Collaboration can provide an exchange of information vital to the advancement of environmental research. One such partnership is the relationship between BGS and the University of Eldoret (UoE) in Kenya. This partnership not only demonstrates the benefits of international collaboration but also highlights the importance of addressing global challenges collectively.  

Job Isaboke (UoE) and Sophia Dowell (BGS) are research students at their institutions and have been to measure the rate of soil erosion in western Kenya using novel chemical methods. For their PhD projects, they aimed to understand the effect land management can have on soil erosion using plutonium isotopes (Sophia) and the associated loss of micronutrients from the soil (Job), which is important for crop composition and onward dietary intake for animal and human health.

Soil erosion  

Soil erosion is a widespread environmental issue that poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity, water quality and ecosystem health worldwide. In Kenya, soil erosion is driven by factors such as deforestation, unsustainable land-management practices and climate change. However, quantitative data describing the amounts and patterns of soil erosion and sedimentation can be used to inform sustainable soil conservation practices. This data can also aid in the validation of predictive models for an improved understanding of factors influencing the acceleration of erosion processes.ÌýÌý

Working together 

One of the primary advantages of international cooperation is the sharing of expertise and resources. Bringing together diverse backgrounds benefits research at both BGS and UoE by combining advanced technologies and methodologies, such as specialist mass spectrometry methods to detect ultra-trace plutonium in the UK, with invaluable local knowledge and on-the-ground insights from Kenyan counterparts. This allows for a more comprehensive approach to studying soil erosion, encompassing both scientific rigour and practical applicability.  

Ultimately, the collaboration between BGS and UoE stands as a key step toward securing the sustainable future of this agriculturally crucial region and works towards addressing several of the , including: 

• poverty (SDG 1) 
• life below water (SDG 14) 
• life on land (SDG 15)  
  

Beyond scientific advancements, working together to research soil erosion fosters cultural exchange and capacity building. Through joint research initiatives, Job and Sophia have been able to learn from each others’ perspectives, approaches to research and experiences. This cultural exchange has not only enhanced both their roles as early-career researchers, but has also strengthened relationships between BGS and UoE to promote mutual understanding.  

The international collaboration also contributes to the development of scientific capacity in Kenya. By providing training opportunities, mentorship, networks and technology transfer for members of both UK and Kenyan institutions, early-career researchers are empowered to tackle environmental challenges independently.

The opportunities created by this collaborative project collectively and individually demonstrate the potential for scientific research to address environmental issues whilst developing scientific capacity in Kenya and the UK. The two-way exchange of staff and paired Kenya/UK PhD students, including Job and Sophia, provided an enriching experience for all involved.

Michael Watts, head of the BGS International Geoscience Research and Development programme

So much can be achieved with collaboration and a working international team breaks much more than just academic barriers. The larger body of knowledge would benefit through building collaborations globally, as this work has demonstrated.

Prof Odipo Osano, University of Eldoret, Kenya

Through this partnership, Sophia and Job are working towards informing evidence-based decision making and developing targeted interventions to mitigate against future soil erosion. Through attending workshops and conferences, they have both had the opportunity to engage with stakeholders ranging from policymakers and land managers to farmers and community leaders. These workshops have allowed them to understand the best way to communicate their research to different stakeholders and further their understanding of the usability of the data, working on ways to target future research to ensure the maximum impact.  

Through fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange, the collaboration works towards the eventual adoption of sustainable land-management practices and helps to adopt agricultural practices aimed at preserving soil health and preventing erosion. 

I feel my PhD research wouldn’t have been possible without the support from Kenyan counterparts at the University of Eldoret. Both Job and Prof Odipo Osano in-depth knowledge of the local area and dedication to the research have been invaluable. Without their help, the fieldwork wouldn’t have been possible, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic where I wasn’t able to travel to Kenya to conduct the work myself. But, above all else, I feel this PhD opportunity has allowed me to grow, both professionally and personally, into the scientist I am today and for that I am extremely grateful.

