Institute of Hydrology
Biochar as a potential climate change adaptation tool
Biouhlie ako možný adaptačný nástroj pri zmene klímy
| Duration: |
1.1.2024 - 31.12.2027 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
Ing. Vitková Justína PhD. |
| Annotation: | One of the main challenges in adaptation to climate change is soil water retention in land. Positive effect of biochar on hydrophysical and water retention properties of sandy soil has been shown to be significant in our previous research. In this project we aim to validate these results in field conditions. There are sites at Záhorská lowland (Slovakia), with both sandy and water-repellent sandy soils. Our aim is to carry out our research on both types of soil. Monitoring of soil moisture using gravimetric method and monitoring of saturated hydraulic conductivity will be carried out in these areas throughout the year on a regular basis. We will also continue in long-term monitoring of soil moisture and soil temperature after biochar application on the agriculturally used silt loam soil during the growing season. The project will also investigate the impact of biochar and climate change on soil erosion. |
Streamflow Drought Through Time
Časový priebeh sucha v riekach
| Duration: |
1.11.2024 - 31.8.2026 |
| Program: |
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| Project leader: |
MSc. Leščešen Igor PhD. |
| Annotation: | The overall objective of the DroughtThruTime project is to enhance knowledge for improving hydrological drought forecasting by examining the relationships between changing temperature and precipitation patterns and hydrological drought. This will be achieved through process studies and the application of machine learning (ML) techniques on observed data of streamflow, precipitation, temperature, and evapotranspiration. These methods will provide a deeper understanding and forecasting capability for drought occurrences as a result of higher temperatures and declining precipitation. The project aims to deliver scientific foundations that will lead to reducing the vulnerability of the Carpathian Basin to hydrological drought through a better understanding of the causes, intensity, and frequency of drought events. |
Comprehensive analysis of the quantity and quality of water regime development in streams and their mutual dependence in selected Slovak basins
Komplexná analýza vývoja režimu kvantity a kvality vody v tokoch a ich vzájomného vzťahu vo vybraných povodiach Slovenska
| Duration: |
1.1.2023 - 31.12.2026 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
Ing. Bačová Mitková Veronika PhD. |
| Annotation: | Climate change and anthropogenic activity affect the components of the hydrological regime of the stream with a possible negative impact on water quantity and quality. It is necessary to know and analyse changes and the mutual dependence of the quantitative characteristics and water quality indicators. This knowledge enables prevention and response to a crisis phenomenon, which helps quickly and correctly eliminate its consequences. The presented project aims to provide scientific data for evaluating the impact of possible changes in the runoff regime and water quality in streams of selected Slovak basins with respect to extreme hydrological situations. We will seek answers related to the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activity on quantitative and qualitative conditions and their consequences by using appropriate scientific and mathematical methods. These can provide a base for the mitigation of hydrological extremes. The archival data and data from our experimental measurements will be used. |
Quantification and analysis of water balance components from lysimeter measurements and numerical simulations
Kvantifikácia a analýza zložiek vodnej bilancie z lyzimetrických meraní a numerických simulácií
| Duration: |
1.1.2024 - 31.12.2027 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
RNDr. Tall Andrej PhD. |
| Annotation: | Knowing the structure of the components of the water balance and their quantitative changes in space and time is necessary for the design of the use of water resources and adaptation measures in the country. Currently, among the most effective methods for quantifying spatio-temporal changes in water balance components are methods based on lysimeter measurements and numerical simulations on mathematical models. The goal of the project is to quantify the elements of the water balance, including those that are not measured or are difficult to measure, based on the mentioned methods. Based on the results of lysimeter measurements, verify the results of calculations, identify the weaknesses of the used models and propose a methodology for determining their performance. Subsequently, perform lysimeter and numerical experiments, in time-space scales that are difficult to observe in the natural environment. The research work will be carried out in the conditions of the East Slovak Lowland at the Petrovce Lysimeter Station. |
