Staff Profile:Dr Tom Sizmur

Name:

Dr Tom Sizmur

Job Title:

Associate Professor

Responsibilities:

• Programme Director for MSc Environmental Pollution

• School Director for Postgraduate Taught Programmes

Areas of Interest:

• Soil organic matter biogeochemistry

• Improving soil health by applying organic amendments

• The impact of environmental change on soil biogeochemical cycles

Teaching:

Tom convenes modules in Environmental Chemistry (Year 2) and Environmental Pollution (Year 3) that are core to the BSc Environmental Science Programme. He convenes a module on Laboratory Analysis of Soils and Pollutants that is a core component of the MSc Environmental Pollution programme and an optional module on the MSc Environmental Management programme. He also teaches on an MSc module that focuses on Pollutant Behaviour in the Environment. Every year Tom supervises a number of BSc and MSc dissertation research projects.

Postdoctoral and Postgraduate Research Supervision:

Tom is happy to discuss proposals for postdoctoral fellowships or PhD studentships in any area of soil biogeochemistry, but particularly those interested in soil carbon dynamics and the improvement of soil health through the incorporation of organic matter. He currently supervises the following postdoctoral researchers and PhD students:

• Dr Xin Shu: DIVERSE - DIVerse crop residues Engender Resilience of Soil functions and Ecosystem services. Funded by a BBSRC New Investigator Grant
• Dr Alfonso Rodriguez-Vila: Do biochar amendments reduce micronutrient availability in deficient soils? Funded by a Xunta de Galicia Postdoctoral Fellowship and a Research England GCRF Strategic Fund Development of Equitable Partnerships Project
• Henny Folorunso: How do earthworms and soil microbial communities interact to determine the fate of organic matter amendments to soil? Funded by a NERC SCENARIO studentship
• Dedy Antony: Factors affecting soil carbon storage at depth in agricultural systems in the UK. Funded by the Indonesian Government
• Jessica Ponting: Impact of extreme rainfall events on the mobility of potentially toxic elements in floodplains. Funded by a NERC SCENARIO studentship with CASE support from British Geological Survey
• Alex Adekanmbi: Impact of climate change on soil respiration and resilience. Funded by a Commonwealth Scholarship
• Edward Baker: Developing soil health indicators to inform land management decisions and increase crop yield and quality. Funded by a BBSRC studentship with CASE support from the Waitrose Agronomy Group
• Chinonso Ogbuagu: Remediation of contaminated soils using biochar. Funded by The Petroleum Technology Development Fund
• Harrison Frost: (University of Surrey) Do microplastics transfer potentially toxic elements from water to soil? Funded by a NERC SCENARIO studentship
• Lottie Hawkins: Exploring the role of biochar to increase the sustainability of UK farming businesses. Funded by the Wilkie Calvert PhD Studentship
• George Sawyer: Do cover crops increase the resilience and sustainability of the agri-food system? Funded by a BBSRC FoodBioSystems studentship
• Christina Van Midden: (Cranfield University) Manipulating the microbial legacy response to organic amendments for soil nutrient bioavailability. Funded by a BBSRC FoodBioSystems studentship with CASE
• Ellie Barbrook: Optimizing soil nitrogen (N) in babyleaf salad crops for sustainable crop production. Funded by a BBSRC studentship with CASE support from the Waitrose Agronomy Group

Alumni

• Marijke Struijk: Can we make better use of crop residues? Funded by a SAGES/Faculty of Science studentship and the Waitrose Agronomy Group
• Betty Amponsah-Doku: Investigating the Contribution of Abiotic Stresses to the Ghanaian Cocoa Yield Gap. Funded by the Ghanaian Cocoa Board

Research groups / Centres:

• Environmental Science Research Division
• Soil Research Centre

Key Facts:

Tom’s research interests span the biogeochemistry of soils in agricultural, natural, and polluted environments. His research interests particularly relate to the benefits that can be obtained from the incorporation of crop residues and other organic amendments into soils to recycle nutrients and feed soil organisms. While there is widespread acceptance that increasing soil organic matter is a laudable aim and that organic amendments are a tractable means to achieve this aim, the objective of Tom’s research is to identify or develop strategies whereby the maximum possible benefits are obtained by the judicious application of situation appropriate amendments. Strategies under investigation include the application of biochar to tropical soils, and the use of cover crop green manure mixtures that provide benefits that are greater than the sum of the parts.

