Johannes Barth

Prof. Johannes Barth, PhD

Chair of Applied Geology

Schlossgarten 5
D- 91054 Erlangen / Germany

mail:    johannes.barth[at]fau.de

Tel.: +49 (0)9131 8522621
Fax: +49 (0)9131 8529294
Raum O 1.106

 ANG Barth

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  • TraceS: Tracing sulphur cycling in the Iceland crust

    (Third Party Funds Single)

    Term: 1. January 2025 - 31. December 2027
    Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
    Abstract

    Despitethe large impact of human activity on the global S cycle, the natural S fluxesfrom oceans and lithosphere to atmosphere may be still poorly constrained.Especially in mid-ocean ridges (MORs), estimating the mantle-derived S flux tothe surface remains a challenge due to (1) a lack of data on S concentrations inbasaltic glasses, (2) variable S sources obscuring a possible mantle origin and(3) unknown amounts of S sequestrated in the oceanic crust upon fluid-rockinteraction. This project aims to determine the sources and fluxes of S withina MORs using the Icelandic crust as an analogue. In conjunction withgeochemical isotope modelling and state-of-the-art mass spectrometrictechniques, S concentrations, along with isotope compositions (S, Fe, O) in thermalfluids, bulk rock, pyrite and anhydrite will be used to constrain the fluxesfrom different sources (e.g. seawater, rock leaching) of S at MORs. Furthermore,the potential of fluid-rock interaction in hydrothermal systems along MORs ofpermanently fixing S by mineral formation upon fluid-rock interaction will beinvestigated. Remelting of such modified oceanic crust within subduction zones mightgreatly affect the S isotopic values of melts, volcanic gasses and geothermalfluids in volcanic arcs. Findings of this study will also have an impact onongoing research on sequestration of anthropogenic S within the Earth’s crust.

  • Grundwasser-Isoscapes für Deutschland - Wasserisotope als innovatives Werkzeug für eine nachhaltige Wasserbewirtschaftung

    (Third Party Funds Single)

    Term: 1. March 2023 - 28. February 2026
    Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)

  • Danube Region Water Lighthouse Action

    (Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)

    Overall project: Danube Region Water Lighthouse Action
    Term: 1. January 2023 - 31. December 2026
    Funding source: Europäische Union (EU)
    Abstract

    The Danube River Basin (DRB) host 79 million inhabitants. As the Danube River Management Plan indicates the majority (52%) of all rivers do not meet the criteria of good chemical status, moreover all monitored indicators deteriorated. The Danube River is an artery of the ecosystems of the whole DRB and the region with significant environmental impact. The river also has an important economic utilization supporting SMEs, and creating jobs for locals as well as having a cultural importance. To properly manage this complex and fragile ecosystem we must think of a river basin and harmonize our actions from the Black Forest to the Black Sea.
    The project DALIA (Danube Region Water Lighthouse Action) is comprised of 22 expert organizations – including universities, authorities, SMEs and NGOs – from 8 different Danube EU and Associated countries accumulating an outstanding set of knowledge, covering not only the basin geographically but all different fields of expertise necessary to deal with the multidisciplinary issues from source to sea.
    The project brings to DRB integrated DALIA tool, which will be integrated into DAnube Mission Hub for better decision making to improve DRB restoration of fresh and transitional water ecosystems. The project also provides options for strategies and policies that concern freshwater ecosystem protection and ecosystem connectivity in the DRB and improved protection of local communities and ecosystems from extreme events and pollution threats.
    The DALIA project will contribute directly to the establishment of EU and UN initiatives, related to the further execution on the Water Framework Directive by the execution of innovative actions across a variety of geographies, their scaling and the multiplication of outcomes with a wider network of ecosystems and related EU Missions and project actions throughout framework.

  • More - Morfettenuntersuchungen

    Investighations of water and CO2 including their isotope ratios in boreholes, springs and mofettes in the Eger Graben Czech republic

    (Third Party Funds Single)

    Term: 1. July 2019 - 30. June 2020
    Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)
    URL: https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/419880416
    Abstract

    More - Morfettenuntersuchungen

    Investighations of water and CO2 including their isotope ratios in boreholes, springs and mofettes in the Eger Graben Czech republic

  • Predicting oxygen dynamics in large reservoirs in four dimensions.