Dr Sophia Dowell

As part of the collaboration, Sophia recently gained her PhD in ‘Utilising plutonium isotopes to evaluate soil erosion in tropical East African agri-systems’ and Job has gained a master degree in environmental science; he is now working towards his PhD in ‘Dynamics of soil micronutrient loss and transfer as influenced by land management’. 

As a PhD student from Kenya, I am grateful for the collaboration between UoE and BGS, which provided me with both laboratory training and financial resources. I appreciate the support from my UK supervisors, Dr Michael Watts and Dr Olivier Humphrey, and the entire BGS inorganic chemistry department team.

To be a successful scientist, one must undergo extensive training using advanced instrumentation and learn laboratory etiquette. Within the framework of my PhD research, I am currently working with Dr Sophia Dowell to determine soil erosion dynamics in tropical locations and link this to micronutrients in soils.

Job Isaboke

Acknowledgements  

This research was conducted with the financial support of the following funders:  

• 51ÁÔÆæ/NERC grant NE/R000069/1, entitled ‘Geoscience for Sustainable Futures’  
• 51ÁÔÆæ Centre for Environmental Geochemistry programmes 
• NERC National Capability International Geoscience programme, entitled ‘Geoscience to tackle global environmental challenges’ (NE/X006255/1)  

Additional financial support from:  

• The Royal Society International Collaboration Awards 2019 grant ICA/R1/191077, entitled ‘Dynamics of environmental geochemistry and health in a lake-wide basin’ 
• Natural Environment Research Council ARIES Doctoral Training Partnership (grant number NE/S007334/1)  
• 51ÁÔÆæ University Funding Initiative (GA/19S/017)  

Additional support from:  

• British Academy Early Career Researchers Writing Skills Workshop (WW21100104) 

About the authors 

Sophia Dowell is an analytical geochemist working within the BGS Inorganic Geochemistry Facility in Keyworth. Prior to this, she was a BUFI PhD student funded by the NERC ARIES doctoral training programme. This PhD was in collaboration with BGS, the University of Plymouth and the University of Eldoret in Kenya. 

Job Isaboke is a PhD researcher funded by BUFI/The Royal Society in collaboration with BGS and the University of Eldoret. He has had the opportunity to work within the UK alongside BGS during his PhD but is mainly based in Eldoret, Kenya.  

European policy is clear in its ambition to deliver a sustainable urban future for Europe. This research, led by BGS and the EuroGeoSurveys’ Urban Geology Expert Group, considers the role of urban geoscience in helping to achieve these ambitions by highlighting the relevance of geology to urban subsurface planning and wider policy.

Despite the lack of explicit reference to urban underground or subsurface space in key policy documents, the research identifies a significant number of priority urban issues for which geological characterisation is a pre-requisite (such as mitigation of climate impacts and delivering net zero energy) and where implementing nature-based solutions forms part of the answer.

Urban future

By 2050, it is likely that humanity will have become a predominantly urban species, with 70 per cent of the global population expected to be living in cities and the surrounding urban sprawl (International Organization for Migration, 2015).

Whilst cities deliver economic benefits, high urban populations place extreme pressures on land, the environment and natural resources, and are major contributors to climate change (Smith and Bricker, 2021). Urban centres only cover approximately 3 per cent of the land surface, but they account for more than 70 per cent of energy consumption and 75 per cent of carbon emissions (Smith and Bricker, 2021). The impact of urbanisation, therefore, extends far beyond its physical footprint.

Although cities are part of the problem, as centres of innovation, knowledge, and economic prosperity, they must also be a solution. Global programmes, including the (SDGs), recognise the role of cities in delivering climate targets and sustainable approaches. These global ambitions are also adopted at a European level, through, for example:

Urban geoscience establishes the need for city masterplans to include geological considerations, including hazard management, use of natural resources and nature-based solutions. These draw on a range of disciplines such as engineering geology, hydrogeology and environmental geology, and utilise a range of technologies such as geological modelling and remote sensing.

