A study of 1,400 coastal aquifers in North America finds that most coastal aquifers are relatively unaffected by rising sea levels, but human use is draining many of them.
Coastal aquifers are bordered by seawater on one side and as freshwater is pumped out for drinking water and irrigation salt water can migrate into the aquifer.
Around one billion people worldwide live in coastal areas, and many residents in coastal areas are dependent on groundwater from aquifers.
Policy changes such as reducing groundwater consumption and more effective groundwater management could help.
Read more at McGill University and University of Saskatchewan