Research Projects MSc Hydrology 2016

Titles:

1. Carbon capture and storage in wetlands

2. Catchment modelling with WFlow, Acacia Water
3. Model and data inventory project at Deltares
4. Hydrological model development
5. Savanna fire emissions based on native resolution satellite data
6. Drought and fires in the boreal region
7. Thesis project at KWR/Deltares on diffuse discharge
8. Thesis projects related to water security and droughts
9. How does salt affect soil physical properties of peat?
10. Floating fen hydrology
11. Research projects remote sensing transmissivity
12. Assessing the impact of extreme sea level rise on global flood risk
13. Flood risk in Calgary
14. Pluvial flooding and green measures in Amsterdam
15. Global runoff and sediment modelling
16. Integration of water quality in regional hydrological model
17. Thesis projects related to microbiology and hydrochemistry
18. Thesis projects on aquatic ecotoxicology
19. Water quality in a floating fen

Details:

1. Carbon capture and storage in wetlands

The Dutch have achieved something unique: emitting greenhouse gases with windmills.
Since medieval times, peat deposits in the Netherlands have been drained for agriculture
using wind-powered (and presently largely fossil fuel powered) pumps. Because of rapid
oxidation of drained peat, this emitted large amounts of carbon dioxide and resulted in large
scale subsidence, up to several meters. This ongoing drainage is not sustainable. In recent
years, several research projects have focussed on potential reversal of the trend, by
restoration of wetlands or alternative landuse that require less drainage.

By raising the water table in peatlands, rapid decrease of CO2 emission can be achieved.
However, high water tables, also may result in sometimes dramatic increase in methane
emission, a much more potent greenhouse gas than CO2. This depends strong on the
ecosystem and its management. We can provide research projects for MSc students for the
following research activities:

Data collection on greenhouse gas emission using a newly developed system with state of
the art gas analysis equipment

Collecting data on soil water chemistry and soil water level variation

Ecosystem characterization

Modeling and development of new data processing algoritms, GIS work

Lab incubation experiments on soil methane formation and consumption

Students with a background in Hydrology, Earth system science and Ecosystem science are
welcome. Fieldwork for the project is at various locations in the Netherlands, and will be
planned throughout the year.

Attached is a power point presentation, showing some facets of the research project.
Contact Ko van Huissteden, j.van.huissteden@vu.nl

2. Catchment modelling with WFlow, Acacia Water

At Acacia Water in Gouda there is a possibility for a student to work on catchment

modelling with Wflow (https://publicwiki.deltares.nl/display/OpenS/WFlow+rainfall-
runoff+model) on a Sudanese catchment for which little to no hydrological data are
available. The purpose is to compare the performance of Wflow with that of the SWAT
model (http://swat.tamu.edu/documentation/) output generated at Acacia, and to make
an assessment of parameter sensitivity of Wflow to give an indication of the errors that
could be associated to the predictions. The student needs to have affinity with Python,
GIS (QGis) and modelling. The project would start in January and would be for 6 months.
Acacia has a traineeship allowance for such projects. Interested students will be invited
for a talk to discuss the project at Acacia before a selection is made. Contact Maarten
Waterloo (maarten.waterloo@acaciawater.com) for more information.

3. Model and data inventory project at Deltares

For a project TNO and Deltares (on behalf of the KNGMG) have a project for making an
inventory of hydrological data and models for geohydrological studies in the
Netherlands. The study is part of the KINDRA project of the EFG, the European
Association of Geologists (http://www.kindraproject.eu/). The study includes a 2-day
 workshop in Brussels at the end of November. Start 1 November 2015 until end of
Januari 2016. There is a traineeship allowance of Deltares. Contact: jan.stafleu@tno.nl

4. Hydrological model development

Land surface models are used to represent water and heat fluxes in the interface
between land, atmosphere and ocean. They can improve our understanding of large-
scale hydrology and water resources, and of climate change impacts on hydrology.
GLEAM is one of these models: a simple methodology fully dedicated to deriving
evaporation based on satellite input data only. It distinguishes between bare soil
evaporation, transpiration from short and tall vegetation, snow sublimation, open-water
evaporation, and interception loss from tall vegetation. In recent years, it has been
widely applied to look at trends in water cycle components and land-atmospheric
feedbacks. As opposed to most hydrological models, GLEAM is formulated to optimally
estimate evaporation rather than runoff. This offers a different perspective on
precipitation partitioning that makes it rather independent from more traditional
hydrological approaches.

