News Archive

Wiederhold et al. 2014 ES&T

New study on Hg isotopes in contaminated sediments reveals distinct "isotopic fingerprints" for sites polluted by different industrial sources in Sweden.

December 1, 2014

Wiederhold, J., Skyllberg, U., Drott, A., Jiskra, M., Jonsson, S., Björn, E., Bourdon, B., and Kretzschmar, R. (2015): Mercury isotope signatures in contaminated sediments as tracer for local industrial pollution sources. Environ. Sci. Tech. 49, 177-185.   

external page http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es5044358

Katrin wins award

Congratulations Katrin!

December 2, 2014

Congratulations to Katrin on receiving the 2014 Soil & Environmental Quality Graduate Student Award, sponsored by the Soils & Environmental Quality Division of the Soil Science Society of America, for her work on the 'Impact of Birnessite on Arsenic and Iron Speciation during Microbial Reduction of Arsenic-Bearing Ferrihydrite'.

Smith et al. 2015 ES&T

Creek sediments downstream of a former Hg mine provide a more reliable Hg isotope mining source signature for tracing studies than the highly heterogeneous site point sources.

December 11, 2014

Smith, R., Wiederhold, J., Jew, A., Brown, G., Bourdon, B., and Kretzschmar, R. (2015): Stable Hg isotope signatures in creek sediments impacted by a former Hg mine. Environ. Sci. Tech. 49, 767-776.

external page http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es503442p

Robin Smith Defense

Congratulations Robin!

December 18, 2015

Robin Smith is our newest PhD after defending her thesis "Mercury stable isotope fractionation in mining environments and its implications for using Hg isotopes as a source tracer" today. She is pictured here wearing her soil chemistry doctoral hat with examiners (from L to R) Prof. H. Biester (TU Braunschweig), Dr. Jan Wiederhold (ETH Zürich), Prof. R. Kretzschmar (ETH Zurich), and Prof. B. Bourdon (ENS Lyon). 

Peggy Hoffman receiving award

Congratulations Peggy!

January 23, 2015

Peggy Hofmann received the ETH Medaille for an outstanding PhD Thesis; "Arsenic Speciation in a Minerotrophic Peatland: Natural Organic Matter & Mineral Controls."

Soil Chemistry Snow and Fun Weekend 2015

Snow&Fun Weekend 2015

Jan. 30 - Feb. 1, 2015

This year's Snow&Fun Weekend took place again in Lenzerheide! Fresh snow and sunshine made for a really enjoyable weekend.

Wiederhold 2015 ES&T Review

Review article in ES&T introduces the emerging research field of metal stable isotopes and their application as source and process tracers in environmental geochemistry.

February 2, 2015

Wiederhold, J. (in press): Metal stable isotope signatures as tracers in environmental geochemistry. Environ. Sci. Tech. (Accepted).

external page http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es504683e

Professor Jeff Catalano

Welcome Jeff!

February 2, 2015

external page Prof. Jeff Catalano from the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA joined us as a guest professor for a 6-month sabbatical.

 

Jiskra Defense

Congratulations Tinu!

October 31, 2014

Martin 'Tinu' Jiskra defended his PhD thesis "Terrestrial Mercury Cycling Investigated with Stable Mercury Isotopes" today. He is pictured here in his soil chemistry doctoral hat with examiners (from L to R) Prof. B. Bourdon (ENS Lyon), Dr. Jan Wiederhold (ETH Zürich), Dr. Jeroen Sonke (CNRS Toulouse) and Prof. R. Kretzschmar (ETH Zurich).

Mikutta et al. 2014 ES&T

In-vitro gastrointestinal extractions of highly As-contaminated floodplain soils reveal that As bioaccessibility is controlled by the slow dissolution kinetics of As(V)-bearing ferrihydrite and the formation of As(V)-rich HFO in the gastric environment.

October 30, 2014

Mikutta, C., Mandaliev, P., Mahler, N., Kotsev, T., and Kretzschmar, R. (2014): Bioaccessibility of Arsenic in Mining-Impacted Circumneutral River Floodplain Soils. Environ. Sci. Tech. 48: 13468-13477.


external page http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es502635t

ThomasArrigo et al. 2014 ES&T

Study of natural Fe-rich flocs reveals elevated trace element contents and arsenate binding to floc Fe(III)-(oxyhydr)oxides.

October 27, 2014

ThomasArrigo, L., Mikutta, C., Byrne, J., Barmettler, K., Kappler, A., and Kretzschmar, R. (2014): Iron and Arsenic Speciation and Distribution in Organic Flocs from Streambeds of an Arsenic-enriched Peatland. Environ. Sci. Tech. 48: 13218-13228.

external page http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es503550g

Jiskra et al. 2014 ES&T

Isotope exchange experiments revealed slow and incomplete exchange of Hg(II) bound to natural organic matter and goethite.

October 3, 2014

Jiskra, M., Saile, D., Wiederhold, J., Bourdon, B., Björn, E., and Kretzschmar, R. (2014): Kinetics of Hg(II) Exchange between Organic Ligands, Goethite, and Natural Organic Matter Studied with an Enriched Stable Isotope Approach. Environ. Sci. Tech. 48: 13207-13217.

external page http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es503483m

Hiking Day 2014

Hiking day 2014

September 25, 2014

This year's soil chemistry hikers (Zoey, Robin, Jan, Iso, Laurel, Christian, Tinu, Kurt, Ruben, and Katrin) had a great day hiking through 'Glarnerland' to Nüenchamm and the Talalpsee. Late afternoon sunshine and beautiful views of the Walensee were enjoyed at an evening BBQ.

Ehlert et al. 2014 ES&T

New laboratory study reveals that the ability of Mn oxides to oxidize As(III) is limited by the rapid oxidation of Fe(II) under microbially reducing conditions.

