Rising Saltwater Threatens Majority of Coastal Aquifers by 2100
A study by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory predicts that by 2100, saltwater will infiltrate 77% of coastal aquifers globally due to climate change-induced sea level rise and reduced groundwater recharge. This saltwater intrusion threatens freshwater supplies, ecosystems, and infrastructure. The study highlights that while sea level rise will make saltwater intrusion more widespread, reduced groundwater recharge will determine how far inland it penetrates. Vulnerable regions include Southeast Asia, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Eastern US Seaboard.
