A recent study by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) highlights a critical link between global soil moisture depletion and accelerating sea level rise. Researchers from PolyU's Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics have analyzed global hydrological changes over the past four decades using advanced space geodetic observation technology.
The study reveals a rapid depletion in global soil moisture levels, leading to substantial water flow from land into the oceans, which significantly contributes to sea level rise. Between 2000 and 2002, the loss of terrestrial water storage to the oceans was over 1,614 billion tons, doubling the impact of Greenland's ice melt and causing an equivalent sea level rise of approximately 4.5 millimeters.
This persistent decline in soil moisture since the early 2000s is attributed to factors such as precipitation deficits, global warming, and shifting rainfall patterns. The research emphasizes the urgent need for improved land surface models to address climate change and ensure sustainable water resource management. These findings were published in the journal *Science*.