Luke Beesley

Researcher-Survey and Land Evaluation
Environmental and Biochemical Sciences
E: luke.beesley@hutton.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1224 395318

I am a researcher with a broad interest in soils, specifically improving degraded urban and contaminated soils using organic amendments. In this respect I am interested in how degraded brownfield sites may be reclaimed by the addition of recycled wastes, and how stabilisation using vegetation can be promoted on these sites. I am also very interested in new methodologies for monitoring environmental pollution. Most recently my direction of research has taken me towards biochar, and its potential to improve soils physically, chemically and biologically.

Publications

Journals

Prior to appointment

Books

  • Sizmur, T.; Quilliam, R.; Perigrina-Puga, A.; Moreno-Jimenez, E.; Beesley, L.; Gomez-Eyles, J.L. (2015) Application of biochar for soil remediation., In: Guo, M., He, Z., Uchimiya, M. (eds.). Agricultural and Environmental Applications of Biochar: Advances and Barriers. SSSA Special Publication 63, Madison, USA, pp1-30.
  • Nehls, T.; Jiang, Y.; Dennehy, C.; Zhan, X.; Beesley, L. (2015) From waste to value: urban agriculture enables cycling of resources in cities., In: Lohrberg, F., Licka, L., Scazzosi, L. & Timpe, A. (eds.). Urban Agriculture Europe. Jovis, Berlin, Chapter 5.1., pp170-173.
  • Chipunga, L.; Magidimisha, H.H.; Hardman, M.; Beesley, L. (2015) The importance of soil quality in the safe practice of urban agriculture in Zimbabwe, Kenya and South Africa., In: Brearley, F.Q. & Thomas, A.D. (eds.). Land-Use Change Impacts on Soil Processes: Tropical and Savannah Ecosystems. CABI, Oxon, Chapter 7, pp72-84.
  • Beesley, L.; Moreno, E.; Fellet, G.; Carrijo, L.; Sizmur, T. (2015) Biochar and heavy metals., In: Lehmann, J. & Joseph, S. (eds.). Biochar for Environmental Management: Science and Technology. Earthscan, London, pp563-594
  • Gomez-Eyles, J.L.; Beesley, L.; Moreno-Jimenez, E.; Ghosh, U.; Sizmur, T. (2013) The potential of biochar amendments to remediate contaminated soils., In: Ladygina , N. & Rineau, F. (eds.). Biochar and soil biota. Science Publishers, Enfield, New Hampshire 03748, USA/Jersey, British Isles.