Multi-model study of hydrological changes in Slovakia's mountainous catchments under regional climate change
Multimodelová štúdia hydrologických zmien v horských povodiach Slovenska v podmienkach regionálnej zmeny klímy
| Duration: |
1.3.2025 - 31.12.2028 |
| Program: |
SRDA |
| Project leader: |
Ing. et Ing. Sleziak Patrik PhD. |
| Annotation: | The diverse physio-geographic conditions, the climate's inherent variability, its ongoing and expected gradual
changes, and the socioeconomic developments in Slovakia's mountains lead to significantly contrasting
nonstationary hydrological regimes. In the recent past, climate and landuse change impact predictions have been
performed by standard statistical change detection and outdated climate change scenarios-driven hydrological
models. The results are different and do not allow for a coherent assessment of future impacts and the connected
uncertainties. The project develops new simulation-based methodologies to predict changes in hydrological
responses of mountain catchments of the Slovak Carpathians. To quantify the uncertainties associated with impact
assessment, an intercomparison of results is suggested using multiple hydrological models and regional climate
change and socioeconomic scenarios. Regime-switching rainfall-runoff models are proposed to reflect runoff
generation phases adequately. Remote sensing data on snow, soil moisture, evapotranspiration, and land use will
be used to parametrize models. The parallel use of several models will describe the uncertainties. The project also aims to develop new approaches for detecting structural changes in the modelled hydrological time series and the
mutual dependence of their elements. Nonlinear time series models will describe the changes in the internal
structure of the series. Multivariate frequency analysis will be used to identify changes in the dependence structure
of multi-dimensional hydrological process characteristics. The dependencies between the individual characteristics
will be analyzed using copula functions. Results will provide new insights into regime changes of
hydrometeorological processes and the basis for adaptation in water resources management and assessment of
the impact of arises extremes, in Slovakia, thereby contributing significantly to the sustainable development of the
region. |
Optimization of adaptation measures for extreme torrential rainfall in urbanized catchments
Optimalizácia adaptačných opatrení na extrémne prívalové zrážky v urbanizovaných povodiach
| Duration: |
1.1.2024 - 31.12.2027 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
prof. Ing. Sokáč Marek PhD. |
| Annotation: | The project is aimed at developing a methodology for an optimal and systemic approach in the implementation of
adaptation measures for extreme - torrential rainfall in urban areas, which is currently absent in Slovakia. The
content of the project is the modeling of the consequences of extreme torrential rainfall in the context of ongoing
climate change for various scenarios of the implementation of adaptation measures (green/grey infrastructure).
The results of modeling and the synthesis of the results of individual scenarios will be the basis for the
development of a methodology for the effective implementation of adaptation measures in urban catchments with
the aim of achieving the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed measures, as well as with the aim of limiting
the transport of pollution to recipients in accordance with the requirements of the upcoming amendment to EU
Directive no. 91/271/EC. |
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Rieka a klíma
A sIMulatIon framework for The plAnning and design of hydro- ecological sysTems in a changIng envirONment
Simulačný rámec pre plánovanie a návrh hydroekologických sústav v meniacom sa životnom prostredí
| Duration: |
1.7.2024 - 30.6.2028 |
| Program: |
SRDA |
| Project leader: |
Ing. Danko Michal PhD. |
| Annotation: | For the purpose of environmental planning and the design in water resources engineering, reliable projections of
the size and associated uncertainty of system performance are crucial. The stationarity assumption, the foundation
of standard techniques for frequency analysis of extremes for system design, is violated by recent and ongoing
ecological changes. The same issues arise when simulation-based planning techniques use observed hydrological
time series to determine future reliability. Under gradually changing conditions, no conventional design approach
based on the stationarity principle will be able to ensure the necessary and expected safety and reliability
