The characteristics of saline submarine groundwater environment on a continental shelf: An example from the south of Laizhou Bay, China

•The main factors influencing the formation process of saline submarine groundwater are summarized.•The submarine aquifer in this study area is the extension of the terrestrial brine (or saline water) aquifer to marine environments.•Paleoclimatic characteristics is the main factors for the formation of submarine saline water (or brine) in southern Laizhou Bay.