Environmental Geochemistry

Our research

A considerable part of our research is dedicated to environmental geochemistry, in which we study changes in natural systems related to human activities and, for example, how pollutants spread in the environment. Many of the geochemical processes are influenced or mediated by organisms. We investigate, for instance, the occurrence of various elements and geochemical processes in a variety of settings, including bedrock, soils, marine and coastal sediments, rivers, lakes, and groundwater.

Examples of research topics developed in our group include:

• Geochemical and biogeochemical processes in the deep subsurface, for example at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, south-eastern Sweden.
• Tracing active and ancient methane production and consumption in the upper crystalline crust.
• Geochemical processes in metal contaminated soils, conditions for metal mobilization and assessment of human exposure and health risks.
• Formation of acid sulphate soils and the related leaching and dispersion of metals in water bodies.
• Effects of global warming on the pore water chemistry of marine sediments and gas hydrates reservoirs.
• Methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions with carbon capture and storage.