Katalin Bene
55790950300
Publications - 27
Application of Decision Support Systems to Water Management: The Case of Iraq
Publication Name: Water Switzerland
Publication Date: 2025-06-01
Volume: 17
Issue: 12
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Iraq has faced escalating water scarcity over the past two decades, driven by climate change, upstream water withdrawals, and prolonged economic instability. These factors have caused deterioration in irrigation systems, inefficient water distribution, and growing social unrest. As per capita water availability falls below critical levels, Iraq is entering a period of acute water stress. This escalating water scarcity directly impacts water and food security, public health, and economic stability. This study aims to develop a general framework combining decision support systems (DSSs) with Integrated Comprehensive Water Management Strategies (ICWMSs) to support water planning, allocation, and response to ongoing water scarcity and reductions in Iraq. Implementing such a system is essential for Iraq to alleviate its continuing severe situation and adequately tackle its worsening water scarcity that has intensified over the years. This integrated approach is fundamental for enhancing planning efficiency, improving operational performance and monitoring, optimizing water allocation, and guiding informed policy decisions under scarcity and uncertainty. The current study highlights various international case studies that show that DSSs integrate real-time data, artificial intelligence, and advanced modeling to provide actionable policies for water management. Implementing such a framework is crucial for Iraq to mitigate this critical situation and effectively address the escalating water scarcity. Furthermore, Iraq’s water management system requires modifications considering present and expected future challenges. This study analyzes the inflows of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers from 1933 to 2022, revealing significant reductions in water flow: a 31% decrease in the Tigris and a 49.5% decline in the Euphrates by 2021. This study highlights the future 7–20% water deficit between 2020 and 2035. Furthermore, this study introduces a flexible, tool-based framework supported by a DSS with the DPSIR model (Driving Forces, Pressures, State, Impacts, and Responses) designed to address and reduce the gap between water availability and increasing demand. This approach proposes a multi-hazard risk matrix to identify and prioritize strategic risks facing Iraq’s water sector. This matrix links each hazard with appropriate DSS-based response measures and supports scenario planning under the ICWMS framework. The proposed framework integrates hydro-meteorological data analysis with hydrological simulation models and long-term investment strategies. It also emphasizes the development of institutional frameworks, the promotion of water diplomacy, and the establishment of transboundary water allocation and operational policy agreements. Efforts to enhance national security and regional stability among riparian countries complement these actions to tackle water scarcity effectively. Simultaneously, this framework offers a practical guideline for water managers to adopt the best management policies without bias or discrimination between stakeholders. By addressing the combined impacts of anthropogenic and climate change, the proposed framework aims to ensure rational water allocation, enhance resilience, and secure Iraq’s water strategies, ensuring sustainability for future generations.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/w17121748
Comparing Depth-Integrated Models to Compute Overland Flow in Steep-Sloped Watersheds
Publication Name: Hydrology
Publication Date: 2025-04-01
Volume: 12
Issue: 4
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
On steep-sloped watersheds, high-intensity, short-duration rainfall events are the leading causes of flash floods. Typical overland flow analysis assumes sheet-like flow with a shallow water depth. However, the natural creek beds in steep watersheds produce complex and intense flows with a shallow depth and high velocity. According to the hydrodynamical modeling processes for open channel turbulent flow, calculating rainfall-induced overland flow becomes a complex task. Steep topography requires a highly refined numerical mesh, which demands a more complex simulation process. Depth-integrated models with distributed parameters provide useful methods to capture the behavior of steep watersheds. This study investigates the watershed’s overland flow behavior by varying turbulent flow parameters and monitoring possible model errors. The refined modeling places a heavy demand on numerical solvers used for simulating the overland flow motion. This paper examines different depth-integrated model solvers applied to artificial watersheds and compares results produced by the different solver types. This study found that the Shallow Water Equation solutions produced the most consistent and stable results, with the Local Inertia Approximation solutions performing adequately. Adding Large Eddy Simulation to these solutions tended to overcomplicate Shallow Water solutions but generally improved Large Eddy solutions. The Diffuse Wave Equation solutions produced erratic results, losing stability and accuracy as watershed slopes steepened and flow paths became complex.
Open Access: Yes
Multi-purpose Utilization of Rainwater in a Hilly Settlement Near Lake Velence
Publication Name: Mechanisms and Machine Science
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 174 MMS
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 910-920
Description:
The global and local environments are experiencing profound transformations in the 21st century, primarily due to the adverse impacts of climate change. Increasing temperatures and shifts in precipitation patterns present challenges to the natural world and human-made structures. Countries and settlements strive to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through the broader use of renewable energy sources. Adaptation to changing conditions is highly emphasized. These circumstances can be improved by more efficient and multipurpose uses of existing infrastructures or with small-scale expansions and broader, more complex use of renewable resources. A small settlement at Lake Velence, Nadap, has the highest ratio of solar panels in Hungary. It can be achieved by combining this advantage with its hilly location, sustainable energy security, and economic benefits. This paper develops a theoretical methodology for how rainwater and gravity energy storage can be utilized using the geographical characteristics of the settlement and its existing solar panel capacities. The methodology uses rainwater budget modeling, local solar-cell capacity calculation, and the selection of state-of-the-art mechanical gravity energy storage systems based on a literature review. Additionally, this paper aims to develop a rainwater management system that optimizes crop irrigation and maximizes energy storage in hilly settlements, with the cooperation of stakeholders, in a multidisciplinary approach.
