Principal investigator: Stephanie Grand
Pedology refers to the study of soils as natural bodies. Soils form at the intersection of the lithosphere and the biosphere; they contain both mineral and organic components, which interact closely to give rise to soil’s unique properties.
The overarching objective of our research is to unravel how the mineralogical and geochemical composition of the geological substrate influences pedogenesis (soil formation and evolution), soil function and its ability to provide key ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, nutrient provisioning or pollution attenuation.
We tackle these questions with field studies in diverse environments including tropical, temperate, boreal and alpine ecosystems. We use laboratory assays to supplement field research and gain mechanistic insight into organo-mineral interactions.
Due to the complexity of soils, our approach is necessarily integrative and collaborative. Most of our projects involve collaborations with sedimentologists, environmental and isotopic chemists, botanists, ecologists, geomorphologists and geologists, among others.
