Biogeochemistry Research Centre

Researching the environmental behaviour, fate and impact of nutrients, metals and pharmaceuticals in terrestrial, atmospheric and aquatic systems
Scientists working with a University of Plymouth team on sea ice in the Arctic (credit: Simon Belt/University of Plymouth)

Welcome 

The Biogeochemistry Research Centre comprises expert researchers and instrumentation, with acknowledged international leaders in organic geochemistry and environmental analytical chemistry and a strong focus on marine science and current and past ecosystems and climates. 
Our staff are at the cutting edge of research, demonstrated by our involvement in major cross-discipline international research projects to study the functioning of the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans, such as the Antarctic Circumpolar Expedition. 
Our research is underpinned by a state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation base that has been maintained and improved to provide a wide range of methods for detection of compounds of interest at environmental concentrations, including nutrients, biomarkers, volatile marine biogenic compounds and emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals.
We have secured funding from national and international sources, including NERC, The Leverhulme Trust and EU. Our research is communicated through high impact international journals and conference and many stakeholder events.
Professor Mark Fitzsimons  
Lead for Biogeochemistry Research Centre
PENLEE
Atmospheric Processes
Environmental and Fluid Modelling Group
Environmental and Fluid Modelling
Getty image of trees, forest, woodland 636753858
Forest Ecology and Carbon Cycling
Arctic
Marine Biogeochemistry
BRIC psychopharmacology
Chemicals in the Environment

News

Dr Hayley Manners with a colleague on board the drillship Chikyu
University researcher contributes to study into the limits of life on Earth

Dr Hayley Manners and colleagues found single-celled microorganisms living in sediments more than a kilometre into the ocean floor

31 March 2021