Nutrients and pollutants in the soil-plant-system
The decline of fossil resources for fertilizer production requires alternative technologies for nutrient recycling from by-products and waste materials. We contribute to the development of recycled fertilizers using novel technologies such as hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and more effective (e.g. infinite-sink-based) fertiliser and soil tests to assess the nutrient availability of the products. We also work on the calibration of novel soil and fertiliser tests for a more precise assessment of nutrient requirements thus contributing towards a more sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, we investigate the fate and management of metals and metalloids in soils and in the rhizosphere and develop approaches for plant-based remediation (phytoremediation) as well as the potential of using metal-accumulating plants for metal recovery (phytomining).
Contact: Walter Wenzel und Markus Puschenreiter