Biogeochemistry combines the studies of the physical, chemical, biological and human aspects of natural systems. Our focus on catchments means that we adopt a holistic approach to investigate how the complex interactions between these factors impact on soil and water quality. The goal of this work is to provide a fundamental scientific platform on which effective management decisions can be based to guide the future of catchment water quality in Scotland.

Our expertise covers a range of environments and hence issues, from agricultural nutrients and eutrophication in the lowlands to organic carbon cycling and co-transport of contaminants in the uplands. Our investigations are grounded in long-term data collection and targeted experimentation at key sites which have allowed the development of strong process-based and predictive modelling capacities. We also understand the need to integrate our process-knowledge into larger scales pertinent to today’s river catchment management planning and to maintain interdisciplinarity with other soil science, ecology and socio-economic specialists.   

Find out more about our work on:

• Dissolved organic matter dynamics
• Phosphorus losses from soils to waters
• Freshwater sediment biogeochemistry
• Biogeochemical modelling
• Bacteria-colloid interactions