College of Water Sciences

Overview
Water is the basis of life on earth. Water is essential for the existence and development of humankind. Water is the most active and influential element in natural resources, as well as in ecological and environmental systems. Water problems have been a global issue. Serious water contamination and soil erosion, along with frequent drought and flooding, have been posing a serious threat to human health and life. Water problems hinder the global economic and social developments, and it has also been the most pressing issue to be resolved for the sustainable development strategy of China. Water study has been one of the central research topics in natural sciences around the world, and specific organizations on water research have been established in many well-known institutions.

The College of Water Sciences has evolved from the Institute of Water Sciences of Beijing Normal University, which was established in the early of 21th century. The Institute was a combined product of tracking cutting-edge science around the world and of responding to the needs of China. The Institute has performed systematic researches on various aspects of water sciences, which included distributed hydrologic models, ecological water needs and water resources allocation, hydrologic cycle affected by climate change and human activities, water conservation theory and technology in agricultural activities, systematic analysis of water resources, and hydrologic forecasting and water resources assessment in areas with no existing information.

The mid- and long-range scientific plans in China have identified water resources problems as one of the most urgent issues. In order to respond to the needs of tackling water problems to meet national economic developments, to train more qualified water sciences professionals, and also to meet the goal of “developing Beijing Normal University as a comprehensive, unique, research-orientated world-class university”, the College of Water Sciences was established in January of 2005 as one of the first water research institutions in China. The founding of the College was spearheaded by two Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professors Liu Changming and Lin Xuyue, who had led a 973 Project entitled by “Evolution Principles of Reusable Water Resources in Yellow River Basin”, from which a group of established scholars on both surface and groundwater studies was assembled.

Led by Professors Liu and Lin, the research and educational activities on water sciences at Beijing Normal University has been growing rapidly, with a diverse array of research focuses on hydrologic cycle, water resources, water environment, water ecology, water hazard, and water management. The College of Water Sciences is home to the Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, Department of Groundwater Science and Engineering, Institute of Water Ecology and Environment, as well as the Key Laboratory of Water and Sediments of the Ministry of Education in China, and Research Center of Groundwater Science and Engineering at Beijing Normal University. Both master’s and doctoral degrees are offered in the following five areas: groundwater science and engineering, environmental science, environmental engineering, physical geography, and natural resources. In addition, students can pursue their master’s degrees in the area of hydrology and water resources. Furthermore, the College offers postdoctoral training in environmental science and engineering, and in geography.

I. Organization of the College of Water Sciences
1. Department of Hydrology and Water Resources
The major research areas in this department include hydrologic cycle and processes in the terrestrial system, water resources and water environment policy, and hydrologic process and digital watershed.

(1) Hydrologic Cycle and Processes in the Terrestrial System
This research area is to investigate the dynamics of hydrologic cycle in the terrestrial system affected by human activities and climate change, and to identify the interaction mechanisms of hydrologic cycle and surface processes in a watershed. Several major physical processes of the hydrologic cycle in the terrestrial are studied, which include water cycle process in a watershed, water and heat transfer in the “soil-plant-atmosphere” interface, slope hydrology, soil erosion, and sediment transportation. Using hydrologic and physical processes models, this research group explores the basic understanding of hydrologic cycle in the terrestrial, studies the underlying causes of flooding, water shortage, soil erosion, and ecologic degradation impacted by human activities and climate change, all of them are important national problems in China. The research team is comprised of interdisciplinary scientists with well-rounded graduate or postdoctoral training.

(2) Water Environment and Water Policy
Water poverty is the Second Poverty facing the humankind in the 21th century. China is especially challenged with the serious problems of water shortage, water contamination, and frequent water hazard. It is crucial to systematically investigate the judicial water resources utilization, design of water policy, the interactions of water resources, water environment, and water hazard, as well as the coordination of water resources and water environment for sustainable development.

