Submarine groundwater discharge

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is the process where fresh or mineral-rich water from underground aquifers flows into the ocean or sea through the seabed. This occurs naturally through groundwater moving beneath the Earth's surface and emerging at the shoreline or directly into the water. SGD plays an important role in transporting nutrients, chemicals, and contaminants from land to coastal waters, influencing marine ecosystems and water quality. It is a subtle but significant process, contributing to the overall water exchange between land and ocean, and can affect coastal environments, especially where groundwater contains high levels of nutrients or pollutants.