(Dept. 1) Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry
The interactions within and between green water (in terrestrial systems) and blue water (lakes, rivers, and subsurface aquifers) affect in complex ways the habitats for organisms and the reactive transport of abiotic components. Aquatic and terrestrial systems are coupled at multiple spatio-temporal scales. The overall goal of the Department of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry is to understand the ecohydrological and biogeochemical processes of these connected land- and waterscapes in natural, rural and urban environments. Therefore, our research projects focus on the following core topics:
- Interactions of landscape-freshwater ecosystems
- Physical and biogeochemical drivers under global change
- Water security in disturbed and urban systems
In our research, we integrate different modelling approaches with data collected in field studies, in large-scale manipulation studies, by long-term monitoring and in laboratory experiments. We study ecohydrological and biogeochemical processes using a variety of tracer techniques, particularly stable isotopes, and by measuring naturally dissolved solutes, conservative geogenic ions, trace organic matter, and nutrients. In doing so, we combine basic research with application aspects and aim to record and model the effects of climate and land use changes. With its laboratory infrastructure and expertise in the fields of inorganic and organic analysis as well as isotope measurement, the department performs a central function for the entire institute. To achieve our research goal, we combine our professional expertise from the research disciplines of hydrology, geochemistry, aquatic physics, ecology, environmental engineering, and geography.
Landscape Ecohydrology, Research group of Dörthe Tetzlaff, Graphic: Dörthe Tetzlaff / IGB
Ground Water-Surface Water Interactions, Research group of Jörg Lewandowski, Graphic: Jörg Lewandowski / IGB
Physical Limnology, Research group of Georgiy Kirillin, Graphic: Georgiy Kirillin / IGB
Organic Contaminants, Research group of Stephanie Spahr, Graphic: Stephanie Spahr / IGB
Ecohydraulics, Research group of Alexander Sukhodolov, Graphic: Alexander Sukhodolov / IGB
Ecohydrological Modelling and Hydrological Change, Research group of Doris Düthmann, Graphic: Doris Düthmann / IGB, Satellite / NASA
Nutrient Cycles and Chemical Analytics, Research group of Tobias Goldhammer, Graphic: Tobias Goldhammer / IGB
River System Modelling, Research group of Markus Venohr, Graphic: Markus Venohr / IGB
Biogeochemical Processes in Sediments and Lake Management, Research group of Michael Hupfer, Graphic: Michael Hupfer / IGB
Research groups
Department members
Selected publications
Flow Rate and Kinetics of Trace Organic Contaminants Removal in Black Carbon-Amended Engineered Media Filters for Improved Stormwater Runoff Treatment
Urban stormwater runoff is an untapped source of freshwater for many water-scarce regions, but improved stormwater treatment is needed for safe use and to protect human and aquatic health. This work provides insights into the kinetic limitations of contaminant removal within biochar and regenerated activated carbon filters and discusses implications for stormwater filter design and operation.
Long-term drought effects on landscape water storage and recovery under contrasting landuses
Process-based, tracer-aided ecohydrological modelling and ML were combined to estimate the effects of long-term drought on water fluxes/storage in the Spree catchment. The recent major droughts resulted in declines in groundwater recharge (>40 %), evapotranspiration (up to 16 %) and soil moisture (up to 6 %). Groundwater levels may not recover in 15 years if precipitation anomalies persist.
Hydroclimatic non-stationarity drives stream hydrochemistry dynamics through controls on catchment connectivity and water ages
Long-term water chemistry and isotope data were integrated to investigate hydrological function and water ages in the Scottish Girnock Burn catchment with an Atlantic Salmon population. Changing climatic conditions and stream flow responses continue to cause changes in water quality and ecosystem services with an increase in low flows, derived from older groundwater with more alkaline chemistry.
Quantifying intra- and inter-annual dynamics of river-floodplain connectivity and wetland inundation with remote sensing and wavelet analysis
The authors used remote sensing data and wavelet analysis to quantify dynamics in floodplain inundation and riverfloodplain connectivity in the Lower Oder Valley National Park. They found marked inter-annual variation of wetland inundation. Heavy precipitation caused summer flooding in only one polder. This information is important for managing flows and sustaining valuable wetland habitats.
Six decades of ecohydrological research connecting landscapes and riverscapes in the Girnock Burn, Scotland: Atlantic salmon population and habitat dynamics in a changing world
Six decades of ecological monitoring provided the science needed to preserve Atlantic salmon. The unique long-term data revealed quantitative changes in the return rates, distribution, size, growth and age of salmon, increasing understanding on how ecosystems are changing in response to a warming climate.