Urban strategies for subsurface management

One of the primary routes to embed subsurface information in city decision making is the development of underground masterplans and supplementary planning guidance for subsurface land uses.

Approaches to subsurface governance vary between countries; some focus on land-use zoning to protect future subsurface development, for example for future transport infrastructure, which is achieved through national planning policy. Others aim to protect rights to underground resources, such as water, minerals, oil and gas, through environmental regulation. The national-level approach to subsurface governance ultimately dictates the extent to which geological information is included within the planning process.

European policies

A review of some key European urban and environmental policies and strategies has been undertaken as part of this research, to assess the extent to which urban geoscience issues and opportunities are represented at a policy level. Even though the urban subsurface environment is not explicitly referenced and there is no direct mention of the role of geology, urban geosciences can make positive contributions to five key challenges:

• sustainable use of land
• climate impacts and mitigation
• transition to net zero energy
• implementation of nature-based solutions
• clean water

This research provides a unique perspective on recent advances in urban geoscience across Europe and, reassuringly, we see a strong line of sight between the research directions and policy needs. However, the dependencies between the policy objectives and geological context are far easier for the geologist to discern. The benefit of the EuroGeoSurveys’ Urban Geology Expert Group is that we are developing a cohort of scientists who are happy working across geological disciplines and at the boundary of their science to provide more innovative and collaborative solutions that speak to the needs of urban practitioners. We recognise that geology is only one piece of the puzzle for a sustainable urban future.

Stephanie Bricker, head of urban geoscience and spatial planning at BGS.

An evolving science

The urban geoscience discipline is successfully evolving to deliver integrated urban science in response to these policy aims. We see a strong alignment between the policy themes and the current urban pressures and research priorities identified by urban geoscientists across Europe geological surveys.

The review of urban geoscience research priorities also shows that the discipline is broadening to embrace wider geo-environmental specialisms, including geothermal expertise, geo-data and informatics, geoheritage and science policy.

Demonstrating the value of urban geoscience for different urban challenges is a future priority. It is important for the recruitment of influential stakeholders in terms of, for example:

• the value of geological data for urban development
• demonstrating the multiple benefits of nature-based solutions
• risk reduction in hazardous urban environments

As one of the more accessible geological disciplines, urban geoscience even has a role in broader geological knowledge creation in aligned non-geological organisations, and in improving diversity within geological communities.

The role of the urban geoscientist as an agent of change to enhance integrated science, improve the accessibility of geological issues and accelerate the translation of national or regional geology to local settings and to urban policy drivers should not be underestimated.

Urban geology has rapidly evolved from an emerging field to one that is becoming increasingly recognised as crucial to bridge the divides between the many sectors that meet in the urban subsurface – underground infrastructure, energy systems, transport, geological storage, geoheritage, waste management, groundwater and soil health, natural and human-induced hazards. Increasing urbanisation coupled with climate change impacts will increasingly weigh on competing uses of the urban subsurface. Because of these competing uses, urban geologists play a key role in our ability to plan for future sustainable, climate-resilient cities.

Julie Hollis, secretary general at EuroGeoSurveys.

Further reading

The full report: .

More information

The in New York on 22-24 March, is billed as the most important water event in a generation. The conference will review progress halfway through the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development and encourage new commitments, pledges and actions by governments and all stakeholders towards achieving : access to water and sanitation for all.  Access to water is also needed to achieve many other Sustainable Development Goals, but progress is alarmingly off track.  It is estimated that a sources, with water sources becoming .

