Research

Solving water quality problems and improving model theory are closely related in the department (see picture on the right). Specific water quality problems require an improvement of model theory, if existing models cannot describe the processes adequately. In turn, new models can help to solve problems.

Therefore, the main research subject is the development and application of new models by using alternative model concepts or for novel micropollutants. One focus is on the simulation of the environmental fate of agricultural pesticides and their transformation products.

The implemented process conceptualizations of water quality models are always simplifications of the environmental processes. Therefore, it can be assumed that any model is erroneous and uncertain. For analysing model uncertainties the department performs an extensive uncertainty analysis for newly developed models.

• Conceptual and spatially distributed models of reactive substance transport at catchment and field scale
• Uncertainty analysis for reactive substance transport models
• Scenario simulations and their evaluation
• Spatiotemporal analysis of water quantity and –quality