Open Access: Yes
Optimizing Inter-Basin Water Transfer for Sustainable Energy Management and Multipurpose Water Utilization
Publication Name: Advances in Science and Technology
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 165 AST
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 297-309
Description:
Climate change has further exacerbated long-standing water use conflicts in the Lake Velence catchment area in Hungary. The lake is the ecological, social and economic central element of the area, with water scarcity as water levels having fallen to record lows in recent years due to severe summer droughts. As a result of infrastructure developments in the 20th century and the significant waves of immigrants in recent decades, the lake and its surroundings have been heavily modified, transformed into an artificial waterbody, while land and water use has significantly altered. Besides these negative effects on water resources and the lake’s water level, settlements in the catchment area have become the top solar energy producers per housing in Hungary in recent years. The aim of this research is to identify and develop a possible inter-basin water recharge solution that meets societal needs based on the suggested development ideas formulated in questionnaire responses. A sustainable alternative of these solutions is pumping from a nearby catchment, that was evaluated in detail. Based on ecological considerations, a multi-criteria analysis summarizing nearly 100 water quality and quantity parameters was developed to ensure that water supply meets qualitative requirements. To ensure economically sustainable operating costs, the nearby solar capacities were used for pumps operation and energy storage. For energy demand and carbon emissions reduction, the uphill pumping was complemented with a downhill turbine hydropower recovery system. Several scenarios of the pumped water recharge system were considered and hydrodynamically optimized in Matlab. The return on investment of the inter-basin pumped water replenishment systems were evaluated as well as the carbon emissions to assure additional economic benefits and low carbon-footprint. A bottom-up methodology with large scale stakeholder involvement that assesses social needs and applies well-balanced the three pillars of sustainable development, can achieve a Pareto effective displacement even during the development of a water replacement system at the catchment level and beyond, on an inter-basin level. With a comprehensive methodology developed for pumped water recharge from an external catchment using existing renewable energy sources, the deteriorating social atmosphere and ecological conditions caused by climate and land use changes may be improved. In the meantime, even economic benefits can be increased, all with a low energy demand and carbon footprint, in a sustainable way.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.4028/p-jaWpD3
Local and catchment-scale effects of water retention measures at Lake Velence
Publication Name: Pollack Periodica
Publication Date: 2024-10-16
Volume: 19
Issue: 3
Page Range: 74-80
Description:
Climate change manifested its adverse impacts last year, with an extreme drought leading to a drastically low water level in Lake Velence, Hungary. Nature-based solutions have the potential to alleviate these impacts locally. While a few initiatives have been implemented in Hungary, widespread adoption of these solutions is expected to be a goal for the more distant future. This research focuses on one catchment at Lake Velence to evaluate decision-maker's readiness and urban water management infrastructure for broadly implementing nature-based solutions. Methods include delineating the stormwater system and creating a numerical model to evaluate rainfall-runoff processes and the possible impacts of nature-based retentions. Surveys among local mayors were conducted to assess their perception of existing water infrastructures and implementations of nature-based solutions. Its widespread use may become significant, but its effect on the lake's water level remains negligible.
Open Access: Yes
Prioritising water-related regional development project ideas based on stakeholder involvement activities: A case study from Szigetköz, Hungary
Publication Name: Environmental Challenges
Publication Date: 2024-08-01
Volume: 16
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Szigetköz—a large island of the Danube in Hungary—is attracting a new wave of interest in water-related regional development projects from the public and private sectors alike. The revived interest in the Szigetköz floodplain area, which has historically endured the adverse effects of large-scale water management initiatives, draws attention to the necessity for careful consideration and the active involvement of local stakeholders in the decision-making process. In our research, we conducted various stakeholder engagement activities, including interviews, questionnaires, and workshops. These activities helped define the problems and objectives of each stakeholder group. Through collaborative consultations, we gathered over 100 proposed water related development project ideas. Additionally, to address key issues in project development and selection, we evaluated the integrative potential of each proposed project, considering the number of distinct water management issues it addressed. We also assigned an attitude score to each project, derived from the diverse objectives of various stakeholder groups, and analysed these quantities using a multiple-criteria analysis. This paper details a novel approach to assess and rank the proposed water-related regional development project ideas based on the calculated integrative potential and attitude scores. The goal was to prioritise and further develop these proposed projects to benefit Szigetköz and its surrounding areas. Main results of the study have shown the average project scored between 0.33–0.50 in integrative potential out of a maximum of 1.00 For positive attitude score the average was between 0.28–0.43, out of a maximum of 1.00 while for the negative attitude score the average project scored between -0.14–0.00 out of a minimum of -1.00. The ranking of projects that was based on these scores, highlighted three types of proposed projects that need to be further developed in different ways. The top-ranked positive attitude integrative projects need cost-benefit calculations involving all ecosystem services to justify their economic sustainability. Top-ranked opposing attitude integrative projects need conflict resolution to be socially sustainable. Finally, project ideas that scored low on integrative potential need to be developed to make use of blue-green infrastructure, and circular economical advancements to foster their environmental sustainability.
