Soil Biogeochemistry

Research Objectives

Research undertaken by the Soil Biogeochemistry Team focuses on the feedbacks between rice agro-ecosystem management options (e.g. floodwater, crop residue and fertilizer management), global change, and biogeochemical cycling. More specifically, our research aims at providing integrated, systems-based, fundamental knowledge on soil functioning, element cycling and organic matter dynamics in rice agro-ecosystems.

Team

Luisella Celi

Daniel Said Pullicino

Maria Martin

Michela Schiavon

Roberta Gorra

Doctoral students

Sara Martinengo

Lucia Crosetto

Alexine Ehlinger

Research Assistants

Marta Iannicelli

Cristina Lerda

Marco Prati

Research Topics

Elucidating the biophysical and chemical processes associated with soil organic matter degradation, partitioning and stabilization, and how different management practices influence organic matter dynamics in rice paddies.
Understanding the influence of management practices on soil processes and plant-soil-microbe interactions responsible for the production and emission of methane and nitrous oxide.
Providing insight into the scientific link between agricultural practices and the biogeochemical cycling of N, in particular the mechanisms controlling N availability, fertilizer-N use efficiency, N supply from incorporated crop residues, indigenous N supply, as well as N losses.
Developing and applying biomarker and stable isotope (13C and 15N) methodologies in combination with organic matter fractionation techniques in the investigation of element cycling for a diverse range of settings within paddy ecosystems.
Enhancing our knowledge on redox driven, nutrient cycling in paddy ecosystems, in particular N, P and K availability, mobility and transfer from soils to adjacent water bodies as a function of paddy field management and soil characteristics.
Understanding the key factors that regulate trace element cycling (micronutrients and contaminants in particular As and Cd) in managed rice fields, so as to identify the most suitable practices to optimize the availability of micronutrients, avoiding, at the same time, the occurrence of toxicity.