September 22, 2014

Ehlert, K., Mikutta, C., and Kretzschmar, R. (2014): Impact of Birnessite on Arsenic and Iron Speciation during Microbial Reduction of Arsenic-Bearing Ferrihydrite. Environ. Sci. Tech. 48: 11320-11329.

external page http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es5031323

Geomicrobiology meets Soil Chemistry

Geomicrobiology meets Soil Chemistry - Part IV

May 15-16, 2014

The Soil Chemistry group travelled to Tübingen to continue a tradition of interdisciplinary research exchange with the external page Geomicrobiology Group of external page Professor Andreas Kappler. Presentations were held by K. Nitzsche, J. Byrne, N. Hagemann, K. Laufer (University of Tübingen), K. Ehlert, L. ThomasArrigo, M. Jiskra (ETH Zürich), and D. Obrist (visiting professor at ETH from the DRI). The workshop included a guided tour of the Schlossmuseum from Professor N. Conard and a Swabian dinner.

Daniel Obrist

Welcome Daniel!

April 7, 2014

external page Daniel Obrist, a Professor at the Desert Research Institute in Reno, Nevada, USA, started his 3-month sabbatical today in our group. Daniel's research is concerned with the global cycling of mercury in the environment, including soil-atmosphere interactions.

Smith et al. 2014 GCA

New study investigating roasted Hg ore waste (calcine) reveals the largest mass dependent fractionation range of the stable Hg isotopes ever measured for an environmental material.

April 4, 2014

Smith, R.S., Wiederhold, J.G., Jew, A.D., Brown Jr., G.E., Bourdon, B., and Kretzschmar, R. (2014): Small-scale studies of roasted ore waste reveal extreme ranges of stable mercury isotope signatures. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 137: 1-17.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2014.03.037

India Sampling 2014

Sampling in India

April 2, 2014

Zoey, Kurt, and Ruben came back from a 10-day excursion and sampling trip to India, where chromium ore processing and leather tanning is causing massive pollution of groundwater with hexavalent Cr. A new project together with collaborators from Germany and India will address problems related to industrial waste management and resulting pollution of groundwater and soils. The picture shows groundwater from a tube well with extremely high concentrations of Cr(VI), which causes the yellow color of the water.

Zoey Herm

Welcome Zoey!

March 24, 2014

Zoey Herm, a freshly graduated PhD in chemistry from UC Berkeley, started her 2-year ETH Postdoctoral Fellowship today. Zoey's research will address redox and sorption interactions between hexavalent chromium and organic soil amendments used to immobilize Cr in polluted soils.

Hoffmann et al. 2014 ES&T

Sulfhydryl groups of natural organic matter can effectively compete with ferrihydrite for arsenite sorption.

February 24, 2014

Hoffmann, M., Mikutta, C., and Kretzschmar, R. (2014): Arsenite Binding to Sulfhydryl Groups in the Absence and Presence of Ferrihydrite: A Model Study. Environ. Sci. Technol. 48: 3822-3831.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es405221z

Thomas Borch

Welcome Thomas!

February 1, 2014

external page Thomas Borch, Associate Professor of external page Enviromental Soil Chemistry at Colorado State University, USA, started his 5-month sabbatical today in our group. Thomas' research deals with the redox cycling of iron and its influence on pollutant dynamics as well as the fate and degradation of emerging organic pollutants.

Martin's defense

Congratulations Martin!

January 24, 2014

Martin Hoffmann is our newest PhD after defending his thesis "Mechanisms of Arsenite Binding to Natural Organic Matter". He is pictured here in his doctoral hat with examiners (from L to R) Dr. C. Mikutta (ETH Zurich), Prof. B. Planer-Friedrich (University Bayreuth) and Prof. R. Kretzschmar (ETH Zurich). 

Langner et al. 2014 ES&T

New Incubation study reveals that As(III) complexed by organic sulfur in peat is only slowly oxidized upon aeration.

January 13, 2014

Langner, P., Mikutta, C., and Kretzschmar, R. (2014): Oxidation of organosulfur-coordinated arsenic and realgar in peat: Implications for the fate of arsenic. Environ. Sci. Technol. 48:2281-2289.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es4049785

Peggy Hofmann defense

Congratulations Peggy!

November 29, 2013

 

Peggy Hofmann defended her PhD thesis today. You see her to the left, wearing the soil chemistry doctoral hat. Her examiners were Dr. J. Rothwell (University of Manchester), Dr. C. Mikutta and Prof. R. Kretzschmar (both ETH Zurich). 

Mandaliev Ogosta River

A combined As and Fe EXAFS study provides the first information on the chemical speciation of As in highly contaminated floodplain soils of Ogosta River, Bulgaria.

November 26, 2013

Mandaliev, P.N., Mikutta, C., Barmettler, K., Kotsev, T., and Kretzschmar, R.: Arsenic species formed from arsenopyrite weathering along a contamination gradient in circumneutral river floodplain soils. Environ. Sci. Technol. 48: 208-217.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es403210y

Ruben Kretzschmar EAG council

Results of the EAG Council Elections

November 14, 2013

Ruben has been elected as a new member of the EAG Council starting January 2014. The second new EAG Council member is Karim Benzerara from the CNRS in France.

EAG Website: external page http://www.eag.eu.com/about/governance/council-elections/

EAG  Newsletter: external page http://news.eag.eu.com/newsletterView?newsletterId=15

Fulda et al. ES&T 2013

New study reveals how sulfate and copper levels in paddy soils affect Cd speciation and solubility.

October 30, 2013

Fulda, B., Voegelin, A., and Kretzschmar, R. (2013): Redox-controlled changes in cadmium solubility and solid-phase speciation in a paddy soil as affected by reducible sulfate and copper. Environ. Sci. Technol. 47: 12775-12783.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es401997d

Soil Chemistry Hiking Weekend 2013

Hiking weekend 2013

October 4-6, 2013

Yet another soil chemistry hiking weekend took place. This years hikers (Jan, Kurt, Christian, Ruben, Michael, Laurel, Katrin and Worachart) went to two alpine huts in the Prättigau region near the Austrian border.

