Improved digital management of significant aquifers in Finland

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Organisation

University of Turku

Description

Salpausselkä ice-marginal complexes (SSIMC) host the largest groundwater reservoirs in Finland. However, the hydrostratigraphy of SSIMC is complex and the heterogeneity of aquifers is hard to define for efficient use and management. Optimization of the management of groundwater resources would benefit from systematic digitalization and implementation of hydrostratigraphical models, which will further be integrated into numerical flow models. The study targets are set against a growing pressure for sustainable use, preservation and protecting of essential groundwater-surface water systems, which are still existing in pristine landscapes and holding essential bio-geodiversity or groundwater resources under the pressure of different land use practices. The present project will improve the management of groundwater resources in a sustainable way as well as water security in general.

PhD project description:

We are seeking a doctoral researcher with good knowledge and interests in developing Quaternary 3D modelling and hydrogeology, including remote sensing, 3D hydrostratigraphical modelling, flow modelling, and digital solutions. The project aims to initiate systematic digital documentation of SSIMC aquifers to support sustainable use and management of groundwater resources for people and ecosystems in the future. The project will also seek digital innovations to support groundwater monitoring where quantity and quality of groundwater resources are made easily available in a consistent, representative and long-lasting way. The doctoral candidate will collect field data by applying the state-of-the-art in-situ measurement techniques, from which, valid hydrogeological information can be extracted. He/she will apply groundwater flow model as a numerical platform to simulate hydrologic fluxes in the subsurface. The project includes development of 3D hydrogeological modelling workflows.

Specific requirements:

The position requires an active and innovative approach, good cooperation skills, and willingness to work as a part of a research team. We expect a master’s degree in, for example, Quaternary geology, hydrogeology, water engineering, computer science, or related fields. The candidate should preferably have the following skills and/or willingness to expand skills: facies analysis, 3D geological modelling (MOVE, Groundhog, Leapfrog, etc.) and flow modelling (MODFLOW, FEFLOW, etc.)

Secondment/: 

Geological Survey of Finland (GTK)

Dept./Faculty to which the thesis belongs

Department of Geography and Geology/ Faculty of Science

Principal supervisor

Prof. Antti E.K. Ojala, UTU

2nd supervisor

Ass. Res. Prof. Kirsti Korkka-Niemi, GTK

3rd supervisor

Adj. Prof. Jussi Hovikoski, GTK

Secondment host