Healthy soil for healthy water

Please join us in SLT1 Lecture Theatre 303-G01, on October 22, 2026 at 5:30pm. Some light refreshments will be provided after the lecture.

Abstract

This lecture explores the dual roles of soil in relation to chemical contamination: soil as a potential source of contamination and soil as a filter that protects water resources from contamination. We will examine conventional contaminants like pesticides, alongside emerging threats such as PFAS and nanoparticles. Tracking contaminants from release to remediation highlights the links between soil and water and underscores the urgency of adopting a "One Environment approach to One Health" framework to minimise the impacts of contaminants on human and environmental health.

Biography

Melanie studied soil science and agronomy (University of Lorraine, France) before developing her expertise in the exposure assessment of contaminants in the UK (University of York, FERA), Austria (University of Vienna), and Australia (CSIRO). She joined the School of Environment at the University of Auckland in 2019.

Her experience working with a wide range of contaminants was developed in diverse contexts spanning regulatory work, contracts for industry, and community science. Her leading research on the risk assessment of nanopesticides is a good illustration of her collaborative, multidisciplinary and intersectoral approach. Melanie is a member of the European Science Foundation College of Experts and was invited to join expert panels for a diverse range of international agencies and organisations, including the EFSA, FAO, UN, OECD, and IUPAC.