Developing and protecting groundwater is fundamental to achieving water related targets, but groundwater is out of sight and therefore .  Nearly all unfrozen freshwater on the earth is groundwater (>97%), locked away in the rocks beneath our feet. Excess rainfall not used by plants, or flows into rivers, infiltrates through the soil to the rocks beneath, where it flows through small pore spaces between grains and crystals, or through cracks and fractures, to reappear in rivers, springs or wetlands – years, centuries or even millennia later.

Nearly half the world population relies on groundwater for drinking, usually accessed from boreholes or wells – and much more is pumped out to help with industry and irrigation.  But groundwater use is not even across the globe and different strategies are required to both unlock its potential and protect it from overuse and pollution.

The story in Africa is largely one of great potential

Many people in countries south of the Sahara lack access to even basic water services. Developing groundwater offers the most realistic way of meeting that need, particularly in dispersed rural communities.  In the same way, there is considerable potential for small scale irrigation to help with food security and build resilience against drought.  What is needed is a step change in investment in finding groundwater, developing appropriate water supplies, and managing both the resource and individual water services.

Here at the 51ÁÔÆæ we have been working with partners such as WaterAid and UNICEF across Africa to try and and address and .Ìý Too often new water supplies break down or don’t function as they could due to a lack of emphasis on regular maintenance, or .

The story across South Asia is very different

Groundwater watered the green revolution in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh with tens of millions of boreholes now accounting for about half of the world groundwater abstraction.  Such is the scale of pumping that in India it is estimated to contribute .  This pumping enables 2 – 3 crops to be grown a year underpinning the region high agricultural output.  However, pumping is largely unregulated and abstraction is much higher than safe environmental limits.  This has led to rapidly falling water levels in some regions, including beneath several major cities, , and in some areas the use of naturally arsenic-rich water for drinking, with devastating consequences for health.

The pressing need in many parts of South Asia is to work out how best to sustainably manage the remaining groundwater and forecast how resources will respond to future abstraction and climate change. BGS is working with partners across South Asia to accurately ; unravel the complex interactions between ; ; and assess the i.

Groundwater is a wonderful resource – naturally climate resilient, of general good quality and widely distributed throughout most countries.  However, it needs to be managed and protected to ensure its benefits are continued to be enjoyed equitably, and for generations to come.  As the leaders, donors and politicians meet in New York to discuss accelerating both access to water and protection of water resources we hope that groundwater will be highly visible.  Measures discussed to protect the overexploitation of groundwater in parts of the world should not stop the investment required to develop new reliable groundwater supplies in Africa, where there is so much potential to use groundwater for good.

About the author

Engineering geologists do not just bridge the gap between earth sciences and engineering but have an essential role to play in meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by geologists at Arup and BGS highlights.

Crucially, their knowledge, skills and understanding around the interfaces between science and engineering and the natural and built environments past, present and future mean that engineering geologists offer a unique perspective to help build resilience to natural hazards, solve environmental problems caused by human activities and reduce the cost and risk of building and infrastructure construction.

Engineering geologists and, more broadly, geoscientists possess deep domain knowledge of natural systems and processes that makes them very well placed to tackle both environmental and socio-economic challenges covered by the UN SDGs.

Despite their unique skills and knowledge, geoscientists have historically been underrepresented in the global debate on sustainable development.

A significant opportunity therefore exists for geoscientists and engineering geologists especially to increase their influence and enhance their impact.

Marcus Dobbs, senior engineering geologist at BGS and contributor to the study.

To fully understand the current contribution of engineering geologists to the UN SDGs and where this could be enhanced, scientists at and BGS undertook a mapping exercise to systematically review all 169 SDG targets and related indicators against typical engineering geology knowledge, skills and activities.

They concluded that engineering geology knowledge, skills and activities can be linked (directly or indirectly) to 107 of the 169 targets (63 per cent).

