NWO-Veni: Bridging the gap between the pore and macro scales: the missing link in modelling solute transport through the unsaturated zone

This award provides me with three-year funding to do research on the topic: "Bridging the gap between the pore and macro scales: the missing link in modelling solute transport through the unsaturated zone " Solute transport processes in the unsaturated zone, extending from the ground surface to the groundwater, are key to understanding fate of contaminants and nutrients in soils. Such understanding is crucial for planning ground remediation operations, enhancing agricultural productivity, and safe-guarding our fresh-water supplies. Through my Veni, both microscale experiments and pore-scale modeling will be performed to obtain information on solute distribution during unsaturated flow. Results will offer information on unsaturated mass transfer phenomena and provide inputs directly relevant to improving modelling of industrial processes, such as soil remediation and optimisation of agricultural productivity.