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Did you know there might be fresh water hidden beneath the sea? Recently, near Cape Cod, U.S., scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that could potentially solve the world's water scarcity issue.
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An endeavor titled Expedition 501 uncovered a vast reservoir of fresh water beneath the ocean floor, possibly extending from New Jersey to Maine. About 50 years ago, a U.S. government ship drilling for minerals and oil stumbled upon fresh water instead of oil.
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This time, in 2025, Expedition 501 delved deeper into the mystery. It is a $25 million project involving scientists from the U.S., Europe, and many other countries. Researchers drilled 400 meters deep near Cape Cod using a ship named Liftboat Robert.
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They collected thousands of samples containing fresh or nearly fresh water, enough to meet New York City's needs for 800 years. This reservoir could be even larger. Freshwater scarcity is increasing globally. According to the UN, by 2030, water demand will exceed supply by 40%.
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Climate change is causing sea levels to rise, leading to saltwater infiltration into coastal freshwater sources. Data centers running AI and cloud computing draw vast amounts of water. In Virginia, 25% of electricity is consumed by data centers, projected to double in 5 years. A midsize data center consumes as much water as 1,000 homes.
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In 2018, Cape Town, South Africa, faced a dire water shortage affecting 5 million people. A hidden freshwater resource beneath the ocean offers a glimmer of hope. This phenomenon isn't confined to America alone, but may be present in Canada, Hawaii, Indonesia, and other coastal locations like South Africa.
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Source: aajtak
Expedition 501 was funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling. This mission lasted three months, utilizing a vessel named Liftboat Robert, which typically operates on three large legs on the ocean floor, similar to those used for oil or wind farm installation.
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Scientists drilled to a depth of 400 meters and retrieved 50,000 liters of water samples. This water might be from glaciers or linked to terrestrial groundwater systems. These samples are now being analyzed in labs worldwide to determine their origin and quality.
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Source: aajtak
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In 2015, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory mapped this reservoir using electromagnetic technology, initially estimating it could rival America's largest Ogallala Aquifer, which supplies water to 8 states.
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Extracting water from beneath the sea is costly and complex, requiring specialized technology and significant investment. Scientist Rob Evans points out that extracting this water could reduce coastal groundwater. The water originating from the seafloor also provides essential nutrients for marine life, which could be affected.
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Brandon Dugan, co-chief scientist of this mission, emphasizes the need to explore every possible water source for society. This discovery could serve as a backup for coastal waters devastated by drought or storms.
