Niladri Chowdhury

The extent of microbiological contamination and transport of waterborne pathogens in aquifers is still not well understood and remains an ongoing, globally important, water quality and associated public health problem. Moreover, as a result of increasing numbers of point and non-point sources of faecal pollution in catchments, population growth, extreme weather events associated with climate change, and rapid land-use alterations, such water quality problems are likely to be exacerbated in the future. Groundwater from karst aquifers, through springs, boreholes and wells, is a major source of drinking water for approximately one quarter of the world’s population. Such karst aquifers are particularly vulnerable to contamination from a variety of different sources due to relatively fast recharge of water into the upper part of the karst system (epikarst), commonly thin soil coverage, and/or the rapid infiltration into the groundwater system directly through discrete flowpaths (i.e. swallow holes), which connect directly into the highly conductive network of conduits.

This research project will develop enhanced understanding and novel models of the microbial contamination of karst aquifers from which more rigorous groundwater protection schemes can be developed for these specific groundwater resources.

The investigative techniques will involve  gather hydrological field data and continuous monitoring of the water quality focussing on tracers of human effluent contamination. More generalised algorithms will be developed for predictive contamination event purposes.

The research is conducted within the framework of the Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (ICRAG, http://icrag-centre.org/). Funding is granted by the private sector as well as public institutions under the SFI Research Centres Programme and under the European Regional Development Fund.

This research project will develop enhanced understanding and novel models of the microbial contamination of karst aquifers from which more rigorous groundwater protection schemes can be developed for these specific groundwater resources. The investigative techniques will involve gather hydrological field data and continuous monitoring of the water quality focussing on tracers of human effluent contamination. More generalised algorithms will be developed for predictive contamination event purposes. The research is conducted within the framework of the Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (ICRAG, http://icrag-centre.org/). Funding is granted by the private sector as well as public institutions under the SFI Research Centres Programme and under the European Regional Development Fund. 

Supervisor: Dr. Laurence Gill