Soil Biology

Soil Biology

Soil is a living system. To study the biology of the soil system, its function, processes, composition and diversity requires a sound understanding of the physicochemical attributes that underpin the processes.

That is what we do in this group: we study soils from different perspectives and from different countries but we underpin our research with sound chemical and physical measurements. It is more relevant than ever to study soils as 2015 is "The International Year of the Soil".

Training (for current group members)
Research Posters
People

The current research group has several strands. Mostly the focus is on process level soil microbiology as a response to perturbations- mainly pollution. Biosensors are widely used to quantify and better understand these impacts and to relate to the aspects of bioavailability. To an extent these enable sustainable solutions to be developed and bespoke risk assessment to be measured.

If you are interesting in joining the group then have a think about the work that the current group and recently completed members have contributed.


Dr. Lenka (Maderova) Mbadugha complements the research team with her expertise in pollution monitoring and biosensor development. 

Barry Nourice is looking at the fragile status of soils in the Seychelles.  Victor Igwe has completed his thesis making use of microbial processes for the production of bioethanols. This made use both of empirical and modelling approaches. Mary Allagoa is using fugacity and QRA strategies to relate hydrocarbon fate and impact in the environment. Emmanuel Awulu is developing and comparing a range of mutagenic assays (microbial and human cell type) to devise rapid screening tests for ecotoxicology applications. 

Rosie Boyko is studying the link between soil pH management and sward quality with reference to Scotland and food security. Juani Hallat Sánchez is assessing the impact of amending soils with anaerobic digestate and other soil ameliorants. 

Sapar Dossanov is looking at integrated approaches of risk and hazard assessment in current and historic metal mines. Amira Alzadjali is developing new elemental specific biosensors to update the current suite used by the group in environmental diagnostics. Mohammed Alotaibi is researching the role of buffering agents and the physical shape and size of nano-particles in terms of ecotoxicology.

Abubakar Yuguda is devising methods to apply mycorrhizal enhanced maize plants in the remediation of soils impacted with effluents from the tannery industry. He spends his time both in Aberdeen and in Nigeria. 

Aftab Majeed is considering the challenges of quantifying urban ecology with respect to planning challenges from a quantitative basis. 

In recent years we have had many completions. 

Dr. Ogo Iroakasi finished her thesis on the production and application of microbial biosurfactants. This was applicable both to enhanced oil recovery and bioremediation.

While Ogo was characterising and optimising the performance and potential value, Chisom Agunwoke developed their role in soil and sediment remediation. 

Lynne Copland compared the performance of these biosurfactants with synthetic materials. #

Mouza Al Mansouri studied sustainable water storage in Abu Dhabi where she works as the Director in Spatial Data Analysis at the Environment Agency. 

Dr. Alex Laurie completed her thesis developing a suite of ecotoxicity (microbial) assays that can effectively integrate with nano-particles (NP). The particular interest relates to silver and copper based materials.

Dr. Saad Dehlawi completed his research using chemical additives to enhance mobility and complexation of pollutants as a strategic technique for land and water remediation. His main strand was on the novel use of calcium polysulphides.

Dr. Chidinma Anunike used CaSx with a specific focus on the consideration of hexavalent chromium transformation. 

Rajendra Uprety completed work that focussed on fundamental aspects of soil sustainability and soil husbandry. Underpinning this work is the factors that change cation exchange capacity a measurement that we all take for granted yet it is as essential to characterise today as it has always been.

Anastasia Fountouli studied the relationship between soil pH and the potential impacts on soil physical parameters and whether this may be mediated by microbial or physicochemical drivers.

These researchers highlight the importance of looking at fundamental soil processes in the context of enhanced food security and production. 

Dr. Wei Ma completed her thesis with the successful development of a system for solid phase application of biosensors by comparing detailed analytical chemistry with biological responses. 

Dr. Sarah Sinebe developed and applied the decision support tools for remediation that have microbial biosensors as a key component in decision making.

Dr. Hedda Weitz, who developed a range of bacterial biosensors and the only effective fungal biolouminescence-based assay, oversees the smooth running of the microbial laboratory very effectively.

Jaime Buckingham oversees the challenges of soils, environmental samples and chemical analysis within the group.

Want to Join Us?

We are a dynamic team and are seeking  new members interested in our science both at the postgraduate and postdoctoral level. Have a look at the Graduate School website or contact us yourself and we can help you. We also engage many MSc projects throughout the summer.

Read more information and advice to new undergraduate and postgraduate students, specific information for International, mature and direct entrant students and details of induction activities (both academic and social).

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