About Roel Melman

Roel Melman is a geohydrologist and physical geographer, specialized in subsurface and groundwater systems at Deltares. He primarily works on projects related to land subsidence and sustainable groundwater management. His interest in groundwater stems from recognizing its crucial role in climate adaptation and mitigation, yet often being overlooked or poorly managed. Through his work, he aims to contribute to habitable deltas and sustainable groundwater sources for the future. Combining field measurements with data analysis and/or modelling defines his scope of work. Additionally, he has been involved in supervising MSc students.

In the Netherlands, he is involved in establishing a new registration system to determine CO2 emissions from Dutch peat soils, collaborating with policymakers and universities. In Bangladesh, he played a role in developing strategies for transitioning to more sustainable groundwater management in the Barind region. In Suriname, he is involved in a project aimed at expanding the knowledge base of the shallow subsurface and groundwater system, to better inform future urban planning.