Šimkovic I., Dlapa P., Doerr S.H., Mataix-Solera J., Sasinková V., 2008. Thermal destruction of soil water repellency and associated changes to soil organic matter as observed by FTIR spectroscopy. Catena 74, 205–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2008.03.003

Šimkovic, I., Dlapa, P., Schwarzinger, C., 2023. Elucidating the composition of organic matter in water-repellent forest soils using analytical pyrolysis combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC–MS). Organic Geochemistry 179, 104586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2023.104586

Dlapa, P., Chrenková, K., Mataix-Solera, J., Simkovic, I., 2012. Soil profile improvement as a by-product of gully stabilization measures. Catena 92, 155–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2011.12.002

Feketeová, Z., Hulejová Sládkovičová, V. Mangová B., Pogányová A., Šimkovic I., Krumpál M., 2016. Biological properties of extremely acidic cyanide-laced mining waste. Ecotoxicology 25 (1), 202-212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-015-1580-z

Dlapa, P., Hriník, D., Hrabovský, A., Šimkovic, I., Žarnovičan, H., Sekucia, F., Kollár, J., 2020. The impact of land-use on the hierarchical pore size distribution and water retention properties in loamy soils. Water 12(2), 339. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12020339

Dlapa, P., Hriník, D., Hrabovský, A., Šimkovic, I., Žarnovičan, H., Sekucia, F., Kollár, J., 2020. The impact of land-use on the hierarchical pore size distribution and water retention properties in loamy soils. Water 12(2), 339. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12020339

Šimkovic, I., Dlapa, P., Schwarzinger, C., 2023. Elucidating the composition of organic matter in water-repellent forest soils using analytical pyrolysis combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC–MS). Organic Geochemistry 179, 104586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2023.104586

Ryan, R., Dosseto, A., Lemarchand, D., Dlapa, P., Thomas, Z., Šimkovic, I., Bradstock, R., 2023. Boron isotopes and FTIR spectroscopy to identify past high severity fires. Catena 222, 106887. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2022.106887

Lu, S., Dosseto, A., Lemarchand, D., Dlapa, P., Šimkovic, I., Bradstock, R., 2022. Investigating boron isotopes and FTIR as proxies for bushfire severity. Catena 219, 106621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2022.106621

Šimkovic, I., Dlapa, P., Feketeová, Z., 2023. Application of Infrared Spectroscopy and Thermal Analysis in Explaining the Variability of Soil Water Repellency. Applied Sciences 13 (1), 216. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13010216

Šimkovic I., Dlapa P., Doerr S.H., Mataix-Solera J., Sasinková V., 2008. Thermal destruction of soil water repellency and associated changes to soil organic matter as observed by FTIR spectroscopy. Catena 74: 205–211.

Cit.: Goebel, M.-O., Bachmann, J., Reichstein, M., Janssens, I.A., Guggenberger, G. 2011. Soil water repellency and its implications for organic matter decomposition - is there a link to extreme climatic events? Global Change Biology 17(8): 2640-2656.

Šimkovic I., Dlapa P., Doerr S.H., Mataix-Solera J., Sasinková V., 2008. Thermal destruction of soil water repellency and associated changes to soil organic matter as observed by FTIR spectroscopy. Catena 74: 205–211.

Cit.: El Fels, L., Zamama, M., El Asli, A., Hafidi, M., 2014. Assessment of biotransformation of organic matter during co-composting of sewage sludge-lignocelullosic waste by chemical, FTIR analyses, and phytotoxicity tests. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation 87: 128-137.

Šimkovic I., Dlapa P., Doerr S.H., Mataix-Solera J., Sasinková V., 2008. Thermal destruction of soil water repellency and associated changes to soil organic matter as observed by FTIR spectroscopy. Catena 74: 205–211.

Cit.: Badía-Villas, D., González-Pérez, J.A., Aznar, J.M., Arjona-Gracia, B., Martí-Dalmau, C., 2014. Changes in water repellency, aggregation and organic matter of a mollic horizon burned in laboratory: Soil depth affected by fire. Geoderma 213: 400-407.

Feketeová Z., Hulejová Sládkovičová V. Mangová B., Pogányová A., Šimkovic I., Krumpál M., 2016. Biological properties of extremely acidic cyanide-laced mining waste. Ecotoxicology 25 (1): 202-212.

Cit.: Winkler, D., Bidló, A., Bolodár-Varga, B., Erdő, Á., Horváth, A., 2018: Long-term ecological effects of the red mud disaster in Hungary: Regeneration of red mud flooded areas in a contaminated industrial region. Science of the Total Environment 644: 1292-1303.

