The study of urban water interfaces investigates the natural and anthropogenically altered hydrological cycle, water regime and quality in metropolitan areas. Our human population is increasing, expanding the boundaries of current cities and transforming agricultural landscapes into residential and commercial lands. This shift has drastic effects on the hydrology of the land. For example, streamflow may increase or decrease as water is diverted, streams are used for artificial groundwater recharge or sealing of the land surface reduces infiltration. Contaminants such as waste water, microplastics and nutrients are introduced into water bodies by human activities. It is crucial to understand the hydrologic and chemical cycles of our urban environments to manage freshwater resources, stimulate self-purification mechanisms of freshwater bodies, and mitigate flood and drought impacts under a changing climate.
This session welcomes many facets of urban hydrology, including:
• Surface water-groundwater interactions in anthropogenically-altered systems
• Human-induced impacts on water quality
• Enhanced recharge in urban systems
• Pollutant/micropollutant release, transport and degradation