This research area has undertaken various projects in the evolution principles of water resources, allocation of water resources, sustainable utilization and management of water resources, monitoring and assessment of water environment, and simulation and management of water environment. Signifcant research findings include (1) the proposed concept of “water resources-water environment-water hazard” complex system and development of comprehensive investigative tools, and the establishment of water resources-water environment continuum model to provide scientific support in tackling water resources and water environment problems in a watershed; (2) the mechanisms of reusable water resources, emergency response system for water environment security, policy and regulations in watershed security, and optimized allocation of water resources for the ecology and environment in a watershed. The finding is especially evident in the national key basic research “973” project entitled by “Evolution Principles of Reusable Water Resources in Yellow River Basin”, with the concept of reusable water resources very importantly adopted in the sustainable utilization of water resources.
This research area is to (1) integrate multiple disciplines of hydrology and water resources, ecological environment, management science, information system, and eco-social planning; and (2) emphasize the innovation of technological methods (e.g., multiple-objective analysis method, systematic dynamics method, remote sensing and geographic information system).
(3) Hydrologic Process and Digital Watershed
Using remote sensing, geographic information system, global position system, neural network, multimedia and virtual reality, in conjunction with the buildup of field stations, this research area is to (1) collect and perform digital analysis of whole watershed; (2) construct a comprehensive information platform and 3-dimensional models; and (3) investigate dynamic analysis and forecasting of water resources in a watershed. The findings have contributed to the pre-warning and prediction of flooding, combating drought, optimized allocation of water resources, safety assurance of dam and reservoir, and the protection of water ecology and environment.

Funded by the “985 Project” of Beijing Normal University, the College of Water Sciences established the Digital Watershed Laboratory in partnership with the Key Laboratory for Water and Sediments of the Ministry of Education in China. Based on the concepts of “Digital Watershed” and utilizing advanced tools of remote sensing, geographical information system, global positioning system, database management system, artificial intelligence and expert systems, and numerical simulation, the Laboratory has been investigating the framework of watershed models, methods and key technologies in modeling, and providing technical support for the calculation of watershed resources, flooding simulation and prediction, estimation of sediment generation and non-point source contamination, and watershed planning and management. Equipped with first-class hardware infrastructure (one high-performance server, 3 advanced work stations, 19 work stations, and state-of-art scanners) and a comprehensive set of software, the Laboratory has produced numerous technical products from a diverse array of projects including “985” Project “Evolution Principles of Reusable Water Resources in Yellow River Basin”, Global Environment Fund project “Study of Water Quantity Modeling and Non-point Source Contamination in Zhangweinan Watershed”, “Underwater Data Collection using Remote Sensing and Analysis Model Development”, “Hydrologic Cycle and Water Resources System of Yarlung Tsangpo River basin Affected by Global Climate Change”, and “Integrated Watershed Management System of Simulation, Optimization, and Information Technology”. The Laboratory is currently providing technical support for several projects including the Global Environment Fund project “Comprehensive Planning of Water Resources and Water Environment in Tongzhou District”, “Digital Watershed Study of Quanzhou City”, and “Water Resources Planning of Sanya City”. The Laboratory has registered 4 software patents, and provided the valuable infrastructure and technical support in the remote sensing, GIS data analysis, as well as student training and education of distributed hydrologic model.
2. Department of Groundwater Science and Engineering
The major research areas in this department include the groundwater management, groundwater security and environment, Groundwater Science and Engineering.

(1) Groundwater Management
Long-term and sustainable utilization of groundwater needs to be based on judicial assessment. As early as the 1980s, scientists in the College have started the groundwater research. With the establishment of Key National Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation in 1991, scientists have performed various studies on utilization and judicial management of groundwater resources, fate and behavior of contaminants in groundwater, control and restoration of contaminated groundwater, and mitigation of environmental and geologic hazard. These research works have produced significant findings in the evolution principles of reusable water resources in Yellow River basin, water conservation to combat the water level decline in Hai River basin, assessment of groundwater resources utilization of Daqing City, strategies of groundwater protection in Shijiazhuang City, and environmental impact assessment of groundwater in Pishan-Moyu reclaimed area in Xinjiang. By closely linking the practical needs of groundwater management and utilizing groundwater management models, scientists in this research area have performed a variety of basic and applied research in dynamic planning of groundwater utilization, scientific management of groundwater resources based on 3S techniques, engineering planning and environment impact assessment of groundwater utilization, integrated management of groundwater quantity and quality; all of them have provided scientific understanding and technical support for the development, monitoring, research, and information management of the groundwater in China.

