The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has launched a new Coordinated Research Project (CRP) inviting researchers to take part in an integrated isotope study aimed at strengthening water resource management in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Island nations are among the world’s most hydrologically vulnerable regions, facing mounting threats to freshwater availability and quality as climate change intensifies extreme weather events. Limited land area, geographic isolation, complex geology and small aquifers make SIDS particularly sensitive to floods, droughts and storm-driven recharge, complicating efforts to sustainably manage water resources.
To address persistent data gaps, the new CRP will introduce an innovative isotope-based approach to improve understanding of aquifer dynamics in island environments. While traditional stable isotopes such as oxygen-18 (δ¹⁸O) and hydrogen-2 (δ²H) are widely used to identify water sources, they cannot determine how quickly water moves through an aquifer — a critical limitation during storm events.
The project will combine these established tracers with the short-lived radionuclide sulphur-35 (³⁵S). With a half-life of just 87.4 days, sulphur-35 enables researchers to trace very recent recharge events, offering unprecedented insight into the timing of groundwater recharge and aquifer responses to extreme weather.
The IAEA has developed a simplified method for applying sulphur-35 in hydrological studies. While the tracer has not yet been tested in island settings, its use could mark a significant breakthrough in developing adaptive, climate-resilient water management strategies for SIDS.
Call to action: join the research
Research organisations interested in participating in the CRP are invited to submit a Proposal for Research Contract or Agreement by email no later than 28 February 2026 to the IAEA’s Research Contracts Administration Section, using the official template available on the CRA web portal.
The same template applies to both research and technical contracts. The IAEA strongly encourages proposals that actively involve female and early-career researchers, supporting inclusive scientific collaboration and capacity building.
By advancing cutting-edge isotope science, the project aims to equip island States with better tools to manage scarce freshwater resources, strengthen resilience to climate shocks, and support long-term water security.