Sida Liu earns PhD for research on groundwater depletion in Beijing

Enhancing groundwater recharge

My PhD research focuses on addressing the critical issue of groundwater depletion in Beijing, where overuse has led to significant environmental challenges. In my research, I used a groundwater model to assess whether measures taken in the Beijing Plain will effectively remediate groundwater depletion caused by human activities. Groundwater is essential for life and the urban environment, but excessive groundwater withdrawal has caused a continuous decline in water levels. To tackle this, Beijing has adopted measures such as reducing groundwater water use and implementing Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) techniques, which increase groundwater levels by enhancing groundwater recharge processes.

Through my research, I have developed groundwater models that help us understand how these measures work and predict their long-term effectiveness. We've found that these efforts can significantly replenish groundwater storage, especially when combined with efforts to reduce water abstraction. This not only helps reverse the decline in water levels but also contributes to sustainable water resource management, to ensure that future generations have access to this vital resource.

Modelling simulations

During my PhD studies when my models consistently refused to converge due to an array of bizarre reasons during the Covid-19 pandemic, when we had to work from home. After countless attempts and revisions, the model finally displayed "normal termination". It felt surreal. I remember sitting there, heart racing, as I anxiously opened and checked the simulation results.

Seeing those simulation results line up nicely wasn't just a win; it was a massive relief. I ended up doing victory laps around my living room. It also hit me how true the 80/20 rule is for us modellers - most of our time goes into setting up equipment, so that when we finally hit 'run', everything works well.

Overcoming PhD challenges

The most challenging part of my PhD studies was turning my research into deliverables. I often found myself spending hours on a piece, only to end up dissatisfied with it. Being somewhat of a perfectionist didn't help either. I would write a section, decide it was terrible, and then delete everything I had written. This cycle was so discouraging that I began to dread and avoid writing altogether. I used to track the word count in my documents daily, and it was disheartening to see that after a whole day's work, I might have only added just 100 words.

My supervisors played a crucial role in helping me overcome this. They taught me that I did not need to produce a flawless piece right from the start. Improvement and progress could only come with continuous writing and practice. Writing is a skill that would get better with time. Following their advice, I wrote more, and gradually, writing became less daunting and more rewarding.

Revolution in sustainable water management

I would like to see my PhD work lead to a revolution in sustainable water management. I envision creating a universally accessible platform that would empower communities worldwide, from arid deserts to bustling cities, to efficiently manage their groundwater resources, ensuring water security for all. My dream is to influence policy makers and inspire international cooperation on water conservation. Ultimately, this would achieve several objectives. It would secure water for future generations, restore ecosystems, support biodiversity, and foster harmony between human development and the natural environment.

Meaningful contribution to knowledge sharing

In the next few years, I plan to stay in academia and focus on sharing the knowledge I have gained. I strongly believe that the impact of knowledge is so much greater when shared. If I can disseminate my knowledge to a wider audience, enabling them to make meaningful contributions, that would represent a far greater achievement for me. By fostering a community of informed and motivated individuals, I hope to amplify the positive impact we can have on the world.

Support network

From day one of my PhD, I would tell myself: " Stay open and stay curious. Take it step-by-step. Embrace the ups and downs as opportunities to grow. Do not be put off by uncertainty. Remember you are not in this alone. You will not be trapped in a room until you figure everything out. You have got an incredible support network in your supervisory team and your peers. They are there to guide, support, and work through challenges with you. Lean on them, share your concerns, and take advantage of their experience and knowledge.

Thesis title and summary

The title of Liu’s thesis: Multi-modelling of the managed aquifer recharge systems for sustainable groundwater development in the Beijing Plain, China

This study explores the challenge of groundwater depletion in the Beijing Plain, a problem exacerbated by rapid socio-economic expansion and unsustainable groundwater abstraction. The core of this research is the development and application of multi-scale numerical groundwater flow and transport models to rigorously evaluate the measures implemented by the Beijing municipality. These measures include the strategic reduction of groundwater abstraction and the adoption of innovative water management practices such as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) and Environmental Flow Release (EFR) operations. Through the development of various hydrogeological conceptual models and a number of multi-scale flow and transport models, the study has successfully simulated groundwater storage depletion in the past and assessed the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources, taking into account the impact of current measures and future climate changes. The findings highlight the crucial role of MAR operations in restoring depleted groundwater storage in the shallow aquifer and the essential need for reducing abstraction in the deep confined aquifers. This research not only supports the sustainable groundwater management strategy in Beijing but also provides a valuable framework for other urban areas worldwide facing similar challenges of groundwater depletion.