Current Research Projects
Physics of Ponds
Physical Limnology of Ponds
Small lentic aquatic ecosystems, often referred to as ponds, make up the majority of the world’s lakes by number. They play a critical role in global biogeochemical cycling and are hotspots of biodiversity. This project aims to improve the mechanistic understanding of physical processes in ponds by investigating the spatial and temporal dynamics of water temperature and its role in the generation of density-driven flows and mixing from diel to seasonal time scales. The project is expected to yield novel quantitative insights into the physical processes in pond ecosystems that can support physical habitat characterization in ecological assessments, inform biogeochemical models, and guide the design of constructed ponds.
Funding. DFG, 2025 - 2028
Virtual Farm Twin
A digital twin for transferring innovations from regulatory science into digital agricultural practice
This project develops a virtual testbed that links real-time field data from digital farming platforms with state-of-the-art environmental models to create a digital twin of agricultural landscapes. Building on the xLandscape framework, the project integrates all relevant exposure pathways such as spray drift, surface runoff, and tile drainage to simulate precision pesticide applications and assess their effects on aquatic and terrestrial non-target organisms. A newly developed web-based graphical interface will make the modeling accessible to non-experts, supporting both regulatory risk assessment and the design of digital risk mitigation strategies like vegetated buffer strips. The work bridges operational farming practice and regulatory science, contributing to landscape-scale exposure assessment and preparing the ground for future digital labeling systems.
Funding: BASF, 2026
StreamNitrate
Scaling of biochemical and hydraulic controls on nitrate uptake and removal in streams
Nitrate pollution is a global threat to coastal marine and freshwater ecosystems. Here, we are investigating the processes that control nitrate removal in medium-sized streams. Specifically, we will analyze the role of stream hydraulics and bed morphology as important, yet comparably unexplored controls.
Funding: DFG , 2024 - 2027
SunLake
Modelling the release, dispersion and fate of nanoparticulate titanium dioxide from sunscreen products in recreational lakes
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (n-TiO2) represent an increasing threat for aquatic ecosystems due to their persistence and the direct release from sunscreens in recreational waters during the bathing season. To improve our understanding of the transport and fate of n-TiO2 released from sunscreen in recreational lakes, we will develop a reactive transport model based on current knowledge, extended using targeted laboratory experiments, and validated using field data.
(in cooperation with the Enviromental & Soil Chemistry lab at RPTU)
Funding: DFG, 2024 - 2027
