Science & Technology

Vast undersea freshwater reserves found

By T.K. Randall
December 10, 2013 ·  14 comments

The newly discovered reserves could sustain future generations. Image Credit: sxc.hu The researchers estimate that there could be up to 500,000 cubic kilometers of water locked beneath the sea on continental shelves all around the world. The find could prove extremely significant in the years to come as water shortages become an ever-increasing problem.

"The volume of this water resource is a hundred times greater than the amount we've extracted from the Earth's sub-surface in the past century since 1900," said study lead author Vincent Post.In the near future it may be possible to extract the water using platforms similar to those currently used to drill for undersea oil reserves.

"Freshwater on our planet is increasingly under stress and strain so the discovery of significant new stores off the coast is very exciting," said Post. "It means that more options can be considered to help reduce the impact of droughts and continental water shortages."

Source: ABC.net.au | Comments (14)

Tags: Water