From 11 to 15 September 2023, several of our TAUW experts will share their knowledge during AquaConSoil in Prague, Czech Republic at the University of Life Sciences. AquaConSoil is a bi-annual event that brings together scientists, policymakers, decision-makers, and industry representatives to discuss, learn, and exchange ideas about the sustainable use and management of soil, sediment, and water resources.
This year, AquaConSoil has five topics on the agenda:
Several TAUW colleagues will contribute or give presentations at sessions related to these topics:
New challenges call for new soil professionals | 1sps1
Wednesday 13 September, 09.00 - 10.30h
The Koninklijke NLingenieurs - Expert Network Soil and Subsoil, consisting of TAUW, Witteveen+Bos, Sweco, RHDHV, Arcadis, Antea Group, will present on "New challenges call for new soil professionals" at AquaConSoil. The presentation focuses on building a new generation of soil professionals in the Netherlands to meet the challenges of the EU Soil Strategy. Three case studies - Markerwadden, Equi-ash, and reuse of contaminated soil - will demonstrate the T-shaped professional with the necessary knowledge and skills required to execute these projects. The presentation concludes with a discussion of the three most important collaborations in the Netherlands to arrive at the T-shaped professional. The audience will participate in an interactive session with a panel of speakers and representatives of certain groups, answering questions related to the new challenges.
In Situ Metal Precipitation (ISMP) of heavy metals | 3b15
Tuesday 12 September, 16.00 - 17.30h
Dirk Paulus (Senior Expert Soil Remediation) will give a presentation on 'In Situ Metal Precipitation (ISMP) of heavy metals'. During his presentation he will address a less costly and more sustainable remediation technique for an industrial site in northern Flanders that is contaminated with heavy metals, sulfate, and ammonia. The technique of in situ metal precipitation (ISMP) was tested in two conditions: precipitation as metal sulfides using a carbon source and adsorption of heavy metals on iron(hydr)oxides after using ferrous sulfate. A field test was conducted in the source zone and plume area to investigate the feasibility of the ISMP technique. The results showed that ISMP is a more sustainable remediation technique than the more classic pump and treat remediation techniques. The environmental conditions were harsh, and the field test revealed that the technique has limits, especially in the core zone.
Towards optimized risk-based aftercare at tar sites | 3sps2
Wednesday 13 September, 14.00 - 15.30h
Iris van der Veen and Frank Volkering (Consultants Soil & Groundwater) will participate in the special session 'Towards optimized risk-based aftercare at tar sites'. In this session, data from several case studies will be used to demonstrate that anaerobic biodegradation of tar compounds such as benzene and naphthalene is much more common than previously thought and that using new tools, it is possible to predict whether monitored natural attenuation can be applied to limit migration risks at tar contaminated sites such as former manufactured gas plants.
Introducing Environmental Twins: Acentral insight in a (bio-)diverse environment | 4a2
Wednesday 13 September, 14.00 - 15.30h
Joep Kelderman (Consultant GIS and Data Information) will discuss the shift in focus from 'people' and 'profit' to the 'planet' side in spatial planning. He will introduce the concept of Environmental Twins, which involves deploying different measuring and monitoring devices in the field connected through IoT with a common data environment (CDE). The presentation will aim to demonstrate the centralizing potential of a digital twin (platform) and that it can be used to cross professional borders, in the sense that results and observations can be translated to the language of downstream decision makers.
The urgent necessity of healthy soils | 5sps6
Wednesday 13 September, 11.00 - 12.30h
Martin Doeswijk (Director Soil & Groundwater from TAUW) and Margot de Cleen (Senior Advisor Soil and Water Policy from Rijkswaterstaat / Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management) worked together intensively as members of the organising committee of the AquaConSoil conference. After the 2021 edition, they were motivated that the knowledge and actions coming out of the conference can provide an incentive to further improve upon in the upcoming conference in Prague in 2023, and can contribute to achieving the goals set in this strategy.
Long term groundwater monitoring of natural enhanced molybdenum precipitation | 5b1
Wednesday 13 September, 11.00 - 12.30h
During AquaConSoil 2023, Willem Havermans (Consultant Soil & Groundwater) will present on the subject of 'Long term groundwater monitoring of natural enhanced molybdenum precipitation'. The presentation will cover the results of an eight-year groundwater monitoring study at a site, which investigated the extent and behavior of a soil and groundwater contamination with molybdenum. The study found that binding and precipitation of molybdenum occurs under sulfate-reducing conditions and that the soil system has ample buffering capacity to ensure the stability of the groundwater contamination.
You can register yourself for this conference including several excursions and dinner via the website of AquaConsoil. For more information and the complete program, please visit: aquaconsoil.com/aquaconsoil-2023/
We would really like to take this occasion to meet up in person in Prague, Czech Republic.
