Report on Offshore Aquifer Investigation and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

A scientific expedition has completed a two-week offshore imaging survey off the west coast of Hawaii Island. The primary objective was to confirm the existence of a theorized subterranean reservoir of fresh or brackish water. This research directly addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning water security, environmental protection, and scientific innovation.

Expedition Overview and Core Objectives

The survey was a collaborative effort involving researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, under contract with the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority and funded by the state Legislature. The investigation seeks to validate a theory that challenges conventional island hydrology models, positing that a deep, confined aquifer extends miles offshore, trapped beneath volcanic basalt.

• Primary Goal: To verify the existence and extent of a deep offshore aquifer, which could account for significant discrepancies in Hawaii Island’s water cycle models.
• Contribution to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The project is fundamental to understanding and potentially managing a previously unknown freshwater resource, supporting the goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.
• Contribution to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The project exemplifies a multi-institutional partnership between academic bodies and state authorities to achieve critical sustainability objectives.

Methodology and Scientific Innovation

The expedition utilized advanced electromagnetic imaging technology to survey two coastal areas: from north of Kiholo Bay to Honokohau Harbor and from south of Kailua Bay to Kealakekua. This advanced approach is a key component of the project’s contribution to scientific advancement.

• Technology Deployed: Instruments on the seafloor detected electromagnetic echoes, while a 150-foot-long towed sensor and a 3,300-foot-long receiver array were used to image deep below the seafloor.
• Innovative Approach: Researchers noted that the volcanic geology of Hawaii requires imaging capabilities up to 10 times deeper than typical offshore aquifer surveys. This technological push aligns with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by advancing scientific research and technological capabilities to solve complex environmental challenges.

Implications for Water Security and Sustainable Communities (SDG 6 & SDG 11)

The confirmation of this reservoir would have profound implications for water resource management. According to lead researcher Peter Kannberg, preliminary data suggests these offshore aquifers are more extensive than originally hypothesized. While this could represent a new water source, it also necessitates a more complex understanding of the island’s hydrology.

• Resource Potential: The research could identify a significant water resource, crucial for the long-term resilience of local populations. This directly supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by enhancing the resource security of island settlements.
• Water Quality Considerations: The water within these deep aquifers is unlikely to be pure freshwater and would likely require desalination. This highlights the need for integrated solutions that consider both water quantity and quality, a core tenet of SDG 6.
• Rethinking Water Management: Kannberg stated, “If we are able to show they do exist, then we need to reevaluate those conceptual models, and update them to reflect the reality that we are seeing.” This re-evaluation is a critical step toward the integrated water resources management promoted by Target 6.5.

Environmental Stewardship and Global Relevance (SDG 14)

The study’s findings will be crucial for protecting marine environments. Understanding the connection between terrestrial groundwater and offshore systems is vital for safeguarding coastal ecosystems. The research provides a foundational model for understanding similar systems on volcanic islands globally.

• Protecting Marine Ecosystems: A comprehensive model of these aquifers is essential for managing freshwater resources in a way that protects coastal and marine ecosystems, in line with SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
• Global Application: As most studies of offshore freshwater have occurred in non-volcanic settings, this research provides a vital framework for understanding complex volcanic hydrology on islands worldwide, enhancing the global knowledge base for sustainable water management.

Next Steps

Researchers are now processing the collected data to develop a definitive model of the offshore system. The subsequent steps are critical for translating scientific discovery into actionable policy.

1. Turn the collected data into a comprehensive model of the earth offshore Kona.
2. Verify the existence, extent, and volume of the offshore aquifers.
3. Utilize the findings to inform and develop sustainable policies for the management of these critical water resources.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The article’s primary focus is on a scientific expedition to identify and understand a vast underground reservoir of fresh or brackish water. This directly relates to the management and understanding of water resources, a core component of SDG 6. The research aims to solve “long-standing mysteries about Hawaii Island’s water cycle” and inform future “management of these resources,” which is essential for ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The expedition exemplifies scientific innovation and the use of advanced infrastructure. The article mentions the use of “advanced electromagnetic imaging technology,” specialized sensors, and receiver arrays to conduct the survey. This investment in scientific research and technology to “reevaluate those conceptual models” of island hydrology directly supports the goal of enhancing scientific research and upgrading technological capabilities.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The findings of the research have significant implications for the sustainable management of communities on Hawaii Island and other volcanic islands. The article states that the research will help “make informed policies about the management of these resources.” Sustainable water management is critical for the long-term resilience and viability of cities and human settlements, particularly in island environments that face unique water security challenges.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The project described is a multi-stakeholder partnership. It involves a collaboration between academic institutions (“University of Hawaii at Manoa and Scripps Institution of Oceanography”), a government body (“Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority”), and public funding (“funded by the state Legislature”). This type of collaboration is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals by pooling resources, expertise, and technology.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management

   The article directly addresses this target. The research aims to correct incomplete models of the island’s water cycle (“a lot of water is missing from current models”) to enable better resource management. The statement, “Once we know how and where these features are, we will be able to make informed policies about the management of these resources,” is a clear articulation of working towards integrated water resources management.

2. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research and encourage innovation

   The expedition is a clear example of this target in action. It is a scientific research project using “advanced electromagnetic imaging technology” to challenge existing scientific theories (“Our current conceptual model of how fresh water should work on islands does not allow for offshore aquifers to exist”). The goal is to “update them to reflect the reality that we are seeing,” which is the essence of enhancing scientific research and innovation.

3. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships

   The structure of the project itself fulfills this target. The collaboration between universities (civil society/academia), a state authority (public), and the state legislature (public) demonstrates an effective partnership leveraging different sectors’ strengths to address a complex scientific and resource management challenge.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Development of new water resource models:

  The article explicitly states a goal is to “turn the data we collected into a model of the earth offshore Kona” and to “reevaluate those conceptual models, and update them.” The creation and adoption of these new, more accurate hydrological models would be a direct indicator of progress in integrated water resources management (Target 6.5).

• Estimation of water volume:

  A key objective mentioned is to “estimate the volume of water stored offshore.” This quantitative data point serves as a direct indicator of the research’s success and provides a baseline for any future management or policy decisions regarding this potential water source.

• Mapping the extent of the aquifer:

  The research aims to verify the “existence and extent of these offshore aquifers.” The article notes that the extent is “greater than we originally thought, both in breadth and depth.” A map or model detailing this extent would be a measurable output and an indicator of improved scientific understanding (Target 9.5).

• Public investment in research and development:

  The article implies this indicator by stating the project was “funded by the state Legislature.” The allocation of public funds for this type of scientific research is a measurable indicator related to enhancing scientific and technological capabilities (Target 9.5).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: westhawaiitoday.com