throughout the lifetime of systems. Although nonstationary frequency analysis techniques are available, assessing
the safety and dependability throughout the system lifespan might be challenging under progressive environmental
change. The project offers a novel framework for designing and planning hydro-ecological systems and evaluating
their future safety and performance uncertainty using simulations in the time domain. It permits a gradual change in
both the hydro-ecological systems' features and the stochastic characteristics of the driving hydrometeorological time series. The approach adopts hybrid stochastic-deterministic modelling concepts for simulating non-stationarity
under slowly changing conditions by combining distributed deterministic rainfall-runoff models with spatially
distributed stochastic weather generators. Over the system's lifetime, a succession of stepwise stationary periods
will gradually imitate non-stationarity. System reliability under various scenarios will be assessed using multivariate
statistical approaches for identifying differences between the baseline and progressively projected changing future
system performance. It enables quantifying the risks and uncertainties associated with future failures of the hydro-
ecological systems. |
Technological Methods for Removal of Endocrine Disruptors and Elimination of Cyanobacteria Occurrence and Their Undesirable Effects in Water Sources to Ensure Drinking Water Quality according to the Increasing Demands of New EU Drinking Water Directive
Technologické postupy na odstránenie endokrinných disruptorov a elimináciu výskytu siníc a ich nežiaducich účinkov vo vodárenských zdrojoch pre zabezpečenie kvality pitnej vody podľa zvyšujúcich sa nárokov novej smernice EÚ pre pitnú vodu
| Duration: |
1.7.2023 - 30.6.2027 |
| Program: |
SRDA |
| Project leader: |
Ing. Velísková Yvetta PhD. |
| Annotation: | The goal of the project is to monitor the occurrence of endocrine disruptors, cyanobacteria and microplastics in water sources and to verify the possibilities of their removal. The selection of microcontaminants is based on the new parameters in the approved EU Directive no. 2020/2184 for drinking water, which entered into force in January 2021. Within the project, various methods of removing selected endocrine disruptors, cyanobacteria and microplastics from water will be tested. In the case of endocrine disruptors of ozone, UV radiation followed by adsorption on granulated activated carbon, adsorption on activated carbon, membrane technologies and conventional water treatment with coagulation. In the case of cyanobacteria, also ultrasound at different frequencies, microsieves in conjunction with UV radiation, compressed air flotation, multi-material filtration, adsorption, and membrane ultrafiltration. The mentioned methods will be implemented on model devices in laboratory conditions, compared with technological processes operated in water treatment plants in Slovakia. Based on the model tests, the achieved results will be evaluated and an optimal technological method will be proposed for the removal of endocrine disruptors, cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins and microplastics to ensure the quality of drinking water, and an evaluation of the impact of their occurrence in raw water on the efficiency of water treatment Based on selected indicators, monitor changes in the quality of surface water in different seasons and in different hydrological conditions, as well as the impact of climate change on water quality. In the case of water reservoirs, such monitoring is rare. Based on available data on water quality in selected sampling profiles and mapping of hydraulic parameters in the reservoir, simulate the occurrence and duration of adverse hydrological conditions affecting the quality of raw water with an emphasis on the period of real occurrence of crisis situations. |
The impact of microplastics on the hydrophysical properties of soil and stress responses of agricultural plants
Vplyv mikroplastov na hydrofyzikálne vlastnosti pôdy a stresové reakcie poľnohospodárskych rastlín
| Duration: |
1.1.2026 - 31.12.2027 |
| Program: |
PostdokGrant |
| Project leader: |
Ing. Botková Natália PhD. |
