Protecting groundwater from the effects of climate change through aquifer recharge
The MAR2PROTECT project aims to provide a holistic approach to preventing groundwater contamination resulting from the impacts of climate change. The project’s main tool is an artificial intelligence-based tool that will receive real-time data from sensors located in high risk areas where the technologies will be implemented.
This tool will enable a new generation of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) approaches to improve both the quality and quantity of groundwaters. Specifically, it will include a Decision Support SYSTEM (DSS) called M-AI-R DSS, which will incorporate technological information and social participation through an AI-based assessment to optimise groundwater quality and quantity.
In Andalusia, the project is working on a coastal aquifer in Marbella, which is potentially affected by saltwater intrusion due to reduced natural groundwater recharge and increased water demand. To examine a wide range of conditions at demonstration sites, the M-AI-R DSS decision support system will be tested in four European countries (Portugal, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands) and two non-European countries (Tunisia and South Africa).
