Soil organic matter dynamics and elemental cycles

The personal and group objectives of the current research in natural and managed systems are to:

• Obtain information on the origin, residence time, cycling and priming of organic matter and elements (N, P, K, Ca, Si, Fe etc.) in the soil-plant system and from there into surface - and groundwater.
• Improve the understanding of the complex carbon and nutrient biogeochemistry processes and interactions that occur at the field and catchment scale.
• Examine using novel and robust high resolution tools and technologies the variable, multiple dimensional impacts of natural and anthropogenic environmental perturbations on biogeochemical cycles.
• Collect field and laboratory based scientific information to provide options to manage natural and managed systems in a sustainable manner within a systems biogeochemistry framework.

A key aspect of the research is how isotope signatures can be used as tracers of carbon and other elements and sediments in the environment (using IRMS, ICP-MS and FT-ICR-MS approaches). The research is focused on site at Wűstebach, Rollesbroich and Selhausen which are part of the Tereno Eifel/Lower Rhine Valley terrestrial observatory in Germany.

Information on publications and current projects (link)

Contact details
Dr. Roland Bol
Tel: +49 2461 61-6635
Email: r.bol@fz-juelich.de