University of Hawaiʻi uses AI to shield coastal freshwater from rising seas

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is leading an artificial intelligence initiative to monitor and protect the islands' vulnerable coastal freshwater resources. The project seeks to safeguard the delicate balance of groundwater supplies against the escalating threats of climate change.

In a collaborative effort with the University of Texas at Austin, researchers are using AI to predict how storm surges and rising sea levels threaten coastal ecosystems. Specifically, the project focuses on seawater intrusion, the process where saltwater pushes into freshwater aquifers and contaminates the water supply. The initiative is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through its Collaborations in Artificial Intelligence and Geosciences program.

The Technical Approach

To achieve these predictions, the team is developing "surrogate models." These tools combine artificial intelligence with traditional physics models to simulate the complex interactions between the ocean and groundwater at high speeds. The AI architecture is designed to be flexible, allowing it to track both long-term environmental patterns and sudden, short-term events such as intense storm surges.

The Coastal Crisis

Hawaiʻi relies heavily on coastal freshwater lenses—layers of fresh groundwater that float atop denser saltwater. These lenses are the primary source of water for many coastal areas but are highly susceptible to contamination. As sea levels rise and over-extraction continues, the risk of saltwater intrusion increases, which can permanently ruin an aquifer's viability for human use or agriculture.

Why It Matters

Protecting these freshwater lenses is vital for the long-term sustainability of Hawaiʻi's ecosystems and human water security. Saltwater contamination does not only affect drinking water; it threatens native vegetation and agricultural productivity across the islands. By using AI to create high-speed simulations, the university can provide more accurate warnings and management strategies to prevent the loss of these critical resources.

What's Next

As the project progresses, the focus remains on refining the surrogate models to ensure they accurately reflect the unique geological conditions of the Hawaiian Islands. While the NSF funding provides the foundation, the success of the project depends on the AI's ability to translate complex physics into actionable data for water managers and policymakers facing an uncertain climatic future.