Dr. Markus Berli

Title: Associate Research Professor
Affiliation: Division of Hydrologic Sciences
Location: DRI Las Vegas
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: 702.862.5452

Professional Interests

Research interests focus on modeling and measurement of soil structural dynamics affecting fluid flow and solute transport. Key issues are the connection of hydraulics and mechanics of soils at the micro-scale and upscaling physical soil behavior from pore to sample- and eventually field-scale. Further areas of interest are: New methods for in-situ characterization of soil hydraulic and mechanical properties; improved characterization of soil pore geometry using X-ray-Micro-Tomography and pore water flow employing Neutron-Tomography; improved methods to assess and predict soil deterioration due to mechanical impacts.

My vision is that micro-scale coupling of soil hydraulics and mechanics with chemical and microbial processes will provide a conceptual framework for an improved understanding of fluid flow, contaminant fate and transport in the vadose zone, to sustain soil productivity and to secure water resources of sufficient quality and quantity world-wide.

Research Areas of Expertise

• Modeling and measurement of pore structure dynamics and fluid flow in porous soil materials
• Developing new methods for in-situ characterization of soil hydraulic and mechanical properties
• Field-scale assessment of soil physical properties
• Assessment and prediction of soil compaction due to dynamic mechanical impact

Education

Academic Affiliations

• Graduate Program of Hydrologic Sciences – University of Nevada Reno
• Water Resources Management Program – University of Nevada Las Vegas

View Selected Publications

Follow this link to the publications destination.