Engineering geology makes the strongest overall contribution to 5 of the 17 SDGs: 

• SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy): linked to 100ÌýperÌýcent of targets
• SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure): linked to 88ÌýperÌýcent of targets
• SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production): linked to 82ÌýperÌýcent of targets
• SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities): linked to 80ÌýperÌýcent of targets
• SDG 13 (climate action): linked to 80ÌýperÌýcent of targets

The mapping exercise shows that engineering geologists clearly have an important role to play in achieving sustainable development globally, primarily through their role in infrastructure development, building resilience and disaster risk reduction and environmental protection as well as in building equitable communities and through collaborative and strong partnerships.

For over 20 years, 51ÁÔÆæ engineering geology research has:

• generated a wealth of data and information on the properties and behaviour of geological formations that are strategically important to critical infrastructure development in the UK
• undertaken research to enhance societal resilience to shallow geohazards by developing and communicating a better understanding of their distribution, character, susceptibility and triggering, and potential impacts, with much of this research specifically focused on landslides and landslide processes both in the UK and internationally
• made significant advances in the field of urban geoscience to specifically support decision makers in the planning and construction sector to optimise the use of the subsurface to make cities and communities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
• contributed to the developed national-scale engineering geology and geohazard datasets to support sustainable and resilient land use, planning and development

In addition to the existing contribution of engineering geology to the SDGs, the Arup and BGS study also identified opportunities for engineering geologists to strengthen contribution to all 17 of the UN SDGs, with the greatest of these being to:

• SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy): 100ÌýperÌýcent of targets were identified;
• SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production): 55ÌýperÌýcent of targets were identified
• SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions): 50ÌýperÌýcent of targets were identified
• SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals): 41ÌýperÌýcent of targets were identified

These opportunities include:

• extending influence across the project life cycle and to policymaking
• greater consideration of options for decarbonisation
• the impacts of climate change
• the value of geocapital and geodiversity
• training in geoethics
• a greater emphasis on diversity, inclusion and equity within the profession
• increased collaboration and knowledge sharing globally through cross- and multidisciplinary partnerships, and between industry and academia

In recent years, engineering geologists within BGS have been engaged in a range of multidisciplinary research studies to address some of these challenges, including:

• building multidisciplinary, international partnerships to and help inform risk management in the context of sustainable development
• exploring the application of shallow geothermal energy technologies for both heating and cooling
• the potential for
• assessing potential viability of for carbon capture and sequestration
• examining the physical properties and behaviour of geological materials to inform the development of the
• identifying and characterising marine geohazards and marine geohazard processes to support the development of large-scale offshore wind-farms
• working with industry and academia, through the Engineering Group of the Geological Society, to document and publicise for offshore exploration, survey and development

We hope these findings will enable and empower engineering geologists globally to better communicate the value of their contribution to society, the environment and the economy and identify opportunities to increase that impact.

Marcus Dobbs.

51ÁÔÆæ is keen to broaden its research partnerships to include a greater diversity of collaborators and stakeholders from government, academia, industry and the not-for-profit sectors. Anyone interested in working with BGS on sustainable engineering geology research can contact Marcus Dobbs.

In the UK deepest mine, situated between Saltburn and Whitby on the north-east coast of England, ICL Boulby hosts the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Boulby Underground Laboratory. The laboratory sits within thick rock-salt (halite) deposits in the mine left behind from the evaporation of the ancient Zechstein Sea some 250 million years ago. The mine contains a network of roadways and caverns, with over 1000 km of tunnel, excavated during mining operations that began in 1968. It’s now one of the few places that halite can be studied at depth.

It’s in this busy, working rock-salt and polyhalite mine that BGS scientists have been going underground into a hidden laboratory. Being situated in an active mine, the team must wear an outfit consisting of high-visibility t-shirts, shorts and even shin pads before they can begin their research. It a journey so far down, you’ll need a lift to take you there.

