Key research themes
1. How do contaminants influence organism behavior and ecosystem functionality beyond direct toxicity?
This research area focuses on understanding the ecological consequences of contamination-induced behavioral changes such as avoidance and habitat selection in aquatic organisms. It emphasizes that contamination can be not only toxic but also repellent, leading to spatial redistribution and population declines without direct mortality. Investigating these behavioral responses highlights the importance of integrating ecological perspectives into contaminant risk assessments and ecosystem management.
2. What is the global distribution and ecological impact of anthropogenic soil contamination across urban and adjacent natural areas?
This theme investigates the widespread occurrence of soil contaminants—including metal(loid)s, pesticides, microplastics, and antibiotic resistance genes—and how human activities drive similar contamination levels in urban greenspaces and nearby natural ecosystems worldwide. It explores how socio-economic and environmental factors influence contamination distribution and examines microbial functional trait changes associated with contamination, thus linking contaminant presence with ecosystem health and resilience.
3. How do anthropogenic contaminants accumulate and disperse in groundwater and aquatic systems, and what are the implications for ecosystem and human health?
Focused on the detection, transport, and fate of contaminants such as nitrates, petroleum hydrocarbons, and pharmaceuticals in groundwater and surface waters, this research theme addresses contamination pathways from land use and industrial activity. It integrates geochemical tracing with studies of land use change and water residence times to understand pollutant source attribution, legacy effects, and risks to human and ecological health, informing sustainable water resource management.