The Soil Chemistry and Nature team conducts research on soil chemical processes with a special focus on heavy metals, acids and nutrients. The team applies their specialist knowledge to understanding terrestrial and semi-terrestrial natural environments, managing polluted soils, protecting water quality and food quality, and establishing standards. Research is aimed at identifying and evaluating problems related to environmental quality, and finding ways to diminish and eventually solve these problems. The team strives to integrate experimental process research, field data, modelling results (Decision Support Systems) and assessment studies.
Core activities currently include:
- Research into the environmental effects of soil pollution, eutrophication, acidification and drying out / waterlogging on the soil quality and the water quality and the functioning of dependent ecosystems.
- Process research into indicators of these environmental effects, both chemical indicators as well as field indicators. Special attention is given to humus type as a link between soil quality and biodiversity on an ecosystem level.
- Scaling up research results from process and field levels to regional, national and European levels.
- Research into the feasibility of counteracting the environmental effects of soil pollution in actual situations.
- Setting up monitoring nets and monitoring strategies, not only to establish the degree and geographical extent of the pollution, but also to assess the risk to human health and the environment.
The Soil Chemistry and Nature team members include:
Research
Popko Bolhuis
Luc Bonten
Bas van Delft
Bert-Jan Groenenberg
Kees Hendriks
Jan Japenga
Rolf Kemmers
Gerwin Koopmans
Hans Kros
Janet Mol-Dijkstra
Gert-Jan Reinds
René Rietra
Paul Römkens
Jan Cees Voogd
Wim de Vries
Rick Wieggers
Marieke Wolters
Management support
Mieke Tusveld