Work

The El Niño Southern Oscillation and the salinity of land and water in the United States

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a periodic climate phenomenon with important consequences for weather and socioeconomic variables worldwide. This paper investigates the effect of El Niño on the concentration of salts in soils and fresh water. Our analysis shows effects that are statistically significant and large in magnitude. In particular, in response to El Niño events, soil salinity increases by 21% in the northern region of the United States, where average temperatures are positively affected, while it decreases by 29% on average in the southern tiers of the country, where temperatures decline. Similarly, fresh water salinity increases by 9% in warmer counties, while it is 53% lower in cooler counties.

Source: PLoS ONE

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311544

Authors: Nicola Limodio, Filippo De Marco, Ilaria Dal Barco

Institutions: Centre for Economic Policy Research, Bocconi University

Language: English

Topic: Climate variability and models

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Life on land, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,382