Research of Soil Chemistry
The Soil Chemistry Group aims to develop a mechanistic understanding of soil chemical processes on the nano- and molecular scale to better understand soil functions at the field scale. Such soil functions are biomass production, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration and water regulation and purification. We improve our understanding of soil chemical processes by using both cutting-edge analytical techniques and geochemical modelling.
Our group has a strong focus on the soil solution phase and wet chemical analysis, but the soil solid phase increasingly receives our attention and facilities for measurements on this phase are available. Besides developing fundamental knowledge on soil chemical processes, we focus on how the underlying processes and soil functions are influenced by circularity such as the increasing use of residual/waste materials in soils.
By developing, implementing and applying soil chemical knowledge, our research contributes to the sustainable use of our soils and thereby also to attaining the sustainable development goals.
Schematic representation of the various scale levels studied by the Soil Chemistry group
Research themes
Soil fertility
We study how the chemical processes in our soils influence the availability of plant nutrients.
Environmental geochemistry
We study the fate and behaviour of contaminants and nutrients in soils and sediments.
Soil carbon
We study the behaviour and the many roles of carbon in the soil system.
CBLB
To support high-quality analytical work, a modern Soil Chemistry Laboratory (CBLB) is part of the Soil Chemistry Group.
Do you have a question?
Do you have a question about the research of Soil Chemistry? Contact us:
prof.dr. RNJ (Rob) Comans
Professor/Chair