Sanneke van Asselen
Dr. Sanneke van Asselen is a physical geographer with a main interest in topics related to land subsidence in soft-soil organic sequences, delta build-up and evolution, and (fluvial) geomorphology. Recent research focuses on quantifying and monitoring subsidence due to peat compaction and oxidation in Holocene delta sequences, and how peat compaction affects delta evolution and fluvial morphology (PhD research). Earlier research includes geomorphological & landscape mapping and modelling land-use change. Sanneke has abundant fieldwork experience. Field campaigns took place in Spain, Luxembourg, Austria, Canada, Poland, and The Netherlands, and generally focused on geomorphological mapping, subsoil sampling, and core collection and description. Besides field experience, Sanneke also has experience in laboratory analyses (density and organic matter content analyses), ArcGIS analyses, and in numerical modelling. Sanneke has worked at different universities and research institutes, as well as for private companies, gaining experience in leading complex (interdisciplinary) research projects.
Working experience
| 2017-present | Deltares | Researcher/ advisor |
| 2014-2018 | Utrecht University, Department of Physical Geography | Postdoc researcher / Coordinator research program Future Deltas |
| 2013-2014 | Geodan B.V. | Geo-IT Researcher |
| 2013-2013 | EARTH Integrated Archaeology | Physical Geographer |
| 2010-2013 | Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University Amsterdam | Postdoc researcher |
| 2010-2010 | Utrecht University, Department of Physical Geography | Postdoc researcher |
| 2006-2010 | Utrecht University, Department of Physical Geography | PhD researcher |
| 2003-2005 | University of Amsterdam | Researcher / Project Officer EU project Soil Conservation and Protection for Europe |
-
Monitoring subsidence in cultivated peatlands
The Netherlands, 2018-present
Positions held: project leader and subsidence researcher
Main project features: measuring and monitoring shallow subsidence in peat soils using four methods.
Activities performed: project management, setting up subsidence monitoring field site and analyzing and reporting collected data. -
Subsidence analyses of the New Orleans urban area
New Orleans, USA, 2018-present
Positions held: subsidence researcher
Main project features: Coring field work and analyses of shallow subsidence in the city of New Orleans
Activities performed: field data collecting, analyzing geologic data, writing reports
-
The relative contribution of peat compaction and oxidation to subsidence in built-up areas in the Rhine-Meuse delta, The Netherlands
Van Asselen, S., Erkens, G., Stouthamer, S., Woolderink, H.A.C., Geeraert, R.E.E., and Hefting, M.M. (2018). The relative contribution of peat compaction and oxidation to subsidence
in built-up areas in the Rhine-Meuse delta, The Netherlands. Science of the Total Environment https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.141 177-191.
-
The impact of avulsion on groundwater level and peat formation in delta floodbasins during the Middle Holocene transgression in the Rhine-Meuse delta, The Netherlands
Van Asselen, S., Cohen, K.M and Stouthamer, E. (2017). The impact of avulsion on groundwater level and peat formation in delta floodbasins during the Middle Holocene transgression in the Rhine-Meuse delta, The Netherlands. The Holocene.
-
Depositional development of the Muskeg Lake crevasse splay in the Cumberland Marshes (Canada)
Toonen, W.H.J., Van Asselen, S., Stouthamer, E. and Smith, N.D. (2016). Depositional development of the Muskeg Lake crevasse splay in the Cumberland Marshes (Canada). Earth Surface processes and Landforms 41, 117-129.
-
Potential of Holocene deltaic sequences for subsidence due to peat compaction
Stouthamer, E. and Van Asselen, S. (2015) Potential of Holocene deltaic sequences for subsidence due to peat compaction. Proceedings IAHS 372, 173-178. doi:10.5194/piahs-372-173-2015
-
Geodesign to Support Multi-level Safety Policy for Flood Management
Van Asselen, S., Scholten, H.J. and Koshiek, L. (2014). Geodesign to Support Multi-level Safety Policy for Flood Management. In: Geodesign by Integrating Design and Geospatial Sciences. Edited by D. Lee, E. Dias and H.J. Scholten. Springer International Publishing, 117-132
-
Drivers of Wetland Conversion: a Global Meta-Analysis
Van Asselen, S., Verburg, P.H., Vermaat, J.E. and Janse, J. (2013). Drivers of Wetland Conversion: a Global Meta-Analysis, PLoSOne
-
Land cover change or land use intensification: simulating land system change with a global-scale land change model
Van Asselen, S. and Verburg, P.H. (2013). Land cover change or land use intensification: simulating land system change with a global-scale land change model. Global Change Biology 19(12) 3648-3667
-
A Land System representation for global assessments and land-use modeling
Van Asselen, S. and Verburg, P.H. (2012) A Land System representation for global assessments and land-use modelling. Global Change Biology.
-
Contribution of peat compaction to relative sea-level rise within Holocene deltas
Van Asselen, S., Karssenberg, D. and Stouthamer, S. (2011). Contribution of peat compaction to relative sea-level rise within Holocene deltas. Geophysical Research Letters.
-
The contribution of peat compaction to total basin subsidence: implications for the provision of accommodation space in organic-rich deltas
Van Asselen, S. (2011). The contribution of peat compaction to total basin subsidence: implications for the provision of accommodation space in organic-rich deltas. Basin Research.
-
Factors controlling subsidence due to peat compaction in alluvial settings: a case study in the Cumberland Marshes, Canada
Van Asselen, S., Stouthamer, E. and Smith, N.D. (2009). Factors controlling subsidence due to peat compaction in alluvial settings: a case study in the Cumberland Marshes, Canada. Journal of Sedimentary Research 80, 155-166.
-
A new method to determine the bulk density of uncompacted peat from field settings
Van Asselen, S. and Roosendaal, C. (2009). A new method to determine the bulk density of uncompacted peat from field settings. Journal of Sedimentary Research 79, 918-922
-
Effects of peat compaction on delta evolution: a review on processes, responses, measuring and modelling
Van Asselen, S., Stouthamer, E., Asch, van, Th.W.J. (2009). Effects of peat compaction on delta evolution: a review on processes, responses, measuring and modelling. Earth Science Reviews 92, 35-51.
-
Expert-driven semi-automated geomorphological mapping for a mountainous area using a laser DTM
Van Asselen, S. and Seijmonsbergen, A.C. (2006). Expert-driven semi-automated geomorphological mapping for a mountainous area using a laser DTM. Geomorphology 78, 309-320.
-
Soil conservation and protection in Europe: the way ahead
Imeson A.C., Arnoldussen A., La Rosa D., Montanarella L., Dorren L.K.A., Curfs M., Arnolds O., van Asselen S. (2006). SCAPE, Soil conservation and protection in Europe: the way ahead, JRC32727 139 pp