All chemical elements on Earth are cycled to various extents through biogeochemical cycles. All of these cycles include water (in liquid, solid or gaseous form), biomass and soil or sediments and many include an atmospheric component. The biological transformation of these elements is linked to the ecology of both microscopic and macroscopic life.
A detailed understanding of these biogeochemical cycles and their link to ecology is critical to tackling environmental change and the impact of anthropogenic activities on the planet and to harnessing these processes for engineering applications such as waste treatment and remediation.
IIE focuses on several aspects of biogeochemical cycling and ecology:
- Biogeochemical cycling in soils, inland waters and the ocean
- Trace element cycling in terrestrial environments
- Biogeochemical transformations for waste treatment and nutrient recovery
- Ecological impact of climate change and toxicants
- Modeling of biogeochemical transformations
