A group of American and European scientists concluded: in a few dozen years, most of the low lying atolls of the world can become uninhabitable due to climate change and a lack of fresh water. Among them - the Maldives, the Seychelles and part of Hawaii, reports Naked-science.

Researchers studied the climatic processes affecting the territory of the Marshall Islands. The composition of this small state in Micronesia includes 29 atolls, and there are already visible signs of climate change. Scientists believe that similar processes threaten all coral islands - hundreds of thousands of their inhabitants can live without shelter.

Earlier studies of atoll climate changes were based on estimates of the rising water level surrounding the island. According to these data, sharp climatic changes did not threaten atolls in the nearest century. The authors of the new work compared the graphs of the rise in the ocean level with estimates of the dynamics of sea waves, and also took into account the projected volumes of greenhouse gas emissions. Comparing all these parameters, scientists concluded: the danger threatens most of the low lying coral islands.

According to their forecasts, the main source of risk is floods: over the years they will occur more often and can become more powerful. They will damage the infrastructure of the islands: buildings, roads, transport.

Floods threaten both sources of fresh water, aquifers (aquifers).

Aquifer - one or more layers of sedimentary rock, through which groundwater can seep. Water is injected to the surface with the help of wells. Because of floods, saline water can enter the aquifer, and such a mixture will be unsuitable for drinking and cooking. Rain can neutralize a small amount of salt water, but, according to researchers, the projected rainfall is not enough.

Scientists believe that the results of their work will help assess the danger threatening the islands, and pre-plan protective measures.