Topics of the Conference
Soil Biogeochemistry and Agriculture
- Biogeochemical cycles; contaminant and nutrient interactions with soils.
- Speciation and bioavailability of contaminants (e.g., metals, organics, particles).
- Organic matter stabilization; mineral surfaces and transformations.
- Bacteria at interfaces.
- Interfaces in agricultural activities: safe and effective application of biochar, nano and micro-particulate (slow-release) pesticides and fertilizers;
- Interface-based sensors in agricultural systems for contaminant/nutrient monitoring.
Interfaces Applied in Decontamination Systems
Application of interfaces for decontamination and water purification, such as, e.g.:
- adsorption;
- heterogeneous (photo)catalysis;
- mediated oxidation or reduction;
- complexation;
- electrochemical methods;
- nanoremediation;
- soil aquifer treatment (SAT);
- biotechnology;
- interfacial evaporation for water treatment and desalination.
Priority will be given for systems investigated in application-oriented studies, e.g., under real conditions, and/or performed at pilot-scale, and/or treating real contaminated streams, especially those containing contaminants of emerging concern (e.g., PFAS).
Theory and Modeling of Interfaces and Interface Phenomena
- Reactive transfer of contaminants from/to (biological) surfaces and interfaces.
- Application of machine-learning and AI for the assessment of complex interface processes in geoscience and environmental physical chemistry.
- From experiment to AI and vice-versa.
Role of Interfaces in Pollutant Dynamics
- Analysis, fate, behavior, impact, and control of:
- inorganic, dissolved and “small” contaminants (e.g., heavy metals, transition elements);
- inorganic, solid-phase contaminants (e.g., mineral particles, nanoparticles);
- organic, dissolved and “small” contaminants (e.g., herbicides, pesticides, toxins, antibiotic resistance genes);
- organic, solid-phase contaminants (e.g., nano and microplastics, viruses).
- Aerosol and atmosphere/surface interactions.
Advances in the Characterization of Interfaces and Interface Processes
- Analytical techniques for the study, characterization, and monitoring of interfaces and colloidal systems under controlled and environmental conditions.
- Analytical techniques for environmental studies.
- Equilibrium and dynamic techniques.
- Passive samplers.
- Electroanalytical techniques.
