Projects

AI-Powered Water Modelling in Boreal Forests after Wildfires

Objectives: The general objective of this project is to improve understanding and prediction of water-resource dynamics in boreal forests affected by wildfires. The research will examine how wildfire alters groundwater recharge, streamflow, soil moisture, evapotranspiration, and water availability. Field observations, remote sensing products, climate data, and hydrological information will be integrated within advanced artificial-intelligence models. Particular attention will be given to developing interpretable and physically consistent models that can represent interactions among fire severity, landscape characteristics, climate, and hydrological processes. The project will also assess how climate change may influence post-fire hydrological recovery and future water vulnerability. The resulting models and decision-support information will contribute to the sustainable management of water resources in fire-affected boreal regions.

  • Project PI(s): Rahim Barzegar (PI, UQAT)
  • Funding: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Discovery Grants Program
  • Reference: RGPIN-2025-06279
  • Period: 2025/04 to 2030/03

Physics-Informed Graph Neural Network Modelling of Groundwater Recharge and Low Flows ‎under Climate Change

Official title: Modélisation spatio-temporelle de la recharge des eaux souterraines et des étiages sous l’effet des changements climatiques à l’aide d’un réseau de neurones graphiques informé par la physique

Objectives: The general objective of this project is to develop a physics-informed graph neural network for modelling the spatial and temporal dynamics of groundwater recharge and river low flows under climate change. The proposed framework will represent connections among climate, groundwater systems, watersheds, and river networks while respecting fundamental hydrological principles. Historical observations, hydrogeological information, and climate projections will be integrated to identify the principal controls on recharge and low-flow variability. The project will assess how the magnitude, timing, duration, and spatial distribution of these processes may change under future climate conditions. It will also identify regions that may become increasingly vulnerable to groundwater-recharge deficits and reduced streamflow. The resulting modelling framework and maps will support climate-adaptation planning and sustainable water-resource management in Québec.

  • Project PI(s): Rahim Barzegar (PI, UQAT), Eric Rosa (Co-PI, UQAT), Vincent Cloutier (Co-PI, UQAT), Jan Adamowski (Co-PI, McGill University)
  • Project partner: Ouranos
  • Funding: Ouranos – MELCCFP QClim’Eau Program
  • Period: 2026/01 to 2027/12

Interpretable Deep Learning for Modelling Groundwater Drought Propagation under Climate ‎Change

Objectives: The general objective of this project is to improve understanding of how meteorological and hydrological anomalies develop into groundwater droughts. The research will investigate the processes controlling drought onset, propagation, duration, severity, and recovery across different hydrogeological settings. Interpretable deep-learning models will be developed to identify the climatic, geological, and hydrological factors governing groundwater-drought dynamics. Climate projections will be incorporated to assess how groundwater-drought risks may evolve under future conditions. Particular attention will be given to ensuring that model predictions are transparent, physically meaningful, and useful to water-resource managers. The project will establish the methodological foundation for broader research on groundwater resilience and climate adaptation.

  • Project PI(s): Jan Adamowski (PI, McGill University), Rahim Barzegar (Co-PI, UQAT)
  • Project partners: McGill University and UQAT
  • Funding: Centre de recherche sur l’eau (CentrEau), Seed Fund
  • Period: 2026/09 to 2027/08

Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment of Boreal Aquatic Ecosystems Following Extreme Wildfires in ‎Québec

Official title: Évaluation du risque écotoxicologique des écosystèmes hydriques boréaux consécutive à des feux de forêt extrêmes au Québec

Objectives: The general objective of this project is to evaluate the ecotoxicological risks posed by extreme wildfires to boreal aquatic ecosystems in Québec. The research will investigate how ash, nutrients, metals, and other fire-related contaminants are mobilized and transported into surface-water systems. Field sampling and laboratory analyses will be undertaken to characterize post-fire changes in water and sediment quality. The project will evaluate potential exposure pathways and ecological risks for aquatic organisms and identify the environmental factors controlling contaminant mobilization. It will also determine which indicators are most suitable for monitoring aquatic ecosystems affected by severe wildfires. The results will support the development of effective post-fire water-quality monitoring, risk-assessment, and ecosystem-management strategies.