Open Access: Yes
Improving Flash Flood Hydrodynamic Simulations by Integrating Leaf Litter and Interception Processes in Steep-Sloped Natural Watersheds
Publication Name: Water Switzerland
Publication Date: 2024-03-01
Volume: 16
Issue: 5
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
More frequent high-intensity, short-duration rainfall events increase the risk of flash floods on steeply sloped watersheds. Where measured data are unavailable, numerical models emerge as valuable tools for predicting flash floods. Recent applications of various hydrological and hydrodynamic models to predict overland flow have highlighted the need for improved representations of the complex flow processes that are inherent in flash floods. This study aimed to identify an optimal modeling approach for characterizing leaf litter losses during flash floods. At a gauged watershed in the Hidegvíz Valley in Hungary, a physical-based model was calibrated using two distinct rainfall–runoff events. Two modeling methodologies were implemented, integrating canopy interception and leaf litter storage, to understand their contributions during flash flood events. The results from the model’s calibration demonstrated this approach’s effectiveness in determining the impact of leaf litter on steep-sloped watersheds. Soil parameters can estimate the behavior of leaf litter during flash flood events. In this study, hydraulic conductivity and initial water content emerged as critical factors for effective parametrization. The findings underscore the potential of a hydrodynamic model to explore the relationship between leaf litter and flash flood events, providing a framework for future studies in watershed management and risk-mitigation strategies.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/w16050750
Importance of Eddy Viscosity and Advection in Hydrodynamical Models for Simulating Flash Floods on Steep Sloped Watersheds
Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions
Publication Date: 2024-01-01
Volume: 114
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 805-810
Description:
Flash floods in steeply sloped watersheds pose significant human life and infrastructure. Accurate prediction of these events relies on key parameters such as peak flow, time to peak flow, and the total overland flow volume. Numerical models are highly effective tools for predicting flash floods. The accuracy of hydrodynamic models is determined mainly by the solver equations used. Depth-integrated models offer various equation sets, with the full hydrodynamic equation providing the most detailed, though computationally intensive, solution. Eddy viscosity is another critical factor in simulating turbulent overland flow. Still, increased equation complexity leads to longer computational times and the need for smaller time steps to maintain model stability. Simulating turbulent overland flow in steep watersheds is particularly challenging because maintaining stability in these conditions is difficult. This study examined overland flow using artificial watersheds and model rainfall events, testing multiple solvers within the Hydrologic Engineering Center – River Analysis System (HEC-RAS). By keeping geometry, mesh, and rainfall inputs consistent, the study compared solver performance, identifying potential errors that arise under different conditions. Nonlinear advection, rather than gravity and roughness, was found to govern flow around obstructions. These findings are critical for improving the reliability of models that simulate the complex dynamics of flash floods, ultimately aiding in the reduction of risks posed by these hazardous events.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3303/CET24114135
Assessing the Long-Term Groundwater Level Dynamics in Szigetköz, Hungary
Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions
Publication Date: 2024-01-01
Volume: 114
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 859-864
Description:
Szigetköz, a large island in the Hungarian Upper Danube, features unique gravel subsoils ranging from 10 to 600 m thick. The region’s groundwater levels, profoundly influenced by the Danube’s flow, are crucial for drinking water, irrigation, flood retention, and ecosystem functioning. Groundwater levels also impact topsoil moisture, affecting agriculture and forestry. Throughout the 20th century, human interventions, such as river regulation and hydropower plants, disrupted the groundwater balance in Szigetköz. Over the past three decades, water replenishment systems have been implemented to mitigate these effects and restore natural water levels. This study analyses long-term groundwater data from the 1950s until 2022, utilizing over 50 monitoring wells to map fluctuations in groundwater levels. For three periods, decadal, annual, and seasonal groundwater level analyses revealed the impacts of human intervention and the impacts of revitalization. Results of this study show that in the crucial spring and summer seasons, particularly in the vulnerable central regions of Szigetköz, the water table has been elevated by an average of 20-30 cm, recovering more than one-third of the water level reduction caused by the Danube’s diversion. However, in the winter period, groundwater levels dropped further in the last 30 y in the upper areas of Szigetköz. These partly unexpected insights highlight the need for further investigations to identify the main drivers of groundwater level dynamics, including studying the effect of bed clogging and the possible consequences of restoring the water levels of the Old Danube.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3303/CET24114144
