Research

I come from a background in soils (I studied Soil Science at the University of Aberdeen) and now manage the National Soils Database of Scotland as well as helping oversee access to the National Soil Archive. The Institute continues to try and make both its data and samples more accessible to everybody, and I am in the process of working towards making our datasets more open and accessible, as well as compliant with the INSPIRE directive along with Allan Lilly and David Donnelly.

I have three main personal research interests. The first is making ‘technical’ soils: using things which are normally thoughts of as wastes, like construction waste and compost, to make substances which do the same jobs for us as real soils – for example growing plants, filtering pollutants, possibly even capturing carbon. I work on this along with  Luke Beesley and Ben Butler.

The second is trying to relate environmental data to the spread and survival of diseases in the environment. I am working on a system to collect data using remote sensors to help in the early detection of the symptoms of Johnes disease in cattle, with the help of the Institute’s electronics engineer David Drummond. I also work with Eulyn Pagaling, Lisa Avery and Rupert Hough on anti-microbial resistance (AMR) in Scottish soils.

The third is using spatial data to solve environmental problems. I work with Geographic Information Systems (such as ArcGIS and QGIS) and databases (Oracle and PostgreSQL) to help combine different datasets in new ways to answer questions relating to soil, landcover and climate with a wide range of colleagues, both at the Institute and in our partner organisations, but particularly Matt Aitkenhead.

Publications

The following Publications have not yet been migrated to the James Hutton Institute's Pure service and relate to the research outputs from the two legacy organisations: The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and The Scottish Crop Research Institute.

Journals

Books / chapters

  • Dawson, L.A.; Towers, W.; Owen, J.; White, D.; Coull, M.C.; Ross, J.M.; Donnelly, D.; Cooper, P. (2010) Soils of the crofts., In: Dawson, L.A., Morrice, J. & Rodway, P. Soils of the Crofts. The James Hutton Institute Publication with Crofting Connections, Aberdeen, 130pp.
  • Blackstock, K.L.; Cooksley, S.L.; Langan, S.J.; Marshall, K.B.; Coull, M.C. (2009) CATCH: Integrated catchment planning: a handbook for project officers., Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Aberdeen, 97p.

