Scientists discovered fresh water under the ocean

Scientists have discovered what they claim is the world’s newest source of fresh water trapped in 'pockets' under the ocean.

A group from Columbia University and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution mapped out the fresh-water reservoirs during a 10-day research trip, a report from the World Economic Forum found.

Sensors were towed through waters from New Jersey to Massachusetts.

“By measuring the way electromagnetic waves travelled through fresh and saline water, researchers mapped out fresh-water reservoirs for the first time,” the report said.

“It turns out the subterranean pools stretch for at least (80 kilometres) off the US Atlantic coast, containing vast stores of low-salinity groundwater, about twice the volume of Lake Ontario.”

It is estimated that Lake Ontario contains 1638 cubic kilometres of water.

Columbia University PhD candidate Chloe Gustafson said the group knew there was fresh water “down there in isolated places”.

“But we did not know the extent or geometry. It could turn out to be an important resource in other parks of the world.”

The World Economic Forum said the “size and extent” of the freshwater deposits could indicate they are being fed by “modern-day runoff from land”.

“The water is not pure terrestrial fresh water, which contains salt concentrations of less than one part per thousand,” the report said.

It claimed desalination plants could turn any seawater in the area of the freshwater pockets into drinkable water.