Feasibility of Using Statistical Forecasting Method in the Marcal Catchment Area
Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions
Publication Date: 2024-01-01
Volume: 114
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 1021-1026
Description:
Flooding is one of the most destructive natural disasters, posing significant risks to under-construction and existing structures. It can also compromise critical infrastructure, such as roads and railways, by weakening embankments. While infrastructure damage is severe, the foremost concern remains the population's safety, making technological advancements and timely information dissemination crucial. Flood forecasting is vital in preparing communities and enabling flood defense organizations to respond effectively. This study aimed to develop a reliable flood forecasting method for the downstream sections of the Marcal River, where population density is high, using real-time data. Accurate flood forecasting relies on a comprehensive monitoring network and precise measurements that predict water flow and other hydrological conditions over several days. Real-time data during flood events is also essential for emergency response. Key hydrological and meteorological factors, including water levels, flow rates, and precipitation, are integral to this process. The study analyzed daily water flow data from 1960 to 2018, collected from stations along the Marcal River and its tributaries, combined with precipitation data, to forecast the river's flow at its outlet in Mórichida. Multi-level regression analysis, incorporating first- and second-order polynomials, was used to predict flood peaks at this outflow. The model employed flood wave peaks and simultaneous rising or receding flows from five additional river stations. Focusing on events with peak flows exceeding 20 m3/s, the researchers identified 68 cases, with 9-20 measurements per event. Confidence and prediction intervals confirmed the model's accuracy, predicting flood peaks within ±10 m3/s, offering a reliable, less complex alternative to traditional models.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3303/CET24114171
Enhancing Stormwater Management in Érd, Hungary, through Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainability and Resilience
Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions
Publication Date: 2024-01-01
Volume: 114
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 1027-1032
Description:
Traditionally, stormwater management strategies were designed to evacuate water swiftly and efficiently to mitigate flood risks. However, water conservation has become a crucial concern with growing environmental awareness, raising damage costs due to climate change and sustainability goals. Urban stormwater capture and utilization are essential for maintaining soil moisture levels, irrigating green spaces, reducing urban heat islands, supporting diverse wildlife, fostering ecological balance, and improving living conditions. This study focuses on a dynamically growing Hungarian city, Érd, with rapidly changing land use and utilizes the numerical Storm Water Management Model to simulate various water resources management scenarios. The simulations revealed multiple vulnerabilities in the channel network, leading to a comprehensive reevaluation and redesign. This redesign integrates nature-based solutions, enhancing the system's effectiveness and climate resilience with limited territorial possibilities. By comparing various design approaches, this research demonstrates that incorporating nature-based infrastructure at residential and subwatershed levels substantially improves flood mitigation and increases precipitation retention capabilities, making traditional infrastructure developments unnecessary. The findings underscore the need for innovative, adaptive infrastructure solutions. Implementing nature-based solutions mitigates flooding and contributes to resilient, sustainable urban water management systems that are better prepared to handle the challenges of a changing climate. This study underscores the critical importance of innovative infrastructure solutions and the positive benefits of nature-based solutions in fostering resilient and climate-adaptive urban water management systems in cities with small open spaces, rapid population growth, and scarce financial resources.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3303/CET24114172
Rainfall duration and parameter sensitivity on flash-flood at a steep watershed
Publication Name: Pollack Periodica
Publication Date: 2023-07-11
Volume: 18
Issue: 2
Page Range: 54-59
Description:
The common feature of streams in steep sloping watersheds is that there is a significant change from base-flow to flash-flood; sometimes two or three orders of magnitude. In Hungary, these streams are usually ungauged, with lack of available data, and models. The watershed features both urban and natural land use conditions, but the main area is quite homogenic. This paper evaluates the impact of different model parameterizations, and rainfall duration on flash-flood events in the Morgó-creek watershed. The goal is to find the main parameters that can represent the uncertainty of a flash-flood sensitive area, and how the calibrated and determined parameters take effect on a model if these values are shifted on given intervals.
