Department Surface Waters - Research and Management

Main Focus

Aims and scope of SURF

The Department of Surface Waters – Research and Management (SURF) conducts  research on the bio-geo-chemical and physical processes that define the health, functioning and ecosystem services of surface waters (lakes, rivers and their catchments) at various spatio-temporal scales. 

The system-orientation of our department makes SURF an essential component of Eawag’s aquatic and limnological competence. SURF’s research activities range from fundamental and curiosity-driven knowledge generation to projects directly aimed at practical problem-solving. We conduct research of highest international standing while also interacting closely in a collaborative network of Swiss and international stakeholders. We play a key role in connecting academia and application and provide the crucial knowledge transfer required to efficiently protect surface water resources for the public good in Switzerland as well as globally. We are responsive to societal needs and agenda-setting by uncovering emerging problems, e.g. the impacts of ongoing and expected global change. 

Surface water ecosystems are complex and governed by a tight interplay of internal processes and external factors. Understanding such systems requires the ability to work interdisciplinary and across scales: we integrate knowledge from physics and chemistry to ecology, from microscopic phenomena to lakes and river networks, and synthesize findings on freshwater systems at global scales for crucial issues. 

Acknowledging the deep and emotional interest of the public in surface waters, SURF furthermore regularly participates in and initiates outreach activities, complementing our contribution to fulfill Eawag’s educational mandate.

Our main research topics are:

  • Elemental cycles in natural waters such as rivers and lakes, sediments and ice
  • Physical, biogeochemical and microbial processes and their driving forces
  • Anthropogenic forcing and climate change
  • Aquatic ecosystem analysis and modelling
  • Concepts for sustainable management of natural waters.

Our research covers many different disciplines: