Prof. Andreas Hartmann and his Ph.D. student Kübra Özdemir Çallı from TUD Dresden University of Technology and an international team of researchers from the Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection in Perugia, Italy, the Géosciences Environment Toulouse, France, the Erftverband, Ankara University and Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg have conducted a comprehensive review on the modeling of contaminant transport in karst groundwater systems. Their study, "Karst Water Resources in a Changing World: Review of Karst Transport Modeling Approaches," underscores the urgent need to enhance predictive models to assess contamination risks in these fragile yet essential freshwater sources.

Karst aquifers supply drinking water to nearly a quarter of the global population. However, their rapid and complex flow pathways make them highly susceptible to pollution. Increasing human activities – such as agricultural expansion, urbanization, and water management interventions – along with climate-driven shifts in temperature and precipitation, are accelerating the deterioration of karst water quality and the ecosystems that rely on it.

This review examines how contaminants move through karst aquifers and outlines key challenges in modeling their transport dynamics. One of the main difficulties is representing the extreme variability of flow paths, which can range from rapid underground streams to slow infiltration through porous rock. Additionally, the scarcity of field data and uncertainties in climate projections further hinder the development of reliable models.

The study emphasizes the need to refine contaminant transport models to improve risk assessments and support effective water management strategies. By identifying critical knowledge gaps and exploring emerging research directions, the authors offer insights into strengthening modeling approaches in response to ongoing global environmental change.

"A thorough understanding of karst transport dynamics is essential for accurately predicting the impacts of key stressors on karst water quality and ecosystem health," says Prof. Andreas Hartmann. "Advancing contaminant transport modeling will be crucial in ensuring the long-term sustainability of karst water resources and protecting them for future generations."

Full paper: https://doi.org/10.1029/2023RG000811

Contact:

Kübra Özdemir Çallı
Institute of Groundwater Management
Email:

Prof. Andreas Hartmann
Institute of Groundwater Management
Telefon: +49 351 463-42551
Email:

Internet: https://tu-dresden.de/bu/umwelt/hydro/igw?set_language=en