Open Access: Yes
Accuracy Assessment and Validation of Multi-Source CHIRPS Precipitation Estimates for Water Resource Management in the Barada Basin, Syria
Publication Name: Remote Sensing
Publication Date: 2023-04-01
Volume: 15
Issue: 7
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The lack of sufficient precipitation data has been a common problem for water resource planning in many arid and semi-arid regions with sparse and limited weather monitoring networks. Satellite-based precipitation products are often used in these regions to improve data availability. This research presents the first validation study in Syria for Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) estimates using in-situ precipitation data. The validation was performed using accuracy and categorical statistics in the semi-arid Barada Basin, Syria, between 2000 and 2020. Multiple temporal scales (daily, pentad, monthly, seasonally, and annual) were utilized to investigate the accuracy of CHIRPS estimates. The CHIRPS results indicated advantages and disadvantages. The main promising result was achieved at the seasonal scale. Implementing CHIRPS for seasonal drought was proven to be suitable for the Barada Basin. Low bias (PBwinter = 2.1%, PBwet season = 12.7%), high correlation (rwet season = 0.79), and small error (ME = 4.25 mm/winter) support the implementation of CHIRPS in winter and wet seasons for seasonal drought monitoring. However, it was observed that CHIRPS exhibited poor performance (inland pentads) in reproducing precipitation amounts at finer temporal scales (pentad and daily). Underestimation of precipitation event amounts was evident in all accuracy statistics results, and the magnitude of error was higher with more intense events. CHIRPS results better corresponded in wet months than dry months. Additionally, the results showed that CHIRPS had poor detection skill in drylands; on average, only 20% of all in-situ precipitation events were correctly detected by CHIRPS with no effect of topography found on detection skill performance. This research could be valuable for decision-makers in dryland regions (as well as the Barada Basin) for water resource planning and drought early warning systems using CHIRPS.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/rs15071778
Optimized Implementation of Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Economic Benefits in a Watershed with Water Deficit – a Case Study in Hilly Settlements of Lake Velence
Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions
Publication Date: 2023-01-01
Volume: 107
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 265-270
Description:
The adverse effects of climate change on water resources have been demonstrated recently. The shallow surface and groundwater levels throughout Europe in 2022 have not been restored, even during the winter-spring recharge period. Water scarcity causes economic damage and may lead to food supply shortages and social tension. For Lake Velence, extreme drought caused damage throughout the watershed. The record low water levels kept away tourists and reduced the revenues. Stakeholder cooperation on sustainable water-related developments is essential to overcome the water deficit in the area. Surveys among local mayors confirmed that there is an affinity and possibility to sustainably utilize rainwater with the application of nature-based solutions. These infrastructures have low impacts on the lake’s water level while noticeably improving plant and agricultural irrigation, though the benefits are mostly unknown among stakeholders. Consequently, profitability per area unit for agricultural and farming activities can be increased. The research quantifies the possible positive effects of economic incentives used to implement nature-based solutions in the hilly settlements of Lake Velence; they sustainably increase the yield of agricultural production and food security and economically beneficial tools for mayors to optimize placement of nature-based solutions within the catchment to achieve adequate soil quality and additional social benefits.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3303/CET23107045
Impact of Different Rainfall Intensity and Duration on Flash-Flood Events on a Steep-Sloped Ungauged Watershed
Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions
Publication Date: 2023-01-01
Volume: 107
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 175-180
Description:
Changing climate conditions increase rainfall intensity and cause a growing number of flash flood events. Due to flash floods, problems with water damage prevention (urban area floods, erosion of natural watersheds) are increasing; these events also make the sustainable maintenance of watersheds more challenging. Hungarian watersheds are ungauged; very little historical or real-time data is available, making it difficult to understand the hydrological processes occurring during flash flood events. When only limited data is available, numerical models help predict peak flows and runoff volume. Additionally, a comparison of different models and parametrizations could be a helpful tool to reduce prediction uncertainty. This paper evaluates the impact of different rainfall intensities and durations on flash flood events at the ungauged watershed of the Morgó-creek on the northern side of Hungary. Land use conditions are primarily natural, with urban areas close to the outlet point. Hydrological and hydrodynamical models were used to apply different scenarios to determine the sensitivity of the whole watershed system based on typical precipitation events in time and intensity. The models predicted different peak flows and timing for flash floods. Using both models for comparison is recommended for flash flood prediction to compensate for the lack of measured data.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3303/CET23107030
Watershed subdivision and weather input effect on streamflow simulation using SWAT model
Publication Name: Pollack Periodica
Publication Date: 2022-04-30
Volume: 17
Issue: 1
Page Range: 88-93
Description:
In watershed modeling research, it is practical to subdivide a watershed into smaller units or sub-watersheds for modeling purposes. The ability of a model to simulate the watershed system depends on how well watershed processes are represented by the model and how well the watershed system is described by model input. This study is conducted to evaluate the impact of watershed subdivision and different weather input datasets on streamflow simulations using the soil and water assessment tool model. For this purpose, Cuhai-Bakonyer watershed was chosen as a study area. Two climate databases and four subdivision variations levels were evaluated. The model streamflow predictions slightly effected by subdivision impact. The climate datasets showed significant differences in streamflow predictions.
Open Access: Yes
Using numerical modeling error analysis methods to indicate changes in a watershed
Publication Name: Pollack Periodica
Publication Date: 2018-12-01
Volume: 13
Issue: 3
Page Range: 175-186
Description:
In order to promote long-term sustainable water management in northwestern Hungary, decision-makers need to understand the hydrological variability in the region. To better quantify hydrological variability in the region, this study developed rainfall-runoff models of four watersheds in the Little Hungarian Plain. The models were then used to identify variations in runoff characteristics caused by climatic factors or fundamental alterations to the watershed itself through the application of numerical error analysis. By observing the continuous statistical error measurements, changes can be detected in either climatic conditions, watershed characteristics, or may indicate gauging or data collection errors.