The model is, however, very limited in its representation of surface hydrology. In fact,
GLEAM only considers vertical fluxes of water and does not simulate the movement of
water in streams. This not only limits the usefulness of the model for hydrological
applications, but might also adversely affect the estimates of plant available water and
evaporation. This project aims to develop, validate, and implement a hydrological
routing scheme for the GLEAM model, enabling application of the model in hydrological
studies focusing on large-scale runoff variability and water management. The
prospective student will have access to the latest codes of the model (written in Matlab)
and be able to pay extended research visits to the Laboratory of Hydrology and Water
Management in Ghent University (Belgium) and the Joint Research Centre (Ispra, Italy).

Contact: diego.miralles@UGent.be or han.dolman@vu.nl

5. Savanna fire emissions based on native resolution satellite data

Fires burn an area roughly the size of the EU every year, most predominantly in the tropics.
Fire emissions estimates are usually based on global models with a coarse resolution (with
grid cells of 50 by 50 km for example). You will change this by using native resolution data
(500 by 500 meter) thus being able to see in much more detail which parts of the landscape
burn and how different land uses (agriculture, pasture) influence the fire regimes. To do this,
you will use Python programming and a suite of satellite observations.
Contact: guido.vander.werf@vu.nl

6. Drought and fires in the boreal region

Arctic amplification causes the boreal region in North America and Siberia to warm faster
than the rest of the world. Satellite data for the boreal region indicate that fires occur in the
forests here every 100-1000 years, and burn more frequently in dry and warm years. In your
research you will use these satellite observations in combination with satellite data on
droughts and temperature to investigate links between moisture and other climate
parameters and fires for the past 15 years to estimate how the fire regime may shift under
future climate change. To do this, you will use Python programming and a suite of satellite
observations.

Contact: guido.vander.werf@vu.nl

7. Thesis project at KWR/Deltares on diffuse discharge

Please see attached for an internship opportunity for your thesis at KWR/Deltares. This
projects is about two streams of the Drentse Aa which have been filled in order to allow for
more diffuse surface and groundwater runoff in order to achieve a more natural vegetation
pattern and peat formation. For more information, please see the attached document.

For more information, contact Dimmie Hendriks: dimmie.hendriks@deltares.nl

8. Thesis projects related to water security and droughts

Various projects performed at VU relate to hydrological modelling, water scarcity and

droughts. Various projects are proposed on expanding and improving the hydrological
model STREAM, assessing water and food security, and investigating regional scale
drought/water resources and the urban heat island effect. Please see the attached file
for over 10 project ideas.

For more information, please contact: Ted Veldkamp (ted.veldkamp@vu.nl)

9. How does salt affect soil physical properties of peat?

Due to decreasing surface elevation, salinity has become a problem in the peaty lower parts
of the Netherlands. Water authorities attempt to flush salinized polders by using fresh
surface water. However, climate change may lead to increased demand and less availability
of fresh water during dry summers. Furthermore, policy is expected to shift towards
adaptation strategies, such as the use of salt tolerant crops.
There is few hydrological articles available regarding the effect of salt on peat soils, that
report changes in hydraulic conductivity due to salinity. In addition, there is much literature
available on the effects of salt on peat components (humic substances) from a chemical
perspective. These studies show that changes in salinity or pH can cause these substances to
coagulate.

These findings imply that the physical characteristics of peat may change under saline
conditions, by changing the internal pore structure. This could affect water retention
characteristics of the soil. In this project, you will try to find out if and how salt can change
such hydrological parameters of peat soils, and what this may mean for the hydrology of an
agricultural field.

Activities may include:

Design and carry out laboratory experiments to investigate the effect of salt on soil physical
characteristics. This may partially or completely take place in the Soil Physics laboratory of
Wageningen University.

