Kristof Koch
Research | Conference Presentations
Research
Kristof Koch graduated in Hydrology at the University of Freiburg, Germany, in 2004, combining in his MSc thesis electrical resistivity data together with environmental tracer and hydrometric data for process hydrological interpretation [www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122262487/abstract]. During his studies he participated in an exchange with Pierre & Marie Curie University, Paris (geology) and worked part time at the International Hydrological Programme (IHP), UNESCO. At the IHP his tasks were related to groundwater age dating, interpretation of environmental tracer data in the scope of sustainable use of groundwater resources in Lake Tchad Basin, and the implementation phase of the HELP initiative [portal.unesco.org/science/en/ev.php-url_id=1205&url_do=do_topic&url_section=201.html].
Subsequently he assisted in textile trade between Europe and Africa and assisted in photovoltaic consulting before joining in 2007 the Institute of Geophysics as a PhD-student. His thesis focuses on relating spectral induced polarization (SIP) in saturated alluvial materials to hydraulic conductivity and the conceptual understanding of the underlying processes.
Kristof’s key positions and research motivation:
• An improved understanding of spatial components of subsurface properties is vital for the understanding of hydrological systems.
• Neglecting possible influence from other branches of research is the main risk for good results leading to false interpretation. Hence, research needs to be interlinked within it’s various branches. Communication and respect here being the basis for good work.
• The way to answer some of today’s un-solved problems is by accounting for the interlock between science and society, economy and ecology. Examples being the assignments of UNESCO’s science sector, or the concept of Industrial Ecology (Prof. S. Erkman, UniL).
• Hydrogeophysics together with biogeophysics are applied examples for integrated research. Remote access to physical properties of the subsurface allows resolving process areas in a catchments hydrological system. In particular with regards to an increasing receptiveness/sensitivity of today’s measurement devices (e.g. for SIP) and the computational options to model heterogeneity (e.g. B. Dafflon) in natural systems. Hydrogeophysics seems to provide the means to create the new opportunities needed in the context of up-to-date integrated water management. Also, and especially, in a non-research oriented environment.
Conference Presentations
EGU, Vienna, 2004 / Wenninger J., S. Uhlenbrook, N. Tilch, K. Koch, and Ch. Leibundgut / Identification of runoff generation processes using hydrometrical and geoelectrical information in mountainous catchments.
EGU, Vienna, 2008 / Koch K., B. Suski, A. Kemna, and K. Holliger / Use of the spectral induced polarization method to characterise hydrological parameters: Results from laboratory measurements for a range of sandy materials under saturated conditions.
AGU, San Francisco, Fall Meeting 2008 / Koch K., B. Suski, J. Irving, A. Kemna, and K. Holliger / Relating the Spectral Induced Polarization Response of Saturated Sandy Materials to Hydrologically Relevant Parameters: Laboratory Measurements.
International Workshop on Induced Polarization in Near-Surface Geophysics, Bonn, 2009 / Koch K., A. Kemna, and K. Holliger / Controlled changes in grain size and pore characteristics of proxies of alluvial sediments and their impact on the hydraulic conductivity and spectral induced polarization response.
SEG, Dallas, 2009 / Koch K., J. Irving, A. Kemna, and K. Holliger / Controlled changes in grain size and pore characteristics and their impact on the hydraulic conductivity and spectral induced polarization response of proxies of alluvial sediments.
EGU, Vienna, 2010 / Koch K., A. Kemna, and K. Holliger / Controlled changes in grain size and pore characteristics of proxies of alluvial sediments and their impact on the hydraulic conductivity and spectral induced polarization response.