Open Access: Yes
Hydrologic modeling of the loess bluff in dunaujvaros, Hungary
Publication Name: Pollack Periodica
Publication Date: 2017-01-01
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Page Range: 3-15
Description:
The western shoreline of the Danube from Érd to Mohács consists of loess bluffs up to 50 m high. These bluffs can be susceptible to landslides when groundwater conditions weaken the supporting loess. Often this will occur during periods of high rainfall, however morphological, geological and other factors are also important in triggering these movements. Changes in pore water pressures related to precipitation, confined water levels driven by remote catchments, and river level fluctuations are widely recognized as important factors controlling the loess bank stability. This work aims to determine the interaction of rainfall, river level, drainage and local pumping on the pore pressure regime and stability of the bluffs. As a first step, a realistic 2-dimensional infiltration and groundwater model was built that reflects the influence of river levels, rainfall patterns, and local pumping. Based on model results, initial and boundary conditions have a strong influence on seasonal pore pressures. Further study will better define those influences on slope stability along the bluffs.
Open Access: Yes
Hydrological study of the Aggtelek karst springs
Publication Name: Pollack Periodica
Publication Date: 2013-08-01
Volume: 8
Issue: 2
Page Range: 107-116
Description:
Increased population growth and changing environmental conditions have focused attention on sustainability of karst spring flow. In Hungary, the quality of karst springs is acceptable for drinking water supply; the only treatment it needs is the disinfection. Aggtelek is one of the best-studied karst regions; a hydrologic monitoring network was built and operated at the Jósvafo Research Station for about 50 years. The long-term data for the 15 major karst springs, rainfall, and temperature was available for analyses. This paper presents a methodology to estimate karst spring recharge, which can then be adapted to predict karst spring flow in lessstudied areas.
Open Access: Yes
Sustainable Water and Energy Management Through a Solar-Hydrodynamic System in a Lake Velence Settlement, Hungary
Publication Name: Infrastructures
Publication Date: 2025-10-01
Volume: 10
Issue: 10
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The Lake Velence watershed faces increasing challenges driven by local and global factors, including the impacts of climate change, energy resource limitations, and greenhouse gas emissions. These issues, particularly acute in water management, are exacerbated by prolonged droughts, growing population pressures, and shifting land use patterns. Such dynamics strain the region’s scarce water resources, negatively affecting the environment, tourism, recreation, agriculture, and economic prospects. Nadap, a hilly settlement within the watershed, experiences frequent flooding and poor water retention, yet it also boasts the highest solar panel capacity per property in Hungary. This research addresses these interconnected challenges by designing a solar-hydrodynamic network comprising four multi-purpose water reservoirs. By leveraging the settlement’s solar capacity and geographical features, the reservoirs provide numerous benefits to local stakeholders and extend their impact far beyond their borders. These include stormwater management with flash flood mitigation, seasonal green energy storage, water security for agriculture and irrigation, wildlife conservation, recreational opportunities, carbon-smart winery developments, and the creation of sustainable blue-green settlements. Reservoir locations and dimensions were determined by analyzing geographical characteristics, stormwater volume, energy demand, solar panel performance, and rainfall data. The hydrodynamic system, modeled in Matlab, was optimized to ensure efficient water usage for irrigation, animal hydration, and other needs while minimizing evaporation losses and carbon emissions. This research presents a design framework for low-carbon and cost-effective solutions that address water management and energy storage, promoting environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The multi-purpose use of retained rainwater solves various existing problems/challenges, strengthens a community’s self-sustainability, and fosters regional growth. This integrated approach can serve as a model for other municipalities and for developing cost-effective inter-settlement and cross-catchment solutions, with a short payback period, facing similar challenges.
