Saline Groundwater for Aquaculture: An Expanding Hydrogeological and Hydrogeophysical Frontier

Abstract

Given the chronic and multi-faceted challenges of marine aquaculture, there is growing interest in land-based aquaculture supported by high-capacity saltwater wells. These wells can theoretically provide a stable, high-quality source of saline groundwater for aquaculture tanks. In this Issue Article, I focus on saltwater wells installed in the salt wedges of coastal aquifers and argue that these wells could benefit or harm local homeowners or municipalities relying on nearby freshwater wells. More research in the fields of hydrogeophysics and physical and contaminant hydrogeology is critically needed to better understand how high-capacity saltwater wells may impact coastal aquifers and groundwater-dependent communities. Such work is crucial for informing the development of scientifically based regulations for the management of these wells and related aquaculture operations. Appropriate regulations would protect coastal communities, ecosystems, and industrial operators from potentially negative impacts of saltwater wells and would help to maximize their potential benefits.