Research topics
The focus of our research is on the estimation of soil moisture at landscape scale, the fate of microplastics in several environmental compartments and groundwater ressources with their quantity and quality being at risk due to climate change and environmental pollution.
- We develop and work with cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS) to measure water content in cropped fields, meadows and forest, from field scale up to regional scale via roving applications. This investigation of soil water storage is linked to hydrological modelling, remote sensing and the estimation of groundwater recharge.
- Abundance of microplastics (MP) is investigated in rivers, riverbeds and groundwater as well as in soils, where we develop special non-invasive methods to detect and characterize microplastics. Furthermore, we study the processes of deposition of microplastics, translocation processes and their fate in presence of plant roots.
- Numerical simulations are applied to describe groundwater-surface water interaction and groundwater development, often combined with field measurements including occurence and degradation of micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP).
Cosmic neutrons for the determination of soil water content
Obtaining area average soil moisture for the root zone with Cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS)
- Passive Neutron detectors
- Non-invasive installation
- Horizontal footprint 20ha
- Integration depth 40cm
ResearchUnit Cosmic Sense: Use and develop CRNS within an interdisciplinary team
- Massive Campaigns to map soil moisture distribution and dynamics at high resolution for small catchments
- Develop a Scanning Probe to obtain spatially resolved information on soil moisture distribution within the footprint
- Use CRNS soil moisture to estimate Groundwater Recharge and measure snow water equivalent to estimate the contribtion of snow melt in recharge
Microplastics in Soil and Aquatic Systems
Microplastics are ubiquitous: the tiny particles are barely visible, yet detectable in many parts of our environment. To detect these particles, we are developing and optimizing methods such as near infrared imaging and combined neutron and X-ray tomography.
Using column experiments and environmental samples, we investigate the extent to which microplastic particles are stored in saturated and unsaturated sediments or potentially transported to adjacent aquifers, depending on the prevailing geohydraulic conditions.
Contact: Dr. Matthias Munz, Dr. Christian Tötzke
