Our aim is to better understand the dynamics of the matter beneath our feet. To this end, we are looking for suitable soil chemistry analysis methods to meet current challenges and reconstruct past living environments (historical and prehistoric land use).

Our projects focus on the impact of humans on their environment – phenomena that are summarized under the term Anthropocene. To this end, we often work together with archaeologists and jointly create an idea of past living environments. In addition to past human-environment relationships, we are also interested in current and methodological issues relating to Soil Geography. To this end, we use analytical chemistry methods that are available to us in our geolab, where we take a close look at inorganic and organic molecules from the soil.

Are you interested? Please feel free to contact us for more information about Soil Geography at the University of Mainz. We look forward to hearing from you!

The experimental and analytical laboratory equipment is oriented towards the research units [im Rahmen der Forschungsinitiative 2008-11] and is used for qualified student training. The Soil Geography work group has laboratories and expertise for organic and inorganic soil/geochemistry and trace analysis. Field soil analysis equipment enables us to approach and sample soils in the field.

The Soil Science group offers courses as part of the following degree programs:

  • Geography (Bachelor of Science, Bachelor/Master’s degree in Education)
  • Climate and Environmental Change (Master’s degree)
  • Geosciences (Bachelor of Science)

Information about the respective degree programs can be found on the homepage of the Geography and Geosciences study offices.

In the summer semester the following courses are offered by the AG Soil Geography:

M6-MSc Lecture: New methods in soil sciences (Prof. Dr. S. Fiedler, Dr. S. Scherer)
M6-MSc Advanced seminar: Case-specific application of methods (Prof. Dr. S. Fiedler, Dr. S. Scherer)
M6-MSc Field practical course: Laboratory and field methods (Prof. Dr. S. Fiedler, Dr. S. Scherer)
GEOW 11 Soil Science field trip (1 day) (Prof. Dr. S. Fiedler, Dr. S. Scherer)

The courses in the winter semester are:

M8/M3ED Lecture: Introduction to Soil Geography (Prof. Dr. S. Fiedler, Dr. Sascha Scherer)
M1-MSc Lecture: Anthropocene – the Changing World (Prof. Dr. S. Fiedler, Dr. Sascha Scherer)
M8/M7*2016* Fieldwork Site Classification and Evaluation (Prof. Dr. S. Fiedler, Dr. S. Scherer)

SoilcastInformative and understandable podcast about soil. Have a listen! Also useful for exam preparation.

As part of various research and teaching projects, we always have topics for final theses (B.Sc./B.Ed./M.Sc./M.Ed.) and project studies (M.Sc.) in the fields of Soil Geography, organic and inorganic geochemistry, geo- and bioarchaeology. Co-authorships in scientific publications may also be possible. Browse our homepage and talk to us personally to find out about your options. We look forward to hearing from you!