These laboratories contain the facilities for treatment and measurement of gaseous, liquid and solid samples from field activities and laboratory experiments that focus on processes in soils, sediments and water. The laboratories include state-of-the-art facilities to study the partitioning, transport and transformation of substances in the environment as well as facilities to develop new methodologies for research.
Examples of research conducted in the laboratory include: i) the study of the molecular dynamics of organic matter transformations in soils to elucidate the role of soils in the global carbon cycle, ii) the presence and functioning of signalling chemicals in soils to study the interactions between above and belowground biodiversity, iii) the fate of anthropogenic substances in soil, sediment and water such as flame retardants, antibiotics, surfactants and polyfluorinated compounds, iv) biogeochemical cycling of elements (C, N, P) in soils and waters. The labs provide services to all three IBED themes and to colleagues from other Institutes from within and outside the UvA.