Huge Salt Water "Ocean" Found Beneath Chinese Desert

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the discovery of a large hidden body of salt water beneath the Tarim basin in northwestern China, with implications for understanding climate change and carbon sinks. Participants explore the nature of this hidden ocean, its potential size compared to known water bodies, and comparisons to other regions with significant underground water resources.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether the hidden ocean is a cave system or simply a large water table, indicating uncertainty about its geological nature.
  • One participant notes the significant volume of water, suggesting it is not trivial, while also making a light-hearted comment about the discovery process.
  • Another participant references a similar situation in Africa, where vast underground aquifers are reported to hold much more water than surface sources, drawing a parallel to the Chinese discovery.
  • Concerns are raised about the methods used to estimate the water volume, with one participant expressing skepticism that different teams might arrive at varying estimates over time.
  • There is a suggestion that the water may not be easily usable for human consumption, emphasizing its role as a carbon sink rather than a direct resource.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the nature and implications of the hidden ocean, with no clear consensus on its geological characteristics or usability. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of the water's accessibility and the accuracy of the estimates provided.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in the understanding of the geological structure and the methods used for estimating the water volume, indicating that assumptions may vary and that the topic is still under exploration.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in geology, hydrology, climate science, and environmental studies may find the discussion relevant, particularly those exploring underground water resources and their implications for climate change.

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http://www.ibtimes.com/hidden-ocean...asin-larger-five-great-lakes-combined-2031541

Chinese scientists have discovered what could potentially be a massive hidden ocean underneath the Tarim basin in northwestern Xinjiang, China, the South China Morning Post reported. The basin is one of the driest places on Earth, but the amount of salt water hidden underneath could equal 10 times the amount of water found in all five of the Great Lakes located in the U.S.

Li’s team had accidentally discovered the water; they had actually been looking for carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide can be absorbed in certain regions called “carbon sinks,” and scientists study those “carbon sinks” to better understand climate change. Li’s team had discovered 10 years that carbon dioxide had been disappearing into the basin, but could not understand why.
 
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A hidden ocean? So it's like a cave system or is it just a huge water table?
 
Ten times the amount of water found in all five Great Lakes is no drop in the bucket either. :rolleyes:

But, as they say, you always find something in the last place you look. :wink:
 
Also in Africa.

'Huge' water resource exists under Africa

Scientists say the notoriously dry continent of Africa is sitting on a vast reservoir of groundwater.

They argue that the total volume of water in aquifers underground is 100 times the amount found on the surface.

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-17775211
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
A hidden ocean? So it's like a cave system or is it just a huge water table?
I don't think it's caves, but I'm not sure what the alternatives to that are. Aquifer? Wet sand?

The means whereby they are estimating the amount strike me as very indirect. I wouldn't be surprised if other teams came up with quite different estimates as time goes by.
In any event, I don't think this water is easily usable by people. The main interest here is it's function as a "carbon sink."
 

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