Projects supported by the Platform

• Developing a conceptual emission model of microplastic (MP) pollution from contrasting urban catchments (Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung: Georg Forster Research Fellow: T. Nasrabadi, University of Tehran, P. Grathwohl); 2023-2025
• Nitrate reducing microbial communities from porous media and the karstic/fractured aquifer of the Bronnbach-Spring catchment, SW Germany: DFG; Universities of Stuttgart (Coord.), and Tübingen; S. Kleindienst, S. Abramov, P. Grathwohl, A. Kappler et al.; 2024-2026.
• PFAWAS - Input, preconcentration and mobilization of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in urban water infrastructures: BW-Stiftung; University of Tübingen, Stadt Tübingen (Fachabeilung Wasserwirtschaft und Grün), Ch. Zwiener, P. Keller et al., 2023-2026
• Exposure and Effect Monitoring before and after the upgrade of the WWTP Tübingen with an ozonation stage (R. Triebskorn et al., RP Tübingen, Stadt Tübingen, Stadtentwässerung Tübingen; 2019-2023)
• Stormwater mobilization of contaminants – understanding the dynamics and toxicology of microbial and chemical pollution (CMFI EXC-2021-2024; C. Zarfl et al., Stadt Tübingen, Stadtentwässerung Tübingen)
• 7dSHerbicide: 7dSH as a natural herbicide and possible alternative to glyphosate - Development of a marketable product. K. Harter (ZMBP), H. Köhler (EvE), collaboration with Bielefeld HS; 2022-2024
• Untersuchung des aus Bahnanlagen abgeleiteten und technisch gefassten Niederschlagwassers und medienschutzbasierte Bewertung der Versickerung ins Grundwasser oder der Einleitung ins Oberflächengewässer. (2021-2024, Dr. Bernd Susset, Prof. Peter Grathwohl, gefördert durch die Deutsche Bahn AG)

Finished Projects (Selection)

• GLYMIK - Does glyphosate, a globally used and controversial herbicide, affect the gut microbiome of fish with consequences for individual vitality, immunocompetence and health? (Profs. Heinz Köhler, R. Triebskorn et al., 2020-2023, BMBF-funded) --> webpage
• CRC 1253 „CAMPOS – Catchments as Reactors: Metabolism of Pollutant on the Landscape Scale“ is a new Collaborative Research Center for long-term multidisciplinary research (Speaker: Prof. Peter Grathwohl, 2017-2021, DFG funded)
• Effect-Net: Effect Network in Water Research; 2015-2021, BW Water Research Network; Universities of Heidelberg, Tübingen (Prof. Rita Triebskorn, Prof. Carolin Huhn, Prof. Christian Zwiener), KIT.  Homepage
• Untersuchung und Bewertung von Wasserproben der Jagst vom Zeitpunkt der Jagstkatastrophe 2015 (LUBW-finanziert; Prof. Christiane Zarfl)
• DFG: DACH-Projekt „AdvectAs“ – Retardation and mobilization of As at redox fronts under advective flow conditions (Prof. Andreas Kappler, Prof. Olaf A. Cirpka, Prof. Sara Kleindienst)
• GLOBAQUA (Managing the effects of multiple stressors on aquatic ecosystems under water scarcity): EU FP7 Project, 2014-2019; Grant. No. 603629, call ENV.2013.6.2.1; WP4 "Sediment- und Particle-related Transport": Prof. Peter Grathwohl, Dr. Hermann Rügner
• EXPAND -Ecotoxicity of particle-associated compounds: 5 PhD Projects: (i) Sorption/Desorption of pesticides at nanoparticles, (ii) Production/characterization of nanoparticles, (iii) Effects in Fungi, (iv) Effects in Cyanobacteria, (v) Effects in Insects. – funded by the Excellence Initiative, Coordination: Profs. Stefan Haderlein, Heinz Köhler. Homepage

• Proposal for a Cluster of Excellence TERRA (Terrestrial Geo-Biosphere Interactions in a Changing World) submitted. TERRA is about the interaction between diversity and stability in the geosphere and the biosphere. It aims to develop an integrated understanding of how geo-biosphere interactions in terrestrial systems induce and respond to environmental changes.
• MUSTEIN: Modeling and Understanding Spatiotemporal Environmental Interactions (Machine Learning Innovation funds; M. Butz, C. Zarfl, T. Scholten et al.)
• Adaptations to climate change - increasing water retention, soil stability and CO2 sequestration in forest soils by mosses (BMBF-funded: FNR Waldklimafonds, 2022-2025; Dr. S. Seitz et al. University of Tübingen, City of Tübingen (Stadtwald), ForstBW, Hummel Pflanzenbau, Stuttgart)
• Soil-plant interactions and stoichiometry (SP2); in FOR 891: Multi-Trophic Interactions in a Forest Biodiversity Experiment in China, Coordinated by University of Freiburg (DFG, Yvonne Oelmann, Thomas Scholten, Steffen Seitz, 2023-2026; see: https://multitroph.com/)