Use a simple hydrological model to help understand what salt may mean for the hydrology
of a peaty agricultural field

More information: Sija Stofberg (s.f.stofberg@vu.nl)

10. Floating fen hydrology

Floating fens are landscapes that consist of floating root mats, formed by plant roots and
plant remains. These landscapes are highly valued as nature areas, due to their high
biodiversity and as a habitat for many protected animal species such as birds and butterflies.
From an ecohydrological perspective, floating fens are an interesting example of the
interaction between ecological and hydrological processes. Understanding the hydrological
processes would increase our chances of protecting these nature areas from potential
threats, such as eutrophication, acidification and contamination.

The rich-fen vegetation in the Stobbenribben field site (Weerribben, the Netherlands)
depends on the supply of base-rich surface water into the root mat, that is thought to
originate from a nearby ditch. However, the transport pathways have been matter of
discussion, as exploratory data of Staatsbosbeheer shows some potentially contradictory
patterns.

In this project, you will develop a hypothesis based on the exploratory data and attempt to
test it using field observations and hydrological modelling. As there are multiple
'hydrological mysteries' to solve, this project is also open for 2 students, with different
research questions for each student (but sharing some field work activities).
Activities may include:

Using existing data of Staatsbosbeheer to explore a likely scenario

Develop a plan for field measurements

Field work at the Stobbenribben field site.

Data analysis

Hydrological modelling of the root zone (e.g. Hydrus 1D)

More information: Sija Stofberg (s.f.stofberg@vu.nl).

11. Research projects remote sensing transmissivity

Richard de Jeu has several research projects for MSc Hydrology students. This is within his
company Transmissivity B.V. He is looking for Msc. students who want to work on the
development of (high resolution) soil moisture products using state of the art satellite data.
See attached leaflet for details.

12. Assessing the impact of extreme sea level rise on global flood risk

While 2 degrees Celsius global warming is the widely accepted international target,
greenhouse gas concentrations continue to grow. Furthermore, recent research by James
Hansen and others claims that even 2 degrees Celsius is highly dangerous, and may result in
sea level rise of at least 59 m. Most flood risk assessments use the SLR projections of the
IPPC, which are limited to 1 m. Although controversial, several meters of sea level rise by the
end of the next century may be a plausible scenario. Such rapid changes in sea level will have
enormous societal impacts, and conventional adaptation strategies, such as the construction
of flood defences, will not be applicable. Hence, it is of high importance to assess the
potential impacts of such high-end scenarios.

This MSc thesis will explore the global-scale impacts of such high-end scenarios on coastal
flood risk. This will be done by adding the additional sea level rise towards 2100 to current
extreme sea levels. The analysis will involve the application of a GIS-based global inundation
model, which calculates the inundation extent and depth for global coastal areas. This GIS
model will be coupled to a spatial impact model, which calculates the number of people and
urban areas that may be affected.

The thesis work involves activities in a team of VU and Deltares (Delft) researchers.
Contact: sanne.muis@vu.nl or jeroen.aerts@vu.nl

13. Flood risk in Calgary

Study flood risks for the Calgary region, where in 2013 there was a devastating flood. We
cooperate with colleagues from Canada who are very interested in developing and applying
flood risk tools in the area (as that is not done much yet). The idea is to set up a modelling
framework based on hydrological and hydraulic models in order to:

Develop a modelling framework to assess floods with various magnitudes (using HEC-RAS
and linking this with 3D rating curves to a hydrological model) taking into account backwater
effects

Recreate the 2013 floods (calibration)

Study the impact of climate change on flooding

Develop and apply a flood risk assessment model for the area

Study the impact of measures on flood risk

More information: Hans de Moel (hans.de.moel@vu.nl)

14. Pluvial flooding and green measures in Amsterdam

Pluvial flooding due to extreme rainfall events (i.e. July 28 2014) can cause substantial
damages and may become even more severe/frequent in a warmer future. At VU, we are
cooperating with KNMI to study these extreme rainfall events for Amsterdam. In order to
prepare for such events, models are necessary that can simulate the flooding and
association damages, as well as the effect of various measures that can be taken. In
Amsterdam a lot of small-scale greening measures are being supported by the municipality
(think about green roofs, gardens, etc.). In this study, a hydraulic model will be set up which
can be used to simulate the effect extreme rainfall events, and the effect of such greening
measures. For this you will:

