University of Bayreuth, Press Release, No. 34/2022 - 21 March 2022
World Water Day 2022: Groundwater as the basis of life
This year's World Water Day on 22 March is dedicated to groundwater. As it lies hidden deep beneath our feet, many are unaware of this important part of the water cycle. At the University of Bayreuth, the joint project AquaKlif is investigating the importance of groundwater for streams and rivers under the influence of climate change. The research team shows that its role in the life of flowing waters will become more significant in the future - and new challenges are to be expected.
If groundwater dominates the water balance of the stream, it has an impact on its oxygen content and thus on life in the stream. Many groundwater sources are low in oxygen and rich in iron, which reacts with the dissolved oxygen in the river water. The resulting iron oxide then visibly colours the stream a rusty brown. Especially in flowing waters where there is a high input of fine sediment, this can lead to the clogging of pores and strong oxygen consumption in the biologically very active exchange zone at the bottom of the stream.
BayCeer