About the Soil Chemistry Group

Both our research and education focus on advancing our understanding of soil chemical processes at the very small scale, to enable a better understanding of soil functioning at larger scales. Examples of such soil functions are provision of food, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, water purification and soil contaminant mitigation.

To improve our understanding of soil chemical processes we use a range of different research methods, encompassing lab/greenhouse/field experiments, chemical soil and plant analyses, state-of-the-art analytical techniques and geochemical modelling. 

We strongly believe that the best research is done in collaboration. For this reason, we closely work together with leading national and international research institutes. Within Wageningen University & Research (WUR) we are part of the Soil Science Cluster, in which the four soil-oriented chair groups (next to SOC, also SGL, SBL and SLM) collaborate to enlarge our impact and visibility in the domain of soil science.  

The Soil Chemistry group itself also consists of various parts that work closely together. Next to the scientific staff, the chair group includes colleagues working at the Soil Chemistry Laboratory (CBLB) and at WEPAL. The CBLB is a leading laboratory for high-quality chemical analyses with a focus on soil, crop and water samples. WEPAL is a world-leading organizer of proficiency testing programs for soil, plants and organic waste that are essential for laboratories all over the world to monitor their analytical performance.  

By developing, modelling and implementing soil chemical knowledge, we contribute to the sustainable use of our soils. 

- History of the Soil Chemistry Group

  • January 1, 2024
    Soil Chemistry
    The name of our group was officially shortened to Soil Chemistry.
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  • January 1, 2019
    Soil Science Cluster is formed
    Together with the three other soil-oriented groups of Wageningen University (Soil Biology, Soil Physics and Land Management and Soil Geography and Landscape), our group is collaborating in the new Soil Science Cluster to enlarge our impact and visibility in the domain of soil science. view_News
  • January 1, 2018
    Move from Atlas to Lumen
    In the summer of 2018, our group moved from the Atlas building to the Lumen building just across the road, to join the other Environmental Sciences groups.
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  • January 1, 2015
    International Year of Soils
    The United Nations declared the year 2015 as the International Year of Soils. Their aim was to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of soils for humans, by providing food security and essential ecosystem functions.
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  • January 1, 2012
    Prof. dr. RNJ (Rob) Comans
    Prof. dr. RNJ (Rob) Comans succeeded Prof. dr. WH (Willem) van Riemsdijk as the new chair of the group.
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  • January 1, 2006
    Move from the Dreijen to Atlas
    Gradually all activities of Wageningen University are moved from its old location on the Dreijen to the new campus at the north-eastern site of Wageningen. Our group is moved to the new Atlas building.
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  • January 1, 1998
    Department of Soil Quality
    The new name of the chair group led by Prof. dr. WH (Willem) van Riemsdijk becomes the chair group of Soil Chemistry and Chemical Soil Quality, into which now also the chair group of ‘Bodemhygiene en -verontreining’ is merged. Together with the chair group of Soil Biology and Biological Soil Quality this new group forms the Department of Soil Quality. view_News
  • January 1, 1991
    Prof. dr. WH (Willem) van Riemsdijk
    Prof. dr. WH (Willem) van Riemsdijk becomes the new chair of ‘Bodemkunde en Plantenvoeding’ and ‘Bodemscheikunde’, to which shortly after also the group of ‘Grond- en Gewasanalyse’ is added. view_News
  • January 1, 1991
    Prof. dr. ir. A (Anton) van Diest retires
    Prof. dr. ir. A (Anton) van Diest retires as chair of ‘Bodemkunde en Plantenvoeding’, which is now again combined with the chair group of ‘Bodemscheikunde’.
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  • January 1, 1987
    Prof. dr. ir. GH (Jerry) Bolt retires
    Prof. dr. ir. GH (Jerry) Bolt retires as chair of the chair group ‘Algemene Bodemkunde’. In the subsequent years this group is restructured into two chair groups: ‘Bodemscheikunde’ (Soil Chemistry) and ‘Bodemnatuurkunde’ (Soil Physics), of which the latter moves away from the Dreijen to the Nieuwlanden on the western side of Wageningen.
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  • January 1, 1982
    ‘Bodemkunde en Plantenvoeding’ (Soil Science and Plant Nutrition)
    The name of the chair group ‘Bodemkunde en Bemestingsleer’ is changed to ‘Bodemkunde en Plantenvoeding’ (Soil Science and Plant Nutrition). view_News
  • January 1, 1974
    Prof. dr. AC (Adriaan) Schuffelen retires
    Prof. dr. AC (Adriaan) Schuffelen retires as chair of the ‘Bodemkunde en Bemestingsleer’ group. In the subsequent years the group is divided into several other subgroups: ‘Bodemvruchtbaarheid en Bemestingsleer’ (Soil Fertility and Fertilization Studies) led by Prof. dr. ir. A (Anton) van Diest ‘Bodemvruchtbaarheid en Plantenvoeding’ (Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition) led by Prof. dr. GR (Günter) Findenegg ‘Bodemhygiëne en -verontreiniging’ (Soil Hygiene and Pollution) led by Prof. FAM (Frans) de Haan ‘Algemene Bodemkunde’ (General Soil Science) led by Prof. dr. ir. GH (Jerry) Bolt ‘Grond- en Gewasanalyse’ (Soil and Plant Analysis; this group is the predecessor of WEPAL) view_News
  • January 1, 1970
    ‘Bodemkunde en Bemestingsleer’ (Soil Science and Fertilization Studies)
    The name of the Laboratory of ‘Landbouwscheikunde’ is changed to ‘Bodemkunde en Bemestingsleer’ (Soil Science and Fertilization Studies). view_News
  • January 1, 1957
    Move to the Dreijen
    The new building on the Dreijen was finished in 1957, which not only included office and laboratory space, but also a large greenhouse complex.
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  • January 1, 1949
    Prof. dr. AC (Adriaan) Schuffelen
    Prof. dr. AC (Adriaan) Schuffelen succeeded Prof. ir. J (Joost) Hudig as chair of the Laboratory of ‘Landbouwscheikunde’. In the subsequent years, there is regular contact between him and various agricultural research institutions in the Netherlands. During a large part of his period as chair, the Laboratory of ‘Landbouwscheikunde’ consists of two groups: ‘Bodemvruchtbaarheid en Bemestingsleer’ (Soil Fertility and Fertilization Studies) led by Prof. dr. AC (Adriaan) Schuffelen himself and Prof. dr. ir. A (Anton) van Diest ‘Bodemscheikunde en Bodemnatuurkunde’ (Soil Chemistry and Soil Physics) led by Prof. dr. ir. GH (Jerry) Bolt.
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  • January 1, 1945
    Laboratory of ‘Landbouwscheikunde’ (Agricultural Chemistry) heavily damaged
    During the last years of the Second World War the building of the Laboratory of ‘Landbouwscheikunde’, which was situated at the Diedenweg, was heavily damaged. After the war, the people who worked here moved to an emergency laboratory in the city centre. view_News
  • January 1, 1928
    Prof. ir. J (Joost) Hudig
    Prof. ir. J (Joost) Hudig becomes the chair of the Laboratory of ‘Landbouwscheikunde’ (Agricultural Chemistry). He was largely responsible for introducing the concept of chemistry in agriculture. view_News
  • January 1, 1808
    Winand Staring
    Winand Staring was the founder of soil science and geology in the Netherlands, and the driving force behind the establishment of the ‘Rijkslandbouwschool’ in Wageningen, which was the predecessor of Wageningen University.
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