Submarine Groundwater: A New Concept for the Supply of Drinking Water

Bakken, Tor Haakon; Ruden, Fridtjof; Mangset, Lars Erik

doi:10.1007/s11269-011-9806-1

Cited by 42 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Freshened groundwater has been detected tens to hundreds of kilometers offshore of coastlines worldwide (Post et al, ), and simulations indicate that this could be common across a range of geologic systems (Michael et al, ). Offshore groundwater resources can potentially be exploited for uses such as drinking, agriculture, and oil recovery (Bakken et al, ; Jiao et al, ; Kwong et al, ; Person et al, ; Ziegler et al, ). Since the late nineteenth century, considerable effort has gone into understanding coastal aquifer systems for effective management to avoid seawater intrusion (e.g., Reilly & Goodman, ; Werner et al, ), but the onshore impacts of offshore pumping have not yet been fully assessed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Offshore Pumping Impacts Onshore Groundwater Resources and Land Subsidence

Michael

2019

Geophysical Research Letters

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Freshened groundwater exists offshore along many coastlines worldwide. Pumping of these offshore resources has been proposed for more efficient oil production as well as drinking and agriculture. Although pumping can occur tens to hundreds of kilometers offshore, these activities may threaten connected onshore aquifer systems. We conducted numerical simulations of variable‐density groundwater flow and salt transport in coastal aquifers with different geologic structure subject to offshore pumping to assess potential impacts. Results show that offshore pumping can diminish both onshore groundwater availability and submarine groundwater discharge and can cause widespread land subsidence. Heterogeneity increases water resource vulnerability relative to equivalent homogeneous and layered systems and exacerbates the magnitude of land subsidence. More continuous geologic structure causes propagation of maximum subsidence farther landward. This work suggests that coastal aquifers may be vulnerable to offshore pumping activities and that these effects should be considered in feasibility assessments for offshore drilling.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Offshore Pumping Impacts Onshore Groundwater Resources and Land Subsidence

Michael

2019

Geophysical Research Letters

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“…Hydrogeologists have compiled evidence that fresh and brackish groundwater extends tens to hundreds of kilometers offshore along many world coastlines [ Post et al ., ] (Figure b). As coastal aquifers are increasingly threatened by groundwater depletion and seawater intrusion [e.g., Ranjan et al ., ; Wada et al ., ; Werner et al ., ], brackish groundwater is being used for desalination, and offshore resources have been suggested as a potential future target resource [ Bakken et al ., ]. While disequilibrium with present‐day sea level has been shown to explain offshore freshwater in a few locations [ Kooi and Groen , ; Person et al ., ; Cohen et al ., ], this may not be true everywhere.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geologic influence on groundwater salinity drives large seawater circulation through the continental shelf

Michael

Scott

Koneshloo

et al. 2016

Geophysical Research Letters

123

104

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Observations of offshore freshened groundwater and saline groundwater discharge along continental shelves have important implications for water resources, ecosystem function, and the composition of the ocean, but they cannot be explained by basic theory. We show that these independent observations are linked and result from processes that drive variable‐density groundwater flow through the spatial heterogeneity that is ubiquitous in geologic formations. We use lithologic data to develop geostatistical models that mimic the architecture of coastal aquifers. Simulation of groundwater flow and salt transport through these random realizations shows that heterogeneity produces spatially complex subsurface salinity distributions that extend tens of kilometers offshore, even at steady state. The associated density gradients drive high saline groundwater circulation rates that cannot be predicted by equivalent homogeneous models. Results suggest that these phenomena may be common along continental shelves, potentially altering estimates of ocean chemical budgets and impacting coastal water management for future generations.

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“…The above features enable this selfdesalination system to be a potential solution to quench the thirsts of people during the duel between FW and SW on these vulnerable islands. In addition, recent researches indicate that vast offshore BW reserves sequestrated during the last glacial period are common occurrences in coastal regions all around the world [36,37]. This selfdesalination system may also be applied in these regions as a potential FW supply.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%