Dlapa, P., Chrenková, K., Mataix-Solera, J., Simkovic, I., 2012. Soil profile improvement as a by-product of gully stabilization measures. Catena 92: 155–161.

Cit.: Vítková, M., Müllerová, J., Sádlo, J., Pergl, J., Pyšek, P., 2017. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) beloved and despised: A story of an invasive tree in Central Europe (Review). Forest Ecology and Management 384: 287-302.

Project VEGA 1/0703/23 (2023 – 2026): The effect of soil structure on soil organic carbon stabilization (principal investigator)

This is an on-going project. It assesses the relationships between the parameters of the soil structure, the processes that affect soil structure and the stability of soil organic matter (SOM). Although the results of current research indicate that the interactions between organic and inorganic components play an important role in soil organic C stabilization, their nature and the effect on soil carbon dynamics have not been characterized in detail. For this purpose, laboratory measurements of selected physical, chemical, and microbial properties are carried out on the samples, which are assumed to have different SOM stability and at the same time variable soil structure. We are focusing especially on the relationship between the resistance of soil aggregates to dispersion (or disintegration) and the thermal stability of SOM. We postulate that the obtained data will elucidate the role of soil structure in organic C stabilization processes that take place in soils.

Project VEGA 1/0712/20 (2020 – 2022): Acquisition of representative soil data via application of innovative non-destructive methods (principal investigator)

The project execution led to optimization of the procedures used for measuring soil properties and improved the data accuracy. A solid basis was created for the evaluation of the soil-plant relations, contamination of soils with risk elements and the study of selected problems of soil organic matter. The concept of the laboratory works was based on conventional procedures as well as methods, the use of which is less typical for soil analysis. Instead of aggressive chemicals application and invasive separation procedures, measurements that allow the analysis of whole soil sample after minimal treatment were preferred. In this regard we used mainly thermo-analytical measurements and infrared spectroscopy. The implementation of the given methods provides accurate soil data that can be used in the study of processes related to soil C dynamics and natural organic matter characterization. The results of the mentioned measurements can be expressed in the form of various quantitative indices that can serve as partial indicators of soil quality.

Project VEGA 1/0614/17 (2017 – 2019): Stability of soil organic matter in agricultural soils of Slovakia (principal investigator)

The project was aimed on the evaluation of the stability of soil organic matter (SOM) in agricultural soils in Slovakia. Soil samples were taken mainly from southwestern Slovakia, where the soil cover is characterized by good production quality and high content of organic carbon. Stability of SOM was assessed using thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), as well as by measuring the activity of selected enzymes. It was found that the stability of SOM depends on the total content of organic C in the soil. With increasing amounts of organic C in the sample, the stability of SOM decreases. Besides that, the stability of SOM is partially controlled by other properties, such as elemental composition (C, H, N, O) of SOM and characteristics of clay fraction. The results suggest that in soils of Podunajská nížina lowland, the most stable fraction of POH is bound with clay.

Project VEGA 2/0147/21 (2021 – 2024): Evolution of soil properties and vegetation on the former agricultural land (investigator)

The project is focused on the changes in soil properties and vegetation development in agricultural land, which has taken place since the end of 19th century due to the various socio-economic changes. Such research is essential for its optimal contemporary use and management also due to the fact that it covers large areas in Slovakia. Selected study areas include various conditions and history of land use: 1) Podunajská nížina lowland (former fields & vineyards, calcareous soils), 2) Borská nížina lowland (former fields & vineyards, sandy siliceous soils), 3) Malé Karpaty Mts. (former fields & vineyards, siliceous soils), 4) Považský Inovec Mts. (former fields & pastures, calcareous soils), 5) Liptov (former fields & pastures, siliceous & calcareous soils). The project has an interdisciplinary character and intersectoral team composition. For soils, changes and development in both basic and special soil properties will be studied, vegetation part is focused on the various aspects of secondary succession.

Project VEGA 2/0074/25 (2025-2028) Abandonment of agricultural land with different historical uses in selected regions of Slovakia and its impact on the development of soil properties and vegetation (investigator)

Abandonment of agricultural land is a global, dynamic and multidimensional problem. To study this phenomenon, the project focuses on 1) changes in selected soil properties and processes, and 2) processes of secondary regressive succession (vegetation development) on abandoned agricultural land. To capture different natural conditions and historical use, attention is focused on selected model areas. In the soil part, the changes and development of basic as well as some special soil characteristics will be studied with an emphasis on hydropedological properties, the vegetation part is focused on the processes and mechanisms of secondary succession. Such landscapes have a considerable area in Slovakia confirming the topicality and relevance of the study of the issue. Due to the nature of the project, the research team includes the staff of ILE SAS and the Department of Soil Sciences, Comenius University.