Research

Credit: G. Sigmund

EDGE takes an interdisciplinary approach to investigate aquatic and terrestrial processes that control the environment. Chemical, physical, biological, and geoscientific concepts and methods are applied in all research practices: starting from field observations and experimental work to arrive at a molecular scale mechanistic understanding and quantitative modelling. We are well equipped to seize opportunities presented by developments in areas such as nanogeosciences, molecular biology, isotope geochemistry, environmental chemical analytics, chemical speciation and modern hydrogeology.

Our overall goal is to understand the complexity of the environmental systems and to apply fundamental insight to solve the most pressing environmental problems of today and tomorrow.

Specific research topics

Mobilization of chromium by organic matter in reduced systems (CHROMA)

Long-term pollution mitigation requires a better understanding of the biogeochemical processes that regulate the behavior and fate of trace metals, such as chromium (Cr), in subsurface environments. The emerging role of organic ligands, including siderophores and organic acids, in [...]
Role of Organic Ligands on the Stability of Tetravalent Uranium under Anoxic Conditions

Anthropogenic activities associated with mining, ore processing, and nuclear materials production have left a legacy of uranium (U) contamination in aqueous systems, soils, and sediments. As toxic metals cannot be degraded, remediation efforts have focused on stabilization so as to [...]
Plastics in the Environment and Society (PLENTY)

The versatile applicability of plastics in our daily life lead to an increasing demand and production of plastics in the past decades and plastics pollution consequently became a topic of increasing concern. Due to their versatility and durability, plastics are [...]
Nanomaterial Fate and Speciation in the Environment (NanoFASE)

Prediction of engineering nanomaterials (ENMs) fate in the environment is of paramount importance to allow assessment of potential environmental and human exposure as well as evaluate risks associated with it. In this context, the NanoFASE project focus on assessing release [...]
Numerical optimization of bank filtration site management

The project investigates numerical approaches to bring forth best-management strategies crucial for drinking water production from bank filtration. Depicting the ties between spatially heterogeneous hydrological processes, particularly at the river-aquifer interface, and flow and transport in a heterogeneous aquifer constitute [...]
Reaction mechanisms of CHCs and Cr(VI) with nZVI particles (ModelFace)

In the last decade, nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) attracted extensive attention for contaminant removal due to its large specific surface area, superior reactivity, easy and flexible in situ applicability and formation of environmentally benign transformation products. nZVI has been shown [...]
Towards an efficient read-across and grouping of nanomaterials (GRACIOUS)

The GRACIOUS project develops a highly innovative science-based framework that supports the assessment of risk posed by the ever increasing array of nanomaterials on the market and under development. The framework will streamline the process for assessing their risk by [...]
ELUCIDATING NATURAL COLLOIDAL PROCESSES BY SINGLE-PARTICLE MULTI‐ELEMENT FINGERPRINTING WITH ULTRA‐HIGH FREQUENCY SPECTROMETRY

The project targets environmental archives to investigate nanoparticles pertaining to events such as volcanic eruptions and anthropogenic pollution. We use multi-element and isotopically resolved single-particle analysis based on inductively-coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry to identify the sources of the nanoparticles. [...]
Sorption of natural organic matter to carbon nanotubes: fractionation, dispersion and sorption behaviour

Based on the knowledge acquired from several successful projects carried out over recent years, model sorbents and sorbates (e.g., carbon nanotubes, humic acids and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) will be studied to better understand the processes of fractionation, dispersion and sorption. [...]
DEVELOPMENT OF BIOCHAR BASED SOIL REMEDIATION STRATEGIES (KOKOSAN II)

The remediation and restoration of polluted sites is a crucial challenge for reducing risk to humans and environmental health, as well as for the safety of groundwater resources. Conventional remediation strategies can have substantial environmental footprints and are often too [...]
Implementation of Risk Governance: meeting the needs of nanotechnology (Gov4Nano)

The Gov4Nano project will develop the first implementation of a future-proof operational Nano Risk Governance Model (NRGM) that addresses the need of the transdisciplinary field and innovative (and key enabling) character of nanotechnology.
We at EDGE are involved in [...]
Using mercury isotopes for process tracing in contaminated soils and groundwater

Mercury (Hg) is a naturally-occurring toxic heavy metal of great environmental concern. It has been listed by the WHO as one of the top ten chemicals of major public health concern and identified as a priority hazardous substance [...]
Interplay of chelating and reducing root exudates in plant iron acquisition

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrients for plants that often limits their growth and reproduction. Despite its high abundance, biologically available Fe is restricted by the low solubility and the slow dissolution kinetics of Fe-oxides, in particular at alkaline pH [...]
GEOCHEMICAL CONSTRAINTS ON COPPER ACQUISITION BY METHANOTROPHIC BACTERIA

Aerobic methanotrophic bacteria oxidize the potent greenhouse gas methane (CH₄) most efficiently via the copper (Cu)-bearing enzyme particulate methane-monooxygenase (pMMO). Aerobic CH₄ oxidation therefore critically depends on the ability of methanotrophs to acquire Cu. “Cu availability” can be biologically limited [...]
Copper Acquisition (CORA)

All organisms on Earth require certain types of trace metal co-factors like Fe, Mn and Cu for key enzymes in their metabolisms. Aerobic ammonia oxidation is one of the most important biological metabolic pathways of the nitrogen cycle on Earth [...]

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Research

Specific research topics

Mobilization of chromium by organic matter in reduced systems (CHROMA)

Role of Organic Ligands on the Stability of Tetravalent Uranium under Anoxic Conditions

Plastics in the Environment and Society (PLENTY)

Nanomaterial Fate and Speciation in the Environment (NanoFASE)

Numerical optimization of bank filtration site management

Reaction mechanisms of CHCs and Cr(VI) with nZVI particles (ModelFace)

Towards an efficient read-across and grouping of nanomaterials (GRACIOUS)

ELUCIDATING NATURAL COLLOIDAL PROCESSES BY SINGLE-PARTICLE MULTI‐ELEMENT FINGERPRINTING WITH ULTRA‐HIGH FREQUENCY SPECTROMETRY

Sorption of natural organic matter to carbon nanotubes: fractionation, dispersion and sorption behaviour

DEVELOPMENT OF BIOCHAR BASED SOIL REMEDIATION STRATEGIES (KOKOSAN II)

Implementation of Risk Governance: meeting the needs of nanotechnology (Gov4Nano)

Using mercury isotopes for process tracing in contaminated soils and groundwater

Interplay of chelating and reducing root exudates in plant iron acquisition

GEOCHEMICAL CONSTRAINTS ON COPPER ACQUISITION BY METHANOTROPHIC BACTERIA

Copper Acquisition (CORA)

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EDGE on ORF2

Welcome new group member: Ronja Kok

New publication in Environmental Pollution: Benchmarking biochar with activated carbon for immobilizing leachable PAH and heterocyclic PAH in contaminated soils

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