Technical / contract reports

  • Davis, J.; McKenzie, B.M.; White, P.; Towers, W.; Coull, M.C. (2011) Agricultural applications for calcium sulphate filter cake and reclaimed gypsum in Scotland., Report for William Tracey Recycling and Resource Management Group.
  • Eastwood, A.; Coull, M.C.; Blackstock, K.L. (2011) Ecosystem Approach Working Group: 1st Brief Discussion Paper., Ecosystem Approach Working Group.
  • Paterson, E.; Campbell, C.D.; Coull, M.C.; Shand, C.A. (2011) Geochemical atlas for Scottish topsoils., The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Aberdeen, 43pp.ISBN 978-0-902701-007
  • Smith, J.U.; Fitton, N.; Smith, P.; Miller, D.G.; Buchan, K.; Coull, M.; Lilly, A.; Matthews, K.B.; Chapman, S.J.; Baggaley, N.; Milne, R.; Thomson, A.M. (2010) Pilot project to determine the suitability of integrated administration and control system (IACS) data to provide land use change data for annual greenhouse gases emission estimates., Final Report for Scottish Government (CR/2009/17), pp76.
  • Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Rowe, E.; Helliwell, R.C.; Smart, S.; Norris, D.; Cooper, D.; Coull, M.C.; Moldan, F.; Blomgren, H.; MacDougall, G.; Aherne, J.; Oulehle, F.; Cosby, J.; Hutchins, M.; Woods, C.; Lawlor, A.; Jenkins, A. (2010) Critical loads and dynamic modelling umbrella., DRAFT Final Report for the period 2077 – 2010, March 2010.
  • Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Rowe, E.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hutchins, M.; Cosby, J.; Smart, S.; Coull, M.C. (2009) Critical loads and dynamic modelling. 24 Month Report, 24 Month Report to DEFRA.
  • Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Rowe, E.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hutchins, M.; Cosby, J.; Smart, S.; Coull, M.C. (2008) Critical loads and dynamic modelling., 18 Month Report to DEFRA.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Rowe, E.; Hutchins, M.; Cosby, J.; Smart, S.; Coull, M.C.; Aherne, J. (2008) Critical loads and dynamic modelling (WP4 Model testing and uncertainty analysis)., 12 Month Report to DEFRA.
  • Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Rowe, E.; Helliwell, R.C.; Aherne, J.; Hutchins, M.; Cosby, J.; Smart, S.; Coull, M.C. (2007) Critical loads and dynamic modelling (WP4 Model testing and uncertainty analysis)., 6 Month Report to the DEFRA.
  • Lilly, A.; Baggaley, N.J.; Coull, M.C. (2007) Report on the permeability of 33 topsoils on the River Findhorn and Pilmuir flood alleviation scheme., British Geological Survey, Subcontract Report.
  • Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Rowe, E.; Helliwell, R.C.; Aherne, J.; Jenkins, A.; Hutchins, M.; Cosby, J.; Smart, S.; Howard, D.; Norris, D.; Coull, M.C.; Lilly, A.; Broughton, R.; O’Hanlon, S.; Heywood, E.; Ullyett, J. (2007) Critical loads and dynamic modelling., Final Report to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under Contract Number CPEA 19.
  • Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Rowe, E.; Aherne, J.; Cosby, J.; Coull, M.C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hutchins, M.; Jenkins, A.; Broughton, R.; Norris, D. (2006) Critical loads and dynamic modelling annual report – year 2., Report to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under Contract Number CPEA 19.
  • Jenkins, A.; Ferrier, R.C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Aherne, J.; Evans, C.; Coull, M.C.; Hutchins, M.; Davis, J. (2004) Dynamic modelling of acidification process – Phase II. Final Summary Report., Contract to DEFRA (EPG 1/3/94), December 2004.