    Investigation of dissolved oxygen and its isotope ratios in drinking water reservoirs

    (Third Party Funds Single)

    Term: 1. June 2019 - 31. May 2022
    Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)
    URL: https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/410560381
    Abstract

    Predicting oxygen dynamics in large reservoirs in four dimensions.

    Investigation of dissolved oxygen and its isotope ratios in drinking water reservoirs

  • AquaCliff

    (Third Party Funds Group – Overall project)

    Term: 1. September 2018 - 31. July 2023
    Funding source: Bayerisches Staatsministerium der Finanzen, für Landesentwicklung und Heimat (StMF) (ab 10/2013)
    URL: https://germany.iah.org/news/hydrogeology-meets-nephrology
    Abstract

    Das Verbundprojekt wird im Zeitraum 2018-2023 durch das Bayerische Klimaforschungsnetzwerk (bayklif) gefördert.

  • Untersuchungen von Zusammenhängen lokal begrenzter chronischer Nierenerkrankungen und Wasserqualitäten in Sri Lanka

    (Third Party Funds Single)

    Term: 1. August 2017 - 31. July 2019
    Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)
    URL: https://germany.iah.org/news/hydrogeology-meets-nephrology

  • Stabile Isotopenuntersuchungen zum Prozessverständnis von Fluidverhalten in und um Salzkavernen

    (Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)

    Overall project: ProSalz: Prozessverständnis, Skalierbarkeit und Übertragbarkeit von reaktivem Mehrphasentransport in Salzlagerstätten
    Term: 1. July 2017 - 30. June 2020
    Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)
    URL: https://www.fau.de/2017/07/news/wissenschaft/glueckauf-fuer-das-projekt-prosalz/

  • CO2 LOSS FROM STREAMS IN EUROPEAN KARST SYSTEMS

    (Third Party Funds Single)

    Overall project: CO2 LOSS FROM STREAMS IN EUROPEAN KARST SYSTEMS
    Term: 1. February 2017 - 31. January 2019
    Funding source: Individual Fellowships (IF)

  • Stabile Isotope von gelöstem Sauerstoff (DO) als dynamische Tracer für aerobische Umsätze in Grund- und Oberflächengewässern (IsoDO)

    (Third Party Funds Single)

    Term: 1. June 2016 - 31. May 2019
    Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)

  • Influences of high reliefs on isotope hydrology and coupled climate proxies

    (Third Party Funds Single)

    Term: since 1. January 2016
    Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)
    URL: http://www.corsicarchive.de
    Abstract

    Climate proxies such as tree rings rely on stable isotope ratios for the reconstruction of palaeoclimatic conditions. Such information then allow the calibration of models that evaluate and predict ongoing and future effects of global climate change. According to model predictions, the western Mediterranean is a region that will face severe climatic changes. Therefore, the island of Corsica in that region has been the target for palaeoclimate reconstructions by means of dendrochronology and stable isotopes. However, the oxygen stable isotope results from Corsican pines could not yet be interpreted satisfactorily. The oxygen stable isotope values (delta18O) of tree rings mainly depend on the oxygen isotope ratio of local precipitation and soil water. The precipitation delta18O values vary according to temperature, altitude and the moisture source area. Such parameters are determined nowadays rather precise but need to be assumed for the past. An important isotope effect is the so-called altitude effect that describes the relation of the delta18O value of precipitation and altitude. The large global network of isotopes in precipitation (GNIP) database of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) allows for a good regional estimate of isotope effects. However, things become more difficult in regions with high and steep mountain reliefs. Some latest publications suggest that the altitude gradient is absent in such regions during specific seasons. The reason for that observation could be seasonal height variations of the atmospheric planetary boundary layer (PBL). This isotope hydrology proposal is part of the project package CorsicArchive that also consists of interlinking proposals for climate, dendroisotopes and dendroecology. It is planned to install and regularly sample nine isotope precipitation samplers along an east-west altitudinal transect. This proposal will specifically explore the dynamics of the PBL and the isotope altitude effect. Additional questions relate to moisture source of air masses and the local moisture recycling within the islands hydrologic cycle. Furthermore, soil water and surface water analyses are planned to trace and quantify changes of the delta18O values along the pathway of water to the tree rings. The approach of this proposal aims to fill the gaps in the current knowledge of isotope hydrology of high reliefs and will finally lead to a more robust interpretation of related climate proxies in a climate change sensitive region. With respect to the current climate change, it is essential to understand climatic variations and its triggers in the past to better predict future changes.

