The following text is an artificial-intelligence-generated, expert-checked summary of a key research study cited in a feature article from Scientific American’s July/August 2023 issue: “Found: Giant Freshwater Deposits Hiding under the Sea,” by Rob L. Evans.
You can find the study itself here: “Submarine Groundwater: A New Concept for the Supply of Drinking Water,” by Tor Haakon Bakken et al., in Water Resources Management, Vol. 26, No. 4; March 2012.
Access to sufficient water of good quality is crucial for people, society and the economy. Many countries face water shortages, and this problem may get worse in the future because of more people, cities growing and changes in the weather. Turning seawater into drinking water uses a lot of energy and is expensive and often needs lots of fossil fuels. A new study by Tor Haakon Bakken of SINTEF Energy Research in Norway and his colleagues looks at using submarine groundwater as another option for drinking water.
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Submarine groundwater means water found under the seafloor. The researchers discovered that it can be found in many coastal areas and is often less salty than seawater. By using technology from the oil and gas industry or onshore groundwater technology, making drinking water from submarine groundwater could cost about the same as desalination (the process of removing salt from seawater to make it drinkable). The unit costs for submarine groundwater would be significantly reduced in cases of good (i.e., less saline) raw water quality.
In the end, the researchers did not find any major technical, economic or environmental problems that would make submarine groundwater a bad choice for a new source of drinking water when the conditions are right. This innovative approach could offer a more sustainable solution for regions facing water scarcity while reducing dependence on energy-intensive desalination processes.