  • Curtis, C.; Simpson, G.L.; Kowalik, R.; Ormerod, S.; Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Ullyett, J.; Cooper, D.M.; Davies, J.; Hutchins, M.; Jenkins, A.; Battarbee, R.; Hughes, M.; Kernan, M.; Monteith, D.; Patrick, S.; Rose, N.; Yang, H.; Malcolm, I.; McCartney, A.; Watson, J.; Ferrier, R.C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Coull, M.C.; Juggins, S. (2004) Summary of research under Defra contract “recovery of Acidified Waters in the UK”, EPG/1/3/183. Final Report., Research Report No.98, Environmental Change Research Centre, London, pp362.
  • Campbell, C.D.; Paton, G.I.; Towers, W.; Paterson, E.; Dawson, J.J.C.; Cameron, C.M.; Coull, M.C.; Christie, P. (2001) A biological classification scheme to assess the sensitivity of Scottish and Northern Ireland soils to heavy metals., Technical Report SR(00) 09 to SNIFFER, Edinburgh, June 2001.
  • Chapman, S.J.; Towers, W.; Williams, B.L.; Coull, M.C.; Paterson, E. (2001) Review of the contribution to climate change of organic soils under different land uses., Environment Group Research Programme Research Findings No.17. Scottish Executive Central Research Unit.
    ISBN 0755932765
  • Chambers, B.J.; Gibbs, P.; Chaudri, A.M.; McGrath, S.P.; Carlton-Smith, C.H.; Hall, J.E.; Hallett, J.E.; Bacon, J.R.; Campbell, C.D.; Cooper, P.; Coull, M.C.; Aitken, M.N.; Sym, G.; Kirkland, I. (2000) Effects of sewage sludge applications to agricultural soils on soil microbial activity and the implications for agricultural productivity and long term soil fertility., Second annual report of the co-ordinated research programme(1998-2002), PhaseII, CSA4751, 31 July 2000, 146pp.
  • Chambers, B.J.; Garwood, T.M.; Chaudri, A.M.; McGrath, S.P.; Carlton-Smith, C.H.; Hall, J.E.; Hallett, J.E.; Bacon, J.R.; Campbell, C.D.; Coull, M.C.; Aitken, M.N. (1999) Effects of sewage sludge applications to agricultural soils on soil microbial activity and the implications for agricultural productivity and long term soil fertility., First annual report of the co-ordinated research programme (1998-2002), PhaseII. CSA4751, 31 July 1999, 148pp.
  • Chambers, B.J.; Garwood, T.M.; Chaudri, A.M.; McGrath, S.P.; Carlton-Smith, C.H.; Hall, J.E.; Hallett, J.E.; Bacon, J.R.; Campbell, C.D.; Coull, M.C.; Aitken, M.N. (1998) Effects of sewage sludge applications to agricultural soils on soil microbial activity and the implications for agricultural productivity and long term soil fertility., Final Report of the Co-ordinated Research Programme (1994-1998), Phase I. Report ref. CSA 2566, 31 July 1998, 214pp.
  • Chambers, B.J.; Garwood, T.W.D.; Chaudri, A.; McGrath, S.; Carlton-Smith, C.; Hall, J.; Hallett, J.E.; Bacon, J.; Campbell, C.D.; Coull, M.C.; Aitken, M.; Kirkland, I. (1997) Effects of sewage sludge applications to agricultural soils on soil microbial activity and the implication for agricultural productivity and long term soil fertility., Third Annual Report of the Co-ordinated Research Programme (1996-1997). Phase I.
  • Chambers, B.J.; Garwood, T.W.D.; Chaudri, A.; McGrath, S.; Carlton-Smith, C.; Hall, J.; Hallett, J.E.; Bacon, J.; Campbell, C.D.; Coull, M.C. Aitken, M. (1995) Effects of sewage sludge applications to agricultural soils on soil microbial activity and the implication for agricultural productivity and long term soil fertility. First annual report of the co-ordinated research programme. Phase 1., Report for DOE/MAFF/Welsh Office/WSA and SOAEFD.

