Alpine hydrogeology
Alpine hydrogeology deals with the hydrosphere and, in particular, the groundwater in mountainous regions. Alpine aquifers can be bound to fractured and/or karstified solid rock, but also to porous unconsolidated rock masses. The focus is on the characterization of alpine catchment areas and their aquifers as well as the quantification of groundwater recharge from infiltrating rain and snow and ice melt. Knowledge of the storage properties of aquifers and drainage dynamics is a prerequisite for the sustainable use and protection of Alpine groundwater resources. This is becoming more and more relevant as humans are increasingly encroaching on the natural Alpine region and thus endangering this vital resource.
Groundwater in a changing climate
Groundwater, which is invisibly stored underground, is the most important resource for our water supply. As part of the water cycle, it is also important for ecosystems such as wetlands and streams. In contrast to surface water, groundwater generally reacts more slowly to changes in the water cycle. Recognizing and evaluating the effects of climate change and direct human intervention on the quantity and quality of groundwater and distinguishing them from natural influences is therefore a key task of current hydrogeological research. Indirect effects, such as climate-related changes in vegetation or land use, pose a particular challenge. In order to identify influences on groundwater, we analyze field and laboratory data using computer-based methods. In doing so, we combine hydrogeological methods with approaches from other disciplines, for example in cooperation with partners from agricultural and biological research.