(2) Groundwater Security and Environment
This research area has been developed from many years’ studies in hydrogeology, hydrology and water resources, environmental hydrogeology, geochemistry, hydrogeochemistry, earth science, groundwater dynamics, vadose zone hydrology, fluid mechanics, radiation protection, nuclear physics, nuclear technologies, and dosimetry. Over the recent years, significant findings have been generated in the environmental security of groundwater utilization, safety analysis of groundwater, stability and security of the dams to store mining tailings, safety of drainage from nuclear power plants, assessment of medium-level and ultralow-level nuclear waste repository, fate and transport of contaminants in groundwater, damage analysis of groundwater security, and groundwater safety of mining activities.

Based on hydrology, hydrogeology, fluid dynamics, isotope technology, this research area integrates groundwater dynamics and hydrogeochemistry, as well as isotope analysis and hydrogeology, and studies the interactions of surface water and groundwater, watershed security under natural and anthropogenic conditions. The research group closely follows the national key needs (running-dry of Yellow River, water security associated with the economic developments of western and northeastern areas of China, repository of nuclear waste, and decommission of nuclear facilities), major construction projects (e.g., Three-Gorges Dam, Wanjiazai on Yellow river Project, the South-North Water Transfer Project), and provide consultations to higher authorities on groundwater security during SARS epidemic. The main approach to discipline development is to build up research capability from projects, which in return advances education from advanced research capability. Another major feature of this research area is to closely track the advanced science and technology in the world by international exchange and collaboration with various organizations and universities, which include World Bank, BDF, United Nation Environment Programme, UK Department of International Development, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the University of Texas at Arlington, Brigham Young University, and Queen’s University Belfast.

(3) Groundwater Science and Engineering
To address water resources and environmental problems that might hinder economic and social developments of China, respond to the needs for strategic developments, and apply theory and methodology of geosciences, chemistry, biology, environmental science, and computer science, the following theoretical and applied research topics are actively pursued in the control of groundwater contamination and sustainable utilization of groundwater resources: 1) By incorporating groundwater hydrology, hydrogeochemistry, and geology, to study the groundwater surface-water interactions, and explore water security in a watershed affected by natural and anthropogenic conditions; 2) Based on the principles of geochemistry, biology, and environmental science, to investigate the fate and behavior of nutrients, organics, and heavy metals in the groundwater-soil-ecosystem; 3) By integrating field-scale experiments and numerical modeling, to construct groundwater contamination models of different scales for the risk assessment of groundwater pollution, and to carry out the theoretical study and engineering implementation for the control of groundwater pollution; 4) To closely follow the national needs and major initiatives and provide consultation for the prudent utilization and environmental security of groundwater resources.

3. Institute of Water Ecology and Environment
The main research foci have been on rehabilitation and restoration technologies of damaged ecosystems, and ecological engineering and control technologies of water pollution.

(1) Rehabilitation and Restoration Technologies of Damaged Ecosystems
Considering the geographic difference of various regions in China, the principles and engineering optimization theories are studied about the damaged ecosystems in different regions by integrated approaches of active intervention and natural attenuation.

(2) Ecological Engineering and Control Technologies of Water Pollution
In response to the characteristics of complex point and nonpoint contamination for both surface water and groundwater in China, suitable engineering technologies to control water pollution in China are developed based on the principles of ecological engineering in a cost effective manner.

II. Faculty and Staff
With more than 30 faculty members, the College has secured 40+ grants funded by the State, ministries, and provinces. An active international exchange and collaboration has been ongoing with the U.S., England, Japan, Germany, Canada, Australia, and Denmark.

The College has ten full-time professors (among them two Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and one “Jing Shi Scholar” of Beijing Normal University), 15 adjunct professors, 6 associate professors, and 14 assistant professors. In concert with the “985 Project”, two established overseas scholars have been recruited as the guest researchers, and a total of fifteen overseas returnees and/or well-renowned experts as the researchers. With the excellent platform for scientific research, the College has been in the stage of phenomenal growth and made numerous cutting-edge scientific discoveries. With the first-class working and educational infrastructure, diverse expertise of faculty members with a strong drive for academic excellence, and philosophy of extensive international exchange and collaboration, the College will provide what is necessary for the training of bright young scientists and recruiting of established scholars from home and abroad.

