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. |
Biochar as a soil additive for sustainable agriculture in conditions of climate change
Biouhlie ako pôdne aditívum pre trvaloudržateľné poľnohospodárstvo v podmienkach klimatickej zmeny
| Duration: | 1.7.2022 - 30.6.2026 |
| Program: | SRDA |
| Project leader: | Ing. Šurda Peter PhD. |
| Annotation: | To reach effective and sustainable soil management, we need to set up correct priorities in evaluating soil properties understand the causes of decreasing or low soil fertility and establish the strategies for soil fertility improvements. The Terra Preta de Índio phenomenon has become the main inspiration of many scientists during the last two decades or so, with the main focus of their research on the role of biochar in the amelioration of soil properties and the question whether the effect observed in Amazonia can be replicated in other areas of the world. The actuality of the submitted project consists in shifting the boundaries of knowledge about the long-term impact of biochar application to soil in the Slovak Republic. Biochar is currently part of the new European Fertilizer Directive (Annex A). However, such legislation is missing in Slovakia, as well as continuous long-term research of its application to soil. The main aim of this project is a complex long-term research of the biochar application to soil at the conditions of a field experiment (including also regional modeling studies) and subsequently the transfer of results into practice through two cooperating companies. The research team of the proposed project has a field experiment where the effect of biochar (meeting all environmental standards of European Biochar Certificate-EBC) on soil is studied at field site Malanta (Nitra). This experiment was established in 2014 and is still ongoing, therefore when containing, it will represent a character of long-term research. These results will be then the basis for the production of biochar (EBC) and substrates containing biochar for the partner companies. Subsequently, biochar (and substrates) produced by these companies will be tested by the project team at the field conditions. The final application result of the project partners (companies) will be the subsequent introduction of certified biochar (and substrates) on the market in Slovakia. |
Streamflow Drought Through Time
Časový priebeh sucha v riekach
| Duration: | 1.11.2024 - 31.8.2026 |
| Program: | |
| 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. |
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: | doc. 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. |
Regional detection, attribution and projection of impacts of climate variability and climate change on runoff regimes in Slovakia
Regionálna detekcia, atribúcia a projekcia dopadov variability klímy a klimatickej zmeny na režim odtoku na Slovensku
| Duration: | 1.7.2021 - 30.6.2025 |
| Program: | SRDA |
| Project leader: | RNDr. Pekárová Pavla DrSc. |
| Annotation: | Rich physiographic conditions in Slovakia result in regionally different runoff regimes driven by climate variability and impacted by climatic and socioeconomic changes in the recent past. The first scientific goal of project is therefore to develop and apply a set of approaches for the detection and attribution changes in the past hydrological regime with annual, monthly and daily temporal resolution. Detection will be based on new methods going beyond standard statistics (trend and breakpoint analysis, correlation analysis, etc.) using approaches such as nonlinear time series models and copula function based dependence structures. Attribution with the use of rainfall runoff modelling will attempt to distinguish anthropogenic factors (as land-use change) and signals of a changing climate. Recent climate change projections in Slovakia do not allow for a comprehensive assessment of impacts on the water regime. The second goal is to develop new projections of future climate and hydrology including uncertainty assessment with the aim to gain new insights into the uncertainties of future regime changes in hydrometeorological processes in Slovakia. Comparison of regime changes from the instrumental period and the projections will serve adaptation measures in water management. |
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. |
Sustainable management of urban stormwater runoff
Udržateľné riadenie odtoku dažďových vôd v mestskom prostredí
| Duration: | 1.8.2024 - 31.7.2026 |
| Program: | |
| Project leader: | MSc. Okhravi Saeid PhD. |
| Annotation: | The impacts of climate change are increasingly manifesting in urban areas, increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and various water-related stressors. Water-related stressors include changes in water availability and degraded water quality, which threaten food security, civil stability, and ecosystem integrity, notably the alarming loss of biodiversity. To safeguard the well-being of communities, property, and the environment, urban centers require resilient stormwater management systems. Historically, the predominant approach has involved the utilization of subterranean pipe networks for water collection and discharge. Downsides of this approach are that it can lead to high flow rates, potentially exacerbating flood issues instead of mitigating them, and contributes to the contamination of receiving water bodies, as it conveys pollutants from built environments without adequate treatment. To address these challenges, there is a growing imperative to transition cities from linear to circular water management models, with an emphasis on closing the water loop, and embracing the collection and storage of stormwater. In this context, the adoption of sustainable nature-based solutions (NbS) emerges as a pivotal strategy for effectively managing stormwater while aligning with the objectives outlined in the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Nonetheless, city planners and stakeholders often encounter challenges with conceptualizing and implementing sustainable NbS projects. Hence, there is a pressing need to leverage science to accelerate change in practical urban stormwater management. The proposed work STORMSustain aims to rectify this deficiency. STORMSustain involves the development of an innovative, model-based approach tailored to comprehending urban stormwater processes within a city-scale catchment, facilitating the efficient management of urban stormwater systems. This comprehensive framework encompasses stormwater infrastructure enhancements to mitigate issues arising from rainfall runoff, impaired stormwater networks, riverine flooding, and the integration of green infrastructures within vulnerable communities. Key strategies involve the identification and implementation of novel techniques, including the utilization of monthly runoff coefficients, intended for integration into the open source hydrodynamic Iber+ model. The simulation results will undergo rigorous calibration and validation procedures based on empirical data, ensuring the reliability of the numerical outcomes. Subsequently, the validated model will offer reliable data at high temporal and spatial resolutions, enabling its application in assessing potential extreme rainfall scenarios and the impacts of eco-centric Stormwater Green Management (SGM) practices in mitigating flood risk within the urban landscape. The successful completion of STORMSustain play a pivotal role in empowering diverse stakeholders with a reliable and cost-effective tool for informed decision-making, resource allocation, and the generation of meaningful impact. Widespread adoption of this robust, science-based platform will foster collaboration among various stakeholders in watershed resiliency, underpinning climate policy, and advancing adaptation and mitigation strategies. Additionally, it will contribute to raising awareness about the profound implications of quality education and research in shaping a sustainable future. |
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. Botyanszká Lenka 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
| Duration: | 1.1.2023 - 31.12.2026 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | Mgr. Zvala Anton PhD. |
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. |
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Zmiernenie vodoodpudivosti a zlepšenie vodnej retencie piesočnatej pôdy aplikáciou biouhlia
| Duration: | 1.7.2024 - 31.12.2025 |
| Program: | PostdokGrant |
| Project leader: | Ing. Toková Lucia PhD. |
| Annotation: | Sandy soils are less fertile because they do not have sufficient capacity for water available to plants. Their serious problem is also their tendency to water repellency. It is a common phenomenon that negatively affects the water flow into the soil and, consequently, the entire hydrological process in the soil. The potential of biochar to eliminate water repellency and increase the retention (storage capacity for water) of sandy soils has not been widely studied, therefore we want to focus to achive this goal within the project. We will determine retention characteristics, infiltration characteristics and water-repellent parameters after applying biochar to water-repellent sandy soil in laboratory conditions. We assume that after the application of biochar, the water repellency of the sandy soil will reduce and its retention capacity will increase. |
The total number of projects: 15