Hidden Freshwater Network Discovered Beneath Great Salt Lake’s Drying Shores
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📰 The quick summary: Researchers have discovered unusual freshwater ‘oases’ on the exposed shorelines of the Great Salt Lake, revealing a previously unknown underground water system that could help reduce dust problems and restore the ecosystem.
📈 One key stat: Freshwater groundwater may account for up to 12% of the Great Salt Lake’s water budget, four times higher than previously believed, indicating a significant hidden water resource beneath the lakebed.
💬 One key quote: “It looks like it’s from a water resource that could be useful in the future, but we need to understand it and not overexploit it to the detriment of the wetlands,” Johnson said.
1️⃣ The big picture: Scientists at the University of Utah have identified mysterious reed-covered mounds forming along the exposed shores of the Great Salt Lake. These formations mark spots where pressurized groundwater from deep underground reaches the surface. Using piezometers and airborne electromagnetic surveys, researchers have mapped an extensive freshwater system beneath the lakebed that was previously unknown. The discovery suggests the presence of a vast underground reservoir that connects to the surface through natural channels, creating dense vegetation patches in otherwise barren salt flats. This hidden plumbing system may play a much larger role in the lake’s ecology than previously understood.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: This groundwater discovery provides hope for mitigating dust problems caused by the lake’s receding shoreline. The freshwater reserves could potentially be used to restore fragile lakebed crusts that prevent dust storms when disturbed areas are rehydrated. Initial data shows freshwater exists at significant depths and is under pressure, suggesting a substantial resource that could help maintain wetland habitats even as surface water levels decline. The extensive subsurface freshwater network might offer a natural buffer against the worst effects of the lake’s ongoing shrinkage, providing critical hydration to parts of the ecosystem that would otherwise dry out completely.
3️⃣ What’s next: Johnson and his colleagues are continuing to map the boundaries between fresh and salt water beneath the lake using isotope analysis to determine the age and mountain origin of the groundwater. The team has secured initial funding from Utah’s Department of Natural Resources to characterize this subsurface freshwater resource more comprehensively. Their primary goal is to understand the system completely before any decisions about potential use are made.
Read the full story here: SciTechDaily – Scientists Uncover Mysterious “Oases” on the Drying Shores of the Great Salt Lake
