Soil Science and Geoecology

The working group combines ecological, biogeochemical and environmental physical process understanding to research environmental systems. Particular attention is paid to human-environment interactions, because anthropogenic activities determine the functionality of ecosystems, which in turn largely determines human health. Therefore, our research activities are strongly interdisciplinary and oriented at the interfaces of the compartments pedosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. Specialized fields of work deal with soil formation and site ecology, soil and sediment mineralogy and chemistry, aerosol mineralogy and chemistry, aquatic biogeochemistry or hydrochemistry. Integrating cross-cutting issues are the determination of ecosystem services, urban and habitat ecology, landscape development and aspects of preventive soil protection.

Our research approach uses field and laboratory methods, such as mobile and stationary air quality measuring stations or water quality sensor systems, but also the possibilities of mass spectrometry and X-ray analysis. We have a soil and water chemistry laboratory and a soil physics laboratory. The evaluation of the results is process-oriented and models are applied and developed to specify and simulate complex interactions in environmental systems. The new knowledge is used to develop measures that ensure a healthy and sustainable environment. A target group-specific communication of the topics in public supports this process.

The Chair of Soil Science and Geoecology is closely working together with the Working Group of Environmental Mineralogy and Environmental System Analysis at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.