| Annotation: | Microplastic pollution is a serious problem that has spread to various areas of the environment, including the soil. Microplastics in the soil can cause various negative consequences that can directly affect agricultural production and soil quality. In addition to the fact that microplastics can alter the hydrophysical, chemical properties of soil and hydrological processes, they can also affect the biodiversity of soil organisms and disrupt natural processes. The use of plastic mulch covers in agriculture is one of the main sources of microplastics in soil. These materials gradually degrade into smaller particles that can enter the soil and pollute it. Microplastics can affect soil structure, reduce water retention capacity and reduce biological activity, which can lead to lower fertility and worsening agricultural conditions. The presence of microplastics in the soil environment can also change the way soil interacts with water, which has a direct impact on water availability for plants and the overall water regime in the ecosystem. Therefore, in this project, we will mainly focus on monitoring changes in soil water retention capacity, soil structure and soil pore system due to microplastics in relation to the crops grown. Based on this, it will be possible to propose solutions to the use of plastics in agriculture or to search for alternative materials that are biodegradable or less harmful to the soil environment. |
Effect of microplastics from mulch films on soil hydrological processes and crop growth
Vplyv mikroplastov z mulčovacích fólií na hydrologické procesy v pôde a rast plodín
| Duration: |
1.1.2024 - 31.12.2027 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
Ing. Toková Lucia PhD. |
| Annotation: | Microplastics affect hydrological processes, soil properties and crop growth in soil, and the magnitude of their impact depends on the types of plastic and levels of microplastic load. In this project, we will investigate the impact of microplastics (low-density polyethylene, LDPE, and polylactide, PLA) and their biodegradation on hydrological processes (infiltration, retention and evaporation) and their characteristics (hydraulic conductivity, sorptivity, retention capacity, cumulative and relative evaporation) in three soils (Haplic Luvisol, Chernozem and Arenosol), other properties (bulk density, persistence and severity of water repellency) of these soils, and growth characteristics (weight of above-ground and underground parts of crops and basic parameters of fluorescence) of crops (radish and spring wheat) grown in these soils in pots in a greenhouse. |
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Vplyv ohrevu na hydrofyzikálne a chemické vlastnosti lesnej pôdy
Impact of ongoing forest change on the hydrological cycle in mountain basins
Vplyv prebiehajúcej zmeny lesa na hydrologický cyklus v horských povodiach
| Duration: |
1.1.2023 - 31.12.2026 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
Ing. et Ing. Sleziak Patrik PhD. |
| Annotation: | A widespread dieback of forest ecosystems occurred in the highest mountains of Slovakia in the last decade due
to rising air temperatures, windfalls and bark beetles outbreaks. Forest dieback and subsequent regeneration
affect the hydrological regime in mountain basins, but they can also affect the runoff regime in the downstream
areas. The project aims to evaluate the impact of forest change on the hydrological cycle in the mountain basin of
the Jalovecký Creek in the Western Tatra Mountains. Experimental research should provide the parameters of a
naturally dying and regenerating forest usable in hydrological models, which would allow a more accurate
assessment of the impact of forest change on the hydrological cycle. The project will also examine the influence
of changing forest on the soil moisture. The approach will be involve measurements of soil moisture, runoff and
vegetation characteristics in representative areas, analysis of satellite data and modelling of the hydrological
cycle in the mountains. |
Seasonal variations of hydrodynamic and morphological parameters in lowland vegetated rivers
Zmeny hydrodynamických a morfologických ukazovateľov riečneho koryta v dôsledku zarastania vodnou vegetáciou v nížinných oblastiach
| Duration: |
1.1.2023 - 31.12.2026 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
Mgr. Schügerl Radoslav PhD. |
| Annotation: | Nowadays, climate change is a big threat to human life due to high temperatures. The more the temperature rises, the more aquatic vegetation grows and spread in the rivers, even in out seasons. The presence of aquatic vegetation affects the morphology of the river bed and the hydrodynamic indicators of flow. To investigate the effects of the presence of vegetation on the river bed morphology and hydraulic resistance, flow velocity measuring plays an important role in better quantifying discharge in vegetated lowland rivers. On another side, velocity reduction increases sedimentation within the vegetated beds and increases erosion and sediment sorting in areas of higher flow during summer.
In a nutshell, the project is focused on quantifying the impact of aquatic vegetation on hydrodynamic and morphological variations of the lowland rivers impacted by aquatic vegetation during all season. Also, we plan to investigate the influence of nutrient content and temperature on the growth rate of vegetation. |
The total number of projects: 14
