EDGE

Division of Environmental Geosciences

Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science

About EDGE

The Division of Environmental Geosciences | EDGE at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science | CeMESS investigates key processes controlling the natural environment and anthropogenic impacts.

Researchers at EDGE combine field observations with experimental work, linking molecular-scale mechanisms at environmental interfaces with complex large-scale environmental processes using quantitative modelling.

At EDGE, we accept the challenges posed by the release of known and emerging pollutants and recognise the need to understand their impacts on soils, ground and surface waters, and human health using process-based and mechanistic research.

More about CeMESS

News

New Christian Doppler Laboratory at CeMESS

26.11.2025 CeMESS

Research for sustainable solutions: Focus on the biodegradation of water-soluble polymers

Welcome New Group Member: Gwen Jezequel

19.11.2025 EDGE

Gwen Jezequel joined EDGE as a PhD student in October 2025. His doctoral research, supervised by Göksu Çelik, Michael Zumstein, and Thilo Hofmann,…

Eight “Highly Cited Researchers” at CeMESS

12.11.2025 CeMESS

CeMESS is proud to announce that eight of its researchers across all its four divisions have been named on the 2025 Clarivate list of the world's most…

Congratulations Dr. Singh

12.11.2025 EDGE

Veer Vikram Singh successfully defended his PhD thesis entitled "Role of mineral surface adsorption in the long-term persistence of DNA in the…

New Publication in Environmental Science and Pollution Research shows that trace Mn(II) in growth media drives abiotic breakdown of higher APPs

04.11.2025 EDGE

Aminopolyphosphonates (APPs) are common complexing agents, but their environmental fate and transformation pathways remain poorly understood. A new…

Welcome New Group Member: Patrick Schacksen

23.10.2025 EDGE

Patrick Skov Schacksen joined EDGE as a postdoctoral researcher in October 2025. His research, supervised by Michael Zumstein and in collaboration…

Events

Physical-biological couplings in environmental fluid dynamics: From soil heterotrophic respiration to microplastics uptake by zooplankton

13.06.2024 EDGE Lecture Series

Markus Holzner

Wildfire Impacts on Soil Carbon Cycling

06.06.2024 EDGE Lecture Series

Prof. Thomas Borch

Pharmaceuticals in the environment in direct and indirect water reuse scenarios

23.05.2024 EDGE Lecture Series

Sara Rodriguez Mozaz

Recent Publications

Formentin G, Nogay V, Hofmann T. Data Space Inversion for efficient and uncertainty-informed contaminant source identification in aquifers. Water Research. 2026 Sept;302:1-14. 126176 . doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2026.126176

Gao C, Mordehay V, Sherman A, Hämmerle LE, Hofmann T, Polubesova T et al. Tire wear particles as a source of organic contaminants in the agro-environment:Release of tire wear-derived compounds and their plant uptake. Environmental Research. 2026 Aug 15;303:1-10. 124681. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.124681

Zhou H, Li Z, Wu Z, Zou L, Sun H, Li H et al. Zinc accumulation as a primary contributor to co-exposure toxicity with 6PPD-quinone in earthworms: Multi-level evidence. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2026 Aug;514:1-13. 142749. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142749

Chen W, Hofmann T. From Particles to Chemicals: Redefining the Impact of Agricultural Plastics on Water Quality. Environmental Science & Technology. 2026 Jun 23;60(24):17058-17062. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.6c05931

Hendriks L , Lomax-Vogt M , Breuninger ES, Braeuer S, Koellensperger G. Nanoparticle Analysis, from Standards to Sunscreens: Teaching Graduate Students Single-Particle ICP-TOFMS through a Hands-On Laboratory Course. Journal of Chemical Education. 2026 Jun 9;103(6):3405-3416. Epub 2026. doi: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.6c00228

All publications

Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science

University of Vienna

More about CeMESS

CeMESS/Maximilian Prag