Hydrogeology - IST
Hydrogeology
The Hydrogeology sector conducts research, consulting, and training for sustainable management of groundwater resources in Switzerland, Europe and developing countries through cooperative projects.
Research Areas
Groundwater meets about 80% of the demand for drinking water in Cantone Ticino. Hydrogeology, a branch of Earth sciences, studies the distribution, movement and quality of these waters.
Research in this field focuses on understanding and addressing challenges related to the increasing use of water resources and climate change, seeking sustainable solutions. Our work primarily involves the study of the interaction between groundwater and surface water, such as rivers and lakes, using groundwater as an energy carrier, solutions to protect drinking water sources.
The main techniques employed include mathematical modeling, geophysical surveys, tracer tests, and continuous monitoring to understand and predict groundwater behavior.
Research in this field focuses on understanding and addressing challenges related to the increasing use of water resources and climate change, seeking sustainable solutions. Our work primarily involves the study of the interaction between groundwater and surface water, such as rivers and lakes, using groundwater as an energy carrier, solutions to protect drinking water sources.
The main techniques employed include mathematical modeling, geophysical surveys, tracer tests, and continuous monitoring to understand and predict groundwater behavior.
Groundwater provides most of the water supply for essential uses in our society. The hydrogeology sector has many years of experience in offering consultancy services for protecting and managing water resources.
It also participates in research projects at both national and international levels. In supporting water resource management, the sector integrates hydrogeological modeling, geochemistry, geophysics, and other techniques, thereby enhancing understanding of the different components of the Hydrological Cycle and their relationships.
The goal is to enable informed decision-making regarding resource exploitation, assessing the impact of interventions on the hydrological cycle and drinking water sources, managing conflicts among various users of the same resource.
It also participates in research projects at both national and international levels. In supporting water resource management, the sector integrates hydrogeological modeling, geochemistry, geophysics, and other techniques, thereby enhancing understanding of the different components of the Hydrological Cycle and their relationships.
The goal is to enable informed decision-making regarding resource exploitation, assessing the impact of interventions on the hydrological cycle and drinking water sources, managing conflicts among various users of the same resource.
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Sustainable management of water resources also requires collecting data to understand their behavior over time.
The sector designed a monitoring network for the main aquifers in Canton Ticino under the mandate of the Cantonal Administration and is responsible for its management, including data collection and interpretation as well as infrastructure maintenance. This network comprises more than 100 observation points, 21 of which are equipped with instruments for automatic detection of water level, temperature and electrical conductivity.
The information gathered allows tracking the evolution of measured parameters over time. The data is then processed and made available to the public through the GESPOS and OASI web portals.
The Hydrogeology sector also provides consultancy services to private entities and to the Cantonal Administration concerning the application of laws for water and environmental protection.
The sector designed a monitoring network for the main aquifers in Canton Ticino under the mandate of the Cantonal Administration and is responsible for its management, including data collection and interpretation as well as infrastructure maintenance. This network comprises more than 100 observation points, 21 of which are equipped with instruments for automatic detection of water level, temperature and electrical conductivity.
The information gathered allows tracking the evolution of measured parameters over time. The data is then processed and made available to the public through the GESPOS and OASI web portals.
The Hydrogeology sector also provides consultancy services to private entities and to the Cantonal Administration concerning the application of laws for water and environmental protection.
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The Hydrogeology sector collaborates with universities, public administrations, NGOs, and companies in emerging countries to implement research projects focused on environmental protection and water resources.
Examples of these collaborations include mapping groundwater vulnerability in karst regions, applying stable isotopes to study water resources in extremely arid areas, optimizing technical solutions for water supply while considering cultural aspects of target populations, evaluating interventions to restore potable water wells after floods.
Countries where the sector has been active include Chad, Indonesia, Cuba, Argentina and Pakistan.
Examples of these collaborations include mapping groundwater vulnerability in karst regions, applying stable isotopes to study water resources in extremely arid areas, optimizing technical solutions for water supply while considering cultural aspects of target populations, evaluating interventions to restore potable water wells after floods.
