Atom Aqua

ATOMAQUA – Quantum Technologies for Groundwater Protection

About ATOMAQUA | Work Packages | Research

ATOMAQUA develops innovative quantum technologies for the sustainable monitoring and protection of groundwater. Using precise quantum gravimeters, we non-invasively measure changes in groundwater and link these measurements to hydrogeological models. Our goal: to better understand and protect groundwater – in the face of climate change and overexploitation.

About ATOMAQUA

The joint project ATOMAQUA aims to specifically use innovative quantum technologies for the sustainable management and protection of groundwater resources. Water is an essential basis of life, and in Germany, up to 70% of drinking water comes from groundwater. In light of increasing challenges due to climate change, longer dry periods, and the projected decline in groundwater levels, it is becoming ever more important to precisely detect and understand changes in groundwater.

ATOMAQUA focuses on the development and application of precise, field-ready quantum gravimeters that enable non-invasive determination of changes in groundwater volume. The core aspect is linking quantum gravimeter measurements with hydrogeological modeling to better quantify groundwater recharge and storage processes. Hydrogeological models must be validated by real measurements to ensure reliable results. Gravimetric methods allow the measurement of mass changes underground, providing a direct model parameter that can be used for validation. In parallel, hydrogeophysical methods are used for validation, and comparison measurements are conducted with the highly precise atom gravimeter of Humboldt University of Berlin, which has demonstrated the best long-term stability for absolute gravity sensors.

The motivation for the project arises from the urgent need to secure groundwater resources in the long term and to address ecological challenges such as overexploitation and the impacts of climate change. The new methods offer significant advantages for various hydrogeological systems. In regions such as karst areas, which supply drinking water to around 680 million people worldwide, the new measurement methods offer decisive benefits: they enable the distinction between air-filled and water-filled cavities and thus monitoring of near-surface areas. In porous aquifers, key parameters for management, such as the storage coefficient, can be determined.

The project brings together scientists from the fields of physics, hydrogeology, and geophysics. It thus makes an important contribution to achieving Sustainability Goal 6 of the 2030 Agenda (“Clean Water and Sanitation for All”) by developing and testing innovative solutions for groundwater monitoring and management. The results are intended to serve as a basis for the sustainable management and long-term protection of this valuable resource.