Webinar organized jointly by the German Soil Science Society (DBG), the German Clay and Clay Minerals Group (DTTG), The James Hutton Institute and Thünen Institute

Date: Friday, 17th April Time: 10:00 - 12:00 CET/9-11 BST

Which soils can store the most carbon and thereby help to mitigate climate change?

The answer to this question may be linked to the amount of clay sized particles in soil. However, recent studies are also examining clay from its mineralogical perspective, leading us to ask - To what extent does the mineralogical composition of the clay fraction add control over carbon cycling?

In this seminar, we will explore current challenges in the field and share experiences from The James Hutton Institute, where mineralogical data from soil surveys is being used to underpin various national‑scale studies—not limited to carbon distribution and dynamics.

Target Audience: This webinar is primarily aimed at professionals involved in soil monitoring within public and government agencies, as well as members of the scientific community in Germany and the UK. Early-career researchers are also highly encouraged to join.

Participation is free of charge. Online Zoom Link see PDF.

Programme

10.00h Welcome and Introduction of Speakers (Ines Mulder, Ruhr-University Bochum)

10.10h-10:30h Knowns and unknowns after 15 years of soil monitoring (Christopher Poeplau, Thünen Institute Braunschweig, Germany)

10:35-10:55 Is soil mineralogy the blind spot in soil monitoring? (Urmi Ghosh, The James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen, UK)

10:55-11:15 Mineralogical analysis of soils by X-Ray Diffraction: Past, Present and Future. (Stephen Hillier, The James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen, UK)

11:15-11:35 Linking Soil Mineralogy with Monitoring Practice –some perspectives (Urmi Ghosh, Stephen Hillier)

11:35-12:00 Plenary discussion (chair: Ines Mulder)