Since 1999 (PhD graduation), I have been appointed as Post Doc, research scientist, research professor (since 2014) and project leader in several projects related to either soil contaminants or plant nutrition. 

My work is thus focused along two areas:

Biogeochemistry of soil contaminants

Reserach on the biogeochemistry of metal in soil, sediments and fresh water; The metal speciation in soil solution and it´s impact on both soil microbial biology and plants have had special focus. I have also developed good expertise in the assessment of risk of metal contaminated soils, sediments and water. During most of my career I have used several techniques to investigate metal speciation in environmental samples using i.e. anodic stripping voltammetry (visiting scientist at Cornell University) WHAM/Model VI (Windermere Humic Aqueous Model, visiting scientist at the Centre of Ecology and Hydrology, UK) and DGT/DIFS (diffusive gradients in thin films) technique. The biochemical studies involve studies in pollution induced community tolerance (PICT) making use of 3H-Thymidine or 3H-Leucine incorporation. Recently I am involved as task leader in a project named “Green Move” (NRF) where I will take part in geochemical investigations of potentially hazardous elements in residual rock fragments following rock and soil transfer in relation to development of new roads and similar constructions aiming at establishing new productive soils. In addition, I am involved in an NFR-funded project called “Safe Gras-Hg” aiming at investigating mercury (Hg) contamination and food safety in grassland ecosystems in Inner Mongolia. Finally, in addition to work on the geochemistry of metals in soil, I have been involved as MSc- and now recently supervision of a PhD student(s) investigating the interaction of PFAS in soil and their solubility control as a result of various admixtures in soils.

Plant nutrition and agronomy

Along the environmental focused research, I have been, and still am, involved in more directly agricultural related projects in Norway, Europe and elsewhere in the world (North Sea region, Asia, Africa). I am involved in parts related to determination of trace element (e.g. Cd, Zn, As) and major element (P) speciation in soil and their biogeochemistry in soil plant systems using WHAM and/or DGT/DIFS. Recently much of my focus has been directed to biogeochemical studies (3H-Leucine incorporation) resulting from salt inundations of cultivated and non-cultivated soils in the costal North Sea regions through the Interreg project “Salfar”. As a follow up, an EJP-Soil project called “SoilSaltAdapt” have been funded and more detailed studies on saline impacts in the rhizosphere will be initiated and developed. Related to marine impacts on soil, I am currently involved in a project where my part is spesifically related speciation of As, I and Cd in soil and plants as a result of recycling kelp (seaweed) in soil (Safe Kelp, NFR). Other similar projects are developing.

I am increasingly involved in research and training projects in Uganda, Zambia, Ethiopia and South-Sudan investigating climate change related impacts on management of agricultural systems (NORHED II). Important target groups for the project are staff and students in agriculture (universities), small-scale farmers (with a particular focus on women and youth), professionals in extension services, policy actors, NGOs and government institutions (local government and line Ministries).Food production in the predominantly rain-fed agricultural systems of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is challenged by rapid population growth, soil quality deterioration and climate change, threatening food security and causing malnutrition. Thus is the science focused on soil erosion, soil organic carbon sequestration and soil degradation. Most of these projects involve supervision of MSc and PhD students.