  • Project PI(s): Rahim Barzegar (PI, UQAT), Eric Rosa (Co-PI, UQAT), Vincent Cloutier (Co-PI, UQAT)
  • Funding: Centre de recherche en écotoxicologie du Québec (EcotoQ), Support for Research Initiatives
  • Period: 2026/09 to 2027/08

Mutual Sharing of Groundwater Knowledge with the Cree Nation in Eeyou Istchee

Official title: Partage mutuel de connaissances sur les eaux souterraines avec la Nation Crie en Eeyou Istchee

Objectives: The general objective of this project is to promote the mutual sharing and co-development of groundwater knowledge with Cree communities in Eeyou Istchee. The project will bring together Indigenous knowledge, community priorities, and scientific hydrogeological information to improve understanding of groundwater resources. Activities will support dialogue concerning groundwater availability, quality, use, vulnerability, and long-term protection. The project will develop accessible approaches and materials for communicating hydrogeological knowledge to participating communities. It will also help identify local concerns and priority knowledge gaps related to drinking-water security and groundwater management. The initiative contributes to more inclusive, community-informed, and culturally relevant groundwater governance in northern Québec.

  • Project PI(s): Eric Rosa (PI, UQAT), Vincent Cloutier (Co-PI, UQAT), Rahim Barzegar (Co-PI, UQAT)
  • Project partner: Cree Nation in Eeyou Istchee
  • Funding: Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP), Plan national de l’eau
  • Period: 2025/03 to 2028/03

Development of Mapping Tools for Disseminating Knowledge of Groundwater Quality in Québec

Official title: Développement d’outils cartographiques permettant la diffusion des connaissances liées à la qualité des eaux souterraines au Québec : fond géochimique et répartition spatiale de constituants inorganiques

Objectives: The general objective of this project is to develop cartographic tools for disseminating knowledge about groundwater quality in Québec. The research will characterize the natural geochemical background and spatial distribution of inorganic constituents in groundwater. Existing hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical datasets will be compiled, harmonized, quality-controlled, and analyzed using spatial and statistical methods. The project will produce maps that help distinguish naturally occurring geochemical conditions from potential anthropogenic influences. The resulting products will improve access to groundwater-quality information for government agencies, municipalities, researchers, and the public. These tools will support groundwater assessment, environmental planning, public communication, and sustainable resource management throughout Québec.

  • Project PI(s): Vincent Cloutier (PI, UQAT), Eric Rosa (Co-PI, UQAT), Rahim Barzegar (Co-PI, UQAT)
  • Funding: MELCCFP, Plan national de l’eau
  • Period: 2025/03 to 2028/03

Phases 2 and 3 of the Knowledge Acquisition Project on Groundwater in the Cree Nation ‎Territory – Chisasibi Sector

Objectives: The general objective of this project is to conduct the activities required to bring the Groundwater Knowledge Acquisition Project in the Cree Nation of Chisasibi to a structure comparable to PACES projects undertaken farther south in Québec. Phase 1 involved collecting pre-existing information and creating a comprehensive georeferenced hydrogeological database for the territory. This work identified the principal groundwater knowledge gaps, particularly those related to access to drinking water. Phase 2 focuses on acquiring field data, collecting soil and water samples, performing laboratory analyses, and collecting and analyzing remote-sensing information. The methods include hydraulic testing, geophysical surveys, geochemical analyses, drone-based visible and thermal imagery, and satellite-data processing. Artificial-intelligence approaches adapted to vast northern territories will also be developed for analyzing the collected information. Phase 3 will integrate and synthesize all hydrogeological data and knowledge generated throughout the project.

  • Project PI(s): Eric Rosa (PI, UQAT), Vincent Cloutier (Co-PI, UQAT), Rahim Barzegar (Co-PI, UQAT)
  • Project partner: Cree Nation of Chisasibi
  • Funding: Ministère de l’Environnement (MELCCFP), PACES Program
  • Period: 2024/03 to 2029/03

Effect of Climate Change on the Geomechanical Behaviour and Flow Liquefaction of Tailings

Objectives: The general objective of this project is to determine how climate change may affect the hydro-mechanical behaviour, stability, and flow-liquefaction potential of mine tailings. The research will examine the effects of changing precipitation, temperature, freeze–thaw conditions, evaporation, and water regimes on tailings properties and performance. Laboratory experiments, field information, climate projections, and numerical modelling will be integrated to evaluate tailings behaviour under current and future environmental conditions. Particular attention will be given to interactions between climatic loading, pore-water pressure, deformation, and strength loss. The project will identify conditions that may increase the probability or consequences of flow liquefaction. The findings will contribute to improved climate-resilient design, risk assessment, monitoring, and long-term management of tailings storage facilities.

  • Project PI(s): Pooneh Maghoul (PI, Polytechnique Montréal), Antoine Jacquey (Co-PI, Polytechnique Montréal), Samuel Yniesta (Co-PI, Polytechnique Montréal), Rahim Barzegar (Co-PI, UQAT)
  • Project partner: WSP Canada Inc.
  • Funding: NSERC Alliance and Mitacs Accelerate, in partnership with WSP Canada Inc.
  • Period: 2024/08 to 2027/08