Biogeochemistry Objective BG-3.2

Provide the evidence base for setting environment quality standards, environmental appraisal and remediation methods to enable the sustainable management of ecosystems

Biogeochemistry Objective BG-3.2 contributes to meeting CEH Science Strategy Challenge VI (to identify strategies and control measures to mitigate impacts of environmental change on ecosystems, ecosystem services and human health) through informing environmental management strategies and policies of evidence-based best practice procedures to enable mitigation and adaptation in response to climate change and pollutant threats.

BG-3.2 research aims to:

  • Maintain and develop the ERICA tool for use in radiological environment assessments
  • Produce international guidance on estimating the exposure of wildlife to radioactivity with associated parameter databases 
  • Analyse potential, sustainability and environmental impacts of energy crops across the UK
  • Develop mechanistic models to predict exposure, uptake and toxicity of selected metals, industrial organic chemicals, pesticides and pharmaceuticals at impacted freshwater and terrestrial sites
  • Apply molecular and ecological (trait-based) methods to investigate species adaptation and community responses to pollutant in terrestrial and freshwater systems

Areas of research

BG-3.2 undertakes research which is supported by a wide range of stakeholders which include the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the European Union.

Collaborative research projects

Examples include:

  • UKREATE – UK research on the eutrophication and acidification of terrestrial ecosystems
  • ERICA (Environmental Risk from Ionising Contaminants: Assessment and Management ) and PROTECT (Protection of the environment from ionising radiation in a regulatory context)
  • NOMIRACLE – an integrated European research project to develop novel methods and tools to better evaluate chemical risks