Our experts are working with staff from the mine and Boulby Underground Laboratory to design a research programme to help understand the behavior of rock-salt. Caverns formed in halite by solution mining can be used to store excess energy generated from wind and solar in the form of compressed air or hydrogen. One of the main benefits of this is that the technology allows a greater amount of renewable energy to be used in a flexible way, which many think will be essential for the UK to achieve its net zero ambitions. However, the way the caverns form can lead to a loss of operational efficiency. This research will help in the optimisation of cavern design whilst also making the most efficient use of the unique halite resources in the UK.

The importance of salt caverns for energy storage  

It is a well-known fact that some renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, are intermittent. Little energy is produced on days without sunshine or wind. This is in contrast to fossil fuels or nuclear energy, which can produce energy all year round. On days when we can use both fossil fuels and other energy sources, there is the potential for surplus energy to be created. Therefore, having ways to store surplus energy will be vital to fill potential gaps in the energy supply as the UK moves away from fossil fuel energy sources.

Energy storage can take the form of compressed of air in ‘compressed air energy storage’ (CAES) or by the production of hydrogen via electrolysis: both gases can be stored in solution-mined caverns developed in halite. Storing gases within caverns requires a detailed understanding of a number of parameters associated with cavern operation, including variations in terms of geology and in situ conditions such as temperature and stress.

Halite is an ideal material to host storage caverns:

• it can be readily dissolved to form a cavern
• it has a low permeability
• it does not react with stored gases, meaning air or hydrogen can be safely stored and retrieved

Having an understanding of the processes that influence cavern formation and the way in which caverns may evolve over time is relevant to enable increased capacity of energy storage in the UK.

Understanding salt cavern formation

51ÁÔÆæ is carrying out a number of tests on the rocks exposed at Boulby to understand the controls on the formation of solution-mined caverns. These tests have initially begun at a small scale, allowing them to be tied into laboratory studies taking place at BGS. To date, this has involved creating small-scale voids at the base of a number of boreholes (1–2 m in depth) and varying the injection point and the salinity of the fluid used to dissolve the halite.

The aim of these studies is to understand how fluid chemistry and the location of the injection tube within the borehole may affect the shape of a cavern. A resin was poured into these small boreholes and voids, meaning a mould of the borehole could be taken. These moulds have been excavated and studied in three dimensions back in the BGS laboratories. A series of laser scans have also taken place in order to begin to analyse the effect of fluid salinity on cavern shape.

51ÁÔÆæ plans to build on this work to study the processes involved in cavern formation and pressurisation at a larger scale, potentially up to several metres.

STFC have recently purchased a laser-scanning device that will enable BGS scientists to scan the caverns and voids that they develop. Being able to analyse the shapes and volumes of the caverns and how cavern morphology may change in time will be vital to understanding the nature of salt dissolution and also how rock stresses may alter cavern shape over time.

The research will help to answer important questions that can help in the cavern design process:

• How does salinity of the pumped fluid alter the shape of the formed cavern?
• How does natural variation in halite (e.g. small fractures; varying composition) affect the formation of a cavern?
• How does the pressure within the cavern affect the stability of the rock walls?
• In what conditions can caverns begin to interact with each other?

• What is the storage potential of the thatwhich extends deep under the North Sea?

These are all questions which, if answered, would help to improve the understanding of the ways caverns form and therefore would result in more well-formed caverns and increased industry efficiency.

Research so far has studied the degree of dissolution that occurs for different salinity injection fluids. Furthermore, a clear link has been shown between the salinity of the injection fluid and the surface roughness of the cavern walls; a low salinity fluid creates a larger cavern, although it has a rougher surface wall.

Andrew Wiseall, BGS Experimental Fluid Process Scientist.

Scaling the research

Whilst industry-scale salt caverns are much larger than the tests being carried out at Boulby, the caverns that scientists are looking to form at Boulby will only be small scale to begin with; around 10–15 m under the surface of the mine floor and potentially up to 5 m in length. These caverns are able to start answering several complex research questions. However, the success of the initial research means the scientists hope to secure funding to be able to upscale this work over the coming months and years to form a larger-scale testbed.

