Electronic Material Properties - und Geowissenschaften ...
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Applied Sedimentology<br />
Sedimentary rocks cover about 75% of the earth’s surface and host the most<br />
important oil and water resources in the world. Sedimentological research and<br />
teaching at the Darmstadt University of Technology focus on applied aspects with<br />
specific emphasis on hydrogeological, engineering and environmental issues.<br />
However, also research related to oil exploration is carried out with a speciality in<br />
palynology and reservoir characterization. To predict gro<strong>und</strong>water movement,<br />
pollutant transport or fo<strong>und</strong>ations of buildings in sedimentary rocks a detailed<br />
knowledge about the hydraulic, geochemical or geotechnical properties is needed<br />
which often vary about several magnitudes. This kind of subsurface heterogeneity<br />
can be related to distinct sedimentological patterns of various depositional systems.<br />
In addition, changes of depositional systems with time can be explained by specific<br />
controlling parameters e.g. changes in sea level, climate, sediment supply and are<br />
nowadays described by the concept of sequence stratigraphy. The research in<br />
applied sedimentology also includes modelling of erosion and sediment transport and<br />
its implication for the management of rivers and reservoirs with the help of GIS.<br />
In 2002, a georadar equipment has been established as a specific method for nearsurface<br />
investigations. First results in the exploration of soils, rocks, and river dikes<br />
could be achieved on various test sites in SW Germany. In the meantime, a centre of<br />
near surface investigation methods has been fo<strong>und</strong>ed by the Universities of Frankfurt<br />
(Applied geophysics), Tuebingen (Applied sedimentology), Gießen (soil sciences),<br />
industrial partners and the TU Darmstadt. Within this Center an instrumental pool is<br />
shared, regular meetings are organised and research projects are initiated. In 2005,<br />
self-constructed facilities for permeability measurements of soil and rock materials in<br />
the laboratory went into operation. In 2006, two new DFG projects have been started<br />
in the sedimentological research group. One is part of a DFG-Forschergruppe<br />
together with the Universities of Frankfurt, Mainz and others. This joint research<br />
group investigates the origin and evolution of extreme rift-flank uplift in East Africa<br />
and its impact on climate, environment and the human evolution (see special<br />
contribution). The other concerns the reconstruction of Miocene plate reorganisation<br />
in western Mexico by interpretation of syntectonic volcaniclastic successions of the<br />
Transmexican Volcanic belt.<br />
Staff Members<br />
Head Prof. Dr. Matthias Hinderer<br />
Research Associates Dr.Jens Hornung Dr. Ulrich Bieg Dr. Sybille Roller<br />
Technical Personnel Erich Wettengl<br />
Secretaries Angela Bretzel<br />
PhD Students Dipl.-Geol.<br />
Inge Neeb<br />
- 122 -<br />
MSc.<br />
Crisanto Silva<br />
Dipl.-Geol.<br />
Nils Lenhardt