CEH has a capability and expertise in biogeochemistry research employing techniques at a range of scales from soil processes to the whole catchment, and a mix of approaches from long-term monitoring, to surveys and dynamic modelling. Two key components of this work are increasing our understanding of soil processes which determine the transformation and transport of nutrients and pollutants to streams and identifying trends in stream water quality which often acts as both an integrator and indicator of change in the terrestrial environment from source to sea.

Scientists at CEH's Bangor research site are responsible for long-term records of deposition and streamwater chemistry records at several sites such as Plynlimon in Mid Wales which, when coupled with a range of atmospheric pollution and biogeochemical spatial surveys, provide a unique resource and a framework for much of our process-orientated and effects work. Other work includes involvement in the Acid Waters Monitoring Network and work in one of the six carbon catchments - the Conwy.