Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Germany.
Bernhard Siemon is a distinguished physicist and geophysicist, specializing in airborne geophysics. He earned his Diploma in Physics (1986) and Ph.D. (1991) from the University of Göttingen, Germany. After gaining experience in private consulting and governmental research institutes, he joined the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) in 2001, where he currently leads the airborne geophysics unit. His expertise includes electromagnetic data inversion and the application of airborne geophysical data in groundwater, mining, and near-surface exploration. He is an active member of DGG (German Geophysical Society) and EAGE (European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers).
Profile
🎓 Education
Dr. Bernhard Siemon obtained his Diploma in Physics from the University of Göttingen, Germany, in 1986. He further advanced his academic journey by completing a Ph.D. in Physics at the same university in 1991. With a solid foundation in physics, Dr. Siemon has made significant contributions to research and development, applying his expertise in both theoretical and applied physics.
💼 Experience
Dr. Bernhard Siemon has been serving as the Head of the Airborne Geophysics Unit at the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) since 2001. In this role, he has played a key part in advancing geophysical exploration techniques and applications.
Prior to this, from 1991 to 2001, he worked as a Consultant and Researcher for private consulting firms and governmental research institutes, contributing his expertise in geophysics and applied physics to various projects in resource exploration and environmental studies.
🔬 Research Interests
Inversion of electromagnetic data for geophysical applications
Airborne geophysical surveying for groundwater, mining, and near-surface studies
Optimization of geophysical data acquisition for geological exploration
🏆 Awards & Recognitions
Recognized expert in airborne geophysics with contributions to major geophysical studies
Active member of DGG and EAGE, contributing to scientific advancements in geophysics
📚 Selected Publications
Benefits of an Airborne Electromagnetic Survey of Former Opencast Lignite Mining Areas in Lusatia, Germany
Journal: Water (2025)
DOI: 10.3390/w17071000
Co-authors: Olaf Cortés Arroyo, Silvio Janetz, Erik Nixdorf
Focus: Utilization of airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys to assess environmental and groundwater conditions in former lignite mining areas.
Locating Skarns with Magnetic Survey Data, Geyer, Erzgebirge: Optimizing Data Acquisition Procedures
Journal: Geophysical Prospecting (2022)
DOI: 10.1111/1365-2478.13231
Co-authors: Hernan Ugalde, William Morris, Yuleika Madriz, Moritz Kirsch, Richard Gloaguen, Michael Schneider, Markus Schiffler, Tristan Fréville, Marc Munschy
Focus: Enhancing geophysical data acquisition methods for efficient skarn deposit detection.
Airborne Electromagnetic, Magnetic, and Radiometric Surveys at the German North Sea Coast Applied to Groundwater and Soil Investigations
Journal: Remote Sensing (2020)
DOI: 10.3390/rs12101629
Co-authors: Malte Ibs-von Seht, Annika Steuer, Nico Deus, Helga Wiederhold
Focus: Integrating multiple airborne geophysical techniques for coastal groundwater and soil studies.
Airborne Electromagnetic and Radiometric Peat Thickness Mapping of a Bog in Northwest Germany (Ahlen-Falkenberger Moor)
Journal: Remote Sensing (2020)
DOI: 10.3390/rs12020203
Co-authors: Malte Ibs-von Seht, Stefan Frank
Focus: Mapping peat thickness using AEM and radiometric surveys for ecological monitoring.
Airborne and Ground Geophysical Mapping of Coastal Clays in Eastern Friesland, Germany
Journal: GEOPHYSICS (2019)
DOI: 10.1190/geo2014-0102.1
Co-authors: Costabe S., Voß W., Meyer U., Deus N., Elbracht J., Günther T., Wiederhold H.
Focus: Geophysical techniques for identifying coastal clay deposits and subsurface structures.