Hoffmann et al 2013 ES&T

Ternary complex formation with Fe(III)-NOM complexes takes place with As(III) too.  

October 2, 2013

Hoffmann, M., Mikutta, C., and Kretzschmar, R. (2013): Arsenite binding to natural organic matter: Spectroscopic evidence for ligand exchange and ternary complex formation. Environ. Sci. Technol. 47: 12165-12173.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es4023317

Maurer et al 2013 ES&T

Complexation with soil humic acid prevents disproportionation of Cu(I): II. Thermodynamic considerations.

September 19, 2013

Maurer, F., Christl, I., Fulda, B., Voegelin, A., and Kretzschmar, R. (2013): Copper redox transformation and complexation by reduced and oxidized soil humic acid: 2. Potentiometric titrations and dialysis cell experiments. Environ. Sci. Technol. 47: 10912-10921

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es4024095

Fulda et al 2013 ES&T

Complexation with soil humic acid prevents disproportionation of Cu(I): I. Spectroscopic evidence.

September 19, 2013

Fulda, B., Voegelin, A., Maurer, F., Christl, I., and Kretzschmar, R. (2013): Copper redox transformation and complexation by reduced and oxidized soil humic acid: 1. X-ray absorption spectroscopy study. Environ. Sci. Technol. 47: 10903-10911

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es4024089

EMI conference particpants

EnvironMetalIsotopes 2013  

August 19-23, 2013

A conference on "Stable metal isotope fractionation - Processes and applications in environmental geochemistry", organized by Jan and colleagues from Zurich and Bern, was held at Centro Stefano Franscini at Monte Verità (Switzerland). 70 participants from research groups in 19 countries presented and discussed the latest results on stable metal isotope fractionation using theoretical, experimental, and field-based approaches and their applications in environmental studies. To free the mind, the participants hiked in the Valle Verzasca on wednesday afternoon.

EMI conference homepage

Robin Smith Award

Robin Smith received poster award

August 2, 2013

Congratulations to Robin on receiving the award for "Best Water Poster" at the 11th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant, sponsored from a external page Water Society Forum, for her work on 'Source tracing using stable Hg isotope signatures in sediments downstream of the New Idria Hg mine'.

Langner-Hofmann et al 2013 ES&T

Formation of realgar (near-surface), arsenopyrite and thiolic complexed As (deep layers) identified by µ-XAS and µ-XRF in a peatland.

July 26, 2013

Langner-Hofmann, P., Mikutta, C., Suess, E., Marcus, M.A., and Kretzschmar, R. (2013): Micro-scale distribution and speciation of arsenic in peat studied with µ-XRF and µ-XAS. Environ. Sci. Technol. 47: 9706-9714

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es401315e

Fulda et al 2013 ES&T

Precipitation of Cu(0) & complexation of Cu(I) by reduced organic S groups are important in periodically flooded soils if sulfide formation is limited by the amount of available sulfate.

July 25, 2013

Fulda, B., Voegelin, A., Ehlert, K. and Kretzschmar, R. (2013): Redox transformation, solid phase speciation and solution dynamics of copper during soil reduction and reoxidation as affected by sulfate availability. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 123: 385–402

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2013.07.017

Hofacker et al 2013 ES&T

Laboratory microcosm experiments demonstrated early mercury & copper mobilization in a flooded soil a result of Hg incorporation in biomineralized metallic Cu nanoparticles.

July 2, 2013

Hofacker, A.F., Voegelin, A., Kaegi, R., and Kretzschmar, R. (2013): Mercury mobilization in a flooded soil by incorporation into metallic copper and metal sulfide nanoparticles. Environ. Sci. Technol. 47: 7739-7746

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es4010976

Felix defense

Congratulations Felix!

June 26, 2013

Our newest PhD is Felix Maurer, who defended his thesis on "Redox and binding interactions of cations and humic acid" today. His examiners were (from left to right) Prof D. Waite (University of New South Wales), Prof. R. Kretzschmar, and Dr. I. Christl (both ETH Zurich). 

Stephan's defense

Congratulations Stephan!

May 27, 2013

The third soil chemistry PhD candidate defended his thesis this month. Congratulations to Stephan Rieder, who mainly conducted his work at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), but was co-supervised by Ruben. You see him with his examination committee Prof. W. Wilcke (University of Bern), Prof. R. Kretzschmar (ETH Zurich), Dr. B. Frey (WSL) and Prof. E. Tipping (CEH, Lancaster).

Beate's defense

Congratulations Beate!

May 17, 2013

Today Beate Fulda defended her PhD thesis. She is pictured here on the PhD apéro surrounded by her examination committee Dr. G. Sarret (University of Grenoble), Dr. A. Voegelin (EAWAG) and Prof. R. Kretzschmar (ETH Zurich).

Enlarged view: Wiederhold et al 2013 ES&T

Isotopically heavy Hg phases formed during ore roasting processes are assumed to influence isotopic composition of Hg leached from New Idria Hg mine.

May 10, 2013

Wiederhold, J.G., Smith, R.S., Siebner, H., Jew, A.D., Brown Jr., G.E., Bourdon, B., and Kretzschmar, R. (2013): Mercury isotope signatures as tracers for Hg cycling at the New Idria Hg mine. Environ. Sci. Technol. 47: 6137-6145

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es305245z

Anke defense

Congratulations Anke!

May 8, 2013

Anke Hofacker defended her PhD thesis today. You see her on the left, wearing the soil chemistry doctoral hat, with her examination committee Prof. A. Kappler (University of Tübingen), Dr. A. Voegelin (EAWAG), Prof. R. Kretzschmar (ETH Zurich), and Prof. J. Peña (University of Lausanne) on the CHN rooftop terrace.

