RESEARCH FIELD

Hydrogeology

Hydrogeology studies the distribution, movement, and properties of groundwater in geological formations, underpinning water security for billions of people who depend on aquifer resources. Environmental tracers including isotopes of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon constrain groundwater residence times and recharge rates, revealing vulnerability to contamination and overexploitation. GRACE satellite gravity measurements quantify regional aquifer depletion at continental scales, exposing crises in the Central Valley, the Arabian Peninsula, and northern India. Fractured rock hydrogeology is critical for nuclear waste repository safety and geothermal energy. Climate change is altering groundwater recharge patterns, creating urgent demand for integrated surface-groundwater models to guide sustainable management.