Gustavo Covatti

 

Research interests

I am a civil and environmental engineer by training and specialize in hydrogeology and hydrochemistry. My previous research was focused on hydrochemical processes occurring during surface and groundwater interaction, with an emphasis on redox reactions and nitrogen processes in the hyporheic zone.

Currently I am working on developing predictive maps for nitrate concentrations in Switzerland using machine learning algorithms. The goal of the study is to identify hotspots for high nitrate concentrations and to examine the combination of environmental and anthropogenic factors that lead to vulnerable areas for nitrate contamination, thus providing a tool for informed decision-making regarding mitigation and adaptation measures. This study is made within the framework of the ReCLEAN joint initiative of the ETH domain, which aims to achieve a holistic understanding and quantification of nitrogen fluxes across and within the environmental compartments of the subsurface, land and atmosphere.

Education and former positions

PhD in Water Sciences (2020-2024)
University of Applied Sciences Dresden (HTW Dresden), Germany
Thesis title: Hydrochemical aspects of riverbank filtration in Vietnam
Advisors; Thomas Grischek, Stefan Stolte

MEng in Environmental Engineering (2017-2019)
University of Applied Sciences Dresden (HTW Dresden), Germany

BEng Civil Engineering (2011-2016)
University of Passo Fundo, Brazil