Finished Projects (Selection)

• SPP 1803 "Earthshape - Earth Surface Shaping by Biota" is a 6-year priority program (Speaker: Prof. Todd Ehlers, Tübingen, DFG-funded 2016-2022)
• DRIeR: Drought impacts, processes and resilience: making the invisible visible; 2015-2021, BW Water Research Network Baden-Württemberg; Universities of Freiburg, Tübingen (Prof. Katja Tielbörger), Heidelberg. Info

• ICAWaR Integrated Project - lmproving climate adaptation policies for water resilience and carbon reduction in Germany; PD Dr. Melanie Nagel, Prof. Kira Rehfeld, University of Tübingen. Intramural Funding, 2024-2026 (--> info).
• Real-time estimation of bathing water quality and pollutant source apportionment in urban rivers (J. Schaper, C. Zarfl, D. Petras, Univ. Tübingen, WWTP Tübingen, WWTP Herrenberg, funded by BW Stiftung, 2023-2025)
• Climate-adapted groundwater management through real-time planning tools and model-based future scenarios: BMBF-LURCH; University of Tübingen, together with University of Hohenheim, KUP Stuttgart, ASG, LTZ Augustenberg; O. Cirpka, T. Streck, M. Finkel et al.; 2023-2026
• SAGE Centre: Regional Centre for Sustainable Adaptation to Global Change in the Middle East (Coordination: University of Tübingen; Prof. Katja Tielbörger; Prof. Thomas Potthast; DAAD, 2021-2025; --> webpage).
• Low-cost observations for water-air-soil of pesticides in Ethiopian soils using time-integrated samplers - LOWPESTS (2022; Starting Grant for joint projects "Afrika" of the Universities of Hohenheim and Tübingen, Dr. Holger Pagel, Dr. Alexander Haluska)

Finished Projects (Selection)

• Linking human wellbeing and ethics of sustainability to resilient livestock management systems in Africa (2021-23, Starting grant Africa: Universities of Hohenheim and Tübingen: T. Potthast, M. Chagunda, et al.)
• Comparative climate change policy analysis in two regions in California (USA) and Baden-Württemberg. Dr. Melanie Nagel, Institut für Politikwissenschaften & Profs. Christine Jocoy and Lily House-Peters, California State University (2021-2022, internal funding)
• Nachhaltige Entwicklung der Welterbestätte „Höhlen und Eiszeitkunst der Schwäbischen Alb“ – Umsetzung der Ziele der Agenda 2030 (2021-2022, in cooperation with the Competence Centre for Sustainable Development: Prof. Thomas Potthast, Dr. Diana Grundmann, internal funding)
• Überwachung natürlicher CO2-Emissionen unter Verwendung eines Netzwerks aus low-cost Sensoren (2018-2021, DFG-gefördert; 2015-2017, Alfred Teufel Stiftung; Yann Büchau, Dr. Carsten Leven, Prof. Jens Bange)
• Sustainable open pit mining in groundwater protection areas (Partners: ISTE, ASG and LUBW; 2016-2018; Industry-/State-funded; Prof. Olaf A. Cirpka)

• PFClean - Innovatives modular System for sustainable reduction of PFAS from soil & groundwater: BMBF-Lurch; University of Tübingen, University of Stuttgart (VEGAS), TZW Karlsruhe, Arcadis Karlsruhe, Geiger Entsorgung Waltenhofen, Sax+Klee Mannheim, Industrie Engineering Reutlingen, Ch. Zwiener et al., 2023-2026
• Water and Solute Fluxes and their Structural Controls at Margins of Floodplain Aquifers: DFG; University of Tübingen, together with Helmholtz Centre for Einvironmental Research, UFZ; O. Cirpka, C. Leven, P. Dietrich; 2023-2025
• Creating Climate Change Collaboration (4C) Baden-Württemberg - California State University (CSU): Exchange Programme for Researchers (2019-2025: Travel grants for reserachers; funded by the State of Baden-Württemberg and the CSU; Coordination: Jaishankar Raman, Nick Ebner & Hermann Rügner)
• Sustainable plant protection transition (SPRINT). EU Horizon 2020; University of Hohenheim together with University of Tübingen; E. Kandeler, C. Poll, P. Mäder, F. Stache, F. Ditterich, C. Huhn; 2021 - 2025
• BCF Screen: Entwicklung und Publikation eines BCF-Screening Indikators (bioaccumulation concentration factors); K. Peschke, R. Triebskorn, H. Köhler, in collaboration with UBA, Berlin; financed by UBA, 2022-2023
• Research Unit FOR5095 “Pollutant – Antibiotic Resistance – Pathogen Interactions in a Changing Wastewater Irrigation System” (C. Zarfl et al.; DFG, 2021-2024)
• Climate change and land suitability assessment for arid and semi-arid regions (Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung: Georg Forster Research Fellow: Dr. Kamal Nabiollahi, University of Kurdistan, Thomas Scholten); 2023-2025