Tom is the Chair of the Environmental Chemistry Group of the Royal Society of Chemistry, an Editor for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, a member of the British Ecological Society and Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Peer Review Colleges.

For more information on Tom's research, please see his Personal Webpage.

Publications:

Y

Jump to: 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008

Number of items: 41.

2021

• Kiss, T. B. W., Chen, X., Ponting, J., Sizmur, T. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9835-7195 and Hodson, M. E. (2021) Dual stresses of flooding and agricultural land use reduce earthworm populations more than the individual stressors. Science of The Total Environment, 754. 142102. ISSN 0048-9697 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142102
• Ponting, J., Kelly, T. J., Verhoef, A., Watts, M. J. and Sizmur, T. (2021) The impact of increased flooding occurrence on the mobility of potentially toxic elements in floodplain soil – a review. Science of the Total Environment, 754. 142040. ISSN 0048-9697 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142040
• Lind, K., Siemianowski, O., Yuan, B., Sizmur, T. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9835-7195, VanEvery, H., Banerjee, S. and Cademartiri, L. (2021) Evidence for root adaptation to a spatially discontinuous water availability in the absence of external water potential gradients. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118 (1). e2012892118. ISSN 1091-6490 doi: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2012892118

2020

• Kelly, T. J., Hamilton, E., Watts, M. J., Ponting, J. and Sizmur, T. (2020) The effect of flooding and drainage duration on the release of potentially toxic elements from floodplain soils. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. ISSN 0730-7268 doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4830
• Sizmur, T. and Richardson, J. (2020) Earthworms accelerate the biogeochemical cycling of potentially toxic elements: results of a meta-analysis. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 148. 107865. ISSN 0038-0717 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2020.107865
• Xia, H., Wang, L., Qiao, Y., Kong, W., Xue, Y., Wang, Z., Kong, L., Xue, Y. and Sizmur, T. (2020) Elucidating the source–sink relationships of zinc biofortification in wheat grains: a review. Food and Energy Security. ISSN 2048-3694 doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.243
• Duddigan, S., Gil‐Martínez, M., Fraser, T., Green, I., Diaz, A., Sizmur, T., Pawlett, M., Raulund‐Rasmussen, K. and Tibbett, M. (2020) Evaluating heathland restoration belowground using different quality indices of soil chemical and biological properties. Agronomy, 10 (8). 1140. ISSN 2073-4395 doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081140
• Struijk, M., Whitmore, A. P., Mortimer, S. and Sizmur, T. (2020) Obtaining more benefits from crop residues as soil amendments by application as chemically heterogeneous mixtures. SOIL. ISSN 2199-398X doi: https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2020-9 (In Press)
• Ganesan, S. P., Bordoloi, S., Ni, J., Sizmur, T., Garg, A. and Sekharan, S. (2020) Exploring implication of variation in biochar production on geotechnical properties of soil. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. ISSN 2190-6823 doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-00847-2
• Richardson, J. B., Görres, J. H. and Sizmur, T. (2020) Synthesis of earthworm trace metal uptake and bioaccumulation data: role of soil concentration, earthworm ecophysiology, and experimental design. Environmental Pollution, 262. 114126. ISSN 0269-7491 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114126
• Adekanmbi, A. A., Shaw, L. J. and Sizmur, T. (2020) Effect of sieving on ex-situ soil respiration of soils from three land use types. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 2020. pp. 912-916. ISSN 0718-9516 doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-020-00177-2

2019

• Campbell, L., Sizmur, T., Juanes, F. and Gerwing, T. G. (2019) Passive reclamation of soft-sediment ecosystems on the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Journal of Sea Research, 155. 101796. ISSN 1385-1101 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2019.101796
• Campbell, L., Wood, L., Allen Gerwing, A. M., Allen, S., Sizmur, T., Rogers, M., Gray, O., Drewes, M., Juanes, F. and Gerwing, T. G. (2019) A rapid, non-invasive population assessment technique for marine burrowing macrofauna inhabiting soft sediments. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 227. 106343. ISSN 0272-7714 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2019.106343
• Tibbett, M., Gil-Martínez, M., Fraser, T., Green, I. D., Duddigan, S., De Oliveira, V. H., Raulund-Rasmussen, K., Sizmur, T. and Diaz, A. (2019) Long-term acidification of pH neutral grasslands affects soil biodiversity, fertility and function in a heathland restoration. Catena, 180. pp. 401-415. ISSN 0341-8162 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2019.03.013
• Sizmur, T., Campbell, L., Dracott, K., Jones, M., O’Driscoll, N. J. and Gerwing, T. (2019) Relationships between potentially toxic elements in intertidal sediments and their bioaccumulation by benthic invertebrates. PLoS ONE, 14 (9). e0216767. ISSN 1932-6203 doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216767

