Physical and chemical laboratory
The physical and chemical laboratories of IBED provide and contain the facilities for treatment and measurement of gaseous, liquid and solid samples from field activities and laboratory experiments mainly focused on processes in soils, sediments and water.
The physical and chemical 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.
Sample preparation facilities include a variety of extraction methods including microwave, solid-phase (SPE) and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), as well as a range of selective extraction methods for metals and organic substances
Examples of research conducted in the laboratory include:
- the study of the molecular dynamics of organic matter transformations in soils to elucidate the role of soils in the global carbon cycle,
- the presence and functioning of signalling chemicals in soils to study the interactions between above and belowground biodiversity,
- the fate of anthropogenic substances in soil, sediment and water such as flame retardants, antibiotics, surfactants and polyfluorinated compounds,
- biogeochemical cycling of elements (C, N, P) in soils and waters.
The labs provide services to all IBED themes and to colleagues from other institutes and organizations within and outside the UvA