Coastal groundwater supplies to become undrinkable as salt moves in

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A new study led by researchers at Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has revealed alarming projections regarding saltwater intrusion into coastal groundwater supplies.

By the year 2100, approximately 77% of coastal watersheds worldwide are expected to experience this phenomenon, which can render freshwater sources undrinkable, damage ecosystems, and corrode infrastructure.

Climate change is disrupting this balance. Rising sea levels, driven by global warming, are causing coastlines to migrate inland and increasing the force of saltwater intrusion.

Simultaneously, slower groundwater recharge due to reduced rainfall exacerbates the issue, weakening the flow of freshwater toward the ocean.