Professor Ian Bull
B.Sc. (Bristol), Ph.D.(Bristol)
Expertise
I use analytical chemistry to study and further our understanding of complex natural systems, principally soil, to enhance carbon sequestration, mitigate against climate change, enhance nutrient resources and eliminate pollution.
Current positions
Professor of Analytical Chemistry
School of Chemistry
Contact
Press and media
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Biography
I have remained in Bristol first as a PDRA then, from 2007, as a University Research Fellow. In January 2021 I became an Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry and then, in August 2024, a Professor of Analytical Chemistry. I currently lead the NERC-funded National Environmental Isotope Facility (NEIF).
I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, The Royal Society of Chemistry, and the British Society of Soil Science.
I am also a Speciality Editor for Frontiers in Geochemistry and an Associate Editor for Organic Geochemistry and the European Journal of Soil Science.
Research interests
My research concerns organic compounds in soil and other related environments. Specific areas of interest include:
- the molecular fate of organic matter in soil,
- use of volatile compounds (VOCs) as proxies for soil function and health,
- chemical/microbiological consequences and fate of plastics in the soil,
- ancient/contemporary sewage pollution in soils, sediments and freshwater,
- the effect that soil fauna have on the decomposition of soil organic matter,
- decomposition and detection of human and animal remains in soils,
- development of organic and light isotope mass spectrometric analytical methodologies,
- ultra complex mixture analysis of environmental samples.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
AH/Z505808/1 AHRC Centre for Chemical Characterisation in Heritage Science (C3HS) at the University of Bristol
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
01/09/2024 to 31/08/2026
Recommissioning of National Environmental Isotope Facility (OAFI)
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
01/04/2024 to 31/03/2031
Discovering the molecular basis for carbon storage in soil for food security and climate change mitigation
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
01/09/2023 to 31/08/2026
Discovering the molecular basis for carbon storage in soil for food security and climate change mitigation
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
01/09/2023 to 26/08/2026
Thesis supervisions
Publications
Recent publications
15/01/2024Non-avian dinosaur eggshell calcite can contain ancient, endogenous amino acids
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
The cuticular wax composition and crystal coverage of leaves and petals differ in a consistent manner between plant species
Open Biology
Soil metabolomics - current challenges and future perspectives
Soil Biology and Biochemistry
Lipids in Archaeology
Handbook of Archaeological Sciences
Increasing concentration of pure micro- and macro-LDPE and PP plastic negatively affect crop biomass, nutrient cycling, and microbial biomass
Journal of Hazardous Materials
Thesis
New molecular methods for tracing natural and anthropogenic inputs to soils and sediments.
Supervisors
Award date
01/01/1997
Teaching
CHEM10012 - Life Chemistry: Life Through the Chemical Lens
CHEM20015/16 - Core Concepts in Chemistry
CHEM20004/20006/20010 - Intermediate Practical and Analytical Chemistry
CHEM20012 - Environmental Life Chemistry (Unit Director)
CHEM30026 - The Art of Chemistry: Advanced Analytical Chemistry
CHEMM0051 - Advanced Topics in Current Research 2
I deliver tutorials at Level 1 and supervise 3 to 4 final-year undergraduate projects yearly.
I am also co-director of the new PGT course MSc in Environmental Analytical Chemistry
Related people
Dr Lucy Cramp
Associate Professor in Archaeology
Department of Anthropology and Archaeology
Dr Helen Whelton
Senior Research Associate
School of Chemistry
Professor Richard Evershed
Professor
School of Chemistry
Dr Julie Dunne
Visiting Senior Research Associate
School of Chemistry
Dr Michaela Reay
Senior Research Associate
School of Chemistry