Harnessing Hydrogeology for Climate Resilience: Judit Mádlné Szőnyi’s Insights at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

As part of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences’ Celebration of Hungarian Science lecture series, an event titled “Natural Hazards and Risks: Geological Opportunities in Recognition, Management, and Prediction” was held on November 5, 2024. The event featured numerous exciting presentations, including one by Professor Judit Mádl-Szőnyi, the scientific coordinator of the ClimEx-PE project. 

In her presentation, titled “Intensifying Drought, Declining Water Levels, Forced Adaptation: Can Hydrogeologists Offer New Insights?”, Professor Mádl-Szőnyi addressed the issue of declining groundwater levels. She discussed the importance of retaining excess floodwater and highlighted the roles of channels and reservoirs. The presentation showcased how hydrogeology can contribute to augmenting groundwater resources, a key focus of the ClimEx-PE project. Professor Mádl-Szőnyi introduced the Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) technology, which allows surplus water to be injected into groundwater aquifers. This technology is very relevant to the ClimEx-PE project’s goals of developing sustainable solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate extremes, such as droughts and floods. 

In conclusion, she emphasized that with hydrogeological knowledge, we can consciously store water below the surface, helping to raise currently low water levels. She conveyed the crucial message that water stored in aquifers can be extracted and used during droughts, which is vital for future water management. This aligns with the ClimEx-PE project’s mission to enhance resilience against climatic extremes through innovative water management strategies.