Groundwater-Driven Land Subsidence in the Ararat Valley
Partners: American University of Armenia (AUA) Acopian Center for the Environment and the Division of Water Resources Engineering of Lund University, Sweden
Funding: Swedish Institute
Start date: February 2023
End date: September 2024
Project contact: Dr. Garabet Kazanjian
Type of activity: Joint research; faculty and student mobility; knowledge exchange
The Groundwater-Driven Land Subsidence in the Ararat Valley project aims to foster collaboration between AUA and Lund University in the domain of water governance through joint research, knowledge exchange, and faculty and student mobility.
As a first collaborative initiative between the AUA Acopian Center and Lund University’s Division of Water Resources Engineering, the team is focusing on the potential groundwater-driven land subsidence in the Ararat Valley of Armenia, utilizing the Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technique. This cutting-edge methodology allows for monitoring ground deformation with exceptional precision, offering insights into the dynamics of land subsidence (sinking of land).
Groundwater depletion in the Ararat Valley due to unsustainable levels of water abstraction for fish farming and agriculture has been well documented. The AUA Acopian Center’s collaboration with Lund University will study the impact of these high levels of water abstraction on land subsidence. While this is a known phenomenon worldwide, it has not been studied in the context of the Ararat Valley. As groundwater is taken out, land tends to sink. The extent and type of sinking depends on the underground geology of the site.
The activities of the initiative include:
— Sweden to Armenia mobility: Three (3) faculty members from Lund University visited AUA in June 2023. Two (2) students from Lund visited AUA in January 2024.
— Armenia to Sweden mobility: Three (3) faculty members and researchers from AUA visit Lund in June 2024. (Pending)
— Joint research: Studying groundwater-driven land subsidence in the Ararat Valley using InSAR. Results are expected in July 2024.
— Joint publication: At least one publication is expected before December 2024.
— Joint proposal writing: At least one proposal is expected before September 2024.
— Workshops and talks:
+ “Latest Trends & Methods in Water Research: Shared Experiences from Lund University,” a seminar held at AUA in June 10, 2023. Visiting researchers from Lund shared their expertise and experiences with representatives from the Armenian academic community, fostering valuable discussions and knowledge sharing. The video recording of the seminar is available here.
+ Seminar at Lund University held by AUA Acopian Center faculty and researchers held in June 2024. (Pending)
— Media coverage:
+ Lund University and AUA Acopian Center Collaborate on Ararat Valley Study (Feb. 8, 2024; AUA Newsroom)