Groundwater and surface waters
Contact - Groundwater and Surface Water
Raffaela Ratta, B.Sc.
Contact - Surface Waters
Dagmar Kempen
Groundwater analysis
Aquifers are affected by a wide range of anthropogenic influences, such as landfills, excavations, or contaminated sites. Each of these can have a negative impact on groundwater balance and groundwater quality.
Contaminated sites are areas where pollution from previous uses is present. In the Ruhr region, these are often former mining and coking plant sites. In such areas, locally highly contaminated groundwater may occur. Sampling of these waters requires particularly careful handling in order to avoid contaminating other groundwater flows. Analytical requirements are also very high in such cases.
When sampling in the vicinity of landfills, the focus is on analyzing current or long-term impacts on an aquifer. Investigations are currently carried out in accordance with the 28th communication of the German Federal/State Working Group on Waste (LAGA). By comparing measurement values of an aquifer upstream and downstream, in combination with the associated landfill leachate, leaks in landfill sealing systems can be detected and subsequently remedied by the operator.
Surface waters
Any discharge, whether intentional or unintentional, can have serious consequences for the ecosystem. The investigation of receiving waters, which are used, among other things, for the discharge of treated wastewater, is the first step towards a healthy aquatic ecosystem. By monitoring conditions upstream and downstream of a discharge point, eutrophication caused by such discharges can be identified.
Physico-chemical analyses primarily reflect the state of a water body at the time of sampling. It is particularly important to directly sample and analyze any occurring external discharges. Biological investigations, such as saprobic assessment or macrozoobenthos (MZB) analysis, consider population-ecological time scales. These methods make it possible to assess long-term impacts on organisms within a water body.
These chemical and biological status reports are prepared in close cooperation with our limnology department. The basis for the investigation of receiving waters includes, among others, the Surface Waters Ordinance (OGewV), the Water Framework Directive (WFD), and discharge permits issued to operators.