Limnophysics and Lake Modelling

Limnophysik, Department Seenforschung, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung - UFZ

head:
Dr. Bertram Boehrer

phone: +49 391 - 810 9441
fax: +49 391 - 810 9150

Brueckstrasse 3a
D - 39114 Magdeburg
Germany


scientific issues: limnophysics

scientific issues: modelling

equipment:


Physical Limnology deals with stratification and tranport processes in lakes. We apply theoretical approaches, field investigations and numerical models for conclusions about stratification, currents, matter transport and evolution of water quality. We moved reservoirs into the focus without giving uo our experiences in natural lakes and pit lakes.

As a consequence of restricted vertical exchange, gradients - e.g. of dissolved oxygen - can form in lakes. These gradients may exist for limited periods like a summer stratification or may persist perennially (meromixis). Further chemical changes and consequences for the organism community are the result. We investigate how reservoirs can be managed to optimize their use while undesirable evolutions for water suppliers and leisure use are avoided to eventually implement a sustainable management of water resources of a healthy aquatic environment.

Compared to seas, lakes show a high variability. Marine standards do not satify today's requirements of accutracy. We are searching approaches that include differences between lakes appropriately and we try to develop models for the numerical implementation. This includes exchange of water, energy, and matter, as well as internal waves, mixing processes, turbulent transport coefficients and recently more accurate calculation of density of lake water. Beyond this, also special topics like thermobaric stratification and supersaturated deep waters find their space in our work group.

For our investigations, we used field measurements (meteorological measurements above water, multiparameter probes, current meters and deployable sensors for logging water properties). Numerical models in current use are: GLM, DYRESM, DELTARES, ELCOM. For more details, see projects.