Depending on the complexity of the processes occurring in porous media, we investigate water and material transport in soils at different saturation states and on different scales. Some of our approaches are:
In addition, the experimental data are used to calibrate soil hydraulic properties and transport parameters on different scales ("inverse modeling approach"). After calibration, the mechanisms of water flow and mass transport are quantified. The aim is to estimate groundwater renewal rates and soil water fluxes in porous media. In this way, we hope to contribute to a better understanding of the interactions in the atmosphere-soil profile-groundwater system.
We analyze the complex interaction of roots and soil using complementary 2D and 3D imaging approaches:
Obtaining area average soil moisture for the root zone with Cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS)
ResearchUnit Cosmic Sense: Use and develop CRNS within an interdisciplinary team
We aim to understand natural and human impacted systems and their temporal dynamics at the surface water - groundwater interface as well as in shallow aquifers: