Research Focus: Anthropogenic Impacts on the Earth System
The impact of humans on the Earth System has a long history but has increased tremendously since the industrial revolution and even more within the last 70 years by unprecedented industrialization, population growth and urbanization, and land-use change, also known as “the great acceleration”.
We investigate the consequences of these impacts, such as, landslides, soil and sediment erosion, deterioration of water quantity and quality, use of surface and groundwater for water supply, fragmentation of rivers by infrastructure development (e.g., dams, weirs, levees), among others.
Selected Topics of the Research Focus "Anthropogenic Impacts on the Earth System"
Input, transport, and fate of pollutants in the environment
Human-health and environmental risk assessment of chemicals
Environmental impacts of humans in prehistoric times
Balancing the use of natural resources, agriculture, industry & infrastructure, residential development, and recreation with environmental protection & nature conservation
Landslides, soil and sediment erosion
Sustainable groundwater use
Fragmentation of river courses by infrastructure development
Environmental impacts of renewable-energy technologies
Workgroups Active in the Research Focus "Anthropogenic Impacts on the Earth System"
Environmental Analytical Chemistry
Prof. Dr. Christian Zwiener
Environmental Ecotoxicology
Prof. Dr. Beate Escher
Plant Biogeochemistry
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Marie Mühe
Environmental Mineralogy
Prof. Dr. Stefan B. Haderlein
Environ. & Eng. Geophysics
Prof. Dr. Peter Dietrich