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Substance Flows and Pollution

Small bottles in a lab environment Photographer: Ingrid Leo

Many of the chemicals that we often use are toxic to humans and ecosystems or cause environmental problems in other ways. Within this environmental challenge fits research on pollutants, on substances that affect ecosystems in other ways, and greenhouse gases from both natural habitats and society.

We focus on various chemicals that cause problems. Many of the chemicals that we often use every day are toxic to humans and ecosystems. Other substances, such as nutrients and greenhouse gases, are not exactly toxic but can cause major environmental problems in other ways.

Concerns about the large amount of substances that society disseminates and their impact on the environment requires better analytical methods and strengthened monitoring and control, as well as further knowledge about their flows and interaction with organisms. It is also vital to study substances’ natural cycles to understand and prevent environmental problems. Substance emissions are difficult to evaluate on a large scale and methodological development is therefore important.

We also study the biological, chemical and physical processes and cycles. Our research ranges from the molecular to the global scale, and aims to identify the mechanisms that drive biogeochemical cycles and their effects in time and space. We want to create new knowledge that can lead to effective measures.

Research projects

En flygbild av en sjö omgiven av träd.

Towards safer soil management: establishing reference levels for total organofluorine in soil

PFAS är ett växande miljöproblem. Projektet kartlägger halter av totalt organiskt fluor i svenska jordar för att ta fram referensvärden som kan förbättra riskbedömning, sanering och hållbar markhantering.

A bulldozer digging through a pile of dirt.

Managing PFAS-Contaminated Soil Sustainably - Co-Creating a Comprehensive Decision Support Tool

The project is developing a cost-effective tool for measuring PFAS concentrations in soil. The aim is to promote sustainable land use through improved decision support, standardised methods, and guidance for professionals working in planning.

En person som lagar mat över öppen eld.

SEK 6 million grant for LiU research on air pollution

Joyanto Routh has been awarded nearly SEK 6 million from Formas for research on air pollution, health risks and climate‑adapted solutions in Sweden and India.

Researchers and contact

Organisation