We investigate soil redox processes—fundamental reactions at the interfaces of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. These processes regulate the fate of nutrients and pollutants and underpin soil ecosystem services such as climate regulation, nutrient cycling, food production, and pollutant attenuation. Because soils are heterogeneous and dynamic, predicting these processes requires a detailed, chemistry-based understanding at molecular and micron scales.
Our group develops and applies advanced analytical tools in the laboratory and field to reveal when, where, and how redox dynamics control biogeochemical fluxes. Three focus areas guide our work:
- Mineral Redox Chemistry – determining how redox-active soil minerals exchange electrons, how their properties evolve under fluctuating conditions, and how these processes influence nutrient cycling and pollutant transformation.
- Soil Organic Matter Dynamics – linking the energy characteristics of organic matter to its persistence or mobilization under different redox regimes, and uncovering how these dynamics drive greenhouse gas emissions.
- Sustainable Soil Management – mapping redox heterogeneity in soils to inform practices that sustain soil fertility and productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollutant risks.