Elzinga and Kretzschmar GCA 2013

Presence of Cd(II) raises the extent of orthophosphate adsorption onto hematite and the level of complexity of its surface species.

April 12, 2013

Elzinga, E.J., and Kretzschmar, R. (2013): In situ ATR-FTIR spectroscopic analysis of the co-adsorption of orthophosphate and Cd(II) onto hematite. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. 117: 53-64

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2013.04.003

FEMIN 2013

Monte Verità conference on iron biogeochemistry

March 3-8, 2013

Ruben and colleagues from several european universities organized the conference "Iron biogeochemistry - from molecular processes to global cycles" held at Centro Stefano Franscini at Monte Verità (Switzerland), which was co-sponsored by the ESF Research Network Programme FIMIN. It brought together about 100 world-leading experts, young researchers, and PhD students interested in various aspects of iron biogeochemistry and its applications in related research fields. Remarkable scientific presentations and ample discussions were rounded off by a half-day trip to Bellinzona the 'city of three castles'. 

external page FIMIN conference homepage

Mikutta et al 2013 ES&T

Scorodite-type local structure of short-range ordered ferric arsenates identified by As and Fe K-edge EXAFS spectroscopy. 

February 15, 2013

Mikutta, C., Mandaliev, P.N., and Kretzschmar, R. (2013): New clues to the local atomic structure of short-range ordered ferric arsenate from EXAFS spectroscopy.  Environ. Sci. Technol. 47: 3122-3131
external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es3051795

Christl et al. 2013 ES&T

Long-term exposure to silicate decreases potential of hematite for adsorbing inorganic arsenic. 

November 19, 2012

Christl, I., Brechbühl, Y., Graf, M., and Kretzschmar, R. (2012): Polymerization of silicate on hematite surfaces and its influence on arsenic sorption. Environ. Sci. Technol. 46: 13235-13243

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es303297m

Hofacker et al 2012 GCA

Temperature controls trace metal dynamics during soil flooding. 

November 15, 2012

Hofacker, A.F., Voegelin, A., Kaegi, R., Weber, F.-A., and Kretzschmar, R. (2013): Temperature-dependent formation of metallic copper and metal sulfide nanoparticles during flooding of a contaminated soil. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 103: 316–332

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2012.10.053

Phosphate based functional groups play major role in mediating bacterial adhesion to hematite surfaces. 

November 8, 2012

Elzinga, E.J., Huang, J.-H., Chorover, J., and Kretzschmar, R. (2012): ATR-FTIR spectroscopy study of the influence of pH and contact time on the adhesion of Shewanella putrefaciens bacterial cells to the surface of hematite. Environ. Sci. Technol. 46: 12848-12855

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es303318y

Pesch et al 2012 Geobiology

Methanobactin capable of mobilizing Cu from humic acid via fast ligand exchange reaction. 

October 22, 2012

Pesch, M.-L., Hoffmann, M., Christl, I., Kraemer, S.M. and Kretzschmar, R. (2013): Competitive ligand exchange between Cu-humic acid complexes and methanobactin. Geobiology 11: 44-54

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gbi.12010

Kretzschmar et al 2012 ES&T

New XAS study reveals Zn speciation in blast furnace sludge. 

October 5, 2012

Kretzschmar, R., Mansfeldt, T., Mandaliev, P.N., Barmettler, K., Marcus, M.A., and Voegelin, A. (2012): Speciation of Zn in blast furnace sludge from former sedimentation ponds using synchrotron X-ray diffraction, fluorescence, and absorption spectroscopy. Environ. Sci. Technol. 46: 12381-12390

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es302981v

Hofmann et al 2012

Bisulfide reaction with NOM enhance its ability to bind As in anoxic environments. 

September 26, 2012

Hoffmann, M., Mikutta, C. and Kretzschmar, R. (2012): Bisulfide reaction with natural organic matter enhances arsenite sorption: Insights from X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Environ. Sci. Technol. 46: 11788-11797

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es302590x

Soil Chemistry Hiking Weekend 2012

Hiking in Glarus

September 7-9, 2012

Soil chemistry hikers (Robin, Charlotte, Katrin, Michael, Jan, Martin, Beate, Petar, Elke, Ruben and Christof) went to the Glarus alps this year. We had three beautiful days in the mountains and thanks to the nice weather, amazing views all across the Swiss alps (including the Glarus Thrust).

Guelland et al. 2013 Biogeochemistry

Investigations about the evolution of carbon fluxes with initial ecosystem development. 

September 4, 2012

Guelland, K., Hagedorn, F., Smittenberg, R.H., Göransson, H., Bernasconi, S.M., Hajdas, I., and Kretzschmar, R. (2013): Evolution of carbon fluxes during initial soil formation along the forefield of the Damma glacier, Switzerland. Biogeochemistry 113: 545-561

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10533-012-9785-1

Guelland et al. 2013 Biol. Soil Biochem.

Soil CO2 effluxes and DOC leaching studied along a glacier forefield. 

July 27, 2012

Guelland, K., Esperschütz, J., Bornhauser, D., Bernasconi, S.M., Kretzschmar, R., and Hagedorn, F. (2013): Mineralisation and leaching of C from 13C labelled plant litter along an initial soil chronosequence of a glacier forefield. Soil Biol. Biochem. 57: 237-247

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2012.07.002

Maurer et al 2012 ES&T

Silver nanoparticles formed through reaction of reduced humic acid with Ag(I). 

July 18, 2012

Maurer, F., Christl, I., Hoffmann, M., and Kretzschmar, R. (2012): Reduction and reoxidation of humic acid: Influence on speciation of cadmium and silver. Environ. Sci. Technol. 46: 8808-8816

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es301520s

Pesch et al. 2012 Inorg. Biochem

Formation of copper-methanobactin complexes depends on copper-to-methanobactin ratios and pH.

