Open Polytechnic leads international research proj

Monday, 19 February 2007, 3:54 pm
Press Release: Open Polytechnic

Open Polytechnic leads international research project

As sustainability experts express growing concern for the quality of the world’s water supplies, an international research team led by Dr Gregory De Costa from The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand is investigating ways to help alleviate the situation both in New Zealand and abroad.

Pressure on the world’s agriculture systems from increasing populations and a rapid rise in industrialisation over recent years is taking its toll on the world’s ground water supplies.

Some coastal aquifers are suffering from salt water intrusion, with the deteriorating quality of fresh water supplies leading to potential long term socio-economic issues as some countries struggle to irrigate their agricultural crops.

Many ground water pumps in coastal areas are hydraulically linked to sea water supplies to help manage the pressure of the pumping system. When large amounts of ground water is withdrawn salt water can flow back into the system, eventually affecting the quality of the water supply.

“Salinity intrusion has become an emerging global issue,” confirms Dr De Costa, a Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering in the Bachelor of Engineering Technology at The Open Polytechnic.

Initially receiving a grant from the Asia Pacific Network (APN) in 2005 to investigate the problem, the international team of academics from New Zealand, Japan, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan recently received a US$69,000 funding boost from APN to develop regional management strategies to help alleviate the problem based on the data they collected in their earlier research.

“As the world continues to exploit its resources we are now seeing some cases of irreversible damage to ground water supplies,” says Dr De Costa. “It is a new phenomena, and many authorities around the globe are becoming more aware of the problem and want to take action before its too late.”

“Our initial funding saw the research team identify specific problems such as degeneration in some aquifers because of the unmanaged distribution of ground water extraction,” comments Dr De Costa.

“With the increasing ease of using technology to source ground water supplies around the world, more and more water is being pumped out on a regular basis, with more and more pumps being placed at closer and closer intervals, placing greater stress on the aquifers.”

“For example, in the Kalpitya area in Sri Lanka a lack of fresh water supplies has resulted in a greater dependence on readily available ground water resources. Because their ground water source is hydraulically connected to the ocean it has become prone to salinity intrusion – particularly during the dry season when there is a greater demand for water.”

Closer to home, analysis of the Waiwhetu aquifer suggested that is susceptible to salinity intrusion, with the Wellington Regional Council keeping a close eye on the issue so that it can manage any problems.

“The initial funding we received allowed the research team to zero in on what types of work could be done to develop suitable solutions to salinity intrusions in the different regions,” says Dr De Costa

“The additional funding will now allow us to develop management strategies which will be of interest to regional councils in the research team’s home countries so that they can better manage the issue.”

“I’m very pleased that Jessica Wilson, a lecturer in environmental studies at The Open Polytechnic has been able to join the team. Her expertise on environmental management issues is invaluable from a New Zealand perspective.”

Dr De Costa, who has recently been appointed to the executive committee of the International Association for Hydraulic Research – Asia Pacific Division, says that the research team expects to build strong international linkages with scientific organisations, industry, and other researchers as a result of their work over the next few years.

“The research team see this project as an exciting opportunity to be able to contribute positively to preserving our environment, and to extend the existing knowledge base on this increasing global problem,” says Dr De Costa.

ENDS

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