Vast Freshwater Reservoir Discovered Beneath Atlantic Ocean

Edited by: Tetiana Martynovska 17

A significant discovery has confirmed the existence of a large freshwater reservoir located deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean, extending along the U.S. East Coast from New Jersey to Maine. This finding presents a potential new resource for addressing global water scarcity.

The presence of freshwater deposits under the ocean floor has been known since the 1970s, with initial encounters occurring during oil exploration. However, the full extent of these aquifers remained largely unquantified until recent advanced investigations. In 2019, researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Columbia University used electromagnetic waves to map a vast strip of freshwater from Massachusetts to New Jersey, prompting further exploration.

This led to Expedition 501, an international scientific endeavor that began in May 2025. The expedition's team investigated depths of 300 to 400 meters below the seabed off the U.S. Atlantic coast for three months, collecting sediment and water samples. Preliminary analyses indicate the water has a significantly lower salt content than seawater, meeting standards for drinking water.

Further analyses are underway to determine the water's precise age and origin. Brandon Dugan, a geophysics professor at the Colorado School of Mines and a leader of the expedition, suggests the water could be between 200 to 20,000 years old, which would help ascertain if the source is being replenished or is a finite resource. Early estimates suggest this aquifer could hold enough freshwater to supply New York City for centuries.

While the discovery offers substantial potential benefits, including a sustainable source of drinking water for millions, the practicalities of exploiting this resource involve significant technical, environmental, and economic challenges. Experts estimate it could take around 10 years before these offshore aquifers are ready for widespread tapping, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of environmental impacts and sustainable use.

Sources

  • as

  • The Washington Post

  • KTVZ

  • Sustainability Times

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