III. Distinguished Scholars
1. Liu Changming
As an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Liu graduated from Northwest University of China in 1956, and is the Director of Geosciences Division and an Honorary Dean of the College of Water Sciences at Beijing Normal University. He also serves as the Vice President of International Geographical Union (IGU), Vice President of the Geographical Society of China and Chair of the Committee of Hydrology, and Director of Research Center of Water in the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He has managed many key research projects funded by the State and Chinese Academy of Science, and made significant contributions in areas of runoff models, hydrological experiments, and water resources. His research findings have been utilized for the agricultural, industrial, and urban development in China, which included the proposed methods to calculate the rainstorm runoff in small watersheds with no existing information being adopted in the design of new railway routes in Northwest China, environmental assessment work being used by the planning and design of the South-North Water Transfer Project, and transfer and controls of “four types of water” and water conservation measures in the research of water resources in North China Plain and management of Yellow-Huai-Hai River plain. His achievements led him to be selected among the First Group of Mid-Career Experts with Outstanding Contributions in China. He was the Chief Scientist of 973 Project (G19990436), and is the editorial board member of journals Hydrological Processes, Water International, and Water Resources Development. He has produced 360 scientific publications, and won 12 Awards from the State, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and different ministries and provinces.

2. Lin Xueyu
Professor Lin is an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and one of the pioneering Chinese researchers in environmental hydrogeology and groundwater resources assessment. Her early work focused on the theoretical and applied research of assessment and management of groundwater resources, and has made significant contributions in the regional and urban groundwater resources assessment, water flow simulation and prediction. She has also established the earliest water-quality models, and her recent work has been about the study of mechanisms and bioremediation of contaminated groundwater. Since 1985, she has completed more than 30 research projects supported by various national, authored more than 110 research papers, won 11 Awards from the State, ministries, and provinces. Professor Lin has traveled to the U.S, Europe, and Australia to attend numerous international conferences and conduct bilateral scientific exchange. She was the convener of Environmental Hydrogeology section in the 28th and 30th International Geological Congress, and the Chair of the Steering Committee in the “Groundwater Crisis” international conference in 1998.

3. Xu Xinyi
Professor Xu is the Dean of the College of Water Sciences, President of Chinese Section of International Water Resources Association, Executive Council Member of Chinese Ecological Economies Society, Council Member of Chinese Hydraulic Engineering Society, and adjunct professors of Hohai University, Wuhan University, and Hunan University.

With many years’ experience working on the theoretical understanding and applied research of water resources (particularly in the areas of systematic analysis, information management, environmental science, and policy analysis), Professor Xu has published 4 books and authored over dozens of scientific publications, and made significant contributions in rational allocation of water resources. As the lead scientist, he has managed numerous national key projects in water resources over the past twenty years. Being the Deputy Group Leader or Group Leader of China, he has participated into four projects funded by Asian Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, and United Nations Environment Programme. He is the Team Leader of Experts Team for the comprehensive management of water resources and environment in Hai River basin, an aid project funded by Global Environment Fund. In addition, Professor Xu is the editor of Water Resources Section of the Chinese Encyclopedia of Resources Sciences, and the main participant of the Master Planning of the South-North Water Transfer Project. Moreover, he has founded two magazines of Water Problems Forum and Water Information Report in China, won the 2nd Prize of the National Sci-Tech Progress Award in China, and two 1st Prizes of the Sci-Tech Progress Award from the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Education, respectively.

4. Xu Zongxue
As the “Jing Shi Scholar” Special Professorship of Beijing Normal University. Professor Xu obtained his Ph.D. in 1988 in hydrology and water resources from Wuhan University of Hydraulic and Electric Engineering, and took a lecturer position in Tsinghua University in the same year. In 1993, he was invited as a Rewarded Visiting Researcher to work in Kyushu University, Japan for two years. Afterward, he worked in CTI Engineering Co., Ltd., Japan as a senior researcher. Financed by Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, he went to Ruhr-University Bochum Germany in 1997 as a guest scientist. In 2000, he returned to Japan to work at Yamanashi University as a visiting scientist. He then joined Beijing Normal University in 2003 as the Deputy Dean of the College of Water Sciences at Beijing Normal University, and he also is an adjunct professor of the Graduate College in the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research interests include risk and uncertainty analysis, rainfall-runoff model, synthetic generation for daily streamflow, decision support system, Geographic Information System application, hydrologic variability from climate change, and system dynamics application. He has participated in and/or led more than 50 projects funded by China, Japan, and Germany, and authored nearly 120 papers, among them about 50 are included by the SCI, EI, and ISTP.

