Bis zum Jahr 2100 könnten über 70 % der Grundwasserleiter der Welt verunreinigt sein | Mehr als 2,5 Milliarden Menschen sind auf Grundwasserleiter angewiesen, um Süßwasser zu erhalten, doch steigende Meeresspiegel und der Klimawandel drücken Salzwasser in diese wichtigen Reserven.

From the article: Coastal regions face a growing peril hidden beneath their surfaces — saltwater intrusion. Over 2.5 billion people rely on aquifers (natural underground water reservoirs) for fresh water, and if enough saltwater infiltrates into aquifers, it can have devastating effects, making the water unsuitable for drinking and agriculture. This salinization is a major global threat, yet it’s rarely discussed.

According to a [new study](https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/home/news/nasa-dod-study-saltwater-to-widely-taint-coastal-groundwater-by-2100/), this risk was underestimated. By 2100, 77% of aquifers in the coastal areas below are expected to experience significant saltwater intrusion, and climate change is a key factor.

If you live in a coastal area, “saltwater intrusion” is a concept you may want to look into. In coastal aquifers, freshwater naturally pushes against seawater, maintaining a boundary known as the freshwater-saltwater interface. When this balance is disrupted — whether by rising seas or reduced groundwater recharge — saltwater infiltrates further inland.

Saltwater intrusion is primarily driven by two processes: recharge decline and sea level rise. Recharge occurs when rainwater or surface water seeps into the ground to replenish aquifers. Climate change reduces this recharge, allowing saltwater to infiltrate further inland. Meanwhile, climate change also affects sea level rise, which in turn, pushes seawater inland, displacing the freshwater boundary.

Low-lying regions, such as those in Southeast Asia, are particularly vulnerable to this encroachment due to their elevation and proximity to the coast, but all coastal aquifers are threatened by these processes.

For the first time, researchers have assessed saltwater intrusion on a global scale, combining sea level rise and recharge projections with the unique characteristics of coastal regions. Using data from over 60,000 coastal watersheds, the study provides a stark forecast: three-quarters of global coastal areas will experience measurable saltwater intrusion by 2100.

We must pay nestle to extract all reserves before the are tainted with seawater!