Open Access: Yes
Implementing Nature-Based Solutions for Treatment of Winery's Wastewater and Sustainable Carbon-Footprint Reduction
Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 121
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 19-24
Description:
Nature-based solutions can reduce the negative effects of climate change by mitigating the risk of droughts with water retention, increasing infiltration, controlling stormwater runoff and by decreasing atmospheric greenhouse gas emission. The carbon footprint of wastewater treatment plants is significant; the processes are energy-intensive and thus high CO2 emitters. The technology of wine making creates wastewater with extremely high organic content and is coupled with high carbon footprint. Its treatment poses challenges for wastewater plants. This study focuses on the wastewater of winemaking process and its negative effects on carbon-footprint and the wastewater management opportunities of the Csengőd wastewater treatment plant in Hungary. The traditional wastewater treatment and the potential implementation of a poplar plantation were assessed economically and environmentally. The energy consumption and the carbon footprint reduction were compared in the two cases to evaluate their sustainability. Significant energy savings and economic benefits can be achieved by the trade-off between traditional treatment and the use of nature-based solutions. The assessment is novel, because it evaluates all three sustainability pillars, considering: benefits with pay-off through technological processes, environmental aspects and additionally the interests of stakeholders. A poplar plantation can be used to pre-treat wastewater of a winery and thus effectively reduce the high organic concentration – thereby protecting the sensitive technologies of traditional wastewater plants. The trade-off results in annual energy savings of 61,823 kWh and CO2 emission reduction of 16,692 kg, which means financial savings. The direct sustainable benefits are € 287,824 over the 50-year life cycle in a small wastewater plant.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3303/CET25121004
MODFLOW-Based Simulation of Groundwater Response to Rainfall in the Coastal Plain of Al-Hsain Coastal Basin, Syria
Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 121
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 25-30
Description:
Groundwater is an important factor in sustaining water supply in semi-arid coastal basins, where surface water resources are limited and climatic variability greatly affects availability. Rainfall events translated to groundwater recharge are of paramount importance for planning as well as for sustainable resource management in the Mediterranean catchment. The interaction between rainfall and groundwater level is particularly complex within areas of geological heterogeneity and seasonal climatic regimes. As valuable as this relationship is, it continues to be poorly understood in the most vulnerable areas, including western Syria. This research examines the dynamic interaction between rainfall and groundwater levels in the Al-Hsain Basin, a semi-arid coastal area in western Syria. A transient groundwater flow model was built with MODFLOW and calibrated against 4 y (2020–2024) of monthly data from 35 observation wells and local precipitation measurements. The model effectively replicated seasonal groundwater variations controlled largely by rain, and spatial variations related to geological heterogeneity. A (0–1) month time lag between rainfall maxima and groundwater response suggests delayed infiltration in the unsaturated zone. Model performance was tested with statistical and hydrograph analyses, illustrating excellent agreement against over 95 % of observed data. The results confirmed the model as it gave a hydraulic head distribution very similar to the monitoring wells data (variations of less than 0.10–0.25 m). Spatial maps and water balance overviews under wet and dry conditions proved the model's robustness under hydrological conditions. Despite some data limitations, this study offers helpful data on groundwater recharge processes and practical recommendations for improving water resource management in similar Mediterranean coastal settings.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3303/CET25121005
Combining interbasin water replenishment and solar capacities for sustainable energy and water management in the catchment of Lake Velence
Publication Name: Advances in Geosciences
Publication Date: 2026-01-22
Volume: 67
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 129-136
Description:
Climate change exerts substantial adverse effects on water resources within the catchment area of Lake Velence in Hungary, intensifying conflicts among stakeholders and diverse water users. This region, characterized by rapid urbanization and economic expansion, also exhibits ecological heterogeneity, including significant wetland areas, some designated as Ramsar sites. At the same time, population growth and modern real estate development have led to a high density of solar panel installations, resulting in above-average per-property renewable energy production capacity across the country. This study proposes an inter-basin water transfer system to mitigate the hydrological impacts of climate change, leveraging the area’s topography and solar energy production potential by integrating pumped hydro storage reservoirs and surplus solar energy to transfer water from the adjacent Váli-víz watershed is considered. The ecological flow requirements of the donor area are also considered to protect its ecosystem. The objective is to design a sustainable, low-carbon water replenishment system that addresses the region’s economic, social, and ecological requirements. By synchronizing excess solar energy production with pumped hydro storage systems, the approach ensures dual functionality: renewable energy storage and strategic water supply enhancement for Lake Velence, thus increasing the system and the area’s resilience under climate stress.
Open Access: Yes
Rainfall–Groundwater Correlations Using Statistical and Spectral Analyses: A Case Study on the Coastal Plain of Al-Hsain Basin, Syria
Publication Name: Hydrology
Publication Date: 2026-01-01
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Climate change and irregular precipitation patterns have increasingly threatened groundwater sustainability in semi-arid regions like the Eastern Mediterranean. Specifically, in coastal Syria, the lack of quantitative understanding regarding aquifer recharge mechanisms hinders effective water resource management. To address this, this study investigates the dynamic relationship between rainfall and groundwater levels in the Al-Hsain Basin coastal plain using 48 months of monitoring data (2020–2024) from 35 wells. We employed a unified analytical framework combining statistical methods (correlation, regression) with advanced time–frequency techniques (Wavelet Coherence) to capture recharge behavior across diverse Quaternary, Neogene, and Cretaceous strata. The results indicate strong climatic control on groundwater dynamics, particularly in shallow Quaternary wells, which exhibit rapid recharge responses (lag < 1 month). In contrast, deeper aquifers showed delayed and buffered responses. A dual-variable model incorporating temperature significantly improved prediction accuracy (R2 = 0.97), highlighting the role of evapotranspiration. These findings provide a transferable diagnostic framework for identifying recharge zones and supporting adaptive groundwater governance in data-scarce semi-arid environments.