Countries where the sector has been active include Chad, Indonesia, Cuba, Argentina and Pakistan.
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In Switzerland, including Canton Ticino, the use of subsurface heat for building climate control is widespread. This heat is a shining example of renewable energy.However, the extraction or injection of heat into the subsurface, particularly into groundwater, can lead to long-term issues, primarily affecting resource quality.
In recent years, the Hydrogeology sector has specialized in shallow geothermal energy, studying both closed-loop and open-loop systems, assessing their impact on groundwater and evaluating their thermal sustainability in the medium to long term.
Research and services in this area include mapping geothermal potential for closed and open-loop systems, studying the thermal impact of new or existing systems on groundwater, analyzing the effects of high system density in urban aquifers.
In recent years, the Hydrogeology sector has specialized in shallow geothermal energy, studying both closed-loop and open-loop systems, assessing their impact on groundwater and evaluating their thermal sustainability in the medium to long term.
Research and services in this area include mapping geothermal potential for closed and open-loop systems, studying the thermal impact of new or existing systems on groundwater, analyzing the effects of high system density in urban aquifers.
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The Geonics EM38 is a portable instrument used to measure the apparent electrical conductivity of soil up to a depth of approximately 1.5 meters. Operating at a frequency of 14.6 kHz, it is ideal for applications in precision agriculture, water resource management, soil contamination detection and environmental studies. It provides real-time data, enabling the identification of variations in soil properties such as moisture and salinity. Its ease of use and portability make it a practical tool for rapid and accurate field investigations.
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A fluorimeter is an instrument used to measure the fluorescence of substances, often employed in tracer tests to detect fluorescent tracers in water. It works by exciting the substance with a light source and measuring the emitted light.
Composed of a light source, a sampling cell, optical filters and a detector, the fluorimeter is highly sensitive and precise. It is used in hydrogeology to trace groundwater pathways, in environmental studies to monitor pollutants and in various industrial processes, offering high sensitivity, specificity, and speed in measurements without altering the sample.
Composed of a light source, a sampling cell, optical filters and a detector, the fluorimeter is highly sensitive and precise. It is used in hydrogeology to trace groundwater pathways, in environmental studies to monitor pollutants and in various industrial processes, offering high sensitivity, specificity, and speed in measurements without altering the sample.
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On-site measurement of water's physical-chemical parameters is crucial during field studies and sample collection, as samples may change composition before reaching the laboratory. The portable HACH multimeter allows on-site detection of pH, redox potential, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, resistivity, salinity and dissolved oxygen. Additionally, a kit for measuring alkalinity directly in the field is available. Field measurement is essential to obtain accurate data, as alkalinity can significantly vary after sampling.
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A bladder pump uses a flexible membrane within a rigid container to move fluids precisely. Made from durable materials, the membrane expands and contracts to draw in and expel the fluid, controlling flow and pressure. These pumps offer advantages such as fluid isolation, durability and precision, making them ideal for water treatment, medical, food and energy industries. Their design ensures hygienic, contamination-free operation and long service life, even under intensive use.
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Passive seismic techniques use natural ground vibrations, such as ambient noise or distant seismic waves, to study the geological characteristics of the subsurface. Unlike active seismic methods that require artificial energy sources, passive seismic relies on continuous recording using a network of seismometers. This technique provides information on the structure and composition of the subsurface, such as the depth and properties of geological layers. It is particularly useful for natural resource exploration, seismic risk assessment and tectonic studies. Passive seismic is non-invasive, cost-effective and applicable in inaccessible or sensitive areas.
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Used to inspect and visually assess the condition of wells, piezometers and boreholes, this tool identifies issues such as the actual depth of the well (which may vary due to sedimentation), structural problems, the condition of filters, corrosion, biofilm presence, breaks and sediment accumulation.
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Institute of Earth Sciences
Hydrogeology sector
Campus SUPSI Mendrisio
Via Flora Ruchat-Roncati 15
CH-6850 Mendrisio
Via Flora Ruchat-Roncati 15
CH-6850 Mendrisio