Reports

  • Nolan, A.J.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Maps and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 164 Eredine Forest 2022 Block, West Argyll Forest District, Digital Soils Data and Report Uploaded into ForesterWeb GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 163 Cruach Tairbeirt Forest Block 2022, Cowal Trossachs Forest District, Digital Soils Data and Report Uploaded into ForesterWeb GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Riach, D.J.; Addy, S.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Maps and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 162 Kilmichael Forest 2022 Block, West Argyll Forest District, Digital Soils Data and Report Uploaded into ForesterWeb GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Maps and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 160 Strathlachlan Forest Main Block 2022, Cowal Trossachs Forest District, Digital Soils Data and Report Uploaded into ForesterWeb GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Riach, D.J.; Butler, B.M.; Addy, S.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 157 South Rannoch 2021 Block, Tay Forest District, East Region, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 154 – Succoth 2021 Block, West Argyll Forest District, West Region, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 153 – Glen Orchy 2021 Block, West Argyll Forest District, West Region, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 152 – Duror Forest, Lochaber Forest District, West Region, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Butler, B.M.; Nolan, A.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 150 – Pendreich, Central Forest Region, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Butler, B.M.; Nolan, A.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 147 Crannich NorthWest and SouthEast Blocks, Island of Mull, West Argyll Forest District, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Beesley, L.; Addy, S.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Butler, B.M.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 145 Torrie 2020 Block, Cowal and Trossachs Forest District, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Butler, B.M.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000 Volume 144 Loch Katrine 2020, Cowal and Trossachs Forest District, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Troldborg, M.; Frachon, A.; Beesley, L.; Stockan, J.; Hough, R.L.; Avery, L. (2021) Evaluating constructed wetland performance at Dinnet using a mass balance modelling approach., Summary Report for RESAS.
  • Hewison, R.L.; Nolan, A.J.; Riach, D.J.; Butler, B.M.; Beesley, L.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 143 – Glendoll Forest, 2020, Tay Forest District, East Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Butler, B.M.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 139 – Weem and Glassie Blocks, 2020, Tay Forest District, East Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Butler, B.M.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 138 – Allean Forest 2020, Tay Forest District, East Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Beesley, L.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Report, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 136 – Elchies Forest Peat Survey, 2020, Moray and Aberdeenshire Forest District, East Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Butler, B.M.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 135 – Glen Sherup Forest, 2020, Tay Forest District, East Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Henderson, D.J.; Beesley, L.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 134 – Glen Devon Main Block, 2020, Tay Forest District, East Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Butler, B.M.; Riach, D.J.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 131 – Glentrool Main Block 2020, Galloway Forest District, South Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • McMullen, A.; Hewison, R.L.; Nolan, A.J.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Donnelly, D. (2020) Coulshill and the Corb – Habitats, vegetation and soils., Contract output to Scottish Woodlands.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Beesley, L.; Henderson, D.J.; Butler, B.M.; Hewison, R.L.; Donnelly, D. (2020) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 129 – Loch Chon 2019 Blocks, Cowal and Trossachs Forest District., Digital Soils Spatial Data and Report uploaded to ForesterWeb.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Butler, B.M.; Riach, D.J.; Donnelly, D. (2020) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 127 – Queensway Forest 2019 Block, Galloway Forest District., Digital Soils Spatial Data and Report uploaded to ForesterWeb.
  • Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Nolan, A.J.; Donnelly, D. (2020) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 126 – Pencloe 2019 Block, Galloway Forest District., Digital Soils Spatial Data and Report uploaded to ForesterWeb.
  • Beesley, L.; Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Donnelly, D. (2020) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 123 – Knapdale Forest 2019 Mid Block, West Argyll Forest District., Digital Soils Spatial Data and Report uploaded to ForesterWeb.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Donnelly, D. (2020) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 122 – Knapdale 2019 East Block, West Argyll Forest District., Digital Soils Spatial Data and Report uploaded to ForesterWeb.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Butler, B.M.; Donnelly, D. (2020) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 119 – Kindrogan Forest 2019 Blocks, Tay Forest District., Digital Soils Spatial Data and Report uploaded to ForesterWeb.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Riach, D.J.; Butler, B.M.; Henderson, D.J.; Beesley, L.; Donnelly, D. (2020) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 116 – Glen Loy Forest, Lochaber Forest District., Digital Soils Spatial Data and Report uploaded to ForesterWeb.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Butler, B.M.; Donnelly, D. (2020) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 115 – Glen Markie Forest 2018 Blocks, Tay Forest District., Digital Soils Spatial Data and Report uploaded to ForesterWeb.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.; Henderson, D.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Donnelly, D. (2020) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 113 – Drummond Hill, Tay Forest District (2018)., Digital Soils Spatial Data and Report uploaded to ForesterWeb.