Conference papers

  • Walker, R.L.; Oborn, I.; Bertilsson, J.; Campbell, C.D.; Coull, M.C.; Dahlin, A.S.; Edwards, A.C.; Eriksson, J.; Frankow-Lindberg, B.E.; Hillier, S.; Lindstrom, B.; Linse, L.; Ramezanian, A.; Lumsdon, D.G.; Shand, C.; Sinclair, A.H.; Watson, C.A.; Wivstad, M. (2010) Micronutrient strategies in organic systems: using local and site specific resources to improve crop and livestock quality., Proceedings of 15th World Fertilizer Congress of the International Scientific Centre for Fertilizers (CIEC), Romania, 29 August – 2 September 2010.
  • Campbell, C.D.; Towers, W.; Dawson, L.A.; Coull, M.C. (2010) Public engagement – How we make soils entertaining., World Congress of Soil Science: Soil Solutions for a Changing World, 19th, Brisbane Australia, 1-6 August 2010.
  • Towers, W.; Campbell, C.D.; Paton, G.I.; Paterson, E.; Dawson, J.J.C.; Cameron, C.M.; Coull, M.C.; Christie, P.; Scanlan, C. (2003) The development of a biological sensitivity classification of soils to heavy metals., Proceedings of “Integrating Novel Approaches to Pollution Research in Terrestrial and Marine Environments”. A Joint BSSS/SETAC-UK Meeting, 8-10 September 2003.
  • Towers, W.; Coull, M.C.; Paterson, E. (2001) Upland soils: an altitudinal or ecological definition., Proceedings of Soils and the Uplands, British Society of Soil Science Annual Conference, Durham, September 2001. Oral presentation.
  • Bacon, J.R.; Campbell, C.D.; Coull, M.C.; Chambers, B.J.; Gibbs, P.A.; Chaudri, A.; McGrath, S.P.; Carlton-Smith, C.; Aitken, M. (2001) A long-term study of the effects of heavy metals in sewage sludge on soil fertility and soil microbial activity., In: Recycling and Reuse of Sewage Sludge, Proceedings of the International Symposium, University of Dundee, Dundee, 19-20 March 2001 (eds. R.K. Dhir, M.C. Limbachiya and M.J. McCarthy). Thomas Telford, London, pp87-96.
  • Towers, W.; Horne, P.L.; Paterson, E.; Coull, M.C. (2001) Recycling of sewage sludge to land: legislative, scientific and practical considerations., In: Proceedings of Recycling and Reuse of Sewage Sludge (eds. Dhir, R.K., Limbachiya, M.C. and McCarthy, M.J.). University of Dundee, March 2001, pp273-286.
  • Towers, W.; Coull, M.C.; Paterson, E.; Stephen, N.H.; Watson, C.; Dunn, S.M.; Aitken, M.; Langan, S.J.; Swaffield, R.; Vinten, A.; Watt, D. (2001) Waste to land development of a spatially based decision support tool., In: Proceedings of Agriculture and Waste : Management for a Sustainable Future. SAC/SEPA, Edinburgh, April 1999, pp47-62.
  • Bacon, J.R.; Coull, M.C.; Hewitt, I.J.; Cooper, P. (2000) Increased extractable metal concentrations following sewage sludge additions to grassland soils., Proceedings of International Conference on Heavy Metals in the Environment, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, 6-10 August 2000.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Black, H.I.J.; Brooker, R.W.; McVittie, A.; Irvine, R.J.; Coull, M.C. (2011) Ecosystem Services in the Scottish Government’s Environmental Change Research Programme, British Ecological Society Annual Meeting 2011, University of Sheffield, 12-14 September 2011.
  • Thornton, B.; Midwood, A.J.; Coull, M.C.; Hudson, G. (2011) Carbon and nitrogen isotopes of scottish soils., Stable Isotopes Mass Spectrometry User Group Meeting 2011, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster, 23-24 November 2011.
  • Oborn, I.; Bertilsson, J.; Campbell, C.D.; Coull, M.C.; Dahlin, A.S.; Edwards, A.C.; Eriksson, J.; Frankow-Lindberg, B.E.; Hillier, S.; Lindstrom, B.; Linse, L.; Lumsdon, D.G.; Ramezanian, A.; Shand, C.A.; Sinclair, A.H.; Walker, R.L.; Watson, C.A.; Vivstad, M. (2011) Micronutrient management strategies in agriculture – how to utilize local and site specific resources to produce high quality products?, International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements (ICOBTE 2011), 11th, Congress Center, Florence, Italy, 3-7 July 2011.
  • Jackson-Blake, L.A; Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.; Gibbs, S; Coull, M.C. (2010) Can environmental traits be used to understand nitrogen leaching?, Global Change and the World’s Mountains, Perth, Scotland, 26-30 September 2010.
  • Walker, R.L.; Oborn, I.; Bertilsson, J.; Campbell, C.D.; Coull, M.C.; Dahlin, A.S.; Edwards, A.C.; Eriksson, J.; Frankow-Lindberg, B.E.; Hillier, S.; Lindstrom, B.; Linse, L.; Ramezanian, A.; Lumsdon, D.G.; Shand, C.; Sinclair, A.H.; Watson, C.A.; Wivstad, M. (2010) Micronutrient strategies in organic systems: using local and site specific resources to improve crop and livestock quality., Proceedings of 15th World Fertilizer Congress of the International Scientific Centre for Fertilizers (CIEC), Romania, 29 August – 2 September 2010. (Poster)
