Philipp Wanner

Background

About Philipp Wanner

The Hidden Water Beneath Our Feet Did you know that almost all of the Earth's liquid freshwater lies hidden below the surface- 99% of the world’s liquid freshwater is groundwater - Nearly half of the global population relies on groundwater for drinking water - Groundwater supports 40% of global food production - Groundwater sustains rivers, lakes, and wetlands - 2.5 billion people depend exclusively on groundwater to meet their daily water needs And yet, the quality of this essential, invisible water resource is increasingly at risk. A wide range of human-made contaminants threaten groundwater quality. My Research: Understanding Contaminant Behaviour in Groundwater Effective groundwater protection and management depend on a fundamental understanding of how contaminants behave in the subsurface. My research explores how contaminants enter, spread, and persist in groundwater systems, which is critical for risk assessment and remediation strategies. I focus on both legacy contaminants (such as chlorinated solvents and pesticides) and emerging contaminants (such as microplastics and PFAS). Why This Matters Groundwater is a cornerstone of human health, ecosystem stability, and climate change resilience. Yet, its contamination often goes unnoticed until it's too late. By advancing our understanding of subsurface contaminant dynamics, my research contributes to more informed groundwater policies, sustainable chemical regulation, and long-term water resource management. About Me At the Earth Science Department of the University of Gothenburg, I am an Associate Professor (Docent) in Contaminant Hydrogeology and the head of the IsoGot Laboratory. I am also a principal investigator (PI) of the North American Consortium for Field-Focused Groundwater Research, and a member of the steering group of the Centre for Future Chemical Risk Assessment and Management (FRAM).