Research

Research in the Environmental Chemistry Group is focused on environmental chemical processes in aquatic systems. We study photochemical, microbial and redox transformations of organic chemicals that are relevant to contaminant degradation and element cycling. The research is undertaken by four sub-groups. Please visit the sub-group webpages for more information.

Major Research Areas

Environmental (Bio)Macromolecular Chemistry

Assessing key processes that govern the environmental fate of (bio)macromolecules. The molecules of interest include plant-incorporated protectants from genetically modified crops (insecticidal Cry proteins and dsRNA molecules), enzymes, viruses, and synthetic organic polymers.

Redox Biogeochemistry

Assessing the redox properties and dynamics of geochemical phases and complex environmental samples. The phases of interest are organic and mineral and include dissolved and particulate organic matter, iron-bearing clay minerals, and iron (oxyhydr-)oxides. We combine laboratory with field work (e.g., in northern peatlands). A core expertise of the research group is analytical electrochemistry.

Subsurface Biogeochemistry - Processes

Assessing processes that govern green-house gas turnover in terrestrial and aquatic systems, with a focus on microbial methane oxidation in diverse habitats, including aquifers, landfill-cover soils, peat bogs, and glacier forefields. The work includes both laboratory and field studies.

Subsurface Biogeochemistry - Tools for field-scale process analyses

Developing novel tools to study biogeochemical processes in situ at the field scale.
These tools include push-pull tests and samplers that allow studying processes at high temporal and spatial resolution. The studied processes include methane turnover and oxygen consumption in soils and sediments.

Environmental Chemistry of Organic Contaminants

Developing of mechanism-based models to predict the environmental chemistry of organic contaminants, including persistent organic pollutants, pharmaceuticals, flame retardants, antimicrobials, and fungicides. Themes in this area include photochemistry, redox processes, and development and use of global fate models.

Photochemistry of Natural Organic Matter

Assessing the production and consumption of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from the photochemical and non-photochemical reactions of natural organic matter and the role of the formed ROS both in pollutant dynamics and biogeochemical processes in surface waters and atmospheric aerosols.

The group benefits from state-of-the-art facilities located in the CHN building in the heart of Zurich.