Géosciences Montpellier
Université de Montpellier
Campus triolet cc060
Place eugène bataillon
34095 montpellier cedex05
FRANCE
Where to find us
Geosciences Montpellier’s Hydrosystems theme focuses on the role of liquid water in the dynamics and processes of both surface and subsurface hydrosystems. A fundamental element of the work developed in this theme is the integrative measurement/model approach to the study of processes at different functional scales, involving strong collaborations with mathematics and mechanics laboratories. The issue of change of scale is at the heart of this research theme, with laboratory studies (centimeter scale or less) up to kilometer scale for time scales ranging from seconds (wave-to-wave interactions, for example) to millions of years (karstogenesis, for example). At all scales, hydrosystems are characterized by complex, non-linear or threshold processes, as water is both a carrier of physical mechanical energy and a vector for the transport of energy (heat) and chemical species. To bridge the gap between theoretical or laboratory studies of processes, and their macroscopic expression (in both time and space), sophisticated or breakthrough mathematical approaches and numerical modeling are developed and implemented.
The theme is organized around 3 main questions
What are the fundamental mechanisms governing the growth and transformation of the wave spectrum in shallow environments (beaches, rocky seabeds, reefs), and those controlling the evolution of sandy seabeds and the shoreline? How can these mechanisms be better observed by repurposing hydrogeophysical tools beyond their conventional use?
How do geochemical reactions alter the hydro-mechanical properties of rocks? Can electrical measurements help quantify these changes?
Is karst “soluble” within water sciences? What are the contributions of hydrogeophysics to karst hydrogeology?
Our Tools
- Numerical: Multi-scale numerical modeling of complex, nonlinear, and coupled processes using high-performance computing tools
- Geophysics: From environmental seismology to gravimetry for monitoring, and electrical tomography for imaging the geometry of structures
- Laboratory experiments: Reactive percolation through porous or fractured samples under in situ conditions of temperature, pressure, and hydrochemical forcing
1
Observatoire du Larzac / monitoring hydro-géophysique
2
SO LTC (Système d’Observation Littoral & Trait de côte de l’OSU OREME) en Occitanie
3
Sites d’observation de la dynamique des systèmes récifo lagonaires en Polynésie française
4
Sites d’observation de la dynamique des systèmes récifo lagonaires en Nouvelle Calédonie (dont Ouvéa)
Our strong points
- Dynamic group of young researchers.
- Expertise ranging from fundamental processes to environmental and industrial applications.
- Involvement in research infrastructures and SNOs.
- Multi-scale experimental approach from the laboratory to the field.
- Coupled experimental and numerical approach.
- Long-term, productive collaborations with several research teams in Montpellier, France and abroad in mathematics, mechanics, hydraulics and hydrology.
Highlights
Seminars
- Presentation of the activities of the UNESCO ICIREWARD Center, July 2, 2025, 10:00 AM, Grenat Room
- Geophysical Monitoring of Water Content and Dynamics in a Reactive Critical Zone, Damien Jougnot (UMR METIS, Sorbonne University), January 21, 2025, 2:00 PM, Grenat Room
- Multi-scale Geoelectrical Characterization of Critical Zone Processes, Flore Rembert (ISTO Orléans), January 29, 2024, 11:00 AM, Grenat Room
- Interaction of Flow and Heat Transport Processes: From the Pore/Fracture Scale to the Catchment Scale, Maria Klepikova (Géosciences Rennes), September 11, 2023, 2:00 PM, Grenat Room
- Exploring Deep Freshened Groundwater Resources in Southern Sicily (Italy) through Well Data Analysis and 3D Regional Modeling, Damiano Chiaccheri (Roma 3), July 4, 2023, 11:00 AM, Grenat Room
- Towards an Integrative Approach to the Study of a Protected Natural Environment: The Lascaux Cave, Delphine Lacanette (University of Bordeaux), February 20, 2023, 10:30 AM, Grenat Room
- Geoelectrical Monitoring of Contaminated Groundwater Remediation: Farum’s Experience in Denmark and Advances in Fracture Network Imaging, Léa Lévy (Lund University), December 15, 2022, 2:00 PM, Grenat Room
- Parameter Estimation and Uncertainty Management in Hydrogeological Models: The Example of Groundwater–River Interaction Models, Yohann Cousquer (HSM), February 16, 2022, 10:00 AM, Grenat Room
- Multiscale Hydrogeophysics in a Volcanic Context – From Spatial Characterization to the Quantification of Dynamics, Marc Dumont (METIS), June 24, 2021, 2:00 PM, STP5 Room
News
- Kick-off Meeting of the ANR KASPER Project (https://anr-kasper.gm.umontpellier.fr/), Project Leaders: D. Roubinet; Participants: L. Luquot, C. Champollion, P. Vernant, January 21, 2025
- Annual Meeting of the PPR Futurisks Project on the long-term evolution of reef–lagoon systems. Hydrosystems participants: Myriam Belkadi, Fred Bouchette, Louis Saisset, January 25–26, 2024
- Kick-off Meeting of the ANR AlterAction Project, Hydrosystems participants: L. Luquot, P. Pezard, D. Roubinet, January 10–11, 2024
- Workshop on Wave Spectrum Dissipation Processes over Macro-Rough Seabeds, held in Anglet (UPPA/GLADYS). Hydrosystems participants: Myriam Belkadi, Fred Bouchette, Garance Marlier, Amine Mohammedi, December 17–20, 2023
- Workshop on Passive Geophysics Methods for Critical Zone Studies, METIS, Pierre and Marie Curie Campus, November 23–24, 2023 (Hydrosystems co-organizers: C. Champollion and D. Roubinet)
- Karst Groundwater Resources – Experimental Studies on Flow, Chemical Stress, and Heterogeneity, 75th anniversary of the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG), L. Luquot (invited talk), November 15, 2023
- Experimental Study on Karst Formation: Role of Flow, Chemical Stress, and Rock Heterogeneities, Porous Media Study Day, L. Luquot (invited talk), October 18, 2023
- Start of PhD of Léa Lelimouzin on “Modeling and Interpretation of Electrical Data Coupled with a Transport Model for the Characterization of Localized Heterogeneities,” supervised by D. Roubinet and C. Champollion, October 1, 2023
- Arrival of Two M1 AWARE-Earth Students:
Pu Li (“Heat Transport Processes in Fracture–Matrix Systems under Stress Conditions,” with L. Luquot and D. Roubinet) and Rafaela Bezerra De Oliveira (“Impact of the Hydrological Cycle on Altered Rock Corridors in the Grands Causses Region Based on GNSS and InSAR Measurements,” with P. Vernant and C. Champollion), September 1, 2023 - Reactive Transport Models in Heterogeneous Systems from Pore to Reservoir Scale, EGU General Assembly 2023, D. Roubinet (invited talk), April 25, 202
Involved Persons
THEME ANIMATORS : Cédric Champollion & Frédéric Bouchette
THEME MEMBERS : The Hydrosystem theme brings together around thirty people, including teacher-researchers, researchers and technical staff. In 2023, this theme will include 7 PhD students and one post-doc.