The main outcome of a study has found that the effects of changes in climate predicted until 2100 will result in a loss of more than 16% of groundwater volume on the Maltese Islands.

This study was carried out by scientists from the Universities of Calabria and Malta led by Prof. Aaron Micallef. Three-dimensional geological and groundwater models were developed for the Maltese Islands.

They noted that groundwater supplies almost half of the potable water in the Maltese Islands, which is one of the poorest countries globally in terms of water resources.

Three predicted effects were considered on the impact on groundwater volume and saltwater intrusion simulated for 80 years: Reduction in precipitation, Increase in water demand and Sea-level rise.

Of these effects, they noted that water demand plays the most important role in reducing groundwater volume. Sea-level rise, on the other hand, only plays a marginal role.

The study was funded by the European Commission under the PON “Research and Innovation” 2014–2020, European Research Council, the University of Malta and the Helmholtz European Partnering Initiative.

It has just been published in the journal Water, in time for the UN Climate Change Conference 2021.

Photo: UM

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