Natural groundwater systems are the most important drinking water resource. Using these fresh water resources sustainably requires a good understanding of the structures and conditions existing underground. Geophysical methods enable the non-destructive investigation of the underground from the surface of the earth.
In its Agenda 2030 for sustainable development, the UN defined a comprehensive water objective at a global level for the first time. The special subordinate area of action within this overall goal “Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water” requires a greater understanding of the structures and effective processes taking place in groundwater systems. Natural groundwater systems represent the most important drinking water resource. A great deal of additional research is required to understand aquifers and the protective function of their cover rocks, to support their sustainable use. The necessary integration of geophysical, hydrological, geological and geochemical know-how represents a challenge which science has only just begun to tackle. This not only applies to the measuring technologies used in the field and in the laboratory, with observations and measurement results at various spatial and temporal scales, but also the modelling of coupled processes, which can only be achieved by using numerical simulations. Using the modern technologies available to LIAG in an optimal way against this background, to be able to generate increasingly reliable models, is a demanding but also worthwhile scientific challenge. The work carried out by the institute is aimed amongst other things at making available to the groundwater management agencies exemplary investigation methods for sustainable management and protection, and/or for the medium and long-term forecasting of the behaviour of such drinking water resources.
The institute's research focuses on two main topics here: