Dr. Adam Milewski receives NSF grant to study aquifer recharge and provide student research experiences in Morocco.

Drs. Adam Milewski, of the University of Georgia, and Alan Fryar (University of Kentucky, along with collaborators Dr. Racha El Kadiri (Middle Tennessee State University), Dr. Charlotte Garing (UGA), Dr. Carol Hanley (UK), and numerous Moroccan collaborators, will research groundwater recharge processes in Morocco. The project integrates international research projects with cultural training, technical instruction, and preparation for professional practice in hydrology for 5 graduate students each year from US institutions, including underrepresented colleges and universities. The proposed research examines infiltration (transmission-loss) rates and variability within ephemeral channels in arid watersheds to test whether modern recharge occurs within these settings, further the understanding of transmission-loss processes, and examine controlling factors.

Water resources are critical to health and sustainable development, particularly in arid regions such as the Middle East and North Africa. Water-resource management strategies require scientific knowledge, physical observations, and cultural sensitivity to ensure long-term sustainability. This program will develop the abilities of young US hydrologic scientists with diverse backgrounds to conduct research, communicate their findings, and work collaboratively in an international setting. Over three years, student-led projects with colleagues in Morocco will provide an improved understanding of the sustainability of groundwater resources. Understanding how aquifers are recharged by infiltration through streambeds in arid regions will allow researchers to model water-resource availability and answer questions about the impact of such infiltration on water quality and ecosystem services. Students will acquire both “hard” (technical) and “soft” (interpersonal) skills by participating in online training courses and a workshop, in field data collection and analysis, and in professional meetings and public outreach. An improved understanding of transmission losses will lead to better decisions by water managers, regulators, and planners in arid regions such as the Middle East and North Africa.