Catchment processes
Recognising that hydrological, soil and biological processes are interlinked and interdependent, our research programme uses catchment-based studies to improve our understanding of environmental processes.
As part of our catchment studies, the BGS helps to maintain a number of observatories, including sites in the Berkshire Downs, Oxfordshire and the Eden, Cumbria.
The BGS is also a member of the NERC Virtual Observatories initiative.
Groundwater–surface water interaction
An ongoing study is looking in detail at the physical and chemical processes involved in the movement of groundwater to streams whilst increasing our understanding of the geological controls on these processes.
- Floodplains and their role in contaminant attentuation
- Lowland Permeable Catchments (LOCAR) research programme
Groundwater recharge
Groundwater recharge processes have been the focus of significant research effort over the last few years, including, most recently, the studies of recharge through drift and groundwater nitrate in the Eden Valley, Cumbria.
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Controls on groundwater flooding
In order to help develop appropriate flood risk management measures, BGS staff are investigating the controls on groundwater flooding at the catchment scale at a number of sites including work in Brighton, Oxford and Forres.
- Modelling groundwater flood risk in the Chalk aquifer
- Groundwater flooding in Oxford
- Oxford field observatory
- Groundwater and flooding in Forres
Contact
Contact Dr Daren Gooddy for further information.
- An overview of complex behaviour in the groundwater compartment of catchment systems and some implications for modelling and monitoring
- Understanding groundwater, surface water and hyporheic zone biogeochemical processes in a Chalk catchment using fluorescence properties of dissolved and colloidal organic matter
