Socio-Economic Perspectives On Offshore Freshened Groundwater: Insights From Off-Source Cost Action
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Coastal aquifers, situated at the interface of oceanic and hydrologic systems, provide vital freshwater resources for over one billion people. However, these systems are increasingly stressed due to overexploitation, urbanization, and climate change, necessitating innovative solutions to address freshwater scarcity. Offshore freshened groundwater (OFG) refers to water stored in the sediments pores and rock fractures beneath the seafloor that has a salinity lower than that of seawater. It represents a promising yet untapped resource, but its technological, economic, environmental, and socio-political feasibility remains uncertain. This talk presents insights from the OFF-SOURCE COST Action, a multidisciplinary initiative aimed at evaluating the presence and volumes of OFG on European margins and beyond, and more in general, at addressing its sustainability as a resource for water-stressed coastal regions. Key outcomes from OFF-SOURCE to date include the development of new databases cataloguing OFG occurrences and relevant infrastructure across EU member countries, alongside technical reports and cost-effectiveness analyses that provide a foundation for assessing the viability of OFG utilization. These efforts contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of OFG distribution, accessibility, and potential pathways for protection and sustainable use. By drawing on outcomes from OFF-SOURCE activities, this presentation will highlight the evolving discourse on OFG, outline knowledge gaps, and discuss pathways for future research and collaboration. The talk will also introduce the OFF-SOURCE network and its objectives, inviting participants to contribute to ongoing efforts in shaping the future of offshore groundwater research and management.