Open Access: Yes
Fuzzy Modeling Strategies for Groundwater Level Forecasting: Comparing Local, Integrated, and Behavioral Frameworks for a Data-Limited Coastal Aquifer in the Eastern Mediterranean
Publication Name: Water Switzerland
Publication Date: 2026-03-01
Volume: 18
Issue: 5
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Groundwater modeling in semi-arid regions presents significant challenges due to complex aquifer dynamics, limited data availability, and heterogeneous hydrogeological conditions. This study presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of three fuzzy expert system strategies for monthly groundwater level forecasting in the Al-Hsain Basin, Syria: localized models based on hydrogeographical grouping, a unified basin-wide approach, and an innovative behavioral clustering methodology. Using synchronized rainfall and temperature data from 35 monitoring wells over four years (2020–2024), we developed and evaluated fuzzy inference systems’ directional classification accuracy as the primary performance metric, categorizing groundwater level changes into rise, stable, and decline states rather than predicting continuous values. This choice reflects the qualitative nature of fuzzy expert systems and their suitability for groundwater management under data-limited conditions. The behavioral clustering approach achieved excellent overall performance with a mean accuracy of 0.74, outperforming localized models (0.71) and unified models (0.67). Behavioral clustering demonstrated effectiveness in 66% of wells, with individual accuracy improvements reaching up to 0.23, while reducing model complexity from five group-specific systems to three behaviorally coherent clusters. Localized models achieved optimal performance in 29% of wells where hydrogeological conditions aligned with spatial assumptions, whereas unified models provided consistent moderate performance across 89% of locations. The incorporation of lagged variables and seasonal indices in behavioral clustering models proved essential for capturing temporal complexity in semi-arid groundwater responses. Statistical analysis revealed lower intra-group variability in behavioral clusters (standard deviation 0.06–0.09) than in geographical groupings (0.08–0.14), confirming improved functional homogeneity through response-based organization. These findings indicate that fuzzy modeling strategy selection should be context-dependent, with behavioral clustering offering an effective balance between accuracy, interpretability, and generalization for regional groundwater management applications. The novelty of this work lies in isolating the effect of fuzzy system organization logic (localized, unified, and behavioral) on forecasting performance, robustness, and transferability, evaluated under an identical inference and time-series validation framework.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/w18050566
ADVANCED MACHINE LEARNING MODELS FOR PREDICTING DIFFUSION OF POLLUTION IN SOILS
Publication Name: Kufa Journal of Engineering
Publication Date: 2026-04-01
Volume: 17
Issue: 2
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
the infiltration of hazardous chemicals into the soil causes soil pollution which poses significant risks to ecosystems and human health. For this reason, accurate predicting the diffusion of pollution in soils is important and critical for monitoring and protection the environmental state. In this study we have compared advanced machine learning ML models to predict vertical and horizontal pollution diffusion using complex and multimodal soil experimental datasets. Support vector regression, linear regression, gradient boosting regression, xgboost regression, k-nearest neighbours, and artificial neural networks were employed to build predicted models and compared with each other. The comparison criteria are measuring mean squared error, root mean squared error, mean absolute error, and R-squared as the metrics used to evaluate the predictive models performance. The observed results demonstrate that ensemble methods XGBoost and random forest, outperform other models in predicting pollution diffusion while XGBoost achieving the highest accuracy. On the other hand, linear regression was the least effective while k-nearest neighbours and artificial neural networks showed moderate performance.
Open Access: Yes
Evaluating the role of blue-green infrastructures in mitigating climate change: a case study of the Hungarian “Green City” program
Publication Name: Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy
Publication Date: 2026-05-01
Volume: 28
Issue: 5
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Urban environments are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, with extreme weather events expected to become more frequent and severe. This paper addresses sustainable urban development and the importance of stormwater retention, integrating adaptation and mitigation strategies. It evaluates the publicly funded Hungarian “Green City” program’s water management, focusing on blue-green infrastructures. The 198 implemented projects in the program were assessed for green credentials, vegetation concepts, and rainwater retention using public databases of real municipal data and Google Earth spatial analyses rather than hypothetical scenarios. A lifetime climate change impact assessment with sensitivity analysis was conducted using two case studies from the “Green City” program, highlighting the benefits of prioritizing rainwater over tap water for irrigation. The study proposes a three-pillar—environmental as operational carbon footprint, economic as extended net present value (NPV), and social as accessibility and recreational benefit—evaluation method for urban blue-green developments. It found that many projects rely on tap water irrigation, thus resulting in higher lifetime carbon emissions. The financial assessment of carbon footprint within the extended NPV method emphasizes the need for improved green area irrigation strategies. By modernizing irrigation practices and implementing effective rainwater retention measures, blue-green infrastructures can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions while improving long-term economic performance and social benefits through improved usability. The research offers valuable insights into the role of blue-green infrastructures in urban development to combat climate change. The combined three-pillar framework integrating LCA to assess green projects is a transferable decision-support tool that can be adapted to locally available data, advocating the use of rainwater over tap water to achieve environmental, social, and economic benefits. Unlike earlier studies that used hypothetical scenarios, this research relies on the implemented projects of the “Green City” development program with their observed designs and available real data, thus providing a framework for urban blue-green implementations to integrate sustainable practices and effectively address the challenges posed by climate change.
Open Access: Yes