5. Wang Jinsheng
Professor Wang has obtained his Ph.D. degree in engineering from the Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology at Changchun College of Geology. He has been working on simulation and pollution control of water environment for more than 30 years, and lead and participated in more than 30 research projects funded by “973” Project, the Chinese National Science Foundation, and various ministries of China. Professor Wang has mentored 60+ graduates and authored 80+ publications, among them about 20 are included by the SCI and EI. His major accomplishments include the development of models and codes for the low- and intermediate- level radioactive waste repository being successfully used in the assessment of Daiya Bay repository, as well as the study on assessment and regenerability of water resources for sustainable management in Yellow River Basin. Current projects led by Prof. Wang include environmental assessment and response strategies to address the aftermath of Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan, and the development and demonstration of key technologies to control groundwater contamination in riparian areas of Songhua River that is funded by the Science and Technology Major Initiatives for the Control and Restoration of Waterbodies in China.

IV. Disciplines Development
Under the Level-One Discipline of hydraulic engineering, the water sciences, comprehensive in nature, are related to numerous Level-Two Disciplines, which include hydrology and water resources, hydraulics and river dynamics, hydrogeology. Disciplines associated with water sciences also include ecology, geology, mathematics, chemistry, hydraulics, soil science, economics, management, meteorology, fluid dynamics, and information systems. At present, the College has three Level-Two disciplines of hydrology and water resources, hydraulics and river dynamics, and groundwater science and engineering. Both doctoral and master’s degrees can be awarded in groundwater science and engineering, while master’s degrees available for hydrology and water resources. By tackling key issues of water sciences and fully utilizing the expertise of faculty, the College places a special focus on the following research topics:
1. Hydrologic cycle and surface processes
2. Systematic analysis and sustainable utilization of water resources
3. Water pollution and control
4. Evolution and restoration of water ecology
5. Mechanisms and mitigation of water hazards
6. Theory and methodology of water management

V. Introduction to Digital Watershed Laboratory of College of Water Sciences
The Digital Watershed is an implementation of “Digital Earth” in the scale of a watershed. Funded by the “985 Project” of Beijing Normal University, the College of Water Sciences established the Digital Watershed Laboratory in partnership with the Key Laboratory for Water and Sediments of the Ministry of Education in China. Based on the concepts of “Digital Watershed” and utilizing advanced tools of remote sensing, geographical information system, global positioning system, database management system, artificial intelligence and expert systems, and numerical simulation, the Laboratory has been investigating the framework of watershed models, methods and key technologies in modeling, and providing technical support for the calculation of watershed resources, flooding simulation and prediction, estimation of sediment generation and non-point source contamination, and watershed planning and management. Equipped with a first-class hardware infrastructure and a comprehensive set of software, the Laboratory has produced numerous technical products from a diverse array of projects that include “Evolution Principles of Reusable Water Resources in Yellow River Basin”, “Study of Water Quantity Modeling and Non-point Source Contamination in Zhangweinan Watershed”, “Development of Data Collection and Analysis Models”, “Hydrologic Cycle and Water Resources System of Yarlung Zangbo River Affected by Global Climate Change”, and “Integrated Watershed Management System of Simulation, Optimization, and Information Technology”.

VI. The short-term goals of the College
(1) build up the capabilities of disciplines and associated laboratories centered around water problems, in concert with the 985 Project of Beijing Normal University; and (2) train graduates in the areas of hydrology and water resources, groundwater science and engineering, by incorporating their research work with the key research projects; it is planned to recruit and train every year more than 40 master’s students, 20 doctoral students, and 10 postdoctoral researchers and senior visiting scientists. The long-term goal is to position the College of Water Sciences at Beijing Normal University as the leading Chinese institution of water science research and education, with a world-renowned reputation.

Contact Information:
Address：College of Water Sciences, Beijing Xinjiekou Waidajie No. 19
Post code: 100875
Telephone: 86-10-58802739
E-mail: sky@bnu.edu.cn
http://www.bnu.edu.cn/shuikx/CWS.htm