John A. Cherry, a Member of the RSC, Visits College of Water Sciences and Gives an Academic Report

Professor John A. Cherry, a Canadian registered engineer and a member of the Royal Society of Canada, was invited by Professor Wang Jinsheng from College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University to give an academic report in Beijing Normal University on November 19, 2018. Teachers and students of College of Water Sciences and School of Natural Resources of Beijing Normal University, together with 19 representatives of Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, Beijing Earthquake Agency and China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group, attended the seminar.

 

John A. Cherry is a part-time professor of University of Guelph, the director ofSite Groundwater Research Association[LYY1] and also the deputy director of G³⁶⁰ Institute for Groundwater Research (G³⁶⁰ Institute for Groundwater Research is the largest university-led groundwater research institution in Canada). John A. Cherry has obtained numerous honors from the scientific and professional institutions in Canada, USA and UK. In 2016, he won the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize (Singapore) for his contribution to the global groundwater science and technology. He is a foreign member of National Academy of Engineering, a member of the Royal Society of Canada and an honorary doctor of University of Neuchâtel. In addition, he was also the president of Canada Expert Team for Environmental Impact Brought by Exploitation of Shale Gas (Hydrofracturing) from 2012 to 2014.

 

According to the needs of groundwater research of College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, John A. Cherry made an academic report entitled "On the Nature and Implication of Groundwater Contamination". Focusing on the importance of groundwater and the basic concepts of its movement, this report introduced the nuclear waste disposal site of Chalk River Laboratories and its pollution characteristics; introduced the monitoring method of groundwater pollution based on the research on pollution plume of refuse landfill, natural gradient tracer test, pollution plume of sewer, purification system and groundwater and the pollution of nitrate and emerging contaminants; introduced industrial contaminants, DNAPL pollution and experimental research, pesticides and groundwater pollution, methane leakage during the exploitation of shale gas and the emerging contaminants from the aspect of the relationship between bacteria, fissure, and aquiclude; indicated that it is difficult to treat groundwater pollution, stressed the complexity of pollution mechanism and suggested paying attention to protection and management. After that, participants and Professor Cherry had a heated discussion and exchange on issues such as groundwater pollution control and remediation, monitoring of groundwater level and pollution, and geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. The time for delivering the report and having discussions totaled 2 hours.

 

As a comprehensive report on groundwater pollution, this report shows the current research situation and difficult problems of groundwater pollution from an international perspective, providing a reference for College of Water Sciences to conduct research on groundwater pollution control and remediation.

 

Professor John A. Cherry gives a class

Professor John A. Cherry gives a class

Participants discuss with Professor John A. Cherry

Group photo of the seminar