David Lumsdon
David Lumsdon is a senior research scientist in the Catchment Management research area, with more than 25 years research experience. He initially trained as a soil scientist, and later undertook Post Doctoral studies in the Department of Land Resource Science at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He is an expert in soil and aqueous geochemistry, especially coordination chemistry, the surface chemistry of soil mineral and humic colloids, mathematical models of geochemical and transport processes in porous media; molecular simulations of geochemical systems. This knowledge has allowed him study a wide range of topics and to develop improved understanding into the behaviour of chemical elements in terrestrial environments. In particular he is interested to translate the information obtained using advanced analytical techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to provide improved models for chemical interactions in soils. He is an associate editor with the Journal of Geochemical Exploration and acts as a reviewer for several peer reviewed scientific journals.
Current research interests
- Geochemistry and bioavailabilty of metals in sewage sludge amended soils
- Soil phosphorus resources and solubility in Scottish soils
- Phosphorus recovery from waste streams by active filtration through Fe ochre-based filters
- Geochemistry of micro nutrients (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mo, B) in soils
- Predicting essential soil functions through the combination of soil databases with advanced soil chemical models
- Use of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction techniques to advance the application of mechanistic soil chemical modelling
- Challenges related to developing sustainable agriculture, in relation to future fossil fuel and natural resource constraints in a world with increasing population.
Some topics of research conducted earlier in his research career include:
- Mineral phases controlling aluminium speciation and solubility in acid waters and soils
- Role of chemical speciation modelling in biological systems (Phosphate-root interactions, metals and micro organisms)
- Mechanisms and modelling of soil organic carbon interaction on Fe (oxy)hydroxide minerals
- Geochemical behaviour of As(V), Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in contaminated land
- Acidification modelling and the transport of dissolved organic carbon to water bodies
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