  • Programm zur Förderung von Institutspartnerschaften

    (Third Party Funds Single)

    Term: 1. January 2015 - 30. June 2017
    Funding source: Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung

  • How does preferential flow influence carbon transport and changes between DIC, DOC and POC? Advances with combined modeling and stable isotope approaches (Pref-Carb-Flow)

    (Third Party Funds Single)

    Term: since 1. July 2014
    Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)
    Abstract
    In a joint effort between the Department of Hydraulics and Hydrology (DHH), at the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FCE) at the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) and the chair of Applied Geology at the University of Erlangen, the role of CO2, dissolved inorganic and organic as well as particulate organic carbon (DIC, DOC and POC) turnover and transport will be investigated with particular focus on preferential flow and its modeling. The study area is the Uhlirska Catchment in the Jizera Mountains of the Czech Republic that lies in a granitic bedrock environment and thus covers an acid-sensitive terrain that has strongly variable --and so far poorly constrained -- carbon dynamics. The latter are caused by active acid weathering, partial cover by peats and other carbon-rich soils. The work proposed here is highly complementary to a parallel submission by partners from CTU to the Czech Science Foundation (GACR) (Subsurface transport of water, carbon and heat - combined hydrological, geochemical and isotopic approach). This is because newly developed models for this test area can quantify flow paths and were calibrated with stable isotopes of water. They are thus an ideal foundation for expansion to carbon cycle investigations with associated isotope distributions, residence times and the most important compartments of storage and turnover in the catchment. Furthermore historic and new data as well infrastructure, field- and laboratory efforts will be shared between the involved research groups via this approach.

  • Preliminary biogeochemical investigations of small rivers in the Franconian Alb to lay foundations for detailed investigations of turnover and origin of high carbon in the Main River system

    (Third Party Funds Single)

    Term: since 1. February 2012
    Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)
    Abstract

    Investigations of the carbon cycle in river systems are important to outline interactions between the terrestrial biosphere and the atmosphere. They also allow quantification of carbon fluxes to larger river systems and ultimately the ocean. This helps to constrain terrestrial carbon cycles that in turn have strong influences on the atmospheric CO2 through providing sources and sinks. Flux rates of carbon by rivers can also help to provide boundary parameters for climate models. In this context, rivers act as important integral information sources because they are key links between terrestrial systems and oceans. On the other hand, most rivers actively release considerable amounts of carbon to the atmosphere in the form of CO2. Nonetheless, its sources from soils, groundwater or river internal turnover are poorly defined. These aspects are planned to be investigated in small river systems of less than 12 m3 s-1 discharge in the Franconian Alb. Such small stream investigations holds promise to better quantify processes and mechanisms including geological, agricultural and urban influences on riverine carbon cycles. This work opens the opportunity to start biogeochemical investigations on the Main River System that is one of the major tributairies of the Rhine, one of the major waterways in Europe. It is placed in international context by allowing comparison to work on other river systems in various countries.

Curriculum Vitae J Barth

SCOPUS-profile

Google Scholar profile

Research topics

  • Application of stable isotopes in ground and surface waters to establish mass balances, material turnover and fluxes
  • Behavior and turnover of pollutants
  • Aquatic Chemistry Chemie
  • CO2 and its behavior in the subsurface and surface waters
  • Dissolved oxygen and isotopes

Lectures

Current lectures

other topics

  • Basin Scale Mass and Solute Fluxes
  • Hydrogeologie
  • Tracer, stabile Isotope und Natural Attenuation
  • Geländeübungen in Hydrogelogie
  • Hydroralley
  • Hydrochemie