Science, society, and the coastal groundwater squeeze

TLDR

Coastal zones, where land and sea interact, are increasingly threatened by human activity that disrupts natural groundwater flow, creating a coastal groundwater squeeze that endangers freshwater supplies. The study calls for continued scientific progress in groundwater hydrology to be integrated into coastal zone management. Achieving this requires interdisciplinary collaboration, open science–public communication, and strong policy partnerships.

Abstract

Abstract Coastal zones encompass the complex interface between land and sea. Understanding how water and solutes move within and across this interface is essential for managing resources for society. The increasingly dense human occupation of coastal zones disrupts natural groundwater flow patterns and degrades freshwater resources by both overuse and pollution. This pressure results in a “coastal groundwater squeeze,” where the thin veneers of potable freshwater are threatened by contaminant sources at the land surface and saline groundwater at depth. Scientific advances in the field of coastal hydrogeology have enabled responsible management of water resources and protection of important ecosystems. To address the problems of the future, we must continue to make scientific advances, and groundwater hydrology needs to be firmly embedded in integrated coastal zone management. This will require interdisciplinary scientific collaboration, open communication between scientists and the public, and strong partnerships with policymakers.