Prof. Dr. Walter Daesslé-Heuser

Humboldt Research Fellow and guest researcher at FAU´s Chair of Applied Geology/GeoZentrum Nordbayern

Prof. Dr. Walter Daesslé-Heuser is a professor in Environmental Geosciences at the Autonomous University of Baja California, Mexico. He is an Oceanographer with a PhD in Marine Geochemistry from Imperial College London in 1998. Currently he is the head of Postgraduate Studies and Research at the Institute for Oceanologic Research at the Autonomous University of Baja California. He was awarded the Georg Forster Fellowship by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in 2007 to carry out research at FAU on the sedimentology and hydrogeochemistry of the lower Colorado River basin, south of the US-Mexico border. He is currently visiting FAU again for a short research stay at Geozentrum Nordbayern, working with Prof. Johannes Barth on groundwater studies such as: aquifer recharge in coastal arid zones, submarine groundwater discharge and the potential for managed aquifer recharge with treated wastewater in Baja California.

FAU is mainly known for hosting the Bayerisches Hochschulzentrum für Lateinamerika, but also in my field of study in geosciences and water resources, for playing an important academic role in hydrogeochemistry, especially stable isotope research. Important publications in this topic have been developed at FAU.

Prof. Dr. Daesslé-Heuser, you are researching coastal groundwater systems. What exactly sparked your interest in your field of research?

The fact that in the arid region where I live in north-west Mexico, water for human supply and for agriculture is mostly derived from groundwater sources that are adjacent to the coast. My interest is to contribute to the understanding and communication of the processes affecting these vital resources that are being depleted and polluted at an accelerated pace, and to be able to come forward with proper managing alternatives that are sustainable for our specific cultural, technical and economic conditions. A central topic for this sustainability is the recycling of treated wastewater, instead of disposing it into the ocean.

Could you give us a short description of your research project at FAU?

Currently I have been working at the GeoZentrum Nordbayern with three different joint research topics which are all related to water and groundwater in Baja California. The first manuscript that we submitted is about groundwater recharge sites and pollution sources in the wine-producing Guadalupe Valley and the discussion of possible restrictions and water mixing prior to transfer of reclaimed water from the US-Mexico border to this valley where most of the Mexican wines, which are excellent wines excellent wines, are produced. Also, together with my AvH fellow from Sri Lanka, Prof. Chandrajith, we are working on a review and discussion paper on water security and sea water intrusion in coastal aquifers from arid regions and karstic settings in Mexico and Sri Lanka to analyse the threats and possible management alternatives. Other studies in process, along with my postgraduate students, and for which data on water chemistry has been processed at FAU,  are the assessment of submarine groundwater discharge and effects of reclaimed water to the ocean in Baja California and also the study of effects in the habitat of endemic Oncorhynrhus mykiss nelsoni trout in Baja California’s mountain range.

What do you, your host Prof. Barth and your colleague Prof. Dr. Chandrajith hope to achieve with your research?

As a team of Humboldtians carrying out research with our host Prof. Barth, in addition to carry out our own scientific research in specific topics of interest for Geozentrum Nordbayern, we are also working to unite efforts in a review and discussion of environmental problems, such as sea water intrusion into coastal aquifers in both Mexico and Sri Lanka. Our collaboration with Prof. Barth dates back at least one decade and we have already published several joint international papers on water issues.

How could your research benefit society?

In a few words, I must say that benefiting society through our research is my main objective, although it is sometimes the most difficult to achieve. This is mainly because of the complicated communication between scientists and politicians, what we call the science-public policy interface. But with topics such as water resources, I have a good feeling that by putting forward good quality data and finding a way to draw attention to the solutions suggested, we will be successful in helping out with the water crisis in my country. Obviously the training of students in scientific as well as communication skill is very important for the future outcomes.

What were your reasons for choosing FAU as your host institution?

Mainly the common research interests, the welcoming and very friendly environment and the excellency of the laboratories and staff. Of course, the appeal of beautiful Franconia with its bicycle roads, forests, cities and caves. We also have made excellent friends here.

How well known is FAU internationally in your field of research?

FAU is mainly known for hosting the Bayerisches Hochschulzentrum für Lateinamerika, but also in my field of study in geosciences and water resources, for playing an important academic role in hydrogeochemistry, especially stable isotope research. Important publications in this topic have been developed at FAU.

In a few words, I must say that benefiting society through our research is my main objective, although it is sometimes the most difficult to achieve.

How do you find the interaction between researchers at FAU?

I find it very open and humanistic. The exchange of knowledge and ideas in seminars and one-to-one conversations has always been positive and enriching.

What other interests do you have besides research? Do you have a hobby?

I am an avid road cyclist and have enjoyed the summer days cycling to different towns in Franken on a borrowed city bike.

What should you bring with you when you come to FAU and Erlangen?

If its winter, something warm of course. But a positive and adventurous attitude is all it takes to feel good in such a nice city with a vast cultural and gastronomic offer, and of course its beautiful surroundings.

Thank you for the interview, Prof. Dr. Daesslé-Heuser.