July 15, 2012

Pesch, M.-L., Christl, I., Hoffmann, M., Kraemer, S.M. and Kretzschmar, R. (2012): Copper complexation of methanobactin isolated from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b: pH dependent speciation and modeling. J. Inorg. Biochem. 116: 55-62

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2012.07.008

Ogosta Sampling 2012

Sampling at Ogosta river

June 2-8, 2012

Several members of our group (Ruben, Christian, Iso, Petar, Kurt, Katrin and Elke) went to Bulgaria for a sampling. Accompanied by collaborators from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences they took water, soil and plant samples along the river Ogosta, which is strongly influenced by (abandoned) mine sites.

Jiskra et al 2012 ES&T

Investigations of isotopic fractionation of Hg(II) sorption to goethite revealed a mass-dependent enrichment of light Hg isotopes on the surface.

May 21, 2012

Jiskra, M., Wiederhold, J.G., Bourdon, B., and Kretzschmar, R. (2012): Solution speciation controls mercury isotope fractionation of Hg(II) sorption to goethite. Environ. Sci. Technol. 46: 6654-6662

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es3008112

Hindshaw et al 2012 Biogeochemistry

Field study at the Damma glacier reveals species- and age-dependent Ca isotope fractionation by alpine plants.

April 19, 2012

Hindshaw, R.S., Reynolds, B.C., Wiederhold, J.G., Kiczka, M., Kretzschmar, R., and Bourdon, B. (2013): Calcium isotope fractionation in alpine plants. Biogeochemistry 112: 373-388

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10533-012-9732-1

Brechbuehl et al 2012 JCIS

Carbonate is capable of remobilizing arsenic from hematite surfaces.

March 19, 2012

Brechbühl, Y., Christl, I., Elzinga, E.J., and Kretzschmar, R. (2012): Competitive Sorption of Carbonate and Arsenic to Hematite: Combined ATR-FTIR and Batch Experiments.  J. Colloid Interface Sci. 377: 313-321.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2012.03.025

Smittenberg et al 2012 Glob. Change Biol.

Carbon dynamics of glacier forefield sensitive to climate changes.

March 2, 2012

Smittenberg, R.H., Gierga, M., Göransson, H., Christl, I., Farinotti, D., Bernasconi, S.M. (2012): Climate-sensitive ecosystem carbon dynamics along the soil chronosequence of the Damma glacier forefield, Switzerland. Glob. Change Biol. 18: 1941-1955.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2012.02654.x

Cristl 2012 Enviro. Chem.

Calcium binding by humic acids is primarily controlled by electrostatic forces and specific binding to carboxylic groups.

February 23, 2012

Christl, I. (2012): Ionic strength- and pH-dependence of calcium binding by terrestrial humic acids. Environ. Chem. 9: 89-96.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EN11112

Snow and Fun Weekend 2012

Snow and Fun in Lenzerheide

February 3-5, 2012

Accompanied by some of our visitors from Tübingen and former group members we had three nice days of skiing, snowboarding and snowshoe trekking in the beautiful mountains of Lenzerheide. To the left you see some ambitious skiers, who rode the slopes despite the arctic weather with temperatures down to -25°C.

Soil Chemistry meets Geomicrobiology

Soil Chemistry meets Geomicrobiology -Part III

February 1-2, 2012

The third time we met external page Tübingen's geomicrobiologists. During two days we had great presentations given by Dr. C. Schröder, Dr. S. Behrens, Dr. A. Picard, A. Piepenbrock, E. Melton (University of Tübingen) and Y. Brechbühl, M. Hoffmann, M. Jiskra (ETH Zurich) and a vaudois dinner in the evening. Special guest was D. Macalady (Colorado School of Mines) who's visiting professor in Tübingen. He gave a presentation about the effect of sample origins and histories on the oxidation/reduction properties of natural organic matter.    

Laurie Pesch defense

Congratulations Laurie!

January 27, 2012

Laurie Pesch defended her PhD thesis today. You see here on the left surrounded by her examination committee Prof. S. Krämer (University of Vienna), Prof. R. Kretzschmar (ETH Zurich), Dr. I. Christl (ETH Zurich) and Prof. A. Stone (Johns Hopkins University) after passing the traditional Soil Chemistry PhD exam.

Christl et al 2012 Geomicrobio.

Dissolved organic Cr(III)-complexes are major products of aerobic Cr(VI)-reduction by Pseudomonas corrugata 28.

December 7, 2011

Christl, I., Imseng, M., Tatti, E., Frommer, J., Viti, C., Giovannetti, L., and Kretzschmar, R. (2012): Aerobic reduction of chromium(VI) by Pseudomonas corrugata 28: Influence of metabolism and fate of reduced chromium. Geomicrobiol. J. 29: 173-185.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01490451.2010.539662

Langner et al 2012 NatGeoSci

Spectroscopic study reveals the mechanism of arsenic binding to natural organic matter in wetlands.

November 27, 2011

Langner, P., Mikutta, C., and Kretzschmar, R. (2012): Arsenic sequestration by organic sulphur in peat. Nature Geoscience 5: 66-73.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/NGEO1329

Jaquat et al 2011 Swiss Journal of Geosciences

Spectroscopic investigations point to origin of Zn in Jurassic limestone.

November 26, 2011

Jacquat, O., Rambeau, C., Voegelin, A., Efimenko, N., Villard, A., Föllmi, K. B., and Kretzschmar, R. (2011): Origin of high Zn contents in Jurassic limestone of the Jura mountain range and the Burgundy: evidence from Zn speciation and distribution. Swiss Journal of Geosciences 104: 409-424.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00015-011-0086-9

Mikutta and Kretzschmar 2011 ES&T

New study provides the first spectroscopic evidence for ternary complex formation between As(V) and Fe(III)-HS complexes.

