Conferences
24–26 September 2025, Vienna, Austria
International Symposium 2025 Molecular Modeling in Soil Science—Achievements and Perspectives
Organizers
Leonard Böhm (Justus Liebig University Giessen)
Edgar Galicia Andrés (BOKU University, Institute of Molecular Modeling and Simulation (MMSI))
Martin Gerzabek (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna)
Chris Oostenbrink (BOKU University)
Karin Slama (Institut für Bodenforschung)
Daniel Tunega (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences)
It is undeniable that soils have a major role in ecosystem functions at very different spatial and temporal scales (local and global), from microscopic to macroscopic phenomena. Soil plays a fundamental role as a sink and source of gases that are part of the greenhouse effect, and thus it plays a fundamental role in the fight against climate change. Soil serves as an ecological buffer for numerous chemical species such as contaminants and fertilizers and is a major factor in the global hydrological cycle. The exchange of energy and mass takes places at the interface, where physical, chemical and biological processes determine their fate. Moreover, soil is a substrate that provides sustenance and nutrients to plants, microorganisms and higher organisms.
In view of the great demand for information regarding best practices for soil use and management, as well as remediation, new methods that are traditionally used in other areas have come into play to provide a better understanding of important soil processes and functions. With the arrival of powerful and more efficient computers, molecular modeling has become an important tool, offering insights into scales that were unattainable experimentally, and the ability to simulate complex molecular systems. The application of such methods in soil science has proven to be successful for understanding the interactions within soil at a microscopic level, which is key to determining the fate of pollutants.
Following up the symposia organized in 2005 and 2009, this symposium represents an opportunity to bring together scientists of high prestige in different areas of molecular modeling applied to soil science to discuss the state-of-the-art, promote meaningful discussions and contrast in-depth points of view to determine future perspectives and challenges regarding molecular modeling applied to soil science. Furthermore, the symposium presents an opportunity to foster cooperation and the dissemination of knowledge on methods for the simulation of representative soil models, according to today's needs as well as the prediction of physicochemical properties.
All participants will enjoy a pleasant atmosphere surrounded by other experts in fields of soil science. Molecular modeling methods applied to various areas in soil science will be covered. The symposium is open for the presentation of experimental techniques combined with molecular modeling studies such as contributions in the fields of microcalorimetry, Nano-SIMS, AFM, XANES and similar techniques. These will be divided into plenary sessions:
- Advances of MM methods in soil science
- Soil minerals
- Soil organic matter (SOM)
- Interactions of minerals and SOM
- Fate of contaminants in soils
During the three days of the symposium, there will be talks by experts, oral presentations and poster sessions to share the most recent advances in each field. On the second day, a mini workshop to build SOM models using the Vienna Soil Organic Matter Modeler (VSOMM) tool will be held.
The symposium will take place at BOKU University, which is a leader in the fields of life sciences in Europe and distinguished by its holistic and sustainability-based approach to research and teaching, located in the city of Vienna, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and vibrant arts scene.
More information can be found at the following link:
