Sea level is changing.
And with it, it’s taking over freshwater.
Coastal regions are home to roughly half of the global population. Freshwater is a valuable resource that supports this population and the unique ecosystems found in coastal areas.
But as sea level rises, these freshwater systems are facing threat of salinization. Saltwater can “intrude” into groundwater systems silently underneath our feet, or infiltrate from the surface following a heavy storm or high tide.
As little as 2% salinization makes freshwater undrinkable.
Once saline, it can take decades to recover.
Salinization can corrode our pipes, kill coastal forests, and mobilize harmful contaminants.
Understanding coastal impacts to sea level rise is a critical part of better preparing for the future.
My current work focuses on building models to calculate expected saltwater intrusion using sea level rise projections.
Click below to access related resources from NASA
