My research expertise focuses on the characterization, assessment, and ecological functioning of urban and peri-urban soils, with particular emphasis on the effects of land-use change and anthropogenic pressures on soil quality, fertility, contamination, and biodiversity. My work combines soil science, environmental geochemistry, soil biology, and ecological assessment to better understand the spatial and vertical variability of urban soils and their responses to different forms of anthropogenic disturbance.

A major component of my research involves the characterization of urban soil profiles, including their physicochemical properties, mineralogical characteristics, nutrient status, and contamination by trace metals and persistent organic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). I investigate how contrasting land uses, wastewater irrigation, urban gardening, industrial activities, waste disposal, construction materials, and atmospheric deposition modify soil properties and generate heterogeneous anthropogenic soil profiles. Particular attention is given to the distinction between natural soil backgrounds and anthropogenically modified soils, as well as to the vertical distribution of contaminants within soil profiles.

My research also addresses soil biodiversity and biological functioning as essential components of soil quality. This includes the assessment of microbial communities and soil enzymatic activities, particularly enzymes involved in carbon, n

Agronomy
Ecotoxicology
Microbiology
Plant Biotechnology
Urban Ecology

Le projet vise à caractériser les sols anthropisés et à évaluer l’impact des activités humaines sur leur qualité, leur fonctionnement biologique et leur biodiversité. Il s’intéresse à différents niveaux d’anthropisation, depuis les sols faiblement perturbés jusqu’aux sols soumis à des pressions urbaines, industrielles, agricoles ou liées aux déchets.

L’étude intégrera la caractérisation physico-chimique et biologique des sols, notamment la texture, le pH, la matière organique, les éléments nutritifs, les éléments traces métalliques et les contaminants organiques, ainsi que les microorganismes et activités enzymatiques impliqués dans les cycles du carbone, de l’azote et du phosphore.

Le projet cherchera à établir les relations entre degré d’anthropisation, propriétés du sol, biodiversité et fonctions écologiques, afin d’identifier des indicateurs de qualité des sols et de proposer des stratégies de conservation, restauration et gestion durable des sols anthropisés.

anthropized soils, urban soils, soil biodiversity, soil health, soil microbial communities, soil ecosystem functions, soil quality, anthropogenic pressures, soil contamination, ecological restoration.

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