  • Vinten, A.J.A.; Blackstock, K.L.; Stutter, M.I.; Watson, A.; Coull, M.C. (2009) Lunan monitored priority catchment., Knowledge Scotland KTE Event, SEPA, Stirling, 29 May 2009.
  • Blackstock, K.L.; Coull, M.C.; Dunglinson, J.; Fischer, A.; Futter, M.; Glenk, K.; Marshall, K.; Smith, H. (2009) Stakeholder engagement in river basin management planning., Knowledge Scotland KTE Event, SEPA, Stirling, 29 May 2009.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.J.; Evans, C.; Coull, M.C.; Gibb, S.; Fisher, J.M.; Armitage, H. (2009) Modelling soil carbon stocks and nitrogen dynamics in spatially heterogeneous montane environments., British Society of Soil Science Conference Panel.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.J.; Evans, C.; Coull, M.C.; Gibbs, S.; Fisher, J.M.; Armitage, H.; Dawson, L.A. (2009) Modelling soil carbon stocks and nitrogen dynamics in spatially heterogeneous montane environments., In: Predicting the Future for Highly Organic Soils, British Society of Soil Science, Spring Conference, Edinburgh Conference Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 5-7 May 2009.
  • Futter, M.N.; Baggaley, N.J.; Brown, I.; Dunn, S.M.; Ferrier, R.C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Coull, M.C. (2008) IWAM Conference., IWAM Workshop – Agriculture, Water Management and Climate Change, MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath, UK, 4-6 March 2008.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Baggaley, N.J.; Lilly, A.; Coull, M.C.; Gibbs, S. (2008) Soil hydrological and hydrochemical responses in the allt a’ Mharcaidh catchment, Scotland., European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2008 Symposium: Soil Structure Forming Processes and Soil Functions, Vienna, Austria, 13-18 April 2008.
  • Futter, M.N.; Baggaley, N.J.; Brown, I.; Coull, M.C.; Dunn, S.M.; Ferrier, R.C.; Fozzard, I.; Helliwell, R.C. (2008) Uncertainties and sensitivities in modelled Scottish loch phosphorus concentrations., IWAM International Workshop on Agriculture, Water Management and Climate Change, Bath, March 2008.
  • Coull, M.C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Gibbs, S. (2005) Assessing the impact of N deposition on surface water N concentration: Up-scaling from the plot to hill slope., Acid Rain 2005, International Conference on Acid Deposition, 7th, Prague, Czech Republic, 12-17June 2005.
  • Evans, C.D.; Rowe, E.C.; Curtis, C.J.; Helliwell, R.C.; Reynolds, B.; Emmett, B.A.; Coull, M.C. (2005) Can organic soil C/N ratios be used to simulate inorganic nitrogen leaching in acidification models?, Global Food Security.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Evans, C.D.; Aherne, J.; Coull, M.C.; Jenkins, A.; Ferrier, R.C.; Reynolds, B.; Davies, J. (2005) Predicting the potential recovery from acidification in response to reduced acid deposition across the UK: Improved parameterisation of the role of nitrogen., Acid rain2005, 7th International Conference on Acid Deposition, Prague, Czech Republic, 12-17June 2005.
  • Towers, W.; Campbell, C.D.; Paton, G.I.; Paterson, E.; Dawson, J.; Cameron, C.M.; Coull, M.C.; Christie, P.; Scanlan, C. (2003) The development of a biological sensitivity classification of soils to heavy metals., British Society of Soil Science and Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. Integrating Novel Approaches to Pollution Research in Terrestrial and Marine Environments, University of Aberdeen, 8-10 September 2003. Book of Abstracts.
  • Towers, W.; Campbell, C.D.; Paton, G.I.; Patterson, E.; Dawson, J.; Cameron, C.M.; Coull, M.C.; Christie, P.; Scanlan, C. (2002) The development of a biological sensitivity classification of soils to heavy metals., Proceedings of the 17th World Congress of Soil Science, Volume 5, p1735.
  • Paterson, E.; Towers, W.; Coull, M.C.; Visser-Lyons, H. (2001) Site typology for analysis, monitoring and modelling in environmental research., International Conference on Detecting Environmental Change, London, July 2001. Abstract., p135.
  • Bacon, J.R.; Campbell, C.D.; Coull, M.C.; Chambers, B.J.; Chaudri, A.; McGrath, S.P.; Carlton-Smith, C.; Aitken, M. (2001) A long-term study of the effects of heavy metals in sewage sludge on soil fertility and soil microbial activity., Abstract for Invited Talk at International Symposium on Recycling and Reuse of Sewage Sludge, University of Dundee, 19-20 March 2001.
  • Bacon, J.R.; Coull, M.C.; Hewitt, I.J.; Cooper, P. (2000) Increased extractable metal concentrations following sewage sludge additions to grassland soils., International Conference on Heavy Metals in the Environment, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, 6-8 August 2000.

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