Hydrogeological Labs

 

Hydrochemical Lab

The LFH has a hydrochemical lab to analyze main and secondary substances in aqueous solutions. The equipment comprises inter alia:

  • Ion cromatograph (IC) – main cations and anions
  • Photometer – metal cations, anions
  • High temperature oxidation to analyze for carbon content in aqueous solutions (TIC/TOC)
  • Titration – acidity and alkalinity (HCO3 -; CO2)
  • Centrifuge and shaking table (e.g. for batch experiments)
  • Glove-box for experiments in a controlled atmosphere (e.g. O2; N2; CO2; Ar)

Contact person: Diana Hömig, Thomas R. Rüde

Column Test Lab

The laboratory offers the possibility of column experiments in the context of research, as well as for lectures. In these experiments, percolation occurs in the upward flow for determining the hydraulic conductivity of granular soils and the leaching behavior of inorganic and organic substances from sediments.

The lab equipment provides variable options to perform different experimental setups depending on the task. Depending on the permeability of the sample material, the length of the column (60 cm or 20 cm, diameter 9 cm), and the hydraulic gradient can be adjusted by vertical positioning of the open overflow containers. A pump provides the circulation of water in the system. With portable meters (company WTW) physico-chemical parameters at the column outlet can be determined. Sampling can also be done automatically using an automatic sampler.

Contact person: Thomas Demmel, Thomas R. Rüde

Tracer Lab

Fluorescent dyes can be used for tracer tests in groundwater. Analysis of even very low concentrations (down to 1 ng L-1) is carried out by using a fluorescence spectrophotometer (Cary Eclipse Varian Inc.). The sample is excited with light of a certain wavelength and the emitted light spectrum is analyzed.

To conduct experiments in the field, samples can be obtained according to time, quantity or eventby using automatic samplers (Hach Sigma 900). The compact auto-samplers are easy to transport, robust and fully programmable.

Continuous registration of tracer concentrations directly in rivers and groundwater monitoring wells (three tracer, minimum of 2 inches in diameter and max. 30 m deep), a field-fluorimeter (Albilla FL24) is available. The data logger is capable of data transmission via GPRS.

Contact person: Diana Hömig, Thomas R. Rüde

Field Equipment

The field equipment of the LFH enables a wide range of field experiments and sampling.

Sampling

Pumps for groundwater sampling (Grundfos MP-1, Eijkelkamp giant), various scoops

Pumping tests

Pump Grundfos SP-14 with power generator and all-terrain measurement box (Electro-magnetic-inductive flow meter, pressure gauges (relative), flow cell for measurement of physico-chemical parameters (oxygen, redox, pH, spec. electrical conductivity, temperature) with recording capability on a data logger)

Slug and bail tests

Bailer of different sizes, pressure gauge (relative) with data logger to record the piezometric head, light plummets

High frequency Slug and bail tests

Test apparatus for carrying out high-frequency slug and bail tests with compressed air, integrating or depth-specific using a packer system, recording the piezometric head with a pressure gauge and data logger (up to 100 Hz)

Discharge measurement

Acoustic-digital flow meter (ADC), hydrometric impellers (Woltmann), various measuring weirs, salt tracer

Hydrochemical Analysis

Mobile photometer (main ions), field-titrator (acidity and alkalinity)

Contact person: Claude Thielen, Thomas R. Rüde