Oslo Airport is situated atop the largest unconfined aquifer in Norway – the Gardermoen Aquifer complex. Avinor monitors groundwater quality and quantity to ensure that airport operations do not degrade the groundwater, adhering to one of the strictest environmental legislations in the world. However, since the airport's opening in 1998, the effects of climate change have become evident, along with extensive urbanization in the region.
The aim of this study is to investigate the extent to which climate change impacts the regional water balance and to evaluate the additional effects of urbanization and land use change. Changes in groundwater flux, temperature, and chemistry may affect protected biotopes and increase the risk of landslides. Deciphering anthropogenic changes from natural ones is a challenge that must be addressed to ensure sustainable aquifer management in the future.
The prospective student will employ the following methods:
- Numerical tools (Modflow) to simulate fluid flow
- Official maps and satellite data analysis (GIS software) to assess land use and infiltration property distributions
- Extraction of relevant meteorological and groundwater parameter information from available databases
- Fieldwork: ground-truthing land use and measuring groundwater levels
It is a prerequisite to have completed GEO4190 in 2025 and GEO4360 in 2026 (or equivalent courses from another institution). A valid driver’s license is advantageous.
Second topic, same study area:
The scope of this research may be expanded to cover the impacts of climate change on groundwater quality. Two students could collaborate – one focusing on water balance (as described above) and the other on groundwater chemistry. As temperature and infiltration patterns change, the chemistry of water recharge and groundwater will also be affected (e.g., dissolved gases, pH, redox potential, organic content, and weathering). By analyzing long time series of water chemistry data and comparing them with new water samples, along with performing geochemical modeling, it would be possible to evaluate whether groundwater quality has been or will be affected by climate change, as well as assess human impacts and potential consequences for biota and groundwater as a resource (drinking water, energy).
The prospective student will employ the following methods:
- Extraction of relevant meteorological and groundwater parameter information from available databases
- Geochemical modeling (PHREEQC)
- Fieldwork: groundwater sampling
- Laboratory work: water chemistry analysis
It is a prerequisite to have completed GEO5900 and GEO4360 in 2026 (or equivalent courses from another institution). A valid driver’s license is advantageous.