2018

• Rodríguez-Vila, A., Selwyn-Smith, H., Enunwa, L., Smail, I., Covelo, E. F. and Sizmur, T. (2018) Predicting Cu and Zn sorption capacity of biochar from feedstock C/N ratio and pyrolysis temperature. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25 (8). pp. 7730-7739. ISSN 0944-1344 doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-1047-2

2017

• Sizmur, T., Fresno, T., Akgül, G., Frost, H. and Moreno-Jiménez, E. (2017) Biochar modification to enhance sorption of inorganics from water. Bioresource Technology, 246. pp. 34-47. ISSN 0960-8524 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2017.07.082
• Sizmur, T., Martin, E., Wagner, K., Parmentier, E., Watts, C. and Whitmore, A. P. (2017) Milled cereal straw accelerates earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) growth more than selected organic amendments. Applied Soil Ecology, 113. pp. 166-177. ISSN 0929-1393 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2016.12.006
• Sizmur, T., McArthur, G., Risk, D., Tordon, R. and O'Driscoll, N. J. (2017) Gaseous mercury flux from salt marshes is mediated by solar radiation and temperature. Atmospheric Environment, 153. pp. 117-125. ISSN 1352-2310 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2017.01.024

2016

• Lind, K. A., Lee, N., Sizmur, T., Siemianowski, O., Van Bruggen, S., Ganapathysubramaniam, B. and Cademartiri, L. (2016) Plant growth environments with programmable relative humidity and homogeneous nutrient availability. PLoS ONE, 11 (6). e0155960. ISSN 1932-6203 doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0155960
• Sizmur, T., Quilliam, R., Peregrina Puga, A., Moreno-Jiménez, E., Beesley, L. and Gomez-Eyles, J. (2016) Application of biochar for soil remediation. In: Guo, M., He, Z. and Uchimiya, M. (eds.) Agricultural and Environmental Applications of Biochar: Advances and Barriers. SSSA Special Publication (63). Soil Science Society of America. ISBN 9780891189671 doi: https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaspecpub63.2014.0046.5
• Sizmur, T., Godfrey, A. and O'Driscoll, N. J. (2016) Effects of coastal managed retreat on mercury biogeochemistry. Environmental Pollution, 209. pp. 99-106. ISSN 0269-7491 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2015.11.016

2015

• Beesley, L., Moreno-Jimenez, E., Fellet, G., Carrijo, L. and Sizmur, T. (2015) Biochar and heavy metals. In: Lehmann, J. and Joseph, S. (eds.) Biochar for environmental management: science, technology and implementation. 2nd ed. Earthscan, London, pp. 563-594. ISBN 9780415704151

2014

• Lind, K., Sizmur, T., Benomar, S., Miller, A. and Cademartiri, L. (2014) LEGO® bricks as building blocks for centimeter-scale biological environments. PLoS ONE, 9 (6). ISSN 1932-6203 doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0100867
• Sizmur, T., Lind, K., Benomar, S., VanEvery, H. and Cademartiri, L. (2014) A simple and versatile 2-dimensional platform to study plant germination and growth under controlled humidity. PLoS ONE, 9 (5). e96730. ISSN 1932-6203 doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0096730
• Hodson, M., Black, S., Brinza, L., Carpenter, D., Lambkin, D., Mosselmans, F., Palumbo-Roe, B., Schofield, P., Sizmur, T. and Versteegh, E. (2014) Biology as an agent of chemical and mineralogical change in soil. Procedia Earth and Planetary Science, 10. pp. 114-117. ISSN 1878-5220 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeps.2014.08.039

