Due to the restrictions, caused by the COVID-19, the 16th Carpathian Basin Conference for Environmental Sciences was held online between 30 March and 1 April 2021. The conference was hosted by the Eötvös Loránd University in memoriam of Prof. Mária Szabó.

The aims of the conference are to present the latest results of environmental research in the Carpathian Basin and to discuss theoretical and practical problems and raising awareness of environmental problems, education, and public understanding of research results.

One of the keynote presentations was given by Judit Mádl-Szőnyi, leader of the ELTE hydrogeology group and scientific coordinator of the ENeRAG project, presenting the results of the decade-long research related to the Buda Thermal Karst area (“Origin of thermal springs and caves – what can we learn from the flow systems of the Buda Thermal Karst?“).

The hydrogeology group of ELTE was represented by Petra Baják, Katalin Csondor, and Zsóka Szabó PhD students.

They held oral presentations on the following topics: 

Petra Baják: “Geochemical modeling to understand the natural radioactivity of groundwater

Katalin Csondor: “Investigation of the flow systems and actual cave formation processes of the Villány thermal karst

Zsóka Szabó: “Experimental rooftop rainwater harvesting by shallow well infiltration in Kerekegyháza, Hungary

The Scientific Committee awarded the best presentations of each session and plenty of special awards were also given, among which Katalin Csondor was awarded by the József and Erzsébet Tóth Endowed Hydrogeology Chair.

The full program of the conference is available here.

Although the conference could not take place in the traditional way this year, it provided new opportunities and new experiences for students and young researchers as well. The online platform also provided a great opportunity for initiating cooperation in international research activities, learning, and providing an experience for students in communication on an international level in their field of research.