October 10, 2011

Mikutta, C., and Kretzschmar, R. (2011): Spectroscopic evidence for ternary complex formation between arsenate and ferric iron complexes of humic substances. Environ. Sci. Technol. 45: 9550-9557.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es202300w

Dittmar 2011 prize

Jessica Dittmar received Fritz Scheffer Award

September 6, 2011

During the biannual meeting of the external page German Soil Science Society (DBG) in Berlin, our former PhD student Dr. Jessica Dittmar received the prestigious external page Fritz-Scheffer Award for her PhD thesis “Seasonal arsenic cycling in irrigated paddy soils in Bangladesh and arsenic uptake by rice”.  Jessica presented her PhD research in a plenary talk and then received the certificate from DBG president Prof. Dr. Rainer Horn.

Hiking Weekend 2011

Alpstein Hiking

August 26-28, 2011

This years hiking weekend took us to the Alpstein massif, the northernmost alpine mountains in switzerland. On the last day we climbed the highest point in this region, mount Säntis (2502m; see picture). To the left you see the soil chemistry hikers: Martin J., Martin H., Laurie, Iso, Felix, Jan, Kurt, Beate, Anke and Ruben. 

FEMIN workshop 2011

EAG/FIMIN workshop in Tübingen, Germany

August 7-11, 2011

Ruben and colleagues from the University of Tübingen (Germany) and Colorado State University (USA) organized a Short Course entitled “Tools in Environmental Biogeochemistry - Opportunities and Limitations”. The course was attended by 20 PhD students from five different countries. Leading experts in the field introduced the students to a variety of advanced analytical techniques, including Mössbauer spectroscopy, SEM/FIB, microelectrodes, and synchrotron X-ray spectroscopy and microscopy. The course included a full-day visit at the synchrotron ANKA (Karlsruhe) and ended with a Stocherkahn trip on the river Neckar in Tübingen.

external page Link to FIMIN homepage

Huang et al 2011 ES&T

Microbial reduction of adsorbed As(V) is strongly affected by bacteria-mineral interactions promoting As(V) desorption.

August 5, 2011

Huang, J.-H., Voegelin, A., Pombo, S.A., Lazzaro, A., Zeyer, J., and Kretzschmar, R. (2011): Influence of arsenate adsorption to ferrihydrite, goethite, and boehmite on the kinetics of arsenate reduction by Shewanella putrefaciens strain CN-32. Environ. Sci. Technol. 45: 7701-7709.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es201503g

Bernasconi et al 2011 Vadose Zone

Multidisciplinary research at the Damma Glacier forefield: The project BigLink

August 1, 2011

Bernasconi, S.M. and 39 other authors (2011): Chemical and biological gradients along the Damma Glacier soil chronosequence, Switzerland. Vadose Zone J. 10, 867-883.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/vzj2010.0129

Kizcka et al 2011 GCA

New study shows how stable Fe isotopes are fractionated during biotite/chlorite weathering in a granitic glacier forefield.

July 18, 2011

Kiczka, M., Wiederhold, J.G., Frommer, J., Voegelin, A., Kraemer, S.M., Bourdon, B., and Kretzschmar, R. (2011): Iron speciation and isotope fractionation during silicate weathering and soil formation in an alpine glacier forefield chronosequence. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 75: 5559-5573

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2011.07.008

Mikutta 2011 GCA

New EXAFS study systematically demonstrates the influence of different hydrobenzoic acids on the formation and structure of ferrihydrite formed during Fe(III) polymerization

June 13, 2011

Mikutta, C. (2011): X-ray absorption spectroscopy study on the effect of hydroxybenzoic acids on the formation and structure of ferrihydrite. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 75: 5122-5139

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2011.06.002

Ruth's defense

Congratulations Ruth!

June 8, 2011

Ruth Hindshaw defended her PhD thesis today. She is pictured here with her beautiful doctoral hat on the PhD apéro. Her thesis “Chemical weathering and calcium isotope fractionation in a glaciated catchment” was conducted within the interdisciplinary project BigLink.

Dresden Cultural Weekend 2011

Cultural trip to Dresden

May 27-29, 2011

The soil chemistry culture vultures (see picture: Beate, Charlotte, Laurie, Martin H., Felix, Iso, Lauren, Robin and Anke) enjoyed three days in the capital of Saxony with a nice sightseeing tour, opera and museum visits and a lot of good food! On the last day we relaxed on a hike in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.

Hindshaw et al 2011 Chemical Geology

Systematic investigations of seasonal and diurnal variations in stream water chemistry of the Damma glacier forefield

April 27, 2011

Hindshaw, R.S., Tipper, E.T., Reynolds, B.C., Lemarchand, E., Wiederhold, J.G., Magnusson, J., Bernasconi, S.M., Kretzschmar, R., and Bourdon, B. (2011): Hydrological control of stream water chemistry in a glacial catchment (Damma Glacier, Switzerland). Chemical Geology, 285: 215-230

external page http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2011.04.012

New Idria Sampling 2011

New Idria revisited

April 26-27, 2011

Ruben, Robin, Peggy, and our collaborators from Stanford University returned to New Idria in April for soil sampling around the historic mercury mine. On the picture, we are not panning for gold nuggets, but for elemental mercury in the creek!

FEMIN workshop 2011

FIMIN Spring School in Cordoba, Spain

March 6-11, 2011

Ruben and colleagues from the FIMIN network taught a Spring School on “Iron in the Environment - From Nature to the Laboratory”. One of the highlights was the excursion to Rio Tinto, one of the world’s largest acid mine drainage sites. Information about future FIMIN events can be found on the FIMIN website

external page Link to FIMIN homepage

Huang et al 2011 Es&T

Does EPS affect the sorption of arsenic on Fe(III)-(hydr)oxides?