2013

• Sizmur, T., Canario, J., Edmonds, S., Godfrey, A. and O'Driscoll, N. (2013) The polychaete worm Nereis diversicolor increases mercury lability and methylation in intertidal mudflats. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 32 (8). pp. 1888-1895. ISSN 0730-7268 doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.2264
• Sizmur, T., Canario, J., Gerwing, T., Mallory, M. and O'Driscoll, N. (2013) Mercury and methylmercury bioaccumulation by polychaete worms is governed by both feeding ecology and mercury bioavailability in coastal mudflats. Environmental Pollution, 176. pp. 18-25. ISSN 0269-7491 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2013.01.008
• Gomez-Eyles, J., Beesley, L., Moreno-Jimenez, E., Ghosh, U. and Sizmur, T. (2013) The potential of biochar amendments to remediate contaminated soils. In: Ladygina, N. and Rineau, F. (eds.) Biochar and Soil Biota. CRC Press, pp. 100-133. ISBN 9781466576483 doi: https://doi.org/10.1201/b14585-5

2012

• Haverstock, S., Sizmur, T., Murimboh, J. and O'Driscoll, N. (2012) Modeling the photo-oxidation of dissolved organic matter by ultraviolet radiation in freshwater lakes: implications for mercury bioavailability. Chemosphere, 88 (10). pp. 1220-1226. ISSN 0045-6535 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.03.073

2011

• Sizmur, T., Watts, M. J., Brown, G. D., Palumbo-Roe, B. and Hodson, M. E. (2011) Impact of gut passage and mucus secretion by the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris on mobility and speciation of arsenic in contaminated soil. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 197. pp. 169-175. ISSN 0304-3894 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.09.071
• Sizmur, T., Wingate, J., Hutchings, T. and Hodson, M. E. (2011) Lumbricus terrestris L. does not impact on the remediation efficiency of compost and biochar amendments. Pedobiologia, 54 (Suppl.). S211-S216. ISSN 0031-4056 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedobi.2011.08.008
• Beesley, L., Moreno-Jimenez, E., Gomez-Eyles, J., Harris, E., Robinson, B. and Sizmur, T. (2011) A review of biochars’ potential role in the remediation, revegetation and restoration of contaminated soils. Environmental Pollution, 159 (12). pp. 3269-3282. ISSN 0269-7491 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2011.07.023
• Sizmur, T., Palumbo-Roe, B. and Hodson, M. E. (2011) Impact of earthworms on trace element solubility in contaminated mine soils amended with green waste compost. Environmental Pollution, 159 (7). pp. 1852-1860. ISSN 0269-7491 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2011.03.024
• Sizmur, T., Palumbo-Roe, B., Watts, M. J. and Hodson, M. E. (2011) Impact of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris (L.) on As, Cu, Pb and Zn mobility and speciation in contaminated soils. Environmental Pollution, 159 (3). pp. 742-748. ISSN 0269-7491 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2010.11.033
• Sizmur, T., Tilston, E. L., Charnock, J., Palumbo-Roe, B., Watts, M. J. and Hodson, M. E. (2011) Impacts of epigeic, anecic and endogeic earthworms on metal and metalloid mobility and availability. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 13 (2). pp. 266-273. ISSN 1464-0333 doi: https://doi.org/10.1039/C0EM00519C
• Gomez-Eyles, J. L., Sizmur, T., Collins, C. D. and Hodson, M. E. (2011) Effects of biochar and the earthworm Eisenia fetida on the bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and potentially toxic elements. Environmental Pollution, 159 (2). pp. 616-622. ISSN 0269-7491 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2010.09.037

2010

• Sizmur, T., Palumbo-Roe, B. and Hodson, M. (2010) Why does earthworm mucus decrease metal mobility? Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, 6 (4). pp. 777-779. ISSN 1551-3793 doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.124
• Tilston, E. L., Sizmur, T., Dixon, G. R., Otten, W. and Harris, J. A. (2010) The impact of land-use practices on soil microbes. In: Dixon, G. R. and Tilston, E. L. (eds.) Soil Microbiology and Sustainable Crop Production. Springer, Netherlands, pp. 273-295. ISBN 9789048194797 doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9479-7_7

2009

• Sizmur, T. and Hodson, M. E. (2009) Do earthworms impact metal mobility and availability in soil? A review. Environmental Pollution, 157 (7). pp. 1981-1989. ISSN 0269-7491 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2009.02.029

2008

• Sizmur, T. and Hodson, M. E. (2008) The impact of Eisenia veneta on As, Cu, Pb and Zn uptake by ryegrass (Lolium perenne L). Mineralogical Magazine, 72 (1). pp. 495-499. ISSN 0026-461X doi: https://doi.org/10.1180/minmag.2008.072.1.495

This list was generated on Fri Jan 15 09:42:54 2021 UTC.