Dynamics and mass transfer of groundwater flow systems
BGR investigates the interactions between groundwater and the surrounding rock in order to determine and evaluate the spatial and temporal development of groundwater constituents.
BGR uses the analysis of stable and radioactive isotopes, trace gases and other constituents to determine and evaluate the internal dynamics and formation conditions of groundwater resources, as well as the impact of human activities on their quantity and quality. These investigations and assessments are conducted in relation to specific issues concerning national water management, the final disposal of radioactive waste, the remediation of contaminated mining sites, and technical cooperation (TC). BGR is further developing the precision techniques required for this, e.g. in gas analysis.
Current projects
To improve the ability to forecast the quantitative and qualitative development of groundwater systems, determinations of the content of substances in the groundwater and surrounding rock are also used. This enables relevant processes to be identified, such as the release of geogenic pollutants (e.g. arsenic, fluorine, selenium and uranium), and the temporal relationship of these processes. New analytical methods, particularly those at the intersection of mineralogy, geochemistry and soil science, are becoming increasingly important. This specialised analysis is used to assess the barrier function of minerals and rocks.
BGR's archives and databases contain many years of observation series on soil, hydrological and hydrogeochemical data at different scales in national and international regions. Data and information obtained as part of the German government's Africa Initiative and associated overseas projects are used to calibrate reactive transport models capable of forecasting.
Isotope analyses provide fundamental information on the rate of groundwater recharge and (palaeo-)formation conditions due to climate development, as well as residence times in the subsurface. This improves our understanding of groundwater flow systems. BGR is involved in the newly founded German Isotope Network (GIN) to strengthen the investigation of near-surface groundwater in Germany and Central Europe, particularly with regard to climate change. The GIN, led by BGR, collects and processes isotope data from precipitation, surface waters and groundwater throughout Germany. This data is also used in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
In particular, BGR is developing methods to analyse radioactive noble gases in order to date very deep groundwater systems for the use in Technical Cooperation and final disposal applications. In the field of final disposal, the work is combined with clay mineralogical investigations concerning the barrier effect of claystones, forming part of the ‘final disposal of radioactive waste’ project. The dating results are used as basic calibration parameters in numerical groundwater models.
