Department of Soil Science
We work on soil-chemical questions on the dynamics of nutrients (e.g. C, N, P, Mo) and contaminants (e.g. heavy metals, PCB, PAH, pesticides, residues of pharmaceuticals) in near-natural and anthropogenically modified sites. We focus on the examination of mechanisms of bonds and mobilization. Preparative methods of extracting and conditioning environmental chemicals out of the soil matrix are well established. New techniques for the collection of soil solution have been developed and in part patent-registered. Different laboratory equipment is available for the analysis of the substances: ICP-MS (metal isotopes), GC-MS (PCB, PAH), LC-MS (pharmaceuticals), capillary electrophoresis, AAS, photometer, etc.. Binding mechanisms are identified using micro-calorimetry. A zeta-, particle sizer and the BET-device in the colloid-laboratory of the section examine the mobility of colloid-bound substances (P, Pb, PAH, etc.).
Parent institution:
Berlin Institute of Technology (TUB) Details of TUB
Address
Department of Soil Science
Salzufer 11-12
10587 Berlin
Berlin
Phone: +49-30-31473531
Fax: +49-30-31473548
Activities:
- Research
Coordinated projects
- Dissolved carbon as a component of net biome productivity of major land use systems Details of Dissolved carbon as a component of net biome productivity of major land use systems
- From the colloid to aggregate: particle interaction as the key to controlling the aggregate stability and related soil functions Details of From the colloid to aggregate: particle interaction as the key to controlling the aggregate stability and related soil functions
- Organic carbon in mineral soils of the floodplain: pattern and response to changes in water levels Details of Organic carbon in mineral soils of the floodplain: pattern and response to changes in water levels
- SFB 564: B2.1 - Lateral water flow and transport of agrochemicals Details of SFB 564: B2.1 - Lateral water flow and transport of agrochemicals
- SPP 1315: Relating structure of organic chemicals to their sorption at biogeochemical interfaces by combining macroscopic, spectroscopic and calorimetric methods with molecular modelling Details of SPP 1315: Relating structure of organic chemicals to their sorption at biogeochemical interfaces by combining macroscopic, spectroscopic and calorimetric methods with molecular modelling
Involved in research projects:
- Joint research project “Organic soils” – Acquisition and development of methods, activity data and emission factors for the climate reporting under LULUCF/AFOLU Details of Joint research project “Organic soils” – Acquisition and development of methods, activity data and emission factors for the climate reporting under LULUCF/AFOLU
- SFB 564: B2.2 - Lateral water flow and transport of agrochemicals in an orchard on a hillside in northern Thailand Details of SFB 564: B2.2 - Lateral water flow and transport of agrochemicals in an orchard on a hillside in northern Thailand
- SPP 1315: Modification of pore surface physicochemistry in unsaturated media by formation of biogeochemical interfaces - Contact angle analysis and relevance for sorption and transport of solutes and colloids Details of SPP 1315: Modification of pore surface physicochemistry in unsaturated media by formation of biogeochemical interfaces - Contact angle analysis and relevance for sorption and transport of solutes and colloids
Coordinated collaborative projects:
- PAK 252: soil functions in floodplains Details of PAK 252: soil functions in floodplains