Scientists know that enhancing their understanding around the size and spacing of caverns is relevant to the safety of cavern storage schemes. If caverns are too large and too close together, they may interact with each other and become unsafe; too far apart and sites become much larger and more expensive to develop. It important to carry out thorough research at relevant scales to understand this.

A unique environment

The Boulby Underground Laboratory is run by the STFC, part of UK Research and Innovation (51ÁÔÆæ). The STFC, along with ICL-UK, have been hosting underground science at Boulby since the 1990s.

Described as a ‘special place for science’, STFC emphasises that the facility is home to a fascinating array of science projects from astrophysics, including the search for dark matter, to ultra-low background material screening, studies of geology and geophysics, climate, the environment, life in extreme environments on Earth and beyond.

For the team at BGS, carrying out tests of this nature at a depth of over a kilometre within the mine is entirely novel and does not come without its challenges.

At 1100 m depth, the team is sometimes working in baking temperatures of up to 35^oC. Working among salt deposits can also make for an extremely dry environment. Since it takes around seven minutes to travel to the bottom of the mine, transporting equipment is an interesting challenge that must be carefully planned and coordinated with other projects being carried out in the mine. Researchers are expected to wear protective shin pads and hard hats, carry torches and an emergency device that can convert poisonous carbon monoxide into breathable carbon dioxide for enough time to escape to a safe area. Mine-drilling teams and geologists must work closely together to ensure safety at all times.

The importance of Boulby Underground Laboratory

Boulby Mine is special in the UK as it allows the Permian bedded halites of the eastern UK to be accessed and experiments to be run in situ. The research is relevant to understanding one of the main potential areas for cavern development in the UK and importantly extends beneath parts of the North Sea.

Being able to access the Boulby site means we have direct access to the in situ rock at depth and can perform experiments at a range of scales. This would only normally be accessible using rock core, where we would only get a very small amount of material. Furthermore, the field tests can be carried out at relevant stresses and temperatures due to the depth of the mine.

The extent of the mine also means it may be possible to study the spatial variability in the properties of the salt.

Andrew Wiseall, BGS Experimental Fluid Process Scientist.

Sustainable Development Goals 

51ÁÔÆæ is committed to the outcomes set out in its latest Science Strategy, Gateway to the Earth, which includes expanding activities in response to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This research helps to achieve SDG, 7 to ensure affordable, reliable and sustainable energy, and SDG 9, to promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.

Funding

This project is currently funded by internal BGS funding.

Water supplies in parts of the Philippines are frequently scarce and, as a consequence, supplies are frequently shut down to preserve capacity. Six to eight months of the year are largely dry: during these months, acute water shortages occur and people rely on drinking water sources that may not be safe. They may also lack sufficient water for washing to maintain basic hygiene to prevent infection from disease. Such inadequate and intermittent water supply in parts of the country present serious consequences to health.

Groundwater currently supplies more than 50 per cent of the potable water supply and 85 per cent of the piped water supply in the Philippines. Groundwater is strategically and economically important to current and future water supply and is the principle source of dry season river flows, which in turn are often used for drinking water.

Adapting to a warmer climate and a growing urban population

Current projections of climate up to 2050 suggest the Philippines will become warmer, with increasing temperature and decreasing rainfall during the dry season and more extreme rainfall events during the wet season. This will undoubtedly exacerbate both water availability during periods of drought and the magnitude of flood events during periods of heavy rainfall.

In addition to water stresses from a changing climate, the population is expected to increase by around 50 per cent up to 2050, with the urban population set to double over the same period. This will further exacerbate pressures on future water resources.

Data-driven response to future demand for water

Part of the water supply problem is due to the lack of up-to-date information on groundwater levels. In the past, water supply permits have been cancelled because of the expected usage of groundwater as predicted using look-up tables. The BGS-led Philippine Groundwater Outlook (PhiGO) project is piloting a data-driven response to groundwater levels by installing sensors in two key urban areas.

