Clean water crisis threatens the citizens of the world. Due to the use of water that has passed through the Earth reasonable limits and the increasingly arid climate in some regions. Compounded by diminishing water supply due to deforestation.
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| New research reveals that an estimated half a million cubic kilometers of low-salinity water are buried beneath the seabed on continental shelves around the world. (Picture from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/) |
In the midst of this situation, scientists discovered a surprise in the form of large reserves of fresh water that can be used to address the global water crisis, and from an unexpected location that is under the sea.
A study published this month reveals that there are an estimated reserve of water with low salinity levels covering half a million cubic kilometers under the seabed benting continents around the world.
So far, the water reserves known to exist in the waters of Australia, North America, China, and South Africa. "The volume of water reserves are hundreds of times more than the amount that we extracted from beneath the Earth's surface over the last century since 1900," said Dr. Vincent Post, the lead author of the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NCGRT) and the School of the Environment, Flinders University, Australia.
Dr. Post said, that scientists already know there are reserves of fresh water below sea level. However, initially it was estimated that only happens in rare and specific conditions. "Fresh water on our planet in a state contested under a lot of pressure and tension. So, finding significant reserves off the coast very interesting. Means humans have more options that can be considered to mitigate the effects of drought and water shortages," he said as quoted of News.com.au, on Monday, December 9, 2013.
Where does the fresh water? Scientists estimate that the reserves formed over hundreds of millions of years when the average sea level is much lower than it is today. "And when the shoreline was farther away," says Dr. Post.
The explanation, at that time, when it rains, water will infiltrate into the soil and fill the water table in the area currently is under the sea. "It happens all over the world. And when the sea levels rise when the ice begins to melt at 20 thousand years ago, the area covered by the oceans," says Dr. Post.
Remarkably, the aquifer or underground water layer is protected from seawater by a layer of clay and sediment that is in it. The aquifer is the same as the one in the basement, which is a drinking water source of the Earth inhabitants with the salinity was low.
So, how can we utilize this hidden source of water? "There are two ways to access the water, the first is to build a platform at sea to drill under the sea. Alternatively drilled from the mainland or an island close to the aquifer." says Dr. Post.
However, Dr Post warned the countries are close to non-renewable sources of fresh water was to not pollute sea water and careful use of the fresh water reserves. As quoted by Science Daily, sometimes do penetrate the aquifer for drilling exploration and production of oil and gas. Or if the aquifer is targeted for disposal of waste carbon dioxide. Undoubtedly, it will affect the water quality.
"We have to use it carefully. Because, once lost, there would be no return, unless the sea water level back down. Which means it will only happen after a long time," says Dr. Post. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NEWS.COM.AU | SCIENCE DAILY]
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