Impact of agriculture practice on Groundwater in the Mekong Delta study

Agricultural practices are essential for food security, but they can also affect groundwater quality - a concern that is growing worldwide. The BKWEM Team - HCMUT and EML - EPFL have partnered on an ambitious four-year project, led by Professor Rizlan Bernier-Latmani (EML - EPFL) in the Mekong Delta, one of the world’s major agricultural regions, to better understand these impacts.

The project has established a groundwater monitoring platform comprising a transect of five instrumented monitoring-well stations extending from the Mekong River inland. Early results suggest that surface infiltration may play a more significant role than previously anticipated in controlling groundwater dynamics and transporting fertilizer-derived nitrogen from the surface into aquifers. The team has also observed widespread and unregulated use of plant-protection compounds - including pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides - across the area. In the second phase, researchers will conduct monthly monitoring of groundwater levels, chemistry, and microbiology.

In collaboration with CARE, the team is also expanding its scope to include the collection of pesticide and nutrient samples, providing a clearer picture of how farming practices influence this vital resource.

This first field trip marks the official launch of the project, led by Dr. Quang Khai Ha (HCMUT). Beyond advancing scientific knowledge, the project is also training the next generation of water experts -supporting two Master’s students at HCMUT, one PhD student at HCMUS, and two PhD students at EPFL.