Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia
Advertisement

Climate Change Might Lead to Water Crisis in Future

by Venkatraman on November 7, 2007 at 4:20 PM
Climate Change Might Lead to Water Crisis in Future

A new study indicates that coastal communities could lose upto 50 percent more of their fresh water supplies because of the rise in sea levels.

The findings are based on the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which has concluded that sea level could rise as much as 23 inches within the next 100 years, thus flooding coasts worldwide. In the United States, lands along the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico are most likely to be flooded as sea levels rise. Vulnerable areas worldwide include Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and northern Europe.

Advertisement

Based on this report, hydrologists have simulated how this situation would lead to saltwater intruding into fresh water aquifers. The researchers simulated coastlines made entirely of coarse or fine sand, and different textures in between.

Scientists had previously assumed that, as saltwater moved inland, it would penetrate underground only as far as it did above ground.

According to Motomu Ibaraki, associate professor of earth sciences at Ohio State, "Most people are probably aware of the damage that rising sea levels can do above ground, but not underground, which is where the fresh water is."
Advertisement

The new research shows that when saltwater and fresh water meet, they mix in complex ways, depending on the texture of the sand along the coastline. In some cases, a zone of mixed, or brackish, water can extend 50 percent further inland underground than it does above ground.

This was also illustrated in the simulations made by the scientists. It showed that, the more layers a coastline has, the more the saltwater and fresh water mix. The mixing causes convection, which is similar to the currents that stir water in the open sea. Between the incoming saltwater and the inland fresh water, a pool of brackish water forms.

Further sea level rise increases the mixing even more, which leads to the underground brackish water being extended 10 to 50 per cent further inland than the saltwater on the surface.

Like saltwater, brackish water is not safe to drink because it causes dehydration. Water that contains less than 250 milligrams of salt per liter is considered fresh water and safe to drink.

"Climate change is already diminishing fresh water resources, with changes in precipitation patterns and the melting of glaciers. With this work, we are pointing out another way that climate change can potentially reduce available drinking water. The coastlines that are vulnerable include some of the most densely populated regions of the world," Ibaraki added.

"Almost 40 percent of the world population lives in coastal areas, less than 60 kilometers from the shoreline," Mizuno said. "These regions may face loss of freshwater resources more than we originally thought," he added.

The solution for this crisis situation is obtaining economical water for everybody.

"In order to obtain cheap water for everybody, we need to use groundwater, river water, or lake water," Ibaraki said.

But the problem is that these water resources are disappearing due to several factors like an increase in demand and climate change. This calls for the need to create new fresh water resources.

"One way to create more fresh water is to desalinate saltwater, for which we need massive energy," said Ibaraki. "So our water problem would become an energy problem in the future," he added.

Source: ANI
VEN/M
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Environmental Health

New Plant-Based Options Reduce Climate-Harming Emissions
Innovative substitutes for animal-derived products, such as meat and dairy, hold potential to foster a more sustainable, healthier, and ethical food system.
How 'Forever Chemicals' are Tied to Poor Bone Health in Teens?
Young Hispanic adults' bone mineral density is impacted by PFAS, or 'forever chemical,' which can lead to osteoporosis and other bone problems.
Emergency in Texas: 8 Hospitalized Following Chemical Exposure
After exposure to toxic gas phosgene at a Texas chemical plant, eight workers underwent treatment to address the effects of the incident.
 COP28 Bats for Importance of Health Amid Climate Change
COP28 along with WHO announced 'COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health' to protect people's health from the impending climate change.
Is Climate Change Impacting Brain Function?
The latest study underscores the significant influence that an individual's environment can exert on their brain.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Climate Change Might Lead to Water Crisis in Future Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests