Managed aquifer recharge solutions training network
Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) – storing water in aquifers during times of excess – is a key strategy to enrich groundwater resources in water scarce regions by providing intermediate storage, addressing the typical mismatch between water demand and availability. It can help to mitigate the effects of climate change, and to support water-related environmental services. MAR is, however, characterized by complex interaction of physical, biological and hydrochemical processes influencing water quality and the sustainability of infiltration rates. Individual processes are in principal known, but there is a significant knowledge gap on how they are linked and affect each other. An in-depth understanding of their interplay can lead to MAR systems tailored for best performance in terms of water storage, water polishing goals, infiltration rates, economic viability, and adaptation to climatic change.
MARSoluT addresses this knowledge gap by a collaborative effort in a multi-disciplinary team. Activities are organized around the existing field sites of previous EU FP7 project MARSOL that are already highly characterised and instrumented to allow further in-depth studies and experimental approaches. This will lead to new insights into the complex and coupled processes at MAR sites and will help to optimize MAR design and operation, and thereby minimizing risk of MAR failure. Excellence in research and technological innovation are ensured by involving partners from renown research organizations as well as SMEs and industry partners with a strong background in the water sector.
MARSoluT ESRs will get hands-on experience at various MAR sites while tackling specific MAR-related research topics in an interdisciplinary team. MARSoluT ESRs will become experts on the tailored planning of MAR systems making them attractive for employers from research, industry, and regulatory agencies which are eager to implement MAR into sound and safe Integrated Water Resources Management concepts.