About this Research Topic
The interface between fresh continental groundwater and seawater in the coastal zone is the site of important geochemical processes that may lead to potential degradation of freshwater resources and control the inputs of terrestrial pollutants to the coast. The location and phenomena surrounding this interface are impacted by both sea level rise and changing precipitation patterns due to climate change. Over the last two decades the science of quantifying groundwater discharging into the coastal zone has advanced significantly, mainly through the use of geochemical tracers and radio-isotopes, however uncertainty remains in this quantification as well as to the further understanding of the role groundwater plays in coastal ecology. New technology (i.e. drones) may enable a better understanding of the interaction between groundwater discharge and coastal ecology, but little has been published to date on this subject. Meanwhile freshwater degradation due to salt water intrusion in coastal aquifers may be detrimental even disastrous to coastal communities, and while we have much understanding in regards to the effect of human overconsumption on coastal aquifer resources, much speculation continues to surround the role climate change will play in exacerbating this process.
The goal of this Research topic is to advance understanding regarding the following questions:
How will precipitation patterns change groundwater availability and movement? Are these changes both long-term and short-term? How will sea level rise affect salt water intrusion and what role does geology play in the process? How will rapid development of the coastal zones change coastal hydrogeology and are there any potential technological advances, which promise a better future for water resources? Many of these questions cannot be answered without a better understanding and quantification of phenomena occurring where seawater and groundwater meet. Given the fact that water is the world’s most precious resource, it is of vital importance that we better manage groundwater resources in the face of a changing climate and sea level rise.
We are seeking novel research manuscripts (new techniques to measure interactions at the groundwater-seawater interface and/or specific case studies, particularly in vulnerable regions such as small island developing states) which advance scientific understanding of this field to be gathered together in a Research topic for Frontiers in Water.
Potential manuscripts can include, but are not limited to:
- New fieldwork techniques to quantify submarine groundwater discharge
- New models to predict the interplay at the subterranean estuary based on recharge changes or sea level rise due to climate change, using the RCP scenarios.
- Case studies of groundwater availability in the face of climate change particularly in SIDS
The goal of this Research topic is to advance understanding regarding the following questions:
How will precipitation patterns change groundwater availability and movement? Are these changes both long-term and short-term? How will sea level rise affect salt water intrusion and what role does geology play in the process? How will rapid development of the coastal zones change coastal hydrogeology and are there any potential technological advances, which promise a better future for water resources? Many of these questions cannot be answered without a better understanding and quantification of phenomena occurring where seawater and groundwater meet. Given the fact that water is the world’s most precious resource, it is of vital importance that we better manage groundwater resources in the face of a changing climate and sea level rise.
We are seeking novel research manuscripts (new techniques to measure interactions at the groundwater-seawater interface and/or specific case studies, particularly in vulnerable regions such as small island developing states) which advance scientific understanding of this field to be gathered together in a Research topic for Frontiers in Water.
Potential manuscripts can include, but are not limited to:
- New fieldwork techniques to quantify submarine groundwater discharge
- New models to predict the interplay at the subterranean estuary based on recharge changes or sea level rise due to climate change, using the RCP scenarios.
- Case studies of groundwater availability in the face of climate change particularly in SIDS
Keywords: Submarine Groundwater Discharge, Saline Intrusion, Coastal Aquifers, Subterranean Estuary, Groundwater exploitation
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
