Soil biogeochemistry laboratory

The Laboratory of Soil Biogeochemistry (SOIL) at EPFL focuses on elucidating the fundamental biogeochemical mechanisms driving the cycling of essential elements, particularly carbon, in soil systems under a changing climate. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, the team studies interactions between living and non-living components of soils using experimental techniques from environmental chemistry, pedology, geology, and microbiology. By combining field studies, laboratory experiments, and modeling efforts, SOIL aims to gain a mechanistic understanding of soil processes, with a specific interest in electron transfer reactions and energy transformations. The research outcomes contribute to improving predictions of element cycling and informing sustainable soil management practices.