Coordination and administration of the priority programme SPP 1315 Biogeochemical Interfaces in Soil

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Kai Uwe Totsche
• Subject Area: Soil Sciences
• Term: from 2007 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 40936159

The research within the priority programme SPP 1315 “Biogeochemical Interfaces in Soil” aims at the systematic structural characterisation and functional exploration of biogeochemical interfaces in soil and at unravelling their role for the fate and effect of organic chemicals. The overall final goal is to gain a mechanistic understanding of the complex interplay and interdependencies of the physical, chemical, and biological processes operative at biogeo-chemical interfaces. Intensive interdisciplinary cooperation between the 22 research projects and vivid exchange of conceptual theories and techniques is fundamental to develop the priority programmme into a successful and far visible joint research effort with lasting impact. Central coordination activities will include the coordination and targeted guiding of a network of thematic groups, the organisation of scientific meetings and season schools, the maintenance and expansion of the internet presentation, and administration and maintenance of an internal database. An important task will be the synoptic evaluation and interpretation of the joint research on spectroscopic methods, formation of biogeochemical interfaces and their hierarchical structure in integrative analyses leading to review papers. To achieve these goals and to expand the coordination of common central activities, further funding is requested for the position of the administrative coordinator during the second funding period 2010-2013.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1315: Biogeochemical Interfaces in Soil