Looking into the "invisible"

More than 300 groundwater samples in Vienna

Groundwater research means looking into the "invisible". "In two campaigns, my colleagues and I pumped groundwater and sampled animals from over 300 points distributed all over the city of Vienna," Constanze Englisch explains. After returning to the laboratory, the researchers analysed the samples to learn about the groundwater quality and the biodiversity of microbes and fauna with respect to heat distribution. In doing so, they use newly established groundwater ecosystem health indices.

"After statistical evaluation, modelling and illustration, I am looking forward to publishing and presenting the results to a wide public audience, including international as well as national stakeholders," Englisch emphasises.

We all depend on groundwater of good quality

In Austria, 100 percent of our drinking water stems from groundwater. "However, we should not forget that the purification of water in nature is achieved by microorganisms tightly connected to higher organisms," says the young researcher and emphasises, "If we want to protect our groundwater resources, we need to protect the underground ecosystems."
Constanze Englisch's research is particularly relevant with regard to the increasing demand for renewable, geothermal energy, "We need to understand how impacts, such as groundwater warming affect biological processes and water quality and, ultimately, need to work on establishing an integrative groundwater management. Because eventually, we all depend on groundwater of good quality." 
 

For Constanze Englisch, the Vienna Doctoral School of Ecology and Evolution provides perfect framework conditions for a successful PhD. "I highly appreciate to be part of this institution that allows me to study a very important and applicable field with the help of an individually composed thesis committee. And I am also excited to help maintain the high standard of living in cities like Vienna." (red)