March 04, 2011

Huang, J.-H., Elzinga, E.J., Brechbuehl, Y., Voegelin, A., and Kretzschmar, R. (2011): Impacts of Shewanella putrefaciens strain CN-32 cells and extracellular polymeric substances on the sorption of As(V) and As(III) on Fe(III)-(hydr)oxides. Environ. Sci. Technol. 45: 2804–2810

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es103978r

Pesch et al 2011 Geochem Trans

Two-step purification procedure to isolate Cu-free methanobactin

February 7, 2011

Pesch, M.-L., Christl, I., Barmettler, K., Kraemer, S.M., Kretzschmar, R. (2011): Isolation and purification of Cu-free methanobactin from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. Geochem. Trans. 12:2

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1467-4866-12-2

Degryse et al 2011 Europ. J. Soil Sci.

Quantification of 'labile' zinc in soils: New insights from combining methods

December 7, 2010

Degryse, F., Voegelin, A., Jacquat, O., Kretzschmar, R., and Smolders, E. (2011): Characterization of zinc in contaminated soils: Complementary insights from isotopic exchange, batch extractions, and XAFS spectroscopy. Europ. J. Soil Sci., 62: 318–330

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2389.2010.01332.x

Roberts et al 2011 ES&T

Intermittent irrigation may be a promising means of reducing arsenic input to paddy soils

December 7, 2011

Roberts, L.C., Hug, S.J., Voegelin, A., Dittmar, J., Kretzschmar, R., Wehrli, B., Saha, G.C., Badruzzaman, A.B.M., Ali, M.A. (2011): Arsenic dynamics in porewater of an intermittently irrigated paddy field in Bangladesh. Environ. Sci. Technol. 45: 971–976

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es102882q

Huang et al. 2011 Water, air, soil pollut.

New review article by Jen-How Huang and coauthors on organic arsenic species

December 15, 2010

Huang, J.-H., Hu, K.-N., and Decker, B. (2011): Organic arsenic in the soil environment: Speciation, occurrence, transformation, and adsorption behavior. Water, Air, and Soil Pollut. 219:401–415.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11270-010-0716-2

New Idria Sampling

First sampling in New Idria

December 13, 2010

In December Ruben, Jan, Robin and and some people of Gordon Brown's group (Stanford University) went to California for a sampling at the now-inoperative mercury mine in New Idria. They want to investigate the fractionation mechanisms of Hg isotopes in soils and plants. On the left side you see a picture of Robin at work. 

Voegelin et al 2011 ES&T

Contamination source phases influence the formation of new Zn species in soils

December 9, 2010

Voegelin, A., Jacquat, O., Pfister, S., Barmettler, K., Scheinost, A.C., and Kretzschmar, R. (2011): Time-dependent changes of Zn-speciation in four soils contaminated with zincite or sphalerite. Environ. Sci. Technol. 45: 255–261

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es101189d

Frommer et al 2011 ES&T

A micro-focused XAS study reveals the distribution of As, Fe, and Mn around rice roots

December 3, 2010

Frommer, J., Voegelin, A., Dittmar, J., Marcus, M., and Kretzschmar, R. (2011): Biogeochemical processes and As enrichment around rice roots in paddy soil: Results from bulk and micro-focused X-ray spectroscopies. Europ. J. Soil Sci., 62: 305–317

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2389.2010.01328.x

EHTF 2010

Discussion about arsenic accumulations in rice

November 12, 2010

The british Emerging Health Threats Forum published a nice article about accumulations of arsenic in rice which is based on our ES&T paper from March 2010. They discussed and commented our results together with several international environmental scientists.

Dittmar et al 2010 ES&T

New field and pot studies on As uptake by wetland rice

November 2, 2010

Dittmar, J., Voegelin, A., Maurer, F., Roberts, L.C., F., Hug, S.J., Saha, G.C., Ali, M.A., Badruzzaman, A.B.M., and Kretzschmar, R. (2010): Arsenic in soil and irrigation water affects As uptake by rice: Complementary insights from field and pot studies. Environ. Sci. Technol. 44: 8842–8848

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es101962d

Hindshaw et al. 2011 GCA

Fractionation of calcium isotopes during the initial stages of weathering

October 8, 2010

Hindshaw, R.S., Reynolds, B.C., Wiederhold, J.G., Kretzschmar, R., and Bourdon, B. (2011): Calcium isotopes in a proglacial weathering environment: Damma glacier, Switzerland. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 75: 106-118

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2010.09.038

Hiking weekend 2010

Hiking in Ticino

September 24-26, 2010

The annually hiking weekend ouf our group took us 1,704 m above sea level on top of Monte Generoso. There we enjoyed the overwhelming scenery over Lugano, the Swiss Alps and Po Valley. To the left is a picture of the soil chemistry hikers: Martin J., Felix, Martin H., Beate, Laurie, Kurt and Charlotte. 

Geomicrobiology meets Soil Chemistry 2010

Return visit in Tübingen: Geomicrobiology meets Soil Chemistry - Part II

September 9-10, 2010

Again, we had a great series of talks during two days presented by Dr. S. Behrens, Dr. C. Schmidt, U. Dippon, F. Hegler (external page University of Tübingen) and Dr. I. Christl, Dr. P. Mandaliev, Dr. J. Weinhold, B. Fulda (ETH Zurich). In the evening we were invited to Andreas Kappler's home for a typical Swabian dinner. Another highlight was a "Stocherkahnfahrt" on the beautiful river Neckar.

Mirjam defense

Congratulations Mirjam!

September 3, 2010

Mirjam Kiczka-Cyriac defended her PhD thesis today. She is pictured here with her examination committee Prof. W. Wilcke (University of Bern), Dr. J. Wiederhold (ETH Zurich), Prof. R. Kretzschmar (ETH Zurich) and Prof. S. Krämer (University of Vienna) (Prof. Bourdon (ETH Zurich) is unfortunately missing) after passing the Soil Chemistry graduation ceremony.

Frommer et al 2010 Am. Mineralogist

XAS study about the structure of Fe(III)-Cr(III)-oxyhydroxides

August 2, 2010

Frommer, J., Nachtegaal, M., Czekaj, I., and Kretzschmar, R. (2010): The Cr X-ray absorption K-edge structure of poorly crystalline Fe(III)-Cr(III)-oxyhydroxides. Am. Mineralog. 95, 1202–1213

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.2138/am.2010.3274

Kiczka et al 2010 ES&T

How iron isotopes fractionate during uptake by plants

July 26, 2010

Kiczka, M., Wiederhold, J.G., Kraemer, S.M., Bourdon, B., and Kretzschmar, R. (2010): Iron isotope fractionation during Fe uptake and translocation in alpine plants. Environ. Sci. Technol. 44: 6144–6150.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es100863b

Maurer et al 2010 ES&T

Reduction of humic acid increase the amount of proton-reactive sites of humic acid

July 2, 2010

Maurer, F., Christl, I., and Kretzschmar, R. (2010): Reduction and reoxidation of humic acid: Influence on spectroscopic properties and proton binding. Env. Sci. Technol. 44: 5787–5792

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es100594t

Mikutta et al 2010 ES&T

How small organic molecules affect the structure of ferrihydrite

June 30, 2010

Mikutta, C., Frommer, J., Voegelin, A, Kaegi, R., and Kretzschmar, R. (2010): Effect of citrate on the local Fe coordination in ferrihydrite, arsenate binding, and ternary arsenate complex formation. Cosmochim. Geochim. Acta 74: 5574-5592

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2010.06.024

Huang and Kretzschmar 2010 Anal. Chem.

New sequential extraction method for speciation of arsenic

June 4, 2010

Huang, J.-H., and Kretzschmar, R. (2010): Sequential extraction method for speciation of arsenate and arsenite in mineral soils. Anal. Chem. 82: 5534–5540.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ac100415b

Wiederhold et al. 2010 ES&T

News about mercury isotope fractionation

May 5, 2010

Wiederhold, J.G., Cramer, C.J., Daniel, K., Infante, I., Bourdon, B., and Kretzschmar, R. (2010): Equilibrium mercury isotope fractionation between dissolved Hg(II) species and thiol-bound Hg. Environ. Sci. Technol. 44: 4191-4197.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es100205t

Dittmar Bangladesh

New publication in Bangladesh arsenic project

March 17, 2010

Dittmar, J., Voegelin, A., Roberts, L.C., Hug, S.J., Saha, G.C., Ali, M.A., Badruzzaman, A.B.M., and Kretzschmar, R. (2010): Arsenic accumulation in a paddy field in Bangladesh: Seasonal dynamics and trends over a three-year monitoring period. Environ. Sci. Technol. 44: 2925-2931.

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es903117r

Kiczka et al 2010 GCA

New publication on iron isotope fractionation during dissolution processes

February 23, 2010

Kiczka, M., Wiederhold, J.G., Frommer, J., Kraemer S.M., Bourdon, B., Kretzschmar, R. (2010): Iron isotope fractionation during proton- and ligand-promoted dissolution of primary phyllosilicates . Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 74: 3112-3128.

external page http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.gca.2010.02.018

Soil Chemistry meets microbiology part I

Soil Chemistry meets Geomicrobiology

February 11, 2010

The last two days a interdisciplinary meeting of our group and the external page geomicrobiology group of the University of Tübingen was held. Presentations were given by Dr. J.-H. Huang, P. Langner, F. Maurer, A. Hofacker (ETH Zurich) and Dr. M. Obst, C. Hohmann, P. Sharma, M. Emmerich (University of Tübingen). In the evening we enjoyed a delicious cheese-fondue at Zurich's Chäsalp.

Lehrbuch der Bodenkunde

Soil Science "Bible" newly released

January 2010

16th edition of "Scheffer/Schachtschabel - Lehrbuch der Bodenkunde" is released with a fully revised 5th chapter ("Chemische Eigenschaften und Prozesse") by R. Kretzschmar

external page http://www.springerlink.com/content/n75v13/

ES&T Focus Issue 2010

ES&T focus issue on Biogeochemical Redox Processes released

January 1, 2010

Edited by associate editor Ruben Kretzschmar and several guest editors.

external page http://pubs.acs.org/toc/esthag/44/1

Borch et al 2010 ES&T

Borch et al. Critical Review on Biogeochemical Redox Processes and their Impact on Contaminant Dynamics

December 14, 2009

Borch, T., Kretzschmar, R., Kappler, A., Van Cappellen, Ph., Ginder-Vogel, M., Voegelin, A., and Campbell, K. (2010): Biogeochemical redox processes and their impact on contaminant dynamics. Environ. Sci. Technol. 44: 15-23

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es9026248

Roberts et al. NatGeo 2010

Roberts et al. As release from paddy soils during monsoon flooding counteracts long-term As accumulation in rice fields

December 13, 2009

Roberts, L.C., Hug, S.J., Dittmar, J., Voegelin, A., Kretzschmar, R., Wehrli, B., Cirpka, O., Saha, G.C., Ali, M.A., and Badruzzaman, A.B.M. (2010): Arsenic mobilization from paddy soils during monsoon flooding. Nature Geosci. 3: 53-59

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ngeo723

Weber et al. 2010 ES&T

Weber et. al. on the mobilization of As during Fe and As reduction in a floodplain soil

November 18, 2009

Weber, F.-A., Hofacker, A.F., Voegelin, A., and Kretzschmar, R. (2010): Temperature dependence and coupling of iron and arsenic reduction and release during flooding of a contaminated soil. Env. Sci. Technol. 44: 116-122

external page http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es902100h

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