Set up a hydraulic model for Amsterdam (based on either SWMM, or a modelling framework
currently used by Waternet)

Using this model, investigate urban flooding for different rainfall events (in terms of duration
and intensity)

Investigate the effectiveness of various kinds of green measures on urban flooding

Possible link this to a flood damage module (depending on time needed to set up hydraulic
model)

More information: Hans de Moel (hans.de.moel@vu.nl)

15. Global runoff and sediment modelling

Continental watershed bring both freshwater and sediments into the coastal zone, affecting
the coastal environment. There are various global hydrological models, but up to date not a
lot of sediment modelling at this scale. Global sediment models coupled with future
scenarios on climate and land-use change can be used to define in which areas the largest
pressures on coastal environments can be expected (i.e. coral reefs need clear water). Here
studies can then be performed to look at catchment management options (cf. Maina et al.
2013 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms2986). The study will consist of:

Development of global sediment model (based on RUSLE)

Validation using remote sensing data of coastal waters

Scenario analyses of land-use change and climate change scenarios

More information: Hans de Moel (hans.de.moel@vu.nl)

16. Integration of water quality in regional hydrological model

The STREAM hydrological model can be set up for any catchment or region in the world. Up
to date, there is no water quality module. This project aims at incorporating specific water
quality modules into this spatial water balance model. Colleagues in Canada work with
pesticides models, which have no spatial component and are very interested in coupling this
with our spatial hydrological model. In addition, Girona (Spain) will likely be case relating to
nutrient transport modelling (Ter/Onyar basins).

More information: Hans de Moel (hans.de.moel@vu.nl)

17. Thesis projects related to microbiology and hydrochemistry

Dr. Wilfred Roling is a geomicrobiologist/microbial ecologist, teaching the elective course

Ground Microbiology and Geochemistry/Geomicrobiology. He is interested in the role of
microorganisms and their processes on hydrochemical and geochemical processes and vice
versa. His current research especially focuses to the degradation of organic contaminants,
the (im)mobilization of toxic metals and the analysis of extreme environments as terrestrial
analogues for habitable (exo)planets such as Mars. Detailed information on research in his
group can be found at http://www.falw.vu/~microb/mcf/research/cellenvir.html , while
current possibilities for internships are on published on
http://www.falw.vu/~microb/mcf/education/Internships.htm, but you can also contact him
directly (Wilfred.roling@vu.nl)

18. Thesis projects on aquatic ecotoxicology

At the section of Chemistry and Biology of the IVM (Institute for Environmental Studies) here
at VU a lot of chemical lab research is being performed on different types of contaminants in
our aquatic environments. The researchers of this section also work a lot with external
parties on projects. In case you are interested in doing a thesis project on such a topic, get in
touch with Marja Lamoree or Pim Leonards.

Marja Lamoree: marja.lamoree@vu.nl

Pim Leonards: pim.leonards@vu.nl

19. Water quality in a floating fen

In former turf ponds, plants have colonized the surface water to form floating root mats,
providing a habitat for many plant species. This diversity is thought to be related to water
quality gradients, which is a result of a spatially varying influence of precipitation and surface
water. Often, EC is used as a proxy to distinguish between surface water and precipitation,
but changes of EC over time do not necessarily indicate flow, as they may also be related to
processes within the organic soil itself.

In our field site at the Nieuwkoopse Plassen (Natura 2000 nature area), the hydrology and EC
have been investigated, as well as some aspects of solute transport. In this project, you will
try to relate previous findings to the field situation, by analysing the water quality at
different locations and depths of the root mat.

The work includes:

Designing a plan and formulating a hypothesis

Field measurements and sampling in Nieuwkoopse Plassen

Analysis of water samples

Modelling

More information: Sija Stofberg (s.f.stofberg@vu.nl)