GROUNDWATER 2000 – International Conference on Groundwater Research Copenhagen June 6-8th 2000

Dan Rosbjerg

The conference was organised by the Groundwater Research Centre at the Technical University of Denmark in collaboration with the Danish Water Resource Committee and sponsored by The COIWIfoundation, European Science Foundation and Danish Environmental Protection Agency. Cosponsoring organisations were International Association of Hydrology (IAHS); UNESCO – International Hydrological Programme (IHP), Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) and The Society of Danish Engineers (IDA).

The aim of the conference was to create an interdisciplinary forum for presentation and exchange of the most recent advances in groundwater research. Current research in groundwater addresses fundamental processes, for example by recognising the combined effect of physical, chemical and microbiological mechanisms in laboratory and field studies. It also marks a transition to more engineering-related topics such as remediation technologies for cleaning up contaminated soils and groundwater.

The conference focused in particular on the five selected key-issues; aquifers and contaminant distribution; groundwater quality problems, natural attenuation; remediation technologies; and groundwater protection. High-level keynote and invited speakers were associated each of the selected topics and a large number of contributed oral and poster papers were presented during the three-day conference. The number of participants was approximately 320, ensuring lively discussions in three well-attended concurrent sessions.

The proceedings of the conference are printed by Balkema in the book ”Groundwater 2000” edited by P. L. Bjerg, P. Engesgaard and T. D. Krom (ISBN 90 5809 133 3). All oral and poster presentations are documented by a two-page paper, and the book hereby offers a comprehensive overview of actual research results, while at the same time pointing to other recently published material. A CD-ROM providing easy search opportunities is included.

The organisers are happy to conclude that the aims of the conference were achieved. The contributions of the sponsors and the efforts of the attendees are gratefully acknowledged. The generous support and the enthusiastic participants made the conference an important event in the continuous struggle to advance groundwater research.