b16d8400202f0a88
saltwater intrusion (Score:2)
We already have a problem with wells in Florida getting salty, because when you lower the pressure of the aquifer by pumping millions of gallons out of it, the surrounding saltwater from the ocean flows in. It seems like this would happen even faster with an aquifer under the ocean if you start pumping the water out. I can't see this being a source of freshwater for very long.
Re: (Score:2)
I guess that depends on the volume of the aquifer and the geology. If there's a non-porous layer of rock in the ~1300ft of rock above it then, while the aquifer will inevitably start to collapse creating cracks in the higher layers of rock, it might be some time before enough salt water mingles with the fresh to exceed safe potable water limits. Besides, as long as it's still sufficiently less salty than typical sea water, then it's still going to be a lot more efficient to run it through some kinds of de
And to (help) power these pump sites ... (Score:2)
> ... at sites 20-30 miles offshore.
Sounds like a good spot for offshore wind turbines -- oh, [1]wait [whitehouse.gov] ...
[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/temporary-withdrawal-of-all-areas-on-the-outer-continental-shelf-from-offshore-wind-leasing-and-review-of-the-federal-governments-leasing-and-permitting-practices-for-wind-projects/
Interesting (Score:2)
Interesting, hopefully this can be found in other areas. Where this was found, that area enough fresh water. The only issue is water treatment. Many places need to build more treatment plants. So, the expense of getting it for the NE US is not really worth it at this point.
Now, the southwest US, or other such areas, this water would be a big help. But I wonder if the water is in that area because the Atlantic is spreading, where in the SW with subduction, this could be hard find.
I know little about ge
Re: (Score:2)
Agree, I imagine California especially Southern Cal would exploit "ocean fresh water" if it proves to be in their backyard.
Water dissolving and water removing (Score:1)
There is water at the bottom of the ocean.
I guess that is one way... (Score:3)
That's one way to offset rising sea levels from global warming - drain the aquifer under the ocean to sink the floor...
Re: (Score:2)
> That's one way to offset rising sea levels from global warming - drain the aquifer under the ocean to sink the floor...
Or... we could just use whatever [1]these guys [wikipedia.org] use. :-)
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drain_the_Oceans