Researchers discover fresh water in the Mediterranean Sea

Date:
August 6, 2021
Source:
Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)
Summary:
There is enough water on our planet, but by far the largest part
is salt water that is unsuitable as drinking water. Therefore,
especially in dry regions of the earth, the search for new
freshwater resources is very active. An international team of
researchers has now discovered strong evidence of a groundwater
deposit off the coast of Malta.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
Only about 3% of the water on earth is fresh water. Of this, only a small
part can be used for drinking water or irrigation. Therefore, especially
in arid or semi-arid regions, the search for usable freshwater resources
is very intensive. In recent years, with the help of new, innovative
methods, previously unknown deposits have also been discovered below the seafloor. Using such methods, an international team of scientists let
by GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and the University
of Malta have obtained strong evidence of a groundwater reservoir off
the Mediterranean island.


==========================================================================
"Our discovery is based on an oceanographic expedition we conducted
in 2018," explains Dr. Amir Haroon, from GEOMAR, lead author of
the study. "We used geophysical methods, called reflection seismics,
combined with novel electromagnetic techniques to detect these deposits," Haroon continues. "Our data suggest that the groundwater occurs as an
isolated body in limestone formations three kilometres from the coast,"
the scientist explains.

Using numerical modelling, the researchers found evidence that a second
near- shore groundwater body may exist close to the Maltese coast. The
water body was probably formed there during the last ice age 20,000
years ago, when the sea level was lower than today.

From Professor Aaron Micallef, co-author from GEOMAR & University
of Malta, perspective, this discovery has a number of important
implications. "Offshore groundwater may represent a new, unconventional
source of drinking water that should be considered in future
national water management strategies for the Maltese islands," he
states. Furthermore, he says, the presence of groundwater off a dry,
calcareous coast like Malta's is a good sign for similar areas in the Mediterranean that suffer from water scarcity. However, he cautions,
the use of the groundwater now found would likely be unsustainable, as
it would not be actively recharged and pumping rates would likely be low.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Helmholtz_Centre_for_Ocean_Research_Kiel_(GEOMAR). Note: Content may be
edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Amir Haroon, Aaron Micallef, Marion Jegen, Katrin Schwalenberg, Jens
Karstens, Christian Berndt, Xavier Garcia, Michel Ku"hn, Enzo
Rizzo, Nicoletta Chiara Fusi, Chibuzo Valeria Ahaneku, Lorenzo
Petronio, Zahra Faghih, Bradley A. Weymer, Michele De Biase,
Francesco Chidichimo.

Electrical Resistivity Anomalies Offshore a Carbonate Coastline:
Evidence for Freshened Groundwater? Geophysical Research Letters,
2021; 48 (14) DOI: 10.1029/2020GL091909 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210806104351.htm

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