Abstract
Large-scale freshwater production solutions can alleviate freshwater scarcity and support ecosystem restoration. In this perspective, we propose Technology-Enhanced Atmospheric Moistening (TEAM) to increase regional precipitation, such as rain and snow, and boost large-scale freshwater availability. By enhancing moisture in the atmosphere, TEAM reduces the amount of atmospheric lifting needed for cloud formation. TEAM can be implemented through spray or solar evaporation technologies, each with their own challenges and opportunities. Using atmospheric moisture flows between evaporation sources and precipitation sinks, we estimate where coastal evaporation from seven source locations may result in precipitation. This is a starting point for the identification of areas with high and low TEAM precipitation enhancement potential. Then, we discuss the position of TEAM in the larger field of technologies for enhancing freshwater supply where we compare TEAM with desalination through reverse osmosis, cloud seeding, and forestation for precipitation enhancement. Further research should focus on (1) quantifying the potential for precipitation generation by enhanced atmospheric moistening, (2) developing technologies that can supply this moisture to the atmosphere, and (3) interdisciplinary regional design. With further research and development, we believe that TEAM can contribute to large-scale freshwater generation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1612-1620 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Environmental Science & Technology |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 3 Oct 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 20 Jan 2026 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2025 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society
Funding
This work was performed in the cooperation framework of Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology (www.wetsus.nl). Wetsus is cofunded by the European Union (Horizon Europe, LIFE, Interreg and EDRF), the Province of Fryslan and the Dutch Government: Ministry of Economic Affairs (TTT, SBO & PPS-I/TKI Water Technology), Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (TTT & SBO) and Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (National Growth Fund-UPPWATER). The authors like to thank the participants of the research theme "Natural water production" for the fruitful discussions and their financial support and the four anonymous reviewers and editor for their valuable comments on the manuscript.
| Funders |
|---|
| European Union |
| Province of Fryslan |
| Dutch Government: Ministry of Economic Affairs |
| Ministry of Education, Culture and Science |
| Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management |
| research theme "Natural water production" |
Keywords
- atmospheric moisture recycling
- evaporation technology
- freshwater production
- precipitation enhancement
- water scarcity
- weather modification
