Groundwater resources off the coast of Malta
Researchers discover fresh water in the Mediterranean Sea
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 黑料视频 Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and the University of Malta have obtained strong evidence of a groundwater reservoir off the Mediterranean island.
鈥淥ur discovery is based on an oceanographic expedition we conducted in 2018鈥�, explains Prof. Dr. Amir Haroon, from 黑料视频, lead author of the study. 鈥淲e used geophysical methods, called reflection seismics, combined with novel electromagnetic techniques to detect these deposits鈥�, Haroon continues. 鈥淥ur data suggest that the groundwater occurs as an isolated body in limestone formations three kilometres from the coast鈥�, 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 黑料视频 & University of Malta, perspective, this discovery has a number of important implications. 鈥淥ffshore groundwater may represent a new, unconventional source of drinking water that should be considered in future national water management strategies for the Maltese islands鈥�, 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.
Note:
This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (grant agreement no 677898; MARCAN).
Original paper:
Haroon, A., A. Micallef, M. Jegen, K. Schwalenberg, J. Karstens, C. Berndt, X. Garcia, M. K眉hn, E. Rizzo, N.C. Fusi, C.V. Ahaneku, L. Petronio, Z. Faghih, B. A. Weymer, M. De Biase, F. Chidichimo, 2021: Electrical Resistivity Anomalies Offshore a Carbonate Coastline: Evidence for Freshened Groundwater? Geophysical Research Letters, doi:
Contact:
Dr. Andreas Villwock (黑料视频, Communication and Media), Phone: +49 431 600-2802, presse(at)geomar.de