Borehole sensors have been installed at pilot projects in Pampanga Province (near Manila) and Iloilo City. Installed in multiple locations across these regions, these sensors deliver near real-time groundwater monitoring data that can be used to forecast seasonal and long-term groundwater levels and quality. Groundwater data, along with population and climate data, is used to model the future impacts on groundwater resources and to produce forecasts of flood and drought risk.

Near real-time groundwater monitoring and forecasting

The shows near real-time data for each well site in the project. Available data includes daily reading of groundwater quality and quantity, e.g. water levels, pH, salinity and temperature. Graphical data also includes electrical conductivity, which is the measure of the ability of the water to pass electricity; any drastic change in electrical conductivity can be an indicator of stress or pollution. Data captured via the dashboard is used for seasonal and long-term forecasts of groundwater levels.

‘In a few clicks, residents of Iloilo City and Pampanga can have instant access to the automated and real-time monitoring of groundwater resources in their areas which were recognised as part of the nine highly urbanised water critical cities.’

Fortunato de la Peña, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology.

Education and schools engagement

In January 2020, BGS groundwater scientists ran a series of education events at a number of local schools that host PhiGO well sites and sensors. The ‘Introduction to groundwater’ sessions were delivered to primary and secondary school students and introduced key terms and processes, including porosity and permeability, how water moves underground and the types of sediments that are effective at filtering pollutants. The materials for these sessions were subsequently translated into four different languages so that education events could be delivered by local teachers and university staff to a greater number of local schools.

Project partners and funding

This NERC andÌý-funded project brings together researchers from the UK (BGS andÌý) with researchers and stakeholders from the Philippines (,Ìý,ÌýÌýandÌý).

About the author

Further information

Visit PhiGO for more information or contact Andy Barkwith.

References

The role of geoscience in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals is the subject of a new book edited by staff at BGS and Geology for Global Development (GfGD), a charity that aims to promote the role of geology in sustainable development.

In 2015, global leaders came together at the providing a blueprint to create a better and more sustainable world for all with a vision of ‘a world free of poverty, hunger, disease and want, where all life can thrive’.

, published by Springer-Nature, explores how geoscientists’ understanding of the natural environment is essential to achieving this vision. Edited by BGS International Development Geoscientist, Dr Joel C Gill and BGS Global Science Director, Dr Martin Smith, the book features contributions from 42 authors from across six continents.

The transformational vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development demands our attention and action.

Tackling these complex challenges requires interdisciplinary solutions, engagement and participation by diverse groups from across sectors and disciplines. This includes geoscientists. We wrote this book to demonstrate how geoscientists’ understanding of Earth systems, dynamics and resources can support sustainable growth and decent jobs, resilient cities and infrastructure, access to basic services, food and water security, and effective environmental management.

We hope it will support geoscientists, in all sectors and specialisms, to play their part in securing a sustainable and equitable future for all.

Dr Joel Gill, BGS International Development Geoscientist

Although geoscientists are encouraged to take an active role in achieving the SDGs, sustainability concepts are not always included in the traditional education of many geoscientists, which could limit their ability to engage with them in a meaningful way.

The book takes readers through 17 chapters, each exploring how geoscience contributes to the 17 SDGs through the diverse perspectives and examples of the global authors.

It discusses a range of themes from ethics, to equity, conduct, and partnerships, as well as exploring many varied aspects of geoscience such as water, energy, minerals, engineering geology and geological hazards.

Dr Gill added:

This book is both a call-to-action and a reminder that ensuring lasting, positive change depends on how we work and our commitments to ethical practice, strong partnerships, integrity, and diversity, equality and inclusion.

Each chapter includes learning resources to help educators contextualise and apply the substance of the book.

The book is delivered by BGS and , which was made possible by National Capability funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), as part of .