Mar2Protect, FHNW School of Life Sciences

The impact of climate and global change is endangering human health, food security and biodiversity. Urgent action is needed to achieve 2030 zero pollution goals.

MAR2PROTECT will provide a holistic approach to prevent groundwater contamination from global and climate change impacts, based on a new-generation managed aquifer recharge (MAR). The core of this new system is called M-AI-R DSS and will incorporate technological and societal engagement information using an AI-based evaluation to improve ground water quality.

To ensure a high replication potential, M-AI-R DSS will collect information from five demo sites in the EU (Poland, Italy, Spain, Netherlands) and two in non-EU countries (Tunesia, South Africa), which were carefully chosen by their degree of maturity based on previous successful projects and a wide range of climatic conditions, water sources, type of pollution, MAR scheme and political/societal context. All technologies will be tested and validated until technology readiness level (TRL) 5.

MAR2PROTECT will ensure a strong engagement of civil society in ground water prevention actions, up to a societal readiness level (SRL) of 6. The project will involve national and EU policy makers who, in collaboration with a community of practice formed by worldwide experts, will strengthen EU policy for prevention of ground water contamination.

EU project website