Translational Research Series: Coastal groundwater - Its implications for the environment, engineering, and water resources

These findings and experiences are valuable to other coastal countries.

Professor Jimmy Jiujiu JIAO

Professor of Research Division for Earth and Planetary Science

 

There has been a change in the research culture towards translational research. Generating some societal impacts is a nice bonus to us, however, I still appreciate the research freedom that allows individuals to choose research topics that are scientifically fundamental.

 

Coastal cities are home to roughly 25% of the world’s population and are rapidly growing. Hence coastal groundwater is vital because of its resource, environmental, and engineering implications. HKU’s Hydrogeology Research Group (HRG), led by Professor JIAO, has researched the impact of land reclamation on groundwater. This work has provided a theoretical framework leading to globally adopted practical guidance.

The HRG’s findings on offshore groundwater have been used to understand the connection between submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and red tides, prompting the Hong Kong government to reduce groundwater-induced nutrient sources to better manage the redtide problem.

The findings have also helped to identify cost-effective, reliable groundwater resources in Singapore and to reduce the adverse engineering and environmental impacts of land reclamation in Sri Lanka and China.

These findings and experiences are valuable to other coastal countries. Professor Jiao has been advising government departments and private organisations in Australia, Bahrain, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, to offer consultancy or expert opinions on their coastal land reclamation projects.

As lots of large national-scale projects are happening in China, Professor Jiao has recently been appointed as a member of the Expert Advisory Committee of Water Resources Assessment, China Geological Survey (CGS), Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES), and Ministry of Ecology and Environment, to provide expert opinions. He has also conducted contract research with the Shenzhen Government and offered expert opinions on urban groundwater problems for Shanghai.

As a scientist, Professor Jiao thinks that the primary purpose of research is to address scientific curiosity. “There has been a change in the research culture towards translational research. Generating some societal impacts is a nice bonus to us, however, I still appreciate the research freedom that allows individuals to choose research topics that are scientifically fundamental.“