SOMER investigates the mechanisms and controlling factors that build and maintain soil structure and ecological functions in mine tailings and degraded soils. The group develops ecological engineering strategies for tailing pedogenesis and degraded soil remediation, quality improvement, and carbon enhancement.
1. Tailing pedogenesis and ecological reconstruction
We investigate mineral weathering, secondary mineral formation, organic carbon stabilization, and structural development during the transformation of mine tailings into soil-like substrates.
2. Soil structure and ecological function reconstruction
We examine how plant roots, rhizosphere microorganisms, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi regulate aggregate formation, organic matter accumulation, nutrient cycling, and plant stress resistance.
3. Organo-mineral interface processes and element cycling
We characterize electron transfer, mineral dissolution and precipitation, metal transformation, and molecular fractionation of organic matter at mineral-water-organic matter-microbe interfaces.
4. Soil microecology and molecular transformation of organic matter
We elucidate how biological systems, including plants, soil animals, and microorganisms, drive the formation, transformation, and stabilization of soil organic matter in tailings and degraded soils.
