Short project description

The new soil organic matter paradigm offers an opportunity to advance our knowledge of the chemical constitutes of our soils and how soil chemistry interacts with plants and microorganisms to produce sustainable agroecosystems. The underlying key to soil functionality is the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in organic matter bound to the soil mineral particles, where knowledge of the basic constitutes of this organic matter can tell us about soil quality and how this may be improved. The master project aims at investigating the chemical characteristics of soil focusing on the organic matter compounds constituting the backbone for soil abiotic functionality. This will be done either through a literature study or by conducting lab analysis and experimentation of soil organic matter chemistry involving the use of basic and advanced analytical tools.