Conference papers

Conference posters

  • Stevenson, C.; Salome, M.; Avery, L.; Hough, R.L; Stockan, J.; Anderson, P.; Beesley, L. (2018) Demonstrating the potential of constructed wetlands for combined wastewater treatment and biomass production: a case study in Scotland., 16th IWA International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control, Valenica, Spain, 3 September – 4 October 2018.
  • Avery, L.M.; Stockan, J.; Tamburini, M.; Abel, C.; Randerson, P.; Beesley, L.; Hough R.L. (2018) Demonstrating the potential of constructed wetlands for combined wastewater treatment and biomass production: A case study in Scotland., The 16th IWA International Conference Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control, Valencia, 30 September – 4 October 2018.
  • Stevenson, C.; Michel, S.; Avery, L.; Hough, R.L.; Stockan, J.; Anderson, P.; Beesley, L. (2018) Demonstrating the potential of constructed wetlands for combined wastewater treatment and biomass production: a case study in Scotland., 16th International Conference of the IWA Specialist Group on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain, 30 September – 4 October 2018. (Poster)
  • Nolan, A.J.; Rayner, B.; Kennedy, A.; Brown, C.; Donnelly, D.; Bell, J.S.; Henderson, D.J.; Towers, W.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.R. (2014) Sustainable forestry: the imperative of soil mapping in forest resource inventory, modelling and management in Scotland, UK., 20th World Congress of Soil Science, Soils Embrace Life and Universe, Jeju, South Korea, 8-13 June 2014.
  • Beesley, L.; Marmiroli, M.; Moreno-Jimenez, E. (2013) The role of biochar in the phytoremediation of metal/metalloid contaminated soils., International Conference on Contaminated Sites (ICCS), Bratislava, Slovakia, 29-31 May 2013.
  • Beesley, L.; Marmiroli, M.; Pagano, L.; Pigoni, V.; Marmiroli, N. (2012) Impact of biochar on arsenic uptake in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.)., 9th International Phytotechnology Society (IPS) Conference, Hasselt University, Belgium, 11-14 September 2012.
  • Beesley, L.; Marmiroli, M. (2011) The immobilisation and retention of soluble arsenic, cadmium and zinc by biochar., Second Annual Conference and MC Meeting Cost Action FA 0905, What’s for lunch? Nutrients and minerals in every day food: How the knowledge on mineral nutrition of plants can improve human nutrition, Venice, Italy, 23-26 November 2011.
  • Beesley, L.; Moreno-Jemenez, E.; Gomez-Eyles, J.L. (2011) The role of biochar in the phytoremediation of metal/metalloid contaminated soils., Second Annual Conference and MC Meeting Cost Action FA 0905, What’s for lunch? Nutrients and minerals in every day food: How the knowledge on mineral nutrition of plants can improve human nutrition, Venice, Italy, 23-26 November 2011.
  • Beesley, L.; Moreno-Jemenez, E.; Gomez-Eyles, J.L. (2011) Effects of biochar and greenwaste compost amendments on mobility, bioavailability and toxicity of inorganic and organic contaminants in a multi-element polluted soil., Second Annual Conference and MC Meeting Cost Action FA 0905, What’s for lunch? Nutrients and minerals in every day food: How the knowledge on mineral nutrition of plants can improve human nutrition, Venice, Italy, 23-26 November 2011.
  • Beesley, L.; Marmiroli, M.; Pagano, L.; Pigoni, V.; Marmiroli, N. (2011) Managing N,P,K excesses in soils, from applied fertilisers, using biochar; direct implications to tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum L.) health and consequences to the mobility and uptake of trace element., Second Annual Conference and MC Meeting Cost Action FA 0905, What’s for lunch? Nutrients and minerals in every day food: How the knowledge on mineral nutrition of plants can improve human nutrition, Venice, Italy, 23-26 November 2011.
  • Beesley, L.; Marmiroli, M.; Pagano, L.; Pigoni, V.; Marmiroli, N. (2011) Managing N,P,K excesses in soils, from applied fertilisers, using biochar; direct implications to tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum L.) health and consequences to the mobility and uptake of trace elements., COST 869: Mitigation Options for Nutrient Reduction in Surface Water and Groundwaters Conference, Keszthely, Hungary, 12-14 October 2011
  • Beesley, L.; Moreno-Jimenez, E.; Gomez-Eyles, J.G. (2011) The role of biochar in the phytoremediation of metal/metalloid contaminated soils., ICOBTE 11th International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements, Florence, Italy 3-7 July 2011.
  • Beesley, L.; Marmiroli, M.; Moreno-Jimenez, E. (2011) A multi-assay approach to assess the potential of biochar to immobilise phytotoxic concentrations of trace elements in soil., UK Biochar 2011, 3rd Annual UK Biochar conference, University of Edinburgh, 25-26 May 2011.
  • Beesley, L.; Dickinson, N.M. (2011) Carbon and trace element fluxes in the pore water of an urban soil following greenwaste compost, woody and biochar amendments, inoculated with the earthworm lumbricus terrestris., Second Annual Conference and MC Meeting Cost Action FA 0905, What’s for lunch? Nutrients and minerals in every day food: How the knowledge on mineral nutrition of plants can improve human nutrition, Venice, Italy, 23-26 November 2011.
  • Beesley, L.; Marmiroli, M.; Moreno-Jimenez, E. (2010) A multi-assay approach to assess the potential of biochar to immobilise phytotoxic concentrations of trace elements in soil., International Phytotechnology Society 7th International Conference on Phytologies, Phytotechnologies in the 21st century: Challenges after Copenhagen 2009, University of Parma, Parma, Italy, 26-29 September 2010.