On April 13th, the first National Conference on Groundwater Resources and Ecological Environment was held in Wuhan, Hubei Province. More than 1,200 delegates from universities, research institutes, and industry organizations at home and abroad gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on the theme of "Valuing Groundwater Resources, Protecting Healthy Ecological Environments."
At the opening ceremony. Photo by Zhang Jingguang.
"Under the influence of global climate change and human activities, the sustainable and secure supply of groundwater, as well as the protection of groundwater and ecological environment, have become significant challenges facing society," said Wang Yanxin, President of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). He emphasized that the aim of this conference is to promote innovation in the field of groundwater science and integrate it with industry, education, and research, fostering academic exchange and cooperation.
Lin Xueyu, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and professor at Jilin University, stated, "Groundwater science is playing an increasingly important role in addressing issues such as water scarcity, environmental pollution, geological hazards, and geothermal energy utilization." He emphasized the importance of cultivating high-quality talents with a global perspective and interdisciplinary backgrounds in tackling these challenges. This conference not only provides a platform for young talents to showcase their intelligence but also facilitates concerted efforts to deepen research and promote interdisciplinary cooperation in the field of groundwater science.
The conference, lasting for two days, focused on 24 sub-sessions covering various areas including groundwater resources and ecological environment, groundwater quality formation, groundwater and human health, interaction between groundwater and surface water, pollution control and remediation technologies, as well as new technologies and methods in groundwater research. Renowned domestic experts and scholars were invited to give 9 keynote speeches, 484 sub-session presentations, and 42 poster presentations. Additionally, companies specializing in groundwater environmental monitoring, simulation, remediation, and related instrument equipment were invited to exhibit. The conference also featured academic paper exhibitions, special sessions for graduate students and young scholars, fund lectures, and strategic discussions on the frontier developments of disciplines.
The conference was organized under the guidance of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the China Geological Survey, and hosted by China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Nanjing Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Soil and Agriculture Agricultural Rural Ecological Environment Monitoring Technical Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
