Green roof runoff sampling

Student Assistant - Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering

09.07.2026, Studentische Hilfskräfte, Praktikantenstellen, Studienarbeiten

We are searching for a helping hand for our green roof runoff sampling. The task includes: - Driving to Hallbergmoos (with our institue car) to get the samples from the 02 Surftown - Preparing the samples for freezing - Processing samples for further analysis

„Leaching of Mecoprop, nutrients and heavy metals from green roofs – A pilot scale study”

About us:
The Chair of Urban Water Management is involved in the education of students (Bachelor and Master) in environmental and civil engineering. Research focuses on urban water supply, wastewater treatment, energy recovery, water recycling, drainage systems, industrial wastewater treatment, and the urban water-food-energy nexus.

Topic:
Scientists are searching for new ways to reduce the negative impacts of climate change on us. Especially, cities are affected by these changes. Higher temperatures and increased impervious surfaces exacerbate the heat island effect, with its negative effects. One way to decrease these effects is through green roofs, which combine many important factors to mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as water retention, lower roof temperatures, and even increased biodiversity. Unfortunately, these roofs often emit water-relevant substances such as biocides, excess nutrients, and heavy metals, which can further harm the biosphere. Especially, the use of chemical root barriers, such as Mecoprop, which protect buildings from being destroyed by the roots of the flora and the green roof substrate itself, can be a source of these water-relevant substances. Besides the materials themselves, weather also directly affects the leaching of those substances. We have installed an automated sampling system on a 1000m² green roof at the O2-Surftown in Hallbergmoos, and we need your help to further process the samples.

Tasks:
• Collection of rainwater samples from the green roof at the Surftown facility in Hallbergmoos
• Post-processing of samples in the laboratory
• Preparation of samples for further analyses (e.g. biocide analyses)
• Gain hands-on experience in current research on urban stormwater management

What you should bring:
• A valid driver’s license (required for field sampling)
• Basic laboratory experience is helpful but not mandatory
• Flexibility and spontaneity, as sampling should take place roughly 48 hours after a rain event
• Careful, reliable, and independent working style

Framework conditions:
• Working hours: approx. 8 hours per week
• Location: TUM Campus Garching (Chair of Urban Water Management, SiWaWi)
• Start date: From now on

Kontakt: daniel.niess@tum.de