Description: Human interventions on the soil system have now reached a level that soil forming processes are influenced on the decadal timescale. Soil erosion entrains lateral fluxes of C resulting in burial of C in colluvia and replacement of soil C on eroded hillslopes to such an extent that these lateral fluxes are now considered as a small but significant C sequestration in the global C cycle. Silica fluxes to the rivers are significantly lower in catchments under cropland compared to forested catchments. The aim of the project is the understanding and quantification of the feedbacks between the soil system and sediment, nutrient, water and carbon fluxes in response to anthropogenic forcings over timescales ranging from the decade to the millennium. A network of 4 Soil Observatories will be established at which systematic and interdisciplinary observation of the soil system will lead to the quantification of the current state of the soil system and understanding its past evolution. Experimental studies will be employed that elucidate the response of key soil processes to disturbances by human activities and climate warming. The information acquired from the experimental studies and soil observatories will therefore be translated into integrated models. Finally, an ecosystem service evaluation platform allows assessing how various ecosystems may be affected by changes in soil functioning.
Within this general framework, this Ph. D. position specifically concentrates on the reconstruction of sediment and biogeochemical fluxes using novel techniques in three of our selected study areas. By using novel organic (fatty acids..) as well as radiogenic tracers we will characterize sediment and biogeochemical fluxes within the catchments selected in Belgium, Spain and/or Ethiopia, thereby contributing to an improved understanding on how fluxes may have changed over time and how these fluxes may have impacted soil properties and soil functioning. The selected candidate will be based at the University of Leuven but work will be carried out in close collaboration with researchers at Ghent University and at the Université Catholique de Louvain.
Key words: soil science, global change, geomorphology, soil erosion
Latest application date: 2012-08-15
Financing: available
Type of Position: scholarship
Source of Funding: BELSPO IUAP
Duration of the Project : 4 years
Research group:
Remarks: The position is opened within the framework of an interuniversity collaborative project within which a group of ca. 9 Ph. D.'s and 2 postdocs will closely collaborate on the various issues that will be addressed. Interested candidates may also check related positions at the Universit of Ghent (P. Boeckx, P. Finke), Université Catholique de Louvain (V. Vanacker, K. Van Oost, B. Van Wesemael) and University of Antwerp (P. Meire, E. Struyf)
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