Hydrogeochemistry

Prof. Dr. Stefan Peiffer

In this field we are asking the question about the role of iron minerals in regulating the chemical composition of aqueous solutions. Surfaces of iron minerals have a strong retention effect for aqueous species on the one side but also accelerate chemical reactions.

The understanding of these interactions is of paramount importance for the behavior of pollutants and nutrients as well as for the transformation of organic compounds.

The hydrogeochemical research at the Department of Hydrology focuses on the analysis of reaction kinetics with the aim of resolving the tight coupling between hydrogeochemical, biogeochemical and hydrophysical processes in regard to their effectiveness in processing matter.