Laboratory for Applied Geology and Hydrogeology (LTGH)

Research at the Laboratory of Applied Geology and Hydrogeology (LTGH) is related to hydrogeology, hydrogeochemistry, groundwater modeling and applied geophysics. For quantitative aspects of hydrogeology, research focuses on groundwater recharge, groundwater exploitation and sustainability, in relation to climate and specific groundwater utilization practices, both in Flanders and in developing countries. The group is also developing dedicated models for uncertainty quantification in groundwater predictions. From the qualitative point of view, the natural baseline quality of aquifers is studied; against this natural background, pollution is investigated, including both diffuse pollution (as by nitrates) and point source pollution (dump sites, industrial plants,…). Electric and electromagnetic geophysical methods are widely applied to characterize the structure of aquifers and quality of groundwater. Special attention is paid to the hydrogeology of coastal aquifers. The LTGH has been investigating the fresh-salt water distribution in the Belgian coastal area since the 1960s, and has done pioneering work in mapping and estimating fresh water reserves in this part of the country.

The Laboratory for Applied Geology and Hydrogeology has done numerous integrated hydrogeological studies on both local and regional scales in Flanders and abroad. Their key approach to characterize hydrodynamical and hydrochemical processes and understand the functioning and vulnerability of aquifer systems is based on the combination of field surveys, including in situ